#like i am a husk and someone else is controlling me but im actually dead or something

[hell-bound-stories]

two years

The body jolted awake, coughing up a black tar like liquid, gasping for breath, waking up into a forced existence. They looked around frantically, trying to grasp where they were.

It felt like a small cave, the walls being nothing but various shades of grey. The stalagmites clinging to the ceiling were the only thing in there with them. There was a small tunnel, a way out, but something told them to stay.

The body was small. Red hair and eyes complemented by a pale skin, covered in a brown shaggy cloak. The cloak had a pin of an emblem they didn't recognize holding both sides together. The body knew three things.

They are cold.

They have a headache.

They are dead.

A moment later a stranger walked into the cave, “you’re awake” He seemed so relieved, “you’re actually awake, this is amazing!”

The man pulled a clipboard out from his white coat. The paper attached seemed to be some kind of form, and with a pen in hand he was ready to fill it out. He sat down next to the body.

“What’s your name?”

The body had to think, hard, but something inside of them knew, “Azz”

“Azz?” He wrote down the name, “Interesting” 

It was the first name they thought of, like someone else had given it to them. The name felt right, and they didn’t know why.

“Ok, how old are you”

“15” they knew without hesitation, again not quite knowing why.

“Oh” the man paused, a look of sadness washing over him, “so young” he said under his breath. He quickly changed the subject.

“How do you feel?” sadness had left his voice, in favor of curiosity.

“I'm cold, and my head hurts”

The man nodded, jotting those things down on this paper, “The headache is normal, it will go away in a bit, and i'm sorry about the cold, I tired getting you as close to the surface as possible in hopes it would be warmer” He paused, “I guess it didn’t work” 

The man scrapped one of his long black claw like fingers against the ground, sparking a flame, a placed it in front of Azz, “This should help for now”

“Whoa” Azz was amazed, looking at their own hands, “When do I get to do that?” 

The man chuckled, “in a bit, for now just stay by the fire”

The man was thousands of years old, but next to Azz’s child-like wonder and amazement he somehow felt young again. He went back to his clipboard, looking through the next few lines.

“How did you die?”

“I” Azz paused, starting to panic, “I dont know”

“Good” the man said without hesitation

“Good?” How could that be good?

“Yes” he said happily, “No one remembers how they die, the past can’t touch you now, it's nothing but a fresh start.”

“Oh” That was somewhat nice to hear, but Azz had this lingering feeling that their death was awful and painful. They didn’t know why. They sighed, looking around the cave once more.

“Where am I?” 

“You’re in Hell”

They looked around again, “I thought Hell was a city, and bigger”

“It is, but I had to bring you here”

“To…….a cave?” Azz was confused

“It’s a long story” The man kept writing things down as they spoke

“Who are you?”

“The doctor”

“What's your name?”

“The doctor” He began getting up, “Now stand up, I need to get a better look at you”

Azz did as told without hesitation. Once standing they both realized just how small Azz actually was. They were at least two feet smaller than the doctor.

“Oh my, you’re even smaller than I thought” He walked a circle around Azz, “Just barely six feet”

“Hey, i'm not small!”

“I’ve never seen a demon so small before, I didn’t know this was possible” He was truly amazed. Azz however was not.

“I. am. Not. SMALL” Azz stomped the ground, causing the whole cave to shake, some rocks coming loose from the ceiling, falling to the floor below. Such a simple comment had made them uncontrollably upset. The doctor was taken back.

“But you’re still just as strong as you're supposed to be! And your horns and tail seemed to be controlled by emotion, this is incredible!” The doctor was ecstatic, taking notes on his clipboard as fast as possible.

Azz hadn’t even noticed the two small horns that came out of his head, and the long tail coming from his back. The doctor got closer to get a better look at both.

“The end of your tail is normal, but its so thin, and your horns” He didn’t know what to think, “They are so small as well, and the wrong colour” He was truly amazed.

“A thousand years in Hell and you are the strangest demon I’ve ever seen”

“Mm” Azz didn’t like hearing any of this, “Why don’t you just make a list of everything wrong with me!” So far Azz hated being dead, and they were only 30 minutes old.

“Oh dear boy I already am!” 

“I'm not a boy” Azz growled under his breath.

“To start it's a miracle you’re even dead! With fire as weak as yours you should have been nothing but the husk of a hollow!” The doctor's happiness was really starting to piss Azz off, “Everyone got mad at me for believing in you, keeping you around, no one thought you were going to make it but here you are!”

“Wait” Azz’s anger turned to sorrow, “I wasn’t even here, and people already knew they didn’t want me?” This feeling felt too familiar, and Azz didn’t like it.

“Well” The doctor paused, thinking, “that doesn’t matter now, what matters is that you are here, and the universe has big plans for you I know it. Satan will be more than happy to hear about you.” This did little to make Azz feel better.

“Come on, I want to examine you more at my office in the city, here” He lifted the fire off the floor, and placed it in Azz’s hands.

“OOOOOO” Azz’s eyes lit up like stars, “im holding FIRE” now this made Azz feel better.

The doctor chuckled, “yes, yes you are, no come on” He led Azz out of the cave towards the city. The walk was only a few minutes, but the cold made it feel like a lifetime. The fire did little to heat Azz up.

“I thought Hell was hot”

“That's what everyone says”

The walk through the city was the worst time in Azz’s 45 minute life. Everyone in the city avoided them like the plague. Azz had no idea why, but the Doctor knew. Like an invisible force pushing everyone away, no one got close to them. People gave Azz awful, disgusting looks as they went by. No one knew them, but they didn’t need to know they didn’t like them. Azz kept their head down, following the doctor's tail as they went.

“Why is everyone avoiding us?” Azz wanted to know, but deeply feared the answer.

“People..” the doctor paused, thinking of the best way to word it, “They can tell you’re special”

Azz hated that word, “I'm not special” they said to them self.

They approached a simple white building in what felt like the center of the city. It was slightly smaller than the buildings surrounding it, but it still towered over Azz. It had two windows near the top, and a simple door.

“This is my office” The doctor said, unlocking the door and leading the way inside.

Inside was a white sterile room. In the middle against the wall was a simple one person medical bed. With various tools on the wall surrounding it. The other side of the room housed a small desk, covered in papers. Behind the desk were come cabinets with counter space and a sink, with cabinets above them too. In the far back of the room was a door with a lock, next to it on the wall was various old plague masks. In the corner by the door was what looked like a dog bed, with some white round creature sleeping peacefully on top. The room was warmer, but not as warm as Azz would have liked.

“This is a small doctors office” Azz said, looking around the room, taking note of the jar of lollipops on the desk, and grabbing one to have.

“I like simplicity” The doctor said as he also walked over to the desk, looking through one of the drawers, “I have a living space upstairs with an extra room, you will stay there” He handed Azz a key.

“Ugh, I have to live with you?” This was the only demon Azz knew, but that didn’t mean they liked him.

“Yes well you don't have a choice” He walked over to the bed in the middle of the room, “now sit”

“Why do I need to sit?”

“So we can begin your first check up”

#hellbound #Azz and the doctor

[the-british-pineapple]

For the writing prompt! Death, a majestic lady and Life, a handsome man kinda like each other, but in their sort of relationship Death accidentally kills him, and the role of Life falls onto a 5 year old boy, and Death has to teach him how to be Life while struggling with her grief over Life's death (sorry if its complicated haha)

Ok so btw, this isn’t actually finished. But im 2500 words in and 3 weeks over due (sorry but university is a bitch). So i thought I would post it and add to it later when I finish. Sorry n advance for any stupid spelling/grammar mistakes, i mainly write at night, when creativity is high but logic is not!

Death sat on her throne, her pale skinilluminated by the torches that lined the walls. She held a chalice tenderlywith her fingertips, taking sips every now and then, listening to the cries ofthe dead that filtered through her palace. They weren’t crying because theywere sad or because they hated the Underworld; they were crying because theywere lonely, most of them had no family down there to comfort them. Theirscreams and cries however gave Death a sense of accomplishment and triumph. Shefelt like she had accomplished her job, done what she was created to do. Shewas amidst her self-congratulations when a knock at the door interrupted herthoughts.

“Come in.” She said, slightly disgruntled.

“My apologies Madame Death but someone ishere to see you.” Said one of her minions.

Like all her minions he had no eyes, amouth which more resembled that of a turtle and wrinkled, dry skin. They servedher without a second thought, she liked that about them. She just wished theyweren’t so hideous to look at. Her minion beckoned to the open door and a manwalked in, not just any man. This man was Life himself. He stood tall andproud. His hair was golden and gave a slight glow, it was curly and bouncedwhen he moved. His face was perfectly sculpted, his cheekbones and jawline wereprominent and he had the face of someone who could sell you a car with only awink. But this wasn’t why Death liked him, no. It was because he was hercounterpart, she would not exist without him, he gave her a purpose and forthat she admired him. Most people assume that they are in a never-ending feudbut it is quite the opposite, it’s more like an unspoken trust.

“So, what do I owe the pleasure?” Deathsaid as she adjusted herself on her throne.

“Unfortunately, I’m here on business.” Lifesaid, running his hand through his hair. “I need you to prematurely take life.I know it’s not usual of me to ask this but I need you to do it.”

“Something must be up if you need me to dothis?” Death asked, leaning forward, intrigued.

“It’s for the right reasons.Over-population and what not. Plus the people I need you to…prematurely unalive are not doing theworld any good.”

“Alright I’ll do this for you…if you dosomething for me.” Death said with a smirk.

“Sure, anything?” Life responded, takenaback.

“Have dinner with me tonight.” She said,standing up from her throne. She walked over to Life, gracefully gliding acrossthe floor, her long dark silk robes dragging behind her. Life smiled as sheapproached.

“Sure, dinner it is.” He reached out totouch her but she reeled back. “Oh I’m sorry, am I reading the situation wrong.

“No, gosh no. It’s just we can’t touch. Iguess when I was born or created or whatever, I was cursed, whatever I touchdies.  Can’t control it, never been ableto. I’ve never touched a person who’s wanted to touch me before. My touchbrings death and frankly I don’t want you to die.”

“Oh, I see. Well I can create life with atouch, watch.” He brought his hands together as if he was holding an invisibleball. His fingertips glowed and particles fell out of them and coalesced. Theparticles twirled and knitted themselves together. Roots formed and grew in hishand until he was holding a small daisy. He held it out to her and shehesitantly took it. As soon as her fingers touched the stem it withered away,like the life source was being sucked out of it. In the space of a few secondsshe was holding a rotted, withered remnant of a flower. She looked at Life, hereyes were slightly red.

“I’m sorry.” She said, letting it drop tothe floor.

“I have a crazy idea. You destroy life, Icreate it. So together we should reach an equilibrium.”

“That is a very loose use of science.”Death replied with a little giggle.

“Well there’s no harm in trying.”

“Excuse me? You could die? Other than beinghighly ironic, it’ll literally destroy the world. If you die, then there’s nolife and without life there’s no death. It’s a death sentence for me too.”Death said frantically. “Look, I can wear these very stylish gloves, then wecan touch…if you wish.”

“That would be better than potentiallydying I guess.” He said as he watched Death glide over to her throne and pickup a pair of long black gloves that were laying on the arm rest. She slippedthem on and reached out to Life, waiting for him to take her hand. He gentlygrabbed her fingers and pulled her close so he could grab her other hand. Theystood like that for what seemed like forever, staring into each other’s eyes.Life cleared his throat. “I should get going, gotta keep up the flow of lifey’know. I’ll send you the…tasks once I get back home. Then I’ll come round fordinner”

“Sure, I’ll get onto those…tasks you wantme to do.” She said quietly, slightly disappointed Life was leaving. He lent infor the kiss, as a formality, Death was paralysed by shock as his lips touchedhers. She pulled back but it was too late, his veins bulged black as his tannedskin turned pale like dirty snow. He fell to his hands and knees and heaved.

“Why did I…do that…?” He wheezed betweenbreaths. Death dropped down to the floor beside him trying to lift him up, tryingher best not to touch him.

“What did you do you stupid man?” Sheyelled, as he started turning grey. Life’s face started to get tight and hishair was losing it’s golden shimmer, slowly becoming a dark silver.

“I’m sorry…it was instinct and now I’mdying…I’m sorry.” He whispered through almost lifeless lips.

“Can’t you just…I don’t know…’life’ yourself back? Use your powers?” Deathpleaded. Holding Life’s head between her gloved hands.

“Just find me…when I’m gone.” Life said.His face had sunken at the cheeks and he resembled a skeleton. “Show me what todo…”

“What do you mean?” She yelled but it wastoo late, his head was limp in her hands. All that was left of Life was boneand skin, his hair had turned ash grey and his skin looked bleak and dark likeit was frostbitten. “Shit.”

“Is now a bad time?” One of Death’s minionssaid, popping his head around the corner.

“This is probably the worst time in livinghistory, so whatever it is it better be important.” She growled.

“Well the thing is, I couldn’t help fromover hearing what happened but I know what he means by ‘Showing him what todo’.” He mumbled, motioning the last part in air quotations.

“Well spit it out?” She yelled at herminion.

“I believe that because Life is eternalthen someone has to take the mantle if ‘Life’ ever…dies. So that means the rolemust be taken up by someone else. We need to find that someone before theycause any harm.”

“So…do we have any clue where they are?”Death asked, slowly placing Life’s head on the floor as his skin deterioratedto what now looked like ash.

“Considering this is the first time eitherof you have died we don’t really have a clue. But we should start looking now,before things go wrong.” Death’s minion said.

“Alright, assemble a group of minions andget on to this. We need to find who this person is and where they live.” Shedemanded. Death then turned to the husk of what was Life’s body and spokequietly. “I’ll deal with this.”

 The day passed slowly as Death preparedLife’s body for a respectful ceremony. She rested his body in an obsidian blackcoffin with white marble edges. The inside of the coffin was pure white silk,Life’s head was resting on a puffy silken pillow. He was wrapped in a golden blanketthat shimmered like his hair once did. The coffin itself was placed in themiddle of a large cavern lined with green torches. Death stood at the head ofthe casket, silent, not knowing what to say. She wiped one single tear from herand leant down to kiss Life’s forehead. Death took a slow breath and eased thecasket shut.

“Goodbye.” She whispered.

“We found him!” One of her minions yelled,stumbling into the large cavern. “We found Life, well the new version of him.”

“Good.” Death said regaining her composure.She cleared her throat before she spoke. “Alright where is he.”

“Calcutta, India your Majesty. But we mustmove fast, his power is getting out of control. That’s how we were able topinpoint him.”

“Ok, grab 2 more minions and follow me.”She said with her usual authority. She held out her arm and a swirl of blackand green smoke spiralled out until it hung in the air about two metres highand one metre wide in an oval shape. She stepped in it and walked through tothe other side and embraced the warm wind that greeted her. Three minionsspilled through the portal behind her. She held out her hand once more and smokedissipated into thin air. She looked out on the city where they arrived, theycame out the portal on a roof top. The city was tightly packed, washing lineshung between the yellow stained buildings, a smog hung in the sky and the airsmelled like a disused port-a-potty.

“Ew.” Said all her minions in unison. They clutchedtheir nose/beaks and started groaning at the smell.

“Shut up. We need to find the new Life.Point me where.” She demanded. All three minions dropped their hand from theirfaces and pointed to where the sun was slowly setting over the horizon. “Howfar?”

“About 3 kilometres.” They all spoke.

“So we run.” Death said. She looked down ather robes which hung loosely of her body. “Ok first we change, then we run.”

“Agreed.” They said. Death held her armsand the same swirling black and green force that created the portal surrounded herbody head-to-toe. It remained for a few seconds then dissipated as quickly asit had conjured itself. Death stood there sporting a black jacket made from astrong and durable material with matching pants. Her jacket was unzipped androlled up at the sleeves, she wore a blue shirt underneath which pictured askull and crossbones made from an assortment of flowers. Her minions lookedover at her, she wasn’t sure what they could see with their lack of eyes butshe could feel them judging here.

“Stop staring and show me where to go.” Shebarked. The minions bumped into one another as they turned to where the sun wassetting. Another thing Death liked about her minions is they were surprisinglystrong and athletic even though they didn’t look it. The minions leapt over tothe next rooftop with ease and didn’t stop when they hit the roof, they carriedon running and jumped onto the following rooftop. It wasn’t hard for Death tokeep up as she was just as nimble, she leapt from her standing point and ranacross the next rooftop, closely following her minions. They moved in unison,avoiding obstacles and giving each other boosts when necessary. Death could feeleyes on the streets looking up at her as she flew between rooftops, she didn’tcare, she was determined to find Life and put an end to this madness.

They had been jumping between buildings forwhat seemed like forever and Death was getting tired.

“Surely we are there?” She yelled, out ofbreath.

“Just over these two buildings.” One of herminions called back to her. But she knew where to go before it spoke. She couldhear a commotion, a collection of people where gathered on the streets, murmuring.The Sun was setting low and casting long shadows which hid Death and herminions as they spied on the street below. She peered over the edge of thebuilding she stood on and could see a large amount of people gathered around adoorway craning their neck for a view of something in the house.

“He’s in there.” One of her minions said.

“I’m so glad you pointed that out,otherwise I would’ve totally missed that.” She said sarcastically. “Look wegotta clear these people so we can get in there and secure life.”

“You could kill someone, that woulddefinitely get their attention.” One of her minions spoke up.

“No, I’m not doing that. They will passwhen their time comes. We need to think of something better.”

“Well if you don’t want to make alivepeople dead, how about making dead people alive?” One of the other minionssuggested.

“You know what, that could actually work.Maybe you aren’t all a waste of space after all.” She said with a slight smilein her voice. She held her arm over the edge of the roof and aimed it at thestreet. Black powdery smoke spilled from her fingertips and twirled down to thecracked street floor below, the tendrils of darkness intertwined and coalescedas it descended forming one black mass. It hit the street violently, spillingsideways then quickly falling through the cracks. “Yes, I can feel plenty ofdeath here. Just gotta tweak it a little and..”

Before she could finish her sentence theblack mass rose steadily from the cracks and formed slowly into distinctive humanoidfigures. Three figures stood on the street, features slowly forming on their facesas if they were rising out of water. In a matter of seconds three people stoodon the street, standing still, blank faced. Their skin was slightly ashen andtheir eyes were sunken and glazed.

“Wow you did it.” One of her minionswhispered under it’s breath.

“Did you think I couldn’t?” She snapped.

“No your Majesty. It wasn’t surprise it was….wonder?”It stammered. She turned away from him and concentrated on the figured below.She closed her eyes and they stumbled sideways, like the whole ground hadshifted and they were steadying themselves. She held both of her arms out formore control and the figures stumbled in the same general direction. Theyheaded towards the crowd, slowly but surely. One of the men noticed one ofthem, his face quickly turned from surprise and confusion to terror and fear. Hepushed through the rest of the crowd screaming. Most people looked confused butthey gradually cottoned on as they saw the figures approaching. They probablythought zombies had risen from the dead to come and attack them, this isn’t entirelytrue, they aren’t true zombies. They are souls that have been put intoartificial bodies, there aren’t actually rotting corpses, but the civilians didn’tknow that. In a matter of seconds the streets were clear and the screams had dissipatedinto the dusk.

“Now’s our chance.” Death said withurgency. She leapt down from the building and landing on the street with aheavy thud. Dust curled up around her but she wasn’t phased, she wasdetermined. Her minions followed, each making a distinct thud as they landed,the third one made a tiny welp as he hit the ground. She maintained focus andspoke with slight disgust. “Toughen up.”

“Yes… Madame Death.” It stuttered. Deathwalked into the buulding without a second thought and stopped in her tracks.

“Oh you have got to be kidding me.” Sheexclaimed.