Beyond the Demon's Gate

PROLOGUE: Within the Gates

"If people are not allowed, why were you trying to come in? Are you a demon?"

"I'm a b-boy!" He responded immediately.

"I've never met a boy." She said wistfully. "Why are you here boy?"

"I am looking for a branch."

She looked to the trees and then back at him, "Why?"

"For my fffriends."

"Your friends told you to come here alone?" she asked.

Bo did not respond.

"Stupid thing to do. No one can get in without a key."

Bo said nothing.

"What is your name?" she tried again at conversation.

"Bo."

She snickered. "Bow? Like on a dress? That's a funny name."

Bo frowned. He did not like this girl, demon or not.

"My name is Rachel."

"I t-t-think Rachel is a ff-funny name." He said.

"You don't talk good."

"ss-so?" He asked. She did not recognize his anger.

"Do all boys talk bad?" She asked.

Bo just turned to leave.

"Wait! No!"

Bo did not listen. He continued to walk away. Rachel lashed out in wild desperation.

"Wait! You wanted a branch!" She yelled.

Bo paused in his steps.

"I can get you one!" She said.

Bo turned and Rachel sprinted from the gate, ran to a tree, and tore off a black twig with a handful of blackened leaves.

She held the prize through the bars of the Demon's Gate.

He walked back towards the gate and stopped barely out of her reach.

"Take it." She urged.

He reached out and took the proof out of her hands.

He was going to leave. She could see it in his eyes before he moved.

"I don't have any friends." She said.

Bo left without another word.

-------------------Age 11-------------------

A demon stood at the gate staring out at the world he was barred from. He was older. with a long white beard and old worn clothing that barely clung to his body.

Rachel had not been paying attention. She walked up on the demon without seeing him and now she was frozen. 

Caution was important, but even now only feet away, she had no reason to fear.

"I can smell you, little one." The Demon's broken voice cut through her feelings of security.

Rachel flinched back. One hand clutched her notepad to her chest and the other hand scrambled for the knife she kept at her side. He could not smell her. It was not possible.

"I can see you hiding." He called out.

Her heart broke out of her chest. Fear. She would not be able to run fast enough. She was trapped within the Gate.

The demon was still staring out of the gate. She could see the barest glimpse of pure black pupils. She was at the edge of his vision if she was in his vision at all.