Child of the Black Flames

Chapter 2

Ch. 2

The next day he got a strange call from Veronica. Her voice was emotionless and cold, but every time Ash asked about it, she didn't reply. All she would say is that after school, he needed to come with her. He smiled, thinking this was the time he finally got to meet her parents probably. How exciting.

She led him to a strange place, claiming it was where she lived but ash thought it was a joke. The house was hardly a house but a big concrete cube with one metal door. He laughed, asking her if she was joking but her suddenly serious expression and out of character vibe showed him that she wasn't. The atmosphere around them became uncomfortable as her cheer dimmed. Ash looked up. Dark clouds were starting to blanket the sky until every last tranquil bit of baby blue disappeared and the pitter patter of droplets hitting his skin could be heard. How sudden, he thought. And how unlucky. She tugged on his jacket getting his attention.

"We should go inside..." She said quietly, not taking her eyes off of the metal door leading into her "home". Ash nodded, thinking it'd be a lot better than getting soaked in the rain. He walked with Veronica in arm towards the door, when they got there she reached out for the handle and pulled it open. Ash was surprised how easily she flung the heavy metal door open. He peered inside curiously. It was so dark he couldn't see a thing. Darkness engulfed him and he was suddenly sure that Veronica was no longer beside him. That she had been absorbed by the pure blackness of the room and got lost. He heard the loud click of the heavy door locking, and then silence. Ash called out for her, hesitantly and quiet at first but louder and louder as she didn't answer. He felt around blindly, trying to feel for her. He hoped that his hands would land on her long silky hair or her short frilly dress; but he felt nothing. It was as if she had truly disappeared. Not about to panic just yet ash decided to play whatever little game this probably was.

"Ok! I'm coming to find you!" he laughed nervously, questioning whatever humor his odd girlfriend had behind this. He stepped forward, his arms moving around in fear of running into something. The darkness was almost tangible it was so thick. The room had a very revolting odor, one of rotting beef and chicken. Ash imagined a more... well... girly smell for a girl's room. Something like "Pixie Breath" or "Sensual Amber". Not just Amber. Sensual amber. He smiled to himself for only a moment before the smell fought its way back into his nostrils and what felt like his brain. Ash gagged covering his nose with one hand and continuing to feel about with the other. Slowly he kept going. Under his feet he felt something wet coat the bottom of his shoe. It was thick and sticky, slightly holding him to the ground with each step, making a gross squishing noise each time his foot hit the ground which sent his stomach turning. He felt his legs bump into various objects that were wet and soft. He pushed them away easily with his foot. This was getting old.

"This isn't funny, Ver!" ash started to become irritated. "What the hell am I supposed to be doing?! What is the objective of your stupid game?!" Finally he saw a light. A strange dim glowing line in front of him. Ash reached to touch it and felt around a strange cube. Some kind of box made out of an odd stone and the "line of light" was coming from a small opening. He grabbed hold of the lid and pulled open the box. The room was illuminated by a strange orange glow. Finally he could see everything and suddenly he wish he stayed ignorant. The walls were stone, just like the outside, and the floors were red, stained with... blood. Ash's eyes widened in horror. The walls were dripping with it and even his own pant legs were soaked. Even worse, severed limbs were sprawled across the floor. Arms and legs just soaking in the blood and rotting. His eyes traced along the floor until he spotted a pair of feet standing in front of himself he followed them upwards to see it was his girlfriend standing right where she had disappeared. She was twitching violently, her eyes dull and lifeless as she glared at Ash.

In a suddenly demonic voice, deep and hoarse, she called out, "Close the box". Ash looked down to find an orange gem in the center of it. Temptation overwhelmed him and despite her protests, he removed the gem from its box and held it in his hand. She began to change into something inhuman. Without hesitation, Ash ran before he could watch anymore.

Ash Alexandar held the trinket tightly as he ran. He wasn't sure where he was or where he was running to. All he cared about was outrunning her. Ash could no longer picture her long and beautiful red hair or her emerald green eyes. All he could see now was the bloody holes that once held her eyes and the string like strands of rotting flesh between her teeth. Ash ran far until he was no longer able to run anymore. He quickly took refuge behind the old church. He attempted to hide himself as he slid against the wall of rotting wood, trying desperately to catch his breath and keep quiet at the same time. Trying to ward off panic, Ash reminded himself of who he was and what he was capable of. He had the ability to stop her if he really wished too. That would require... no... No! He shook his head almost violently at the thought. He could never... KILL her. This was still Veronica, wasn't it? It was still the beautiful young woman that he's been adoring since grade school, right? Ash didn't really know the answer. That THING sure as hell didn't look or act or... smell like her anymore. He had almost forgotten about the round gem that he had stolen from the small black box. He opened his hand and immediately his eyes were fixed on the gem. It was bright and orange. It seemed to glow so intensely that Ash could barely take the sight of it. For what seemed like such a long time, he observed every detail of it. He knew that somehow this is why the girl he thought he loved turned into such a creature. This is the reason why she turned on him. She couldn't be in control could she...? It had to be the fault of this mysterious gem, but all he could see was a dumb, colorful rock. That pissed Ash off beyond measure. He was not a regular imbecile like the ones that had always surrounded him. He was brilliant. His grades and reputation proved that fact. No one could best him and anyone who even dared to challenge him were humiliated greatly. It's always been that way. He saw every challenge or trial in his life as just another puzzle, and he had always defeated it effortlessly. Why couldn't he see what was up with the stupid object in his cold, pale hands? It was just another stupid puzzle yet Ash found himself standing there without a clue. He felt like a child. He sighed and sat back against the wood, sliding down to the grass. It was awfully chilly outside that evening. He was thankful that he wore his favorite black trench coat to Veronica's house. The strange mark on his neck burned and at that moment he heard his name being called from afar. She was coming. And she was so much closer than he originally had feared. He tried to calm himself and come up with a plan that didn't involve hurting her but there seemed to be none. His name was called again, much closer and with more hatred in the tone. Suddenly she turned the corner and it finally hit Ash as clear as day that this was not the same girl he had fallen for.

There stood a winged creature full of evil and pain. Large, sharp teeth and wide bloody sockets. It screeched at him and began to charge. Ash was out of time and unfortunately he knew what needed to be done. The world felt as if it were moving in slow motion as he flailed his arms out and black fire engulfed them, ready to attack the creature.

A flash crossed Ash's mind of the time they first met. He remembered the smell of sea salt and the white dress she wore. He remembered the lovely pigtails her hair was in and how they flowed in the breeze. Most of all he remembered those beautiful deep green eyes that he never could say no too. Even in the moment that he was sure was her last, Ash still knew that he loved Veronica Chance. But that wasn't her anymore.

Ash released a spiraling vortex of black fire straight at Veronica's rotting heart and immediately she was disintegrated into nothing.