Page 2 of Misted

Hades will slaughter me for killing his guard, but I didn’t start this to stop now. If the devil wants a battle, I’ll give him a fucking war.

The only thing that matters is her.

I stagger to the hallway, carrying the rifle with my non-dominant hand while the other one lies limp by my side. It won’t be useful for now, anyway.

The Pit’s long white hallway appears endless as I forge forward with my blood dripping all over the white tiles, leaving unmistakable trails in my wake. It won’t be long before they track me down.

I need to find her.

A guard rounds the corner with his semi-automatic gun held high. I shoot him in the forehead before he can react and step on his body. Only one mission remains in my hazy head and fuck everyone who gets in my way.

My finger on the trigger is hyper-aware. One movement and I’ll slaughter anyone who comes in sight.

I drag my semi-numb feet along the floor. Any other human; shot, bleeding, and drugged, would pass out by now. But I’m running on something unhuman. I’m running on a need so strong, I can’t feel my own body.

Everything is an extension and replaceable. I can’t breathe or think properly until I find her.

A rustle sounds from down the hall. I raise my rifle, waiting for the head to appear so I can blow it off.

I halt, my fingers twitching and my blurry vision clearing.

Hellion.

Fiery red hair falls in waves over her shoulders and down her back like a cocoon. The white dress blends against her milky white skin, making her appear like an angel.

My fucking angel.

The pain and the blood and the burn and every single atrocity disappear at her sight. As always.

She’s my salvation in damnation.

My one-way ticket out of this madness.

I found her.

I run to her despite my half-beaten leg and my dazed head.

Her hazel eyes are like a lioness’ with sparks of forest green and earthy brown. Tiny freckles splash on either side of her small nose like stardust.

My beautiful hellion.

When I’m within reach, I fling the rifle to my back and grab her cheeks with both my hands. My blood mars her translucent skin and right in this moment, I promise myself that from today onwards, there’ll be no more blood in our lives.

We’ve been here for more than eight years. She’s maybe eighteen and I’m a few years older. We never knew normal, but today we’ll take our first leap into it.

“We’re leaving.” My cracked lips press against her soft ones in a quick kiss. “I don’t fucking care if we have to shoot our way out of this hell.”

She says nothing. Even her expressive eyes aren’t talking to me or acknowledging me. Lost. Out of this place. Far.

“Hellion,” I grab the back of her head tighter. “No one will hurt you as long as I’m here.”

She places a small, delicate hand on my chest and pushes hard. It might be because I’m injured or she finally took my advice for the arm-strengthening exercises, but she manages to make me step back.

“It’s over.”

My eye twitches. “What?”

“I got rid of it.” Her voice drifts in a cold, levelled tone. “It’s done.”