AN INVITATION TO HELL

CATALINA 

William flung his hand away as fast as he could. The shock ceased the instant we stopped touching. I wrapped my other hand around my wrist and groaned. My expression contorted because of the spasms of pain. It was like I had been scalded but there were no scars.

William hissed. He sounded more irritated by the outcome than I was. “You’ve met him, haven't you? That's the only explanation for this… mishap.”

“What the hell are you talking about,” I started slow. Suddenly I didn't have any strength left in my body. “You hurt me, you son of a bitch. You should be apologizing and explaining what the hell just happened.” 

He turned and left me there, just like that. 

“Asshole!!” I yelled behind him. How can someone be so heartless. Nevermind, I don't want him here anymore. I will figure myself out one way or the other.

My eyes skipped from the floor to the tub and then everywhere else. There was still nothing close by to help me get off the floor. My expression twisted into something mixed with anger and self loathing. I scoffed at myself and muttered.

“Fuck it. Who am I kidding? I'm stuck here and he is not coming back. People don't come back for someone like me.”

I sucked in a breath, looking up in an attempt to let the little breeze lingering in the room dry the tears pooling in my eyes. Just then, before I could continue hating myself, I heard footsteps coming from inside my room and faint voices. 

My gaze trained on the door immediately, unconsciously fisting the sheets and holding it way above my chest. Oddly enough, I recognized both voices. 

“Are you certain that's what happened?” one of the voices asked.

“Is that a real question?” The other replied with a voice dripping with venom. 

“You could have just said, ‘Yes’. Violence is never the answer,” the softer voice scolded lightly. 

Shortly after he said that, they both turned into the bathroom. My hand quivered while my eyes refused to blink. The footsteps grew closer and closer until both men stepped into the light of the bathroom’s fluorescent bulbs.

My heart stopped cold.

I was right but that was the scariest part of this revelation. The two men stared down at me with their odd colored eyes. One of them was William and the other was the flying man.

It took me three thousand years to finally blink and let out the breath I had been holding in. The next thing I did was turn around and lie down on the floor. It's official, I'm dreaming again. I just need to close my eyes and clear my mind and I will wake up immediately.

“You are not dreaming, Catalina.” 

The voice came from right next to me. My eyes shot open immediately. I scampered back out of impulse. He retreated a little like he was worried he had scared me.

“Stay away from me!” I yelled. “Maria! Maria! Maria!” I shouted her name on the top of my lungs. Dream or no dream, I was still naked in a bathroom with two strange men. I had to save myself first.

“She won't hear you. I made sure of that. If I were you, I'd quit freaking it out and try to understand what's going on.” William advised, a deadpanned expression on his face. 

My heart was slamming against my chest, goosebumps riddled my skin, my head was suddenly throbbing but somehow, amidst this rollercoaster of emotions, William’s words found a way to make total sense to me.

I trailed my gaze from William to the flying man. He smiled at me. 

“Are we good?” he asked.

I tilted my head to the side, making a gesture that meant I wasn't sure. 

“Fair enough,” he said, moving towards me. “Don't worry it won't hurt when you hold onto me.” 

I stretched out my hand. There was just something about him that made me want to believe anything he said. William hissed and left the bathroom. Don't know what his problem is. 

The flying man pulled me off the floor and into his arms, like I was a weightless piece of paper. Then he set me down on the bed inside. I spotted William from the corner of my eyes. He was sitting in the dark.

“I'm sorry, where are my manners,” He extended his hand for a shake. “I am Charles, an angel. It's nice to see you all grown up, Catalina.”

“You know me?” I left his hand hanging.

“Yes of course. I know everyone in the world actually.”

I quirked a brow. “What?” 

“Let me explain. Well…” he paused and stroked his chin. “Actually I just realized I have a lot of things to tell you. It would have been easier if you lost the memories of last night. I still can't wrap my head around why you didn't. But nevertheless, I guess I have to start from somewhere.”

To my ears, he was blabbering. 

A chair creaked in the corner, followed by a deep dry voice. “You will have plenty of time to brief her on our way to hell. She needs to go see Hades remember. We can’t postpone it. You know how Hades can be.”

Charles turned his gaze to William who was coming up to us. William grabbed Charles by the arm. 

“Let's give her some privacy. She needs to change.”

“Wait, do I even get a say in this.”

“No.” William answered bluntly. The two men left the room and shut the door behind them.

My shoulders dropped and I heaved a sigh of relief. Until now, I didn't realize how tense I was. 

‘What the hell is going on? Hades, electrocuting touch, angels — gosh, I'm getting more confused. It sounds like I'm trapped in a creepy storybook.’

I let out a puff of air, unconsciously standing up to go to my closet. I took two fell steps before I realized; I was walking… perfectly. That's impossible. A broken ankle takes weeks to heal. I was in an accident before so I know.

There was only one explanation. I grabbed my underwear, a big sweater and mini jeans. I wiggled into my clothes and headed straight outside. Immediately I opened the door, the first thing I did was look Charles right in the eye.

“If you are an Angel, does it mean I'm dead?”

He chuckled. “No, no. Certainly not.” He stepped aside, ‘Ladies first,’ his eyes told me. “You are just a special kind of person with the power to dwell amongst the living and the dead.”

“Why are we going to Hades? He is the guy who lords over hell right?” 

Charles nodded. “We are going there because… well you see, Catalina you made a very peculiar wish and your wish has disrupted the balance between earth and Hell.”

“Wow,” I reacted, looking at him at the same time. 

“You are a very special kind of person Catalina. You could end the world if you wanted to.”