Casey McCloud Escapes from Hell

Episode IV: The Boy with the Potted Plant

"Is it odd that I'm never hungry or thirsty?" Casey asked Winston. They had stopped for a break and to sleep for a while behind a large rock. Winston looked up from the fire he had been nibbling.

"Nah," Winston said. "I'm pretty sure Hell is designed to make you never be allowed to eat and drink. It's one of the pleasures in life. You can't have those in Hell. It's meant to make you miserable."

Casey thought for a moment. "What about sex?"
Suddenly, Jewel the Hellhound, who had been napping off to the side, lifted her head and growled.

"What is it, girl?" Casey asked.

"Maybe it's him." Winston replied, landing on Casey shoulders.

On the road facing them stood a boy.

He looked to be about twelve. His eyes were a dark hazel, and yet somehow they almost glowed. His skin was a light tan color. His hair was draped down and almost covered his eyes completely. He had a black jacket on and fashionably ripped jeans. He also wore fingerless gloves. And in his gloved hands he held a potted plant.

Casey grabbed her sword, which had by lying, sheathed, next to her.

"Can I help you?" She asked gently. The boy stared at her. His face was unreadable; it was impossible to tell exactly what he was thinking. He gripped his plant harder. Then, he whispered something.

"I can't hear you," she said as softly as she could. She was trying to sound non-threatening as possible without coming off as scared.

"You're afraid of me," the boy whispered louder.

Casey didn't know how to respond.

"I've been looking for you, Casey McCloud." The boy took a step forward.

"Just a rule of thumb," Winston said quietly. "If creepy little stranger boys come up to you and somehow know your name, then you run. That's bad news."

"I'm not afraid," Casey said as she got to her feet. "Just a little worried. Why are you looking for me?"

"I was told to find you. By dreams."

"Casey, Pumpkin, he's a nightmare," Winston said. "He's bad, we need to go."

"A nightmare?" Casey asked.

"A human who has nightmares when they die become nightmares. He haunts people's dreams. We need to leave."

"The Knight is looking for you," the boy said. "Your journey conflicts with his plans. He wished to destroy you."

Casey considered unsheathing her sword.

"And, what? He sent you to do his dirty work for him?" Winston said. Jewel was also aggravated. She crouched in an attack position. The boy might have smile. It was difficult to tell.

"I was sent here to help you. You mission is pure; you must get to the Edge of Hell. If the Knight of Mare beats you, than it will all be over. I am his follower. I know his movements. I can be of service to you."

"And how do we know that you aren't just going to lead us right to him?" Winston asked aggressively. The boy was about to respond when-

Suddenly the air turned cold. The sound of wind blowing was actually accompanied by wind now; it chilled Casey to the bone. A deep, dark voice called out to her, in the darkness. It spoke:

"Out of the Night that covers me...

Black as the pit from pole to pole...

I thank whatever gods may be...