The Unknown // Colby Brock

~~ Chapter Nineteen ~~

          When I entered the library a few days later, I found myself face-to-face with a literal devil. We were stood much too close considering the promises I had made myself but the all-too-familiar tension between us was creeping up so fast that I couldn't contain it in time, and neither could he. Before either of us knew what was happening, I was backed against the wall with his arms trapping me. My heart was pounding, my head light.

I shouldn't be letting myself get to this point. I shouldn't be in the same room as him. I shouldn't be falling again.

Just like the first time we were truly alone together, I quickly pushed him and rushed out. He didn't seem to fight it or follow me but as I went towards the stairs, I got a sinking feeling that he'd know I would go to my room. So I turned and I headed out the house altogether. Nobody questioned me as I jogged along the dangerous bridge. I just needed a moment to myself to re-evaluate every decision I'd ever made in my life. There were lots of bad ones. Lots. None of them compared to the stupidity I'd shown when the devil showed me just the slightest bit of attention.

I didn't stop walking until I reached the upper kennels where I took a seat and just existed. For the millionth time since I had arrived in hell, I found myself thinking vacantly, staring ahead of myself at nothing. Why couldn't I pull myself from this... this... personal torture? Was hell doing this to me? Or was the devil? Making this afterlife miserable seemed to take so little effort.

I didn't know what to do or what I wanted. I didn't understand myself or the people around me - or the demons, I should say.

Just as I was about to continue my into space, I noticed the weirdest change in the dark red clouds of the sky. It looked almost as if they turned the horrid colour of white...

Arianna, come back to the house, the devil's voice spoke in my head, making me jump up in surprise. That had never happened before but the longer I thought about it, the sooner I realised what was happening.

The devil had the ability to call upon his army whenever he pleased. They didn't have to answer his calling, but he usually only did it when something was important. So I chose the higher ground and started running across the bridge.

I didn't get very far before a red flash appeared, something grabbed my hand, then everything was red. The next thing I could see was the throne room and almost everybody else except for the devil, who was... standing right next to me holding my hand. I quickly pushed him away with a glare and walked to Jake while he just watched me in slight amusement.

"Heaven are sending down some angel guards but we don't know what for," the devil explained as he took a seat on his throne. "I want both human girls on the balcony. Other than that, normal positions."

"Why on the balcony?" I blurted without thinking.

"Because then you're out of harm's way." He spoke directly to me, unashamed that everybody else was with us. I felt a slight fault in my heartbeat. It wasn't fair that he was, yet again, making me feel that way.

My emotions got the better of me as I rolled my eyes and grabbed Xepher's hand, stomping away up the stairs. We stepped onto the balcony where we looked down into the throne room. Xepher squeezed my hand comfortingly, leaning her head against my shoulder.

"Getting confused again?" she whispered as she glanced up at me.

"Getting confused by what?"

"Your feelings... his feelings... your relationship."

"There is no relationship," I mumbled.

She scoffed, "Sure."

"Xepher, is now really the time?"