Casey McCloud Escapes from Hell

Episode VI: The Precious Flame

Casey enjoyed the flying on the dragon way more than she had previously enjoyed riding on the Hellhound. It seemed more freeing. From the height they were at, Hell seemed so small, as if it were a model. Well, a model with fire and the constant screams of souls in pain.

Gersato did some dips and dives through the air, and it reminded Casey of that time she and Molly went on a roller coaster at the local county fair. It had been so much fun, and she missed the experience. Unfortunately, none of her companions shared her enthusiasm. Tre sat emotionless in the backseat, holding his plant very close to his chest. The story behind that potted plant intrigued Casey. The boy took very good care of it, and never let it out of his sight. If only he could tell her why he had it...

Meanwhile, Winston seemed very uncomfortable with being this high off the ground. He stared perched in Casey's hair, mumbling to himself, "Its okay, if you fall, you can just fly." Casey found it quite hilarious that a creature whose name was literally "fly" was afraid of heights.

Ruby didn't seem too happy to be in the claws of a dragon. She kept trying to bite Gersato, but it didn't seem to bother the dragon; he continuously flew despite the annoying dog snapping at him.

The journey took four days, and it was non-stop. They only landed when Gersato needed a quick drink from the Fire Lakes they passed. At this time, Winston would eat some fire, Jewel would run free for a while, and Tre would go hide out by himself.

Tre was beginning to worry Casey. He seemed like more of a hindrance than a help, but ever since she had snapped at him in the mountain, she felt like she had to make him useful in some way. But he rarely spoke and didn't seem to like people. All Casey wanted to do was make him feel accepted, but he refused all of her attempts at conversation. She could feel her patience running thin.

Eventually, at the end of the third day, Casey woke up to see that they were beginning to descend. A large, dark castle could be seen off in the distance. The castle intrigued Casey a bit, but it was nothing to what was behind the castle, off in the distance.

It was a huge slab of grey rock that seemed to extend into the sky forever. Casey couldn't see the top; it was too high up. Winston let out a low whistle.

"I never thought I'd see the Edge of Hell in my lifetime," he said. "Beautiful, aint' it?"

Even Tre was looking at the wall in some emotion other than solemn derision.

Gersato landed them behind a large hill. Jewel ran off to find a place to use the bathroom, Winston kissed the ground as he did every time they landed, Tre sat on the ground and hugged his plant, and Casey stretched her legs. Gersato looked worried.

"You will need to sneak into the castle to the east," he said. "Horace the Horrible keeps the Precious Flame should be beneath his castle, unguarded. Go quickly and quietly and you will succeed."

Casey nodded. "Come on, guys," she said as Winston landed on her shoulder and Jewel returned from her pee break. "Let's get this over with."

Horace the Horrible's Castle has very large. It rose a heaping seven stories and towered over everything in sight, save the Edge of Hell. Dark windows covered the smooth brick walls, and thick smoke emerged from several of the chimneys. It looked to be a dark, foreboding, and abandoned place.

"I feel like we could just walk in," Casey said. But that feeling soon dissipated when a maniacal laughter followed by painful screaming could be heard from inside.

"Never mind. I guess the place is occupied. How do we get it, Sugar?" Winston asked. Suddenly, Tre spoke.

"I have an idea," he said. "Follow me." The young boy then darted towards the castle.