Me and the Devil

Why?

I sighed softly as I dressed in an oversize sweater dress. I felt a bit torn feeling happy with Corvus. Did I deserve to feel so happy? Just because Oliver said it wasn’t my fault in a dream doesn’t mean it wasn’t in real life. I grinded my teeth trying to calm my nerves. It’s okay.

“My star?” Corvus knocked on the door. “Coming,” I plastered a smile on my face and met him in the hall. I could feel a confusing air around us as we walked slowly down the corridor. The question I wanted to ask was what exactly were we, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask afraid of the answer. I wanted to hold onto my happiness just a bit longer.

“So, who exactly is Oz?” I asked trying to steer the conversation.

“He is someone special to me,” Corvus explained before stopping us. “Just know I trust him with my life.”

I nodded and we made it to the drawing room. The man named Oz was pacing back and forth until the door opened and we walked in. There was a massive man, his skin was a dark grey color and he was wearing collar like neck guard that had chains that wrapped around his ribs. He also had a mask on though it looked more a helmet, but the face was just a void of blackness. The only this giving structure was the silver jaw plate and chains that showed where his eyes should be. The top of it had an intricate cross on it. His long blonde hair was the only color on him. His hands were adorned with claw like armor that covered his fingers.

Oz rushed up to me and I stepped back afraid by his sudden movement. He paused seemingly hurt by my retreat. Oz stared at my face he reached up and his fingers traced where Arius has touched. “Did… Did Arius hurt you? Be honest with me.”

“No, he didn’t,” I replied softly leaning into his touch, it felt familiar. Oliver’s bright smile flashed into my mind. I pulled away softly and stepped closer to Corvus. Oz c****d his head curiously. “And this one? Has he hurt you?” Oz questioned pointing at Corvus.

“No!” I looked at him confused at why he was questioning his friends’ intentions.

“Astoria you don’t have to go for the first guy who you know down here? There are plenty of wonderful demons I can introduce you too,” he began. “I know he’s like the king of Hell but still you don’t have to.” Oz looked at me. “You never have too.”

I froze… Those words… Oliver’s words, the words he spoke when me and John first got together. My head began to spin and I reached up trying to calm my head. Oliver is dead. He can’t be here. He was too good to end up in a place like this. Right? He had to be in Heaven. I stumbled as I felt my world shattering slowly.

“Astoria?” Corvus rubbed my arm.

“I’m fine,” I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to keep standing. I guess dealing with years of bullshit can come in handing during times like this.

“Stop grinding your teeth then,” Oz shot back teasingly. I could hear the playfulness of his voice, but it wasn’t right. That was Oliver’s playfulness and I just couldn’t accept that.

How did he know about my habit of teeth grinding? No, it can’t be, that would mean Oliver is in Hell and there is no way he would’ve ended up here. Let alone looking like this. No this has to be like a f****d-up joke, right? Right, this is Hell after all how could I ever think anything I’ve done the past few days would’ve been real. No of this is real… None of them exists.

“f**k you!” I glared at them, my heart slamming in my chest. Was this my punishment? To be giving happiness and then have it thrown in my face. No, I don’t accept that anything I did could be worth this torment. Was this some sort of cosmic justice?

“My star?” Corvus tried to understand what was going on. “Please,” his voice broke, he was hurt. I hurt him. I can really do nothing right. I hate myself. I just want to be gone.

“No, stop. I’d rather be locked in that cell than deal with this,” I pointed at Oz. “You truly are a devil… To give such happiness and then remind me why I would never deserve it,” I chastised. The room began to spin; I groaned as a sharp drilling pain started in my head. “Why would you do this to me?”

“Sleep.” Oz ordered, my mind immediately went blank and sleep overtook me.

I laid in a pool of warm water looking up at the night sky. A dream. I sighed softly, my entire body was tired, I just wanted to stop. I wanted everything to just end. I put my arms over my eyes and let out a scream.

“Must I really go through all of this?” I asked aloud.

“Hm, sisters I do not she is ready,” a creaky voice said.

I opened my eyes and sat up seeing three women standing in front of me. “Who?” I began to ask but stopped and laid back in the water. “Gods I just don’t f*****g care anymore.”

“Her thread is so thin… I think he was too late,” one whispered.

“Can you please be quiet? I am so tired, I can never just sleep,” I groaned and looked up to the sky. I clenched my fist and sighed.

“Oh, child of the stars, your fate is so tangled,” one started. “Someone has interfered,” another chimed in. “We must make this right,” the last one spoke softly.

“What are you all talking about?” I sat up again, my curiosity getting the better of me.

“Do not worry,” the spoke in unison. “We will make it right.”

And then there was only the sounds of the waves, and a soft wind that carried the smell of salt. I closed my eyes and let my body float and rest. When I woke up, I was going to apologize and start being a better person I reaffirmed to myself. It was the first peaceful sleep I had in ages.