Different Yet The Same

Chapter Twelve

-Ember-

'Thump' 'Thump' 'Thump', is the noise I wake up to.

I open my eyes, and slowly look around to find the source of the sound, but I soon realize it's the pounding inside my head.

I take in my surroundings, the plush king sized bed with velvet red sheets, the walls a honey colour and all the decorations either a black or shade of red.

It looks like a five star hotel room. The question is, what am I doing in it?

I slip from underneath the bed sheets, reluctant to leave their comfort.

I shuffle over to the large walk in closet and am surprised to see it filled with an assortment of dresses, skirts and blouses.

Rummaging through, looking for something to wear that isn't skin tight or frilly. I come upon a bag labeled 'Discard'. I rip it open and am relieved to find a pair of black skinny jeans and a cropped red top, that are just my size.

I slide into the clothes and glance at myself in the mirror.

My eyes have dark circles underneath them, my face and neck are all red, and the clothes aren't something I'd wear at all.

Even though I don't look like me, I know that if I'm going to survive in this place, I'm gonna need to be someone powerful, strong, and fierce.

Adopting a newly found determination, I open the rooms door and stride out into the hallway.

It's silent. Extremely silent. Eerily silent.

I slowly stalk down the hall, keeping to the wall and looking around every corner cautiously.

The beige walls, covered in gruesome paintings, of demons and wars.

"Oh my oh my oh my." I here someone chant from behind me. I spin around and take on a battle stance, ready to attack the threat.

"Oh look she's a feisty one isn't she Greta." A little demon hisses, while nudging another.

"My oh my, you are right Berta, just what ever will we do with her?" She rambles.

These two demons look oddly similar, both supporting the same crooked red nose, both have bones protruding from their sides, both dressed in bright pink frilly dresses that look two sizes to big on their small malnourished three foot tall bodies.

They're twins.

"She's rather pretty wouldn't you say?" Berta says.

"Ah yes." Greta agrees. "What to do with her...what to do, what to do, what to do..."

"Oh! I know!" Berta squeals. "Let's take her to the boardroom."

"Splendid idea!" Agrees Greta. "Come sweetie, we will take you there." So they both waddle over to me and each take one of my hands and lead me down a confusing maze of hallways, happily talking to each other the whole time.

After almost no time at all we arrive at a pair of large oak doors, 'boardroom' is printed across them in crisp gold lettering.

"Here you are dearie." They say in unison. "Good luck and remember what makes him strong also makes him weak." With that they toddle off, and I watch their retreating forms until I can't see them anymore.

Taking in a deep breath, I push through the doors, and enter into the boardroom.

The walls are the same beige colour as the halls, but they are empty save for a long mirror on the left wall.

A large mahogany table sits in the centre of the room with black leather chairs surrounding it.

In the middle of the table is a vase of dead roses, the petals falling off and scattering around the table.

At the end of the room standing in front of a large window is a man.

He has dark black hair, and is wearing a black business suit and crimson red tie.

He looks over at me and smiles sinisterly.

"Hello Ember" he says, his voice gravelly and deep.

"I've been waiting a long time for you. Seventeen years to be exact. I've been waiting from the day you were born."

I put my hands on my hips and bite my lip to stop myself from saying anything that I might regret.

He chuckles, "You're stubborn aren't you? Determined. Fierce. Willing to throw yourself in harms way for those you love?" He sneers.

"Those aren't exactly bad qualities." I bark, a ferocity in my voice.

"No not at all." He agrees. "But...love, my dear, is a weakness."

"Why would that be?" I growl, getting sick of this verbal dance.

"It makes you do foolish things." He continues. "Just like I did. I made a mistake in trusting your mother, and if it weren't for Michael, she would be dead just like she should be!" He bellows, voice increasing in intensity.

I refuse to answer.

"Nevertheless," he mumbles, somewhat regaining control over his anger. "You are going to help me."

Did he just command me to do something?

Bad choice.

"No I'm not." I state bluntly.

"Yes you are." he chides.

"No I'm not." I repeat.

"Yes you are." He growls, getting frustrated.

"No I'm not." I say powerfully.

"Yes. You. Are!" he hisses.

I shake my head in response.

"You are going to help me destroy that wretched girl if I have to force you to!" he shouts, trying to look menacing.

I cross my arms.

"You know what..." He says to himself. "This was stupid."

"Okay my dear, let's start again shall we?" He walks over to me and holds out his hand.

"Hello Ember. My name is Lucifer, more commonly known as the devil." He smiles. "I am your father."