Evil Unbound (Litrpg)

Chapter 16

Larry joined Del and Georgia later as they ate their brunch. After they were done,  Del had the whole day to himself. Larry started playing a Strike Blast game and Georgia decided to join Larry. Del was not in the mood to play any games. He decided to go to his bedroom and watch some TV. His mind was scattered and he thought he should call his wife and daughter. Except, he hesitated. He wondered who was that mysterious person who answered the phone when he call her last. He started thinking about alcohol. He wished he had a bottle of rum or vodka to wash down with his diet soda.
Del walked into his room. He was thinking about Georgia. She was pretty red head woman with a nice figure. He had a thought about trying to sleep with her, but he shouldn't. Del needed to focus on the Pandora game world and rest. He wished he asked more about the creatures in there.
He opened his room and walked inside. Del went found the plastic vial. He left it inside his desk drawer. Taking one of the pills, he noticed in the dim light the pill glowed a little. He didn't know what he was taking. Maybe, he mused he shouldn't take it. But his alcohol cravings was getting the best of him. His hand and body shook. Closing his eyes, he popped the pill in his mouth and swallowed it without a drink. Instantly, Del felt the rush of energy and euphoria. He moved over to where his phone was charging it was at one hundred percent. He first needed to know how John was doing. He check on the internet for the Long Beach Memorial's phone number. He called it listening to the rings. It was picked up by a chippy woman's voice. "How can I direct your call?"
"Please direct me to John Mendel's room."
Del heard the lady type on a keyboard. She heard her gasp.
"Are you a family member?" She said.
"No, I'm his best friend. I saw him in intensive care a few days ago."
Del told her this information because he felt he might get some type of sympathy from this phone operator.
Dell said, "Can at least tell me if he was doing fine?"
She said, "In a monotone voice, his parents are here. You should call them."
Del had John's phone number. He had it when John went to visit his parents a year ago.
"Sir, do you want their number?"
"No," he said, "I have it."
Del hung up the phone. He didn't want to talk to John's parents. There would be too many questions that he couldn't answer. Yet, he felt guilty. Del put the phone down and wondered what he should do. He was getting tired even thought it was only mid-afternoon. It been a long time since he had been sober this long. Del lay on his bed and closed his eyes.
He was not a person who would have dreams. He usually passed out from drinking too much and couldn't remember his nocturnal visions. Yet, this dream was different and vivid. Del felt like he was in the Pandora Virtual World.
A cool breeze whipped around him. He stood on top of a high castle wall. He saw Archie standing a few feet away from him looking away at a deep dark forest. He was dressed in a sin light blue button-down shirt, black pants and dark shoes. Archie turned to him and said, "I'm not sure your name but I'm trapped here. She is the key."
Dell said, "Your friend Mr Toler is worried about you. Sean looking for a free years. Where are you?"
Archie looked confused and shook his head. "I am in here and I have to be here."
Del wondered if Archie was under some type of spell or medication.
"How did you get in here?" He said.
"She led me here. She needs help."
"Who needs help?"
"Pandora."
"She is real?"
"You have to leave me alone."
Del took a step forward him. "Your friend and Co-partner, Mr. Toler, is worried about you."
Archie looked at him. He started to become less tangible and more invisible. He said, "But I have talk to ....."
Then Del's vision also started to dim as if he was watching a film and he was moving into another scene.
"Archie, can you hear me? Archie?"
Before his vision darken, he smelt the scent of volcano ash and sulfur. He thought he was falling into hell. Suddenly, Del saw something appear before him in the darkness. He saw a tall muscular demon. The creature had horns sprouting from its head. The demon's skin was blood red and he was bare chested. It's eyes glowed red. The creature wore a night dark armor that glistened with spikes all over his arms and shoulders. The creature smiled and said, "This is where Archie belongs. Leave him be."
"Is Archie trapped in here?"
The demon said, "It doesn't matter. He wants to be here. He doesn't want to go back.
Del squinted and tried to walk closer, but his legs couldn't move. The demon smiled at him and then the beast disappeared. A beautiful woman stood in place of the demon. She had long red hair. Her velvet off-the-shoulder green dress showed her ample bosom and slim neck. She smiled at him and Del felt weak. She was so gorgeous and pretty. "Find me."
A flash of light blinded him and he was falling. Del awoke inside his bedroom. He was still in his regular clothes and tennis shoes he wore last night. Staring at the digital clock, he saw it was four am.  He went to his window and looked outside. He only saw darkness. It made his think about his dream and he shuddered.