Danika

✢ EIGHT ✢

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD"...

Estrella's eyelids drifted open from the irritation of the bright sun. Her vision took a moment to adjust. A clear blue sky hung overhead and she smelled the fresh air of outside. Estrella sat up, coming to the realization she laid in a meadow.

"Estrella," said a gentle male voice. Someone was approaching her but the brightness from the sun made it impossible to see them. "soulmate of Lucifer and Mother to his child."

Her throat was unbelievably dry which made it difficult to speak.

"Where am I?"

The stranger reached her and she could see the black loafers on his feet but it was too bright to look up. He leaned down and helped her up.

"Heaven, my child."

Estrella chuckled.

"Hilarious," she pushed the man away." where is my daughter?"

"I regret to inform you this but Lucifer has her in the Underworld," he replied sadly. She looked at him, finally drinking in his appearance. "allow me to introduce myself. I am Lucifer's Father."

Silence fell over them, only the noise of a breeze whistled. Estrella stared at him momentarily, looking at his smile. Then she raised her hand and slapped him across the cheek as hard as she could.

"I hate you!" she screamed in a fit of rage. "you did this, all of this and now that you haven't gotten what you wanted you're ready to stop it? Lucifer is more of a man than you are and that says a lot!"

"You're angry," he began then realized his lip was bleeding. "I admire your strength. Lucifer brought this upon you, I did not."

"Lucifer will kill you, do you know that, God?"

"I expect him to try but he's already wounded," God told her. "you're dead."

Speechless didn't justify what she was. Danika was without a mother now, she could no longer protect her little girl. The tears started and her throat tightened but she refused to cry in front of this heartless creature.

"I may be dead but you will never take my daughter's father away from her."

"No but I can take the child," God said. "I am deeply sorry for this outcome, my dear."

"I don't need your pathetic apology!" she yelled but her voice echoed. God's facial expression showed confusion and Estrella began to feel like she was falling asleep or drifting away. "what's going on?"

Slowly, she began to fade. Becoming see-through, ghost-like.

"Stop it," he ordered. "stop it right now!"

Suddenly, she vanished and God was left alone in a panic.

Estrella jumped up, gasping for air. A set of arms grabbed her, pinning her down to a bed and she began fighting.

"Stop it, goddamn it!"

She looked up into black eyes and began to stop fighting but her heart continued to race.

"Where is she? Where is Danika?"

Lucifer held her down, preventing her from getting up.

"She's safe. Stop fighting me, Estrella!"

"What happened to me? I was dead--- I spoke to your father, I was in Heaven!"

She spoke so quickly but Lucifer heard every word.