Hell Bound

Chapter One
It was raining outside. Mother did tell me that there was a storm coming, but I never would have thought that it was not just the weather but also in my life. Cool breeze blew into the room, sweeping the hair off my face, wafting in the air was the fragrance of Petunias. If it had been a normal day I would have enjoyed the weather and if I was really jobless, I could have written a poem praising Mother Nature. But unfortunately, it wasnt a normal day. It was a hell of a day. My heart was throbbing so hard I was afraid that it would eventually pop out of my chest. The reason for this, I figured, would have to be the gut wrenching panic, which grew stronger with every moment passing, and me running like a mad man. My heart skipped a beat when I found my sister, lying on the floor, crumpled up like a baby. Natalie, wake up! Answer me please! I begged. As I tried shaking her hand, something sharp poked me - a knife. I quickly glanced at the other wrist to find it slit several times. She had lost quite a lot of blood, so much that her beautiful golden hair was drenched with it. I checked for her pulse which,

though low, was steady. Is somebody out there? Please, help! Anybody? I yelled. Sis? groaned Natalie. Oh thank god! I held her hand. What happened? Who did this to you? I....myself... What! Why? tears welled up in my eyes. Suddenly, her eyes went wide and she started breathing heavily. Panic struck me. It was like my worst nightmare coming true. Oh God, no, no, no, no dont you die on me now! Look at me, Nat! Stay with me, alright. Open your eyes. Come on. Please She gave me her usual lop-sided grin. She opened her mouth and took a long deep breath. Her body jolted and then lay motionless on the polished marble floor. I sat there, holding my breath. Waiting to see her laugh and tell me that it was all some pathetic joke, a prank just to irritate me. But, nothing. She didnt twitch a muscle. Everything fell silent the rain, the wind. It was as if Mother Nature herself was mourning. Me? My whole body went numb. My face felt flushed, my throat tight. My eyes were burning .Wet.

I got up went to the other room, my room, to find a phone but I didnt have a phone. Thats right. Call me old-fashioned but I like to stay away from those things that tend to distract ones mind. In my peripheral I saw something moving. I rushed to the hall, some childish part of me still hoping to see her. Instead I saw a guy, leaning on the wall, lighting up a cigarette. He grinned. Don't light your hopes up. I'm not your baby sister. Who are you and what the hell are you doing here? I growled. Whoa, easy now tigress. You called me, remember? Well, not exactly me, but someone for help right? His grin was really beginning to wreck my nerves. How could he be so cool in situation like this? I mean, yeah, shes not his sister but a little concern wouldnt hurt. Well its too late now. She is gone and I couldn't do anything. I sobbed. The only time my sister wanted me the most and I wasnt there for her. Oh Natalie. Its never too late. That's why I'm here. He puffed his cigarette, which reminded me pretty much of the old 1950's movies, sending small loops of smoke in the air. So let's get to business, shall we. Do you want your sister back? Are you crazy, thats impossible, I said half-heartedly. What if he

could bring her back? I could really use a miracle right now. Answer me, he said calmly. Yes, but- Then I shall bring her back to life if, he grinned, this time even wider, you make a deal with me. His sinister smile did give me warning bell, but in my desperation, I gave into the temptation. Ok. Whatever it is, I'll do it for you, but please, I fell to my knees, bring her back. I will, but don't you want to listen to what the deal is-" No. I'll handle that later. Bring her back, right now. I felt quite demanding - not my usual self, but considering the circumstances, I didn't really mind me being needy. Fine, then. He smiled. This is going to be interesting. He just stood there staring at me. After few moments, I couldn't bear it anymore. What, aren't you going to wave your magic wand, I said irritated. He laughed. Nope. That won't be necessary. Besides, its already been done. I looked at her. A moment later, she opened her eyes, desperately

gasping for air. Not believing my eyes, I turned around. But he was gone. I immediately went downstairs, grabbed the telephone receiver (looks like I have to buy myself a cell phone after all) and called for an ambulance. And before I knew it, I along with my parents, were rushing her to the emergency room. I stood outside the ER, coming out of the haze of the earlier adrenalin rush, trying to figure out what just happened. Busy with my thoughts, I didn't notice a nurse grabbing hold of my arm and leading me to an empty bed. Jesus Christ! You look like you took down a whole army! she muttered dabbing a cotton ball with antiseptic liquid on my bruises. She tended to my wounds in silence, considering my lack of interest to make a conversation. The stinging sensation is what pulled me out of my thoughts to the real world. I asked the first question that came to my mind. How is my sister? Miraculously alive, her features lit up at the sign of my interest in having a conversation. We have had a lot of cases, but this one is unbelievable. Her wrist has been severed, awfully, several times and she has also

experienced a huge amount of blood loss and yet, she is healthy, spare some minor wounds and weakness. Her tone was that of surprise and awe. Yeah, it is a miracle, I mumbled. That should do it, she said getting up, It would take a while for your wounds to heal completely, so avoid moving a lot. Now rest for a while. I was about to crash on my bed, when suddenly, the guy from earlier, appeared out of thin air. Seeing the dead come back to life, apparition didn't quite surprise or at the least frighten me. This was the first time I actually noticed him. He was unusually dressed for this time of day - Long coat, silk perfection - the perfect portrayal of a flippant brat. But the most annoying aspect was - the self- satisfied, arrogant, happy expression on his face. Hello there. Just dropped by to check up on you. Oh, I said wearily, and thank you for everything you have done. Oh, uh, no problem, he said, surprisingly, flustered. He immediately flipped back to his I'm-all-cool attitude.

Besides don't you forget your end of the bargain, I didn't do it for free, you know. Yeah, I won't ... wait; I dont know what I'm exactly supposed to do. He gave me a menacing smile, sending a shock wave throughout my body, giving me goose bumps. He began, very sensibly, I thought, to demobilize and evaporate. First the brogans on his feet grew misty until I could see the floor through them, then the affection spread to his knees and gradually extended upwards. That's the beauty of the deal. You don't have to do anything else. You have already - if not given - practically sold it to me. So, see you in ten years, but something tells me that we would meet again, soon. I was really getting bored of the conversation. My body felt extremely tired and with him unnecessarily dragging the conversation, wasn't helping. I mean, would it kill him to come to the point. He was lucky I was tired or I would have, by this time, used force - say like, bang his head on the wall - to make him talk about the real deal. But, as I said, he was lucky, so I played along.

I sighed. What can you possibly buy from me? I don't have anything on my name - neither the house nor my Mother's business, nada! So now, would you please break the suspense and pray tell me what is it that I have sold to you?" His body completely vanished but his voice rang in my ears, loud and clear, Your soul. My body couldn't hold any longer and gave into exhaustion. I collapsed onto the bed, immediately falling asleep.