Hell's Love

Chapter 18

Pastor Josiah sat in his living room and waited to hear from his son. Dominic had called him a couple days ago to let him know everything was okay. Pastor Josiah wanted to make sure that everything really was okay and Zorohm was gone forever. As he stood from the couch, a ringing sounded from his pocket. 
"Dominic." He answered on the second ring. 
"Dad, Ava is awake," Dominic whispered the phone. 
Pastor Josiah sighed. "I'm happy to hear that."
"Zorohm is gone," Dominic said. "We'll never see him again."
"You're sure?"
"Yes, he's in Hell," Dominic replied.
"Good." Pastor Josiah said. 
It's really over, then.  Pastor Josiah thought as a long breath escaped his lips. 
"I'll tell you everything that happened later," Dominic said. "I want to get back to Ava."
"Of course. I'll see you later." 
"Bye, Dad," Dominic replied and hung up. Pastor Josiah walked upstairs. He hurried into his bedroom, where a brown book laid on his nightstand. He picked it up and walked back into the hall. As he turned the corner, he raced up the stairs into the attic. It was a small brick room with many tables, chairs, a couple of dressers, and a vanity. He got on his knees and pulled a brick from the wall. Behind the brick were a folded note, a wooden box, and an old cross. He placed the book inside and shoved the brick back in. 
That night will be a memory and nothing more. 

Dominic walked back into Ava's hospital room and sat in the chair next to her bed. She opened her eyes with a small smile. Dominic sucked in a breath when she looked at him. Her brown eyes locked with his green ones.
"How's your dad?" She asked.
"Good," Dominic said. "Relieved that you're okay and this is over."
"I am too." She replied as she sat up in the bed.
"Have you heard from the doctor?" Dominic asked.
Ava nodded. "If I feel ready, I can leave in the morning."
"That's good. It'll be nice to sleep in your own bed."
"It will," Ava said with a frown. Her hands gripped the railing on the side of the bed.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Ava, I wouldn't be thrilled about going home if I experienced what you had."
"I'll be okay." She said. "Did you order the pizza?"
"Yeah, Declan said he'd pick it up."
"I'm excited," Ava said with a grin.
"I bet after not eating very much in over two weeks."
"He did make me some things,"
"What kind of things?" Dominic asked as she leaned closer to him.
"Bugs." She whispered and gagged.
"You're not serious?"
She nodded. "Unfortunately."
"I've actually seen worse," Dominic said and the door of the hospital opened. Declan walked in with a pizza, drinks, and a candy bar. Ava stood up as she hopped over to Declan.
"Careful," Dominic said and rushed to catch her arm.
"We don't want you to break anything else," Declan added as he laid the pizza on the table. He handed a lemonade to Ava and a Coke to Dominic.
"Thanks for picking it up," Dominic said.
"Yes, thank you," Ava said as she reached for the pizza. "I've never been this happy to see food."
"How are you feeling?" Declan asked and grabbed a slice of pizza.
"Better," Ava responded. "How was your rest?"
Declan shrugged. "I didn't sleep too much. I mostly just showered and came back."
"Will you go home and sleep tonight?" Ava asked as she sat back on the bed. 
"I don't want to leave you," Declan responded with his eyes on her. 
"I'll be okay. My parents will be here." She stated and climbed off the bed. Dominic held up his hand and gave her a slice of pizza. As Declan opened his mouth, the door of Ava's hospital room opened and a middle aged woman and man walked in. The man had brown hair and grey eyes. His skin as pale as Ava's. He wore a black sweater and a pair of tan slacks. The woman had short dark blonde hair and light blue eyes. She wore a blue sweater dress and a pair of tights with black heels. They walked over to Ava's bed. 
"Hi, mom." Ava greeted them. "Hi, dad."
"How are you feeling?" Her mom asked. 
"Not too bad," Ava responded and took a bite of her pizza. "Better now that I have food."
"Who are you?" Ava's mom asked. Her eyes narrowed on Dominic. 
"I'm Dominic Bowman," Dominic answered her. 
"He's our friend," Ava added. 
"Nice to meet you, Dominic." Ava's dad said and stuck out his hand. "I'm Arnold and this is my wife June."
"Nice to meet you too," Dominic said and shook his hand.
"Would you two mind giving us a moment with our daughter?" Ava's mom asked with a frown.
"Of course not," Declan responded as he and Dominic walked to the door.
"Will you be back soon?" Ava asked before they opened the door. Declan nodded and smiled at her. He and Dominic left as her parents sat down in the chairs next to the bed. 
"How did this happen?"