Hell's Requiem (Book 2)

Chapter 30

We finally exited the narrow, dark passageways into the wide open expanse that shimmered with the heat that roiled just below the surface of the rocks. The Pits might have been the place, but it was definitely not the moment to act. For starters we were still missing one very key component for the Requiem ritual; Jesse.

Jesse was a prisoner in the Shadow Cells, and I was certain that getting him out of there wasn't going to be simple. But, of course, I should have known that Frank already had a plan.

The Pits were still bustling with life, even though the executions were over. There was always something happening down there. It not only the place that human bodies came to die under Lucifer's watch, it was also the place that human souls were imprisoned and punished for their sins. There was never a quiet moment, that was too much to hope for. As indeed was hoping to stroll through the very hub of Hell's activity without someone noticing that we were there.

I mentioned as much to Frank and it was only then that he revealed his grand plan for getting us into the Cells to find Jesse.

“Well, it's simple really, love,” he said with a broad grin that showed off those serrated grey teeth. He reached out a hand and took a firm grip on my upper arm, drawing me up to his side and keeping hold so that I could not move away. “It's common knowledge that Lucifer confined you to your quarters, and that you escaped. So now he's having you thrown in the Shadow Cells, far more secure. Simple, isn't it?”

“Yeah.” I smiled nervously, holding back a wince as he squeezed my arm too tight. “Really simple, don't know why I didn't think of it myself.”

My tone was far more sarcastic than I had intended, but I was afraid again and trying hard to hide it. I would never not be intimidated by Frank, no matter how much he might appear to be working in my favour, but it was his eagerness and gleeful demeanour that set me more on edge. He could try a little harder to not appear so excited about all of this, I was already having a hard time keeping myself together when all I really wanted to do was break down.

Keeping his grip tight about my arm, Frank set off again at a frog march. His long legs ate up so much ground with every step that even at a run I struggled to keep in step with him. I had a feeling that if I happened to stumble or fall he would not even notice and continue to drag me along behind him like a bag of bones.

“Ow, hey. Frank. Dammit, slow the fuck down! You're going to rip my arm off. I can walk on my own y'know.” I complained, but he didn't reply.

Instead he paused for a second, reached down and scooped me up in one swift movement and threw me over his shoulder. I let out a shriek at the sudden movement and tried to wriggle out of his grip. I might be heading for my own death, but I was damned if I was going to get there in such an undignified manner.

“No time to dawdle, love. But do keep on struggling, put on a show, the gaoler will be more likely to believe the story.” He cackled as he took up his previous pace once again.

“Ugh, you're an arse, you know that.” I aimed a kick at his bony abdomen and felt a flash of satisfaction when he let out a grunt as my boot connected with his ribs.

He shifted his arm and threw my weight further over his shoulder so that my legs were pinned under his gripping arm, meaning I couldn't kick at him again. At least I got to do it once.

The motion of Frank walking whilst I hung almost upside down made me feel sick, as if I wasn't already feeling queasy enough at the thought of what was coming. It would be just my kind of luck to die in a pool of my own vomit. I would never be in for a classy demise, would I?