Straight from Heaven (Fallen Kingdoms I.)

Chapter 10 - I was a clown

By the end of the day Belyar had one of his most traumatic experience ever since he became a grim reaper. Right when he was about to leave the dock a tiny demon rushed to him.

- Mr Belyar! We need your help! - Belyar sighed. There were a few times when one of the demon lords called for him, he hoped this wasn't the case.

- What happened? - he asked and the messenger demon looked shocked. Belyar's eyes widened.

- How many? - the demon hang his head so low that his horns almost touched the ground.

- There was a huge ship accident... Everyone must be mobilized.

- I asked how many? - Belyar repeated and saw all the grim reapers run towards their boats.

- 350. - Belyar immediately rushed back to his boat but he wasn't prepared what awaited them on the other side of the lake. As the demon said, more than 300 innocent souls awaited them to cross the lake. Dozens of kids held their parents' hands desperately. The parents tried to calm them, while the sadness and pain was written all over their faces. According to the calendar that day was September 27 in 1854. When the day was finally over, the King visited the dock. Belyar always tried to avoid Lucifer, since his boss' identity was a secret what only he knew. There were rumors of the King searching for Pandora's Apple, but if Valerie didn't reveal herself to anyone apart from him, Belyar wouldn't betray her. They tried to get up from the ground when Lucifer lifted his hand.

- Stay seated, there is no need to bow, in fact... - Lucifer slightly bowed in front of his grim reapers.

- I'm the one who must show my respect. You did a great job today, all of you. Today, during the tragedy of SS Arctic only 88 humans survived out of more than 400. All the women and children on board perished. - Lucifer turned to Belyar and nodded.

- You did hell of a good job Belyar.

- Thank you for the honor, my King.- Belyar slightly bowed and Lucifer looked at him a few more seconds. His fire red eyes searched for something while Belyar felt like he was trying to burn a hole into his skull. Finally, Lucifer turned back to the others and said.

- Everyone, go home and get some rest, it will be well deserved. - after this tiny speech luckily the king left without further chatting.

- Hey Belyar, we were planning on going to the Rusty Cauldron for a drink. Would you like to come? - Felin asked.

- Thanks for the invitation guys, but, for me there is nothing to celebrate in today's events. - Felin smiled and Gino nodded. Belyar headed home and the door flew open when Cinnamon smelled his scent. The moment the cerberus puppy jumped on him and knocked him off of his feet, was the first time when Belyar's smile was sincere on that day. They took a little stroll around the hell rose garden and went back to the house. Cinnamon shortly fall asleep and Belyar's legs and he just stared into the fire in the fireplace.

The last time he saw so many kids was on the day his new life begun, and today's events brought back those horrible memories.

1758. Everyone gathered to the centre of the tent while Donna and Stella lead him to the podium with his eyes covered. Enton was waiting there already.

- Girls... What is going on? - Flint asked. But the ladies only giggled and they uncovered his eyes. The band started to play "Happy Birthday" and all his colleagues were there. Enton handed a cake to Flint.

- Happy birthday to our best clown Bizzy! You became part of our little family 12 years ago. Ever since then, you brought laughter and happiness all over the world for our audience! We wanted to thank you for your hard work and dedication! Blow your candles and make a wish! - Flint felt emotional at the surprise. The only face that was missing from the well-known ones, was his partner's Jay's. He closed his eyes and blew the candles.

- What did you wish for? - Timmy asked and Donna hushed him.

- He cannot tell us! If he does it won't come ture! - Timmy covered his mouth playfully and Flint smiled at his work family.

- Actually, I didn't wish for anything. Twelve years ago when I got this opportunity, a dream came true. Thanks to you and this job, my siblings and parents never knew the struggle of missing money again. Also, it is an honor to be part of this family as well and I would never trade you guys for anything! - everyone congratulated and they shared the cake. By the end of the party, Flint approached Enton and asked.

- Where is Jay? - Enton bit the end of his cigar and spit it out to the ground before he light it.

- I kicked him out. - Flint's jaw dropped.

- But why? He is my partner and how will I do tonight's show? - Enton laughed and put his hand on Flint's shoulder while bowed down to look into his eyes.

- Haven't you noticed that, lately you carried the whole show on your shoulders? Jay lost his enthusiasm and charm. We got several complaints from parents who walked with their kids around the circus during daytime and they saw Jay behaving inappropriately. This is something that can perish our reputation. I had no other choice.

- At least you should've warned him before! Jay is a good person. - Enton laughed and blew with it a little smoke into Flint's face.

- Oh my naive, kindhearted Bizzy, Jay is a snake. Be thankful for getting rid of him. Now you can spread your wings and fly! - Enton left and Flint rushed to his tiny tent to prepare for the show. He had to think of a totally new one without Jay. When the night came during Flint's attraction where he called all the kids to the stage, the tent suddenly collapsed. Chaos took over control and the audience tried to escape from under the weight of the tent, while the crew tried to get it back on its feet.

Flint got trapped with the kids in the middle of the tent. All the kids cried and panicked.

- Hey! Guys calm down! Everything will be fine! - Flint tried to calm them, but suddenly he smelled a scent that also made his heart beat faster... Smoke and kerosene. He desperately searched for an escape route for the kids when he met a familiar face.

- Jay?! Thanks God you are here! Help me get the kids out! - Jay grabbed Flint by his costume and lifted him up. He smelled like alcohol and kerosene.

- Jay? Stop this and help me! - Flint shouted but Jay only laughed at his pathetic try of escaping from his hold.

- You took everything from me! I helped you and that is how you pay it back!? - Jay shouted and a few kids started to cry. Flint bit Jay's hand and slapped him.

- You are insane! I didn't know anything until this morning! But if you have any problems, that is only between us! Let's get the kids out and we can find a solution after! - Jay shook his head and light a match. Flint's eyes widened and tried to cover Jay's way fron the kids and the place he smelled the most the scent of kerosene. Jay kicked into Flint's stomach and kneeled down.

- I already found a solution. It is poetic don't you think? Flint Burns... Will burn. - Flint shouted for help but it was late. Jay lit the tent on fire and somehow he managed to escape. Flint tried to rip the fabric but the flames and smoke quickly covered everything. Finally he managed to tear the fabric where it was sewed together. A few kids immediately rushed out but for many others and for Flint it was later. As soon as the fire got more air, it burned uncontrollably. The last thing Flint heard was the cry of pain and the bell of the firefighters. Before he closed his eyes he said.

- I deny your existence God... You betrayed me. - the next moment when he opened his eyes, the pain was all gone and as well as his body. He stood in front of a golden gate and a face he knew from the church was behind the gate.

- St. Peter. - Flint greeted the saint and Peter nodded.

- Flint Burns. - He didn't say any other words. Flint after a couple of minutes asked.

- Aren't you letting me in? - St Peter smiled at Flint but his eyes radiated sadness.

- I'm afraid that I can't. - Flint laughed.

- I've been a good man during my whole life. I've helped and served with passion and honesty. I've forgiven everything God put me through and you won't let me in because I felt betrayed?!

- You denied his existence. We cannot let you enter. - Flint's eyes opened widely and laughed until his tears fall out.

- You know what? f**k this s**t! I forgave for what he did to me, but I would never forgive that he let those innocent kids die due to the jealousy of an i***t! My conscience is clear! - St Peter looked at Flint and shook his head again.

- The words that leaves your mouth know are the product of your desperation son. Ask for forgiveness and maybe he'll reconsider his decision. Don't make your situation worse with hasty deeds. - Flint grinned at Sait Peter and said.

- He can wait till the world ends for me to ask for forgiveness! HE IS THE SINNER! Also, if his power is so limited that he leaves innocent children die, I prefer to serve someone stronger for eternity. Someone who might be cruel, but at least he does his job properly.

- Son, please calm down and think it over.

- You can go to hell as well Pete! - he shouted and Flint immediately found himself in Hell where Lucifer was waiting for him clapping his hands together. He helped Flint to get up and smiled.

- You made the right decision Flint Burns, and I know a job exactly for you!