A D O N I S
"We are headed to see Zephyr," she said, as I followed her, my heart racing as we walked into his realm through a portal.
Everywhere was pitch black, yet the sky glowed with a velvet colored clouds, managing to brighten the place. The inhabitants treaded through the realm as if it were daylight. Each creature was cloaked, faceless, and floated as a mode of locomotion. The bricks were engraved with skulls, and crows called out from the deserted trees that lined the entrance of a dark manor.
I stumbled, catching the attention of Veronica. Her eyes glowed in the dark, and her face, beautiful as it was, had a tiny crease on her forehead, indicating her displeasure. She was displeased, and the thought sent a chill down my spine.
"Just follow me," she ordered, sighing. She tapped her shoes slightly before stepping into the manor. The soles left behind a red trail of footprints. It was as if those shoes held more than just regular shoes. Perhaps they held magic.
The large doors of the manor opened, and a cloaked figure emerged. "He's been waiting for you," the figure said.
"Entertain my assistant while I speak with him, will you?" Veronica requested.
"Entertain me?" I repeated.
"I have important business to discuss with Zephyr."
"If you brought me here, then—"
"I wish for him to take you back to your world."
"What?"
"You're not deaf, Adonis. I'll be with him now, so hang around until you're needed." Veronica turned to the cloaked figure. "Reginald, turn on the lights, please. It's the grim reaper's quarters, not a coven," she said with an eye roll, as her eyes, the glow in them slowly faded.
The sound of a light switch flickering echoed and the lights flickered, revealing the luxurious interiors of the building as Veronica strolled down the hallway. I paused before remembering her intentions. One would think I'd run after her, pleading for her not to send me back, but it was the best news I'd heard all day.
Perhaps it was best to die. Staying with her meant the same thing. If I couldn't convince Zephyr to back off the deal, then Veronica would do exactly that. Humming, I turned to Reginald.
"You seem pretty excited to leave," he commented.
"I fancy the idea of eternal rest, that's all."
He turned towards the opposite direction of the hallway. "Come with me," he urged.
"Where are we going?"
"We're just taking a walk," he replied. "Veronica asked me to entertain you, so I'll do just that."
Even the workers of death bent to her will, I thought, as I followed Reginald. My lips were sealed, but my mind buzzed with several thoughts. The hallway seemed to stretch on forever, but we continued down it, turned a corner, and entered another hallway. Long black doors, adorned with skull symbols, reached from the floor to the ceiling. I had to restrain myself from asking Reginald where they led.
"Wait here. I'll be back in a bit."
"I—" I started, but my words trailed off as he disappeared through the walls. I bit my lower lip, looking down at my shoes. Black and shiny, another high-end member of my Versace shoe collection. Pre-death wasn't so bad. I got to enjoy the privileges of wealth before my final demise. These shoes would help me walk my way to freedom.
I tore my gaze from my shoes to Veronica, who was standing at the foot of a door opened widely. A bright beam of light radiated from within a portal. How, and when did she get here? If she was here, it was time for my soul to be taken to the afterlife. I slowly closed the gap between us. Her attention was still focused on the contents of the door, the bright light highlighting her features as her brows slowly creased before she let out a breathless sigh.
"Veronica," I called, but got no response. Suddenly, her eyes began to glow. Her eyeballs rolled back in her head. I felt my heart leap, and I tapped her shoulder to get her attention. She blinked, rubbing her forehead. Taking a few steps backward, she stood near the open door. The light was almost blinding, but I could see her eyes open up with her forehead creased.
"What is wrong with—" she began, but before she could finish, a strong force pulled her backwards, her heels scratched the wooden floorboard as the portal enveloped her. My eyes widened and my pulse quickened. Before I could process what was happening, I ran inside, following her into the portal. A decision that a part of me knew that I would regret soon.