Hell Within Heaven's Gates

15

Evangeline's bare feet hit the hot floor. She couldn't believe she was doing it. God had asked her specifically. Could she do it? Invading Hell on a rescue mission was a tall order to fill. It could cost her life.

What lead her to this task? Seraphine hadn't come back from the war. Of course, everyone assumed she was dead. But, Evangeline wouldn't accept it that easily, she knew about how many were assumed to be captive in hell, maybe her best friend had somehow been lucky enough to live. Her wings were pressed flat against her back to minimize what could be seen.

As she walked down the hall she felt vomit crawl up her throat. There, trapped in cages, were her friends. Angels. Wingless. Broken. Cell after cell, bar after bar, there was a picture of pain painted across every face.

"Ev," one of the angels exclaimed. No no no. It couldn't be. Gabrielle. She'd been here for over a year. Evangeline couldn't even imagine what Elle could've seen.

"Where's the key," she asked, wrapping her hands around the bars.

"No. Don't worry about us. You have to get Seraphine. She was taken by a demon down there," she pointed down the hallway.

Seraphine. She was alive! Thank God.

She quickly headed down the hallway, not giving the other angels another thought. As she walked by a multitude of doors she felt Seraphine's energy growing closer, until she stopped at a door where it was the strongest.

Evangeline slipped into Immane's room. She could sense Seraphine there for sure; furthermore, seeing that she was right. She tapped on Seraphine, her entire body shaking.

She jerked awake, at first fearful of who it could be, Azazel? Was he back to hurt her? She let a small laugh of relief slip out, she saw he best friend standing in front of her. She scrambled up and hugged her tightly, she felt the hot tears welling in her eyes, pooling threatening to spill over.

Evangeline squeezed her tightly, a tear slipping down her cheek, "I thought I'd never see you again."

"Same here, god I missed you..... whAt are you doing here," she pulled back her tone shifting to one that sounded more angry than anything.

"Saving you!" Evangeline almost yelled, pulling away to look at her.

Her face dropped, she didn't need to be saved, she didn't feel that way anymore. She wasn't sure what she felt, but it wasn't fear, or anger, or wanting for an out.

"Ev... I don't... help the other angels get out of here. Don't waste your time on me," she looked up to meet Evangeline's eyes.

"What the hell is going on?" snapped Immane. She had come out of the bathroom, her arms were crossed, anger painted on her face. All of the Immane that Seraphine had seen was gone.

Evangeline jumped, pulling a blade out of her waistband. She had no idea how to use it, but Immane didn't know that.

Seraphine jumped at Immane, no, not Immane, the violent demon she first met, when she walked out of the bathroom. She saw metal glint from the corner of her eye and quickly stepped between Evangeline and what she knew she could no longer live without, Immane.

"Put it down Ev," her eyes glew with a sort of warning. They bore into Evangeline's.

"No, she can hurt you," Evangeline argued, her hand was shaking horribly.

"Get out of the way, Seraphine," Immane growled, her face staying the same.

"You know her name," she asked, glancing at Seraphine.

Seraphine looked between them, Heaven and Hell, she's not ready to decide, why can't she have both? Evangeline and Immane's words fell on deaf ears. She stayed between the two.

"Put your knife down, before you stab yourself," she growled knowingly at Ev, "and you, calm down," she said like a mother scolding a child, turning towards Immane.

Immane went silent, glaring daggers at Evangeline.

"Why are you talking like that? She's a demon! You know, the one that's killed countless angels!!" Evangeline lowered the knife slightly, knowing it wouldn't be any help anyways.

Seraphine's gaze quickly snapped to Evangeline as soon as the word "demon" passed her lips.

"And you're nothing but an angel, and seeing as we've killed countless demons it doesn't make either of us better than the other." She glared down Ev.

"Why are you saying that? What did she do to you," Her voice fell, "Did she torture you?"

"She didn't do anything Ev!! Open your fucking eyes! She didn't torture me, and I'm saying it cause I'm right," her voice stayed even, the tone stern. She slowly took steps to Immane.

"She's a demon. And you- you have to come with me," Ev stuttered, raising the knife again.

She shook her head, "I don't have to do anything." Her hand reached back and found Immane's stomach, her hands were shaking violently. She clutched Immane's shirt in a weak attempt to steady herself.

There were four sharp knocks on the wooden door, threatening to break it, "Immane, an angel's gotten into hell, we have orders to find and kill it. Don't screw up with this one too," Azazel spoke from behind the door.

"Got it, Azazel. I'll be out in a minute. Don't wait up," Immane quickly improvised. Her mind was going quickly, searching for lies and believable stories.