The Deal [GOTHIC GLOOM]

The Deal

Alyx's breathe fanned out in front of her face, forming clouds. Shivering, the young woman wrapped her arms around herself to stay warm. The wind howled merciless past her shivering form.

Frantically, she glanced over her shoulder, watching how the ominous shadow crept closer. A disturbing howling was heard in the distance; making her wince and grasp her head. Forcing her legs to move faster, she sped up her pace.

'In the Southern parts of town, behind the forest, you will find an old building next to a grand oak tree. Enter it and stay there during the night and you will be save from the hounds of Hell.' The priest had said. Following the priest's directions towards the building, she glanced up. A foreboding feeling settling in her stomach.

An old house doomed up before her, mist crawling around between the trees. Just like the priest had said, there was an oak tree as well. It's branches reaching up high towards the sky, reminding her of the clawed hands of some beast. The building was well-worn; once it was a thriving place and being the home to countless families, but over the ages it had fallen into decay.

Walking up on the hill, mist crawling over her sneaker-glad feet, the young girl went forwards. Alyx ignored her foreboding feeling and the menacing shadow that had followed her around since the sun went down.

Lightly touching the cross-necklace clasped around her neck, she pushed open the heavy wooden door leading inside. Her muscles screamed out in pain and sweat formed on her skin; her shirt becoming sticky against her skin. The door opened with an earsplitting creak.

Swift as a shadow, the girl slipped inside. Her bright eyes looked around in curiosity.

Taking a step forward, the wooden floor creaked underneath her feet and pieces of wood and stone were sprawled over the floor. There were cracks in the walls and most of the windows were destroyed. The building provided little warmth, much to the dismay of the shivering girl.

Alyx wrapped her thin coat tighter around her body, cursing her own stupidity for not taking something warmer with her.

A horrid howl pierced the air. The girl's eyes widened and her heartrate sped up, her breathing becoming more frantic while she hurried backwards, further into the abandoned home. They were close. Her mind was racing and she started to sob uncontrollably, the terror she felt to her very bone getting the better of her. Clear tears streamed down her pale skin. Her hand closed across her mouth, sobs racking her body, why she desperately tried to calm down.

Deep breaths. Deeps breaths. She repeated to herself. Looking up at the ceiling and counting the cracks, she calmed down slightly.

It had started raining outside, the rain blowing against what's left of the windows and a loud growl could be heard just from outside the closed door.

The hound banged loudly against the door, the door grating on its rusty hinges. It won't hold, the girl knew. The door banged again and the girl turned on her heels, running further into the house and away from the beast of Hell.

Alyx wasn't thinking clearly. Her primal instincts took over, screaming at her to get as far away as she could, to survive. So she did just that. She ran.

The door banged open and something heavy landed on the ground. The beast followed her, panting loudly and talons scraping over the wooden floor.

Fleeing up the stairs and into a random room, Alyx locked the door behind her, backing up until her back hit the wall. Her hands shook wildly and her breathe came out in gasps.

The hound stilled before the door. It appeared to be sniffing the ground, searching for her tracks. The hellhound growled and banged open the door. Alyx could do nothing but stare at the being before her, or more like what she couldn't see.

Seeing nothing but burning red eyes and the vague shape of the being she stilled. Silently hoping that the hellhound would just change its mind and leave her alone. The hellhound lowered its head and it growled deep into its throat.

In a flash the hound had its teeth deep into her throat, killing her in an instant. Blood spattered around and Alyx screamed one last time; a feral scream of nothing but pure terror and anguish.A scream of the damned.

Her soul was forced out of her body, and she tried to flee up towards Heaven, away from the monstrous beast, but the hound got her by her feet and dragged her down instead. And down and down and even further down.
       
Screams met her ears and the hands of the damned reached out to her, dragging her down and into the scorching hot fires of Hell. Alyx screamed it out when the fires burned her to her very soul and consumed her whole.

Agony and terror had become her new live.

~ ~ ~

Abaddon saw how his hound dragged the young girl into hell – the girl who was stupid enough to make a deal with him to save her mother's life –  the girl screaming all the way down, his lips curled up into a menacing grin; revealing his set of sharp fangs. Feathered scarlet wings rustling behind him, the fallen angel leaned forward on his throne of bones, enchanted by her screams of terror and agony. Humans are so amusing, he mused to himself. So fascinating.

The prince of Hell laughed to himself. "That's what you get for making a deal with a demon!" He bellowed, knowing fully well that the girl could hear him. "Don't worry though," he added, in an almost mocking-tone, "your mother will life. Just like I promised you. I do stay true to my words after all."

"I welcome you to Hell, little girl. May you burn for an eternity!"

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Word count - author's note not counted: 989

Alright my little demons, this here was my entry for the 'Gothic Gloom' contest by @fright to write a gothic-themed one-shot below the 1K words. I have never written anything 'gothic' before so - I'm still not even sure if I understand well enough what it means - I have no idea how I did to be honest, but we'll see about that soon enough I guess XD At least it was fun to do.

Anyway, please do tell me what you thought about it! If you have any points for me to improve on, don't be afraid to point it out to me alright?

And before you ask, I'm not going to make a 'full novel' of this - save your breath - this stays as a one-shot, even way after the contest it over. If you like my writing, feel free to go to my profile. I have a story up called 'Devil's Heart' and I have a couple of one-shots as well. [shameless self-promotion]

A special thanks to @TaintedHearts_ for the incredible cover btw!

Hugs and knives,

- Luci