Diary of a Red Reaper

(7) A helping hand

'"What is this place Dank?" I ask while looking at the strange decor of the restaurant.
The walls were covered in strange equipment and rusted weapons stained with blood, with small plaques under them with a series of numbers and words.

"This is the 'fallen warrior'. Its my all time favorite place to eat in hell! Dank said excitedly.

"Why is it called that? And why is this stuff all over the wall?" I ask.

"Hahaha! because when some poor sap is foolish enough to come here without money the owner and his three sons take them outside to battle them, and eventually after the warrior had fallen, they'd kill them and take their gear as payment and display it on the walls for everyone to see. Some people purposely don't pay in hopes they will win. But they never do. Plus it gives all the paying customers free entertainment! Maybe we will get luckily and watch a slaughter today." Dank Said with a sickening grin.

"Thats twisted Dank, you shouldn't think like that." I respond.

"Thats just the kind of guy I am, kid. I don't have a choice." Dank explained.

"We all have a choice." I respond.

"Oh yeah? And what choices have you made? Where do you think you're standing? Stupid kid."
I stare at my shoes in silence. The colors have faded and are tearing slightly, I wonder how long I've had them.

"Lets find a seat." Said Dank.

A Person of sorts came by shortly after that and led us to a booth. It had leather seats that had several patches and tears, with nicks and scrapes all over the table.

"This place is a dump, Dank. What is the food like here?" I ask.

"Shut up. This place is great! And the food is great too!" Dank snapped back.

Just as I was about to yell back at Dank, our waitress showed up and asked for our meal orders. She had black hair messily tied into a bun, hiding her horns, And sad yellow eyes. Scars covered her arms and legs.

"Hey Dank. Welcome back. Whos your friend?" Asked the waitress.

"I didn't know I had a friend here, but I'm showing this new red reaper around." Dank said, while once again laughing at his own joke.

"Call me Red." I cut in.

"Oh, thats an unusual name. Well nice to meet you Mr. Red, haha. I'm Ann. So what will you be having tonight? Asked the Ann.

"I'm not sure. Do you have any, um... Cheese burgers?" I ask cautiously.

"Haha, of course we do. Many restaurants down here offer several popular human foods. So a cheese burger for you, and the usual for you, right Dank?" Asked Ann.

"Yes! Right away! Go on! Get to it!" Dank responded rudely.

"Damn, calm down! I'm going!" Ann yelled back as she took our orders to the kitchen.

"Gosh, how did you become such an asshole Dank? And why are you in such a rush?" I ask.

"Because time down here changes people... And because it looks like that guy over there doesn't have enough money to pay his bill, I want my food before the show!" Dank explained cheerfully.

"What? Where?" I ask as I peer through the restaurant.

Dank points out a monster screaming at a boy that looked a few years younger than myself. His hair was died black, he had on a green plaid tee-shirt and his blue jeans were torn around the knees, as he was being yelled at, he yelled right back. Something about getting the wrong bill and he wont pay for it.

"Fuck you Troll! I don't care what your policy is! The service here is crap, the food was cold, and you added up the bill wrong! You gave me stuff I didn't even order! I am not paying for this!" Screamed the boy.

"If you say so..." Said the Troll. Then without warning the troll picks up the boy and throws him through a window, out into the street! Glass landing all around him.

"Whoa! What do we do?!" I ask Dank excitedly.

"We sit back and enjoy the show!" Said Dank with grin.

Soon four trolls had gathered outside and started circling the boy.

"You pay with money!" Said one of the trolls.
"Or you pay with your life!" Said another troll.

"Screw you guys! I'll kill you all!" Said the boy as he unsheathed a dagger and flashed it at the trolls.

"That puny blade wont help you!" Yelled the biggest troll as another hits the boy with a club! Sending him flying through the air, landing with a thud against the the restaurant wall!

"Dank we can't just watch him die!" I yell.

"Well we are! Its how things work around here!" Dank yelled back.

I stare in silence as the trolls draw closer to the boy, who had yet to get back up.
"Well Screw that!" I yell defiantly.

One of the trolls arrived at the boy as he began to get back on his feet.
"Now you will die, as so many have before you. Your equipment shall decorate our beautiful restaurant, so you will not be forgotten..." Said the biggest Troll, fighting a grin.

Then the troll raised his club into the air and brought it down with great speed! The boy closed his eyes and prepared for death... Several seconds passed until the boy opened his eyes again. I stood in front of him, holding the club in place above my head, a thin stream of blood trickling down my arm.

"What is this? Are you trying to be a hero? You must be new here, otherwise you'd know that heros just get hurt!" The Troll screamed as he attempted to punch me with his other hand!
I struggled, but I caught it as well. Both our bodies trembled as we tried to over power the other. I was surprised by my own strength, the troll seemed surpirsed as well.

"Whoa! He is as strong as dad!" Said a troll.
"Shut up! Dads probably not even trying!" Said another troll.
The troll jumped back several feet and called his sons to him.

As they huddled together, likely to plot their next attack, I turned around and checked on the boy.
"Are you dead?" I ask as I lean down.

"No... Not yet at least." The boy said with a weak smile.

"Thanks... They were gonna kill me." Blood drips from face, his hair a mess.
I turn back around and watch the trolls in their huddle.

"They're gonna kill you too now. You seem strong but what can you do? They're strong too, and there are a lot of them, we're dead, man." Said the Boy.

"We aren't dead yet. We can still fight. Are you with me?" I ask offering my hand to help him up.
There was silence at first...

"Hell yeah!" The boy said as he takes my hand and stands up quickly.
We take our stances as the trolls leave their huddle and start moving towards us.