Between the board and the audience appeared a platform made out of vines that were much more durable than they seemed. They created a green bridge with bulges and a barrier to prevent falling from this height. In the moment that it became stable, Hailie started running towards Lust. They met in the middle of the bridge, when she fell in his arms with a loud laugh. He lifted her up, spinning around on hard vines beneath his feet. For a moment, all their worries disappeared and the only thing that could be heard was their chuckle and happy voices.

"You won, Lust! You won!" Hailie exclaimed, hugging tighter into him.

"Have you doubted me?" he started joking, making her laugh even more. "I had to win. Otherwise, I wouldn't see you ever again." He delicately touched her cheek. They were looking into each other's eyes, until Hailie took a sudden grasp of the air and took a step back, before she would take another step ahead.

"I'm really happy you're not going anywhere. There's no one who could replace you as the lust demon."

"Lust!" Wrath and the rest of the demons walked up to them. "Should I refer to you as the prince now?" he asked, bowing to him with an amused look.

"Hell no!" replied Pride, who even smiled at Lust. "But we're glad you didn't fall into pieces."

"Watch out, Pride, or you might start liking me again." He blinked at her and the fact that she didn't deny it was a good sign.

"I'm surely satisfied that Lust became the prince of Hell. That just made our position in Hell even more important." Greed as always was seeing advantages of the situation.

"And we can celebrate it later. Right now, I'm concerned about Shane's soul. Where is it?" asked Sloth, who was getting tired by this whole journey. He hoped that they'll find Shane sooner.

"In the Human's Kingdom," answered Death, whose black robe fluttered in the wind, revealing a pale and bony body. "I can create a passage for you, but once you're on the other side, you're on your own. My part here is done. I have responsibilities I have to attend to."

Hailie frowned. "Human's Kingdom? I don't get it. Shane's soul is back on Earth?" She gazed at the demons, who seemed worried with the news. Why were they so scared? That should be good information, right?

"It's not a place on Earth, but In Between. A frightful place, barbarian one, with no rules," Wrath tried to explain, but Hailie still didn't understand. "Where exactly we'll find Shane?"

Lust sighed, "Their king has it. It's in a cell for souls, whose fate is yet to be decided."

Death raised his hand, creating a door black as pitch. They've opened slowly with a terrible creaking, letting a strong wind in. Hailie had to cover her eyes and move aside. The passage was scaring her, but she had to be brave. For Shane. They were so close, and she was set on getting him back. Soon this nightmare was about to come to an end.

"It's time to go," Death rushed them, because it had other things to do. It came closer to Hailie, making her stand without movement, just as if she was afraid of its power. "Be careful, human, because the heart is a fragile thing. Don't make the wrong choice."

Hailie blinked a few times, parting her mouth. She wasn't sure if Death was talking about Shane or Lust. Who was the wrong choice? It took her a moment, before she said, "What Death can know about love?"

With its lips pale and dark at the same time, it smiled, "You'd be surprised."

Lust took Hailie by the hand, making her look at him. His eyes seemed to tell her that it's time to go. She nodded, getting mentally ready to cross the door and go to another place In Between. Pride stood on her other side, catching her second hand. Hailie had more support than she could ask for. All of them made their final step, getting on the other side of the door.

When they passed through the entrance, Hailie became speechless. They found themselves back on Earth, it seemed to her. On that day, Earth seemed to thunder with nervousness, rebuked by regular discharges from the heavens, apparently pretending to be a medieval executioner whipping the unfortunate for their crimes. They walked what felt like several kilometers in this windstorm before Hailie saw a disgusting billboard leading to the first ruins, which was written with pieces of human body arranged in English, N(o) Welcome to the real Hell. The kingdom of the people. There was probably the word 'No' in front of the Welcome, but the body, twisted into its lower half, dropped off with its legs and hung only on the arms.

"Which of the demons are playing so hideously with people?" Hailie asked, full of sudden sadness, disgust and dread.

Pride's answer broke them out of the awkward silence that took hold of them, while they were watching this horrible view. "Actually, the people here call him the king of humans," Pride replied with obvious reluctance.

"The demon is actually a human," Wrath added with apparent amusement. "Or at least he used to be one, before his most cruel, full of suffering and fearful actions made him evolve into a demon of the worst kind."

"Why is it called the Human's Kingdom?" Hailie couldn't look at this horrible view anymore. It seemed like a powerful force was keeping her out of crossing the gate. She wasn't sure how to make another step.

"Many centuries ago, some demons wanted to make an experiment," started explaining Greed. "They've decided to stop torturing souls of people, who were in their possession. Instead, they've created this peculiar place In Between. They've put people here, they've returned their bodies and they've let them live their life once again, however they wanted. They could, after years of suffering and punishment in Hell, become better, but human nature doesn't change so much after all. People started murdering each other, backstabbing, lying and manipulating. All the bad things they've done, they did them again. This kingdom was built on wars, on battles, on pointless killings and meaningless deaths. Self-proclaimed kings overthrew their predecessors, they decapitated them or prepared intrigues full of horrors."

"It turned out," continued Pride, "that lower grades demons weren't even able to inflict that kind of cruelty. That's how the Human's Kingdom became for a longer time a school for demons. They were coming all the way down to In Between to see and learn human methods of manipulating, killing, torturing and inflicting pain in endless ways."

"And after some time, the Human's Kingdom finally got its king, who has reigned here since his coronation. And nobody dares to overthrow him, because he's the worst of them all," ended Lust, looking at twisted bodies. For him it was a pathetic trick to make all who come here terrified.

Hailie had goosebumps from hearing out this story. Uncertainly, she asked, "Who were the demons that created this place?"

Pride gave her a weak smile. "You already know them," she answered, thinking that this place looked completely different in the past.

"Let's not make it any longer than it's needed. Time is not on our side." Maybe it was due to the won match, but Lust felt invincible. There was nothing and no one who could stop him now. And the rumor will soon spread across the Hell and In Between, so everybody will know. "Ladies first."

Pride took Hailie by the arm, to keep her close. They found each other on the road that for Hailie seemed like taken from the worst nightmares. They walked along the bloody trail, and on both sides of it there were piles on which people were crucified. She tried not to look at them, most already dead, but some moaning from an endless pain and exposure. The road seemed endless, especially when they left crucified people behind them and got on a desert full of bones and skulls. Pride explained that this desert was a place where bodies of the dead ones were left behind. It was a cemetery, but nobody bothered to dig graves or give those unfortunate souls a proper burial or funeral.

"Are we in another place now?" Hailie asked, when they walked through yet another gate.

Her question was fully justified, because the courtyard they came upon was littered with luxury and beauty. On the path of the crucified and the bony desert there was not a single soul, except for the dead or dying ones. Here, people and demons were everywhere, living among each other. The buildings looked like the most splendid villas that only the wealthy ones could afford. The streets were full of people chatting with each other, their voices floating in the air along with music and laughter. Hailie felt like she was in another world, or as if she was actually back on Earth. The sight of this place delighted and intimidated her at the same time. But the first impression was quickly replaced with the real face of the place, dispelling her illusory impression, as she saw a man being killed. Nobody seemed to even notice. People continued to laugh and they bypassed him. And there were more bodies on the road. 

"Keep close, Hailie," Pride whispered to her, because here no rules applied. You were staying alive only if you were ready to kill and if you were smart enough to keep on the surface. And still, you could've been killed only because somebody else wanted to have some fun.

"Where are we going?" she asked, being led by Pride further ahead.

"To the King's palace, but since we're on the road, let me guide you a little." Wrath took a place by her left side. She still didn't like him, but he was big enough to make her feel a little bit safer. "We're in the center of the Human's Kingdom, and believe me, it's like an amusement park for demons. Some types of entertainment are primitive, like making people fight each other for life and death. There are even shows of suicides. And on the left, it's our demonic cinema, Hell-ios." Wrath looked at Pride, who delicately shook her head. For him, it was a regular thing, but Hailie was getting more and more scared. He understood and stayed quiet for the rest of the road.

Hailie could already see from the distance the long, golden and black building, that for her didn't look so breathtaking as other things she has seen in this kingdom. Maybe because of the building's weird shape or the colors, or maybe because of the skulls that adorned the walls. Hailie was curious about the inside, because she never visited a real palace, but the fate wasn't in their favor. Before they managed to reach the black gates, a large group of demons in armor appeared in front of them. It didn't even take a second, before they circulated them, cutting off the possibility of an escape. Hailie froze with her eyes wide with fear. Pride moved closer to her.

"We're here to speak with the king." Lust, who wasn't bothered at all, stepped forward.

"You've brought an unauthorized human to the kingdom," one of the guards said.

"We're sin demons and this human is under our protégé." Lust pointed at Hailie. "And we came here, because the king has something that now belongs to me."

"So, we kindly suggest you take us to him, unless you want to vanish from existence," warned Wrath, who was ready to start a fight, like always.

"The one with an attitude like that must be Wrath." Another voice raised from the back. Demons suddenly parted to the sides, creating a passage for a man dressed in a long golden robe that revealed hairy torso, and trousers equally golden. He had many necklaces, maybe even more than Greed had, and jewels that shone in the sun. "What is it that now belongs to you, Lust?" he asked, as the demons bowed to him.

"We can take care of it. They're not allowed-" The demon didn't get the chance of finishing the sentence as the king suddenly took a dagger from his belt and stuck it in the demon's neck, piercing it right through.

"Did I let you speak?" That was a rhetorical question, since the demon started choking on black blood spilling from his body and was not able to say anything at all. The king pushed him away, ignoring the body that fell to the ground and changed into a black dust in the wind. 

Lust rolled his eyes at this show of strength. The king might've believed he was invincible, but he wasn't more powerful than they were.

"I'm here for Shane Blackwell's soul."

The king, who indeed wore a crown on his long, blonde hair, frowned. "I believe it belongs to Asmodeus."

Lust smiled, "I guess you haven't heard the news." He opened his hand, making a paper materialize out of fire. "I'm the new prince of Hell." One of few, but still. "What used to belong to Asmodeus, now belongs to me. I sincerely don't care about other souls that Asmodeus left here, you can keep them, but this one, Shane Blackwell's, I want that one back."

The king was staring at Lust for a moment, like he was calculating his options. He had some wrinkles from frowning and his eyes, even though they were calm, seemed to shine with cruelty.

"You shall have it then." The king turned around, ready to take them to his palace. He nodded at one of the guards as if he was commanding him to bring Shane. For sin demons it was more than suspicious. It simply went too easy. "Considering your new status, how would you like to be called? Prince Lust?" he asked like he was poking fun at him.

"I don't need to be called by my titles to remind me of my position," he replied back.

"You seem to take good care of this place," Pride decided to strike out a conversation. She heard of this man, but never met him. "No rules and yet somehow you're able to rule over this mess."

"I have my ways. Most importantly, I trust nobody." The king stopped for a moment to look at her. "Although, I trusted Asmodeus." It almost sounded like an allegation. "I guess, you can be sure of nothing, considering that even the prince of Hell might be replaced by some poor imitation."

Lust tried to remain calm, even though the demon was highly irritating, but this comment, it seemed like the king was seeking trouble and Lust wasn't able to control himself anymore. He caught him by the robe, making all the guards immediately stop and get ready for a battle. And the king just smiled, looking right into Lust's eyes. He raised his hand, making the demons stand down.

"Careful, because even before becoming the prince of Hell, I couldn't have been killed and I still can't. As far as I know, the same cannot be said about you."

"Living in this place taught me that death is merely the end. There are far more horrible and cruel fates." The king freed himself and straightened his robe, stroking it as if he were brushing off invisible crumbs from it. "Here we are," he said after a few more minutes on the road. The guards that were standing by the entrance, opened it for them. They walked into a huge hall, decorated with stuffed human bodies. "Make yourself comfortable, while I'll make sure that Mr. Blackwell's soul gets here as fast as possible so that I could never see you again."

Hailie felt like throwing up as soon as she realized that the walls and the ceiling were covered with human skin, like it was some kind of wallpaper. She wasn't able to stay here any longer, so she went outside, desperately looking for fresh air. Lust followed her, to make sure that nothing bad would happen to her. They were minutes from getting Shane back and she felt like on an emotional rollercoaster.

"Finally, it ends," he tried to cheer her up. "I'm sorry you had to go through all this awfulness."

"I'll be fine," she said, even though she deeply doubted it. She was staying this strong only because now it was the only option. She couldn't let herself break down, while they're In Between. That was way too dangerous and so she was putting all her emotions, fears and thoughts aside. Knowing that soon they'll be back on Earth and she will have to face it all, was making her terrified. She had no idea how to deal with it, when it would float her. "It's just, it's horrible. This place, and all the places we have visited," she said, feeling like a completely different person. The old Hailie was scared of Jayson. And now, the new Hailie, was scared not only of Jayson, but basically of everything. How was she supposed to sleep ever again after all the things she has seen?

"I know and I wish I could take it all away from you." But he couldn't. Taking Hailie to In Between wasn't a good idea, but it was essential. Without her, they probably wouldn't be able to get Shane's soul back, at least not on time. "But you should know that he's going to live thanks to you. You saved him."

"We did," she corrected him timidly. "Thank you for everything you have done. Shane wasn't your concern, and you risked your life to help me. And him." Suddenly she didn't know how to look him in the eyes. Probably because of the question she was about to ask.

"I would've done it again." He smiled, coming closer. "Soon, we'll be back on Earth. With Shane."

She swallowed nervously, getting ready to ask. It definitely wasn't a good timing, but she had to know. Especially if Shane was coming back. Her feelings were twisted enough. She needed at least a small part of certainty.

She slid all cruel images that filled her mind aside. Now, only he counted. She finally looked at him, feeling how her heartbeat sped up rapidly.

"Lust," she started, feeling that after all that happened between them, she must know it. "Do you love me?" 

***

Hello! 

Dear Readers, sorry for leaving you waiting for the new chapter so long, but lately I had a lot of things I needed to take care of. 

I hope you like the chapter :) 

✨ Smile today and have some fun! ✨

Btw, if you'd like to know more about Death and his story, check out my other book - The Death's Game! 

Kisses, Caroline ❤️

Ig: Caroline_Korlins