Diary of a Red Reaper

(3) Hell

We stepped through my closet and into a whole new world. Hell...

I'd never really thought about it... I always assumed it was all made up. That it was a place parents told their kids about to keep them from doing bad things.

That everyone that believed was crazy. But now I'm standing in it. Looking down at the lava and carnage below.

I could hear the screams of souls being tortured in the distance. I guess they didn't listen to their parents...

"This is my world boy. And now it's yours too." said Satan.

"Am I going to be killed?" I questioned.

"Not if you're good at your job." Satan replied.

"What job?" I asked.

"You're going to be one of my new red reapers. You'll hunt down and defeat escaped souls,monsters, and rouge demons." Said Satan.

"I... I can't do that kind of stuff!! I don't even know what's happening!"

"You will do it and become a full red reaper, or that energy that flowed into you will destroy you from the inside out.

What you felt before will be nothing compared to the slow, agonizing death that you shall go through.

And then... After you've finally died after days of suffering... I will collect your soul, and you will be tortured until the end of time."

I stared in silence.

He placed his hand on my shoulder and suddenly we were in the middle of a road paved different shades of red bricks.

"I have to be going now. I've got things that need to be done. Your new minion servant will walk you through the rest of your orientation, giving you the proper gear and information."

As soon as he finished talking a small creature appeared. It was no more than three feet tall. It was a greenish gray color, had two small twisted horns on his head, and had two small deformed wings that looked like flight would be painful.

"Alright Dank show him the ropes"

And with that he was gone.

I was left with the small creature and stared in silence.

"What are you?" I asked.

"I'm a halfling. Half demon. Half human. All ugly."

The halfling chuckled at his own joke.

"What's next?" I asked.

"Next we finish your transformation so you shall truly become a red reaper. If you don't you'll die, as was previously explained. It will take a few days."

"A few days?! I can't! I have to get back to- " I suddenly stop talking. Unable to finish my sentence.

"What? Back to what?" Questioned Dank.

"I... Can't remember..." I whispered.

"Yeah. That's what I thought. They never remember." Dank replied.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I'm saying, people who make a deal with the devil lose their memories. it keeps them free of distractions. that's the cost of power." Dank replied emotionlessly.

"Whats your name kid?" Dank asked.

"Its... My name is..." I stop. Unable to remember.

Dank lets out a quiet sigh and says. "I figured as much. We will have to decide upon a name for you later. But first lets get you to your room."

"My room? Why do I need a room?" I ask.

"Because You're going to be living here stupid! GOSH! He sure knows how to pick them." Dank replies rudely.

Suddenly Dank pulls a key from a pouch and says. "This is the key to your new home."

"Okay. Where is it? How do we get there?" I asked.

Dank didn't respond, only gave a slight smile. He then raised the key up and suddenly a door of shadows materialized around the key, he then gave it a turn and a distinct "click" came from the door. It swung open.

"This is your new home. This key works anywhere in the world, simply hold the key out and the door comes to you. Keep whatever you want in here, it doesn't matter, It's your room." Explained Dank.

He puts the key in my hand.

"Let's take a look inside." Said Dank.

Dank scurries inside. I quickly follow.

Its was strange, it was bizarre, it was... Elegant...

It had a red and black color scheme, a large bed that was already made, multiple lights that iluminated the room very well, modern furnishings.

It looked great. Like it wasn't even a room in hell.

"In case you're wondering why it's not all fire and brimstone, I'll explain. Every reaper and important "being" in hell has their own room. These rooms take on the personality of their owner the first time you use it. This is kinda what it's like inside your head... Hmm... Nicer than I expected." Dank explained.

"Wow. I like it." I state.

I walk inside. It was colder inside. Like it was air conditioned. Very refreshing. I walk over the the bed and feel the sheets. So soft.

"Yeah well it's truly been made for your enjoyment. So... Enjoy. Haha. You better rest. You've got a long night ahead of you. Just... Try... And get some sleep. You're going to feel different soon. And it's not gonna feel good. I'll return for you after the process is complete." Dank stated as he left the room and closed the door.

"Wait! What process?!" I yell after him. But it was to late. He'd already left.

I was all alone in my room now. Unsure of what to do I look around. The place I'm staying is complete with a big tv, a large bed, a huge closet, a small yet well stocked kitchen, and a bathroom that almost shined with cleanliness.

I was impressed.

Suddenly I feel the urge to sleep so I start waking to my new bed, I take off my shirt and crawl under the soft crimson colored sheets.

Sleep came to me quickly and gracefully, the last thing I remember thinking about before falling asleep was a brilliant red flame, flickering in the back of my mind...