Plots I'm unsure about

Plot 4

Lying here in the luxury of my cell, it's hard to believe that I'm a prisoner... at least until I try to move, that is. I don't even know how long I've been here for there is no way to mark the passage of time or even acknowledge that time exists here - not even as much as a window.

I try to remember who I am or even what I was doing before I was caught and bought here. The beautiful wings extending from my back tell me that I'm an angel - but even they are useless to me now, the beautiful white feathers carpet the room like a rug. The silver of my blood is splattered throughout the room from the several beatings I've taken on Lucifer's orders. Despite the heat of Hell, I shiver from the fever that runs through me. Over by the door, I see a tray that contains my "lunch" and even from over here, I can tell that I won't be eating that from where I lie - even if the pain would abate for long enough for me to go over there and pick up the tray. Moldy bread and burnt, rancid sausages do little to tempt the appetite. The goblet on the tray bears a red ring around the rim that tells me that at one time contained a red liquid that could have been tomato juice but somehow, I doubt that.

Since I don't know exactly how long the tray has been there, it's possible that the food could have been perfectly fine when it was bought in for consumption and the heat of Hell has spoiled it - but somehow, I get the feeling that the food was like this when it was delivered. After all, I am a prisoner here.

Before long, the door opens and I lift my head, ignoring the excruciating pain, to see who was coming in. Lucifer strode in, kicking the tray across the room as he entered. He said "You offend me, Helen, by refusing to eat".

Placing my head back on the pillows, I snapped "Even death has to be more preferable than this".

He replied "You know, you can end all of this by agreeing to be my wife".

I spat "Never, I'll never be your wife, no matter how much I suffer".

I knew what was at risk as much as he knew what he could gain from marrying me... I wouldn't end my own suffering until I'd spoken to my master and gotten him to close as many of those doors as were possible. Even I knew that giving Lucifer the key to Heaven would the world as we know it forever.

Lucifer suddenly snapped "Get here, Paul" and in walked the largest, most evil looking dog I had ever seen. He stood at about 12 feet tall (That's right, he stood on his hind legs) and had his head bowed respectfully. Lucifer gestured towards the food and said "Dinner is served".

The Hell Hound stood there uncertain of what to do. I quickly sent out my searching powers and the response I got told me that Paul should no longer be here in Hell, for he had repented his sins and had long ago made amends for the wrongs he had done. Heaven never closes it's doors entirely to souls because it is possible that they can make amends in much the same way as humans can change their way in life.

Lucifer bellowed "Eat it" so loudly that I jumped, sending a spasm of pain right through my body.

The Hell Hound said "Thank you so very much for the gracious gift, master" and promptly devoured the meal as if it was the finest cuisine he'd ever tasted.

"Lucifer, I've been in here for so long now and I'm lonely, please can Paul stay with me for a while?" I asked.

He hesitated a little as he considered my request before agreeing to what I asked. Though Paul could easily turn the door into matchsticks at the of a finger, it was obvious that my pain-wracked body couldn't tolerate an escape attempt even if that was my plan.

Lucifer said "Well, I guess I'll leave you to reconsider your situation some more - I hope you'll come to see that I'm not all bad, Helen".

He retreated and locked the door once again. Paul dropped down to all 4 paws figuring that I'd find him less imposing that way. I remained silent until his body relaxed, indicating that his master was out of his earshot. When that happened, I quietly said "I'm sorry I had to do that".

Paul said "I'd rather live here in this room for the rest of my life than live the way the master wants".

I thought I knew the answer to the question I was about to ask, but I had to hear the words from him just the same "Why did you eat the food?" I asked.

He looked at me wordlessly for quite a while at this point. It was obvious to my eyes that he'd not had anyone care about him for a long time. Even in Hell, having someone to care can make a huge difference to your ability to tolerate the things that happen to you. Although it meant more pain for me, I reached out and touched the black fur between his shoulders and he jumped in the same manner that'd be expected had he just had boiling water poured over him. I quietly said "It's okay" and allowed him to feel a little of my healing energy unsure of it's effect on him but mindful that too much of it will send him into Heaven.

He took a deep shuddering breath and said "The food wasn't that bad - anything looks good when you haven't eaten for 2 months and besides, I've been forced to eat worse than that"

It was at this point that the bells began to sound for me. Sure, I know that people and souls can change - that's why the gates of Heaven never truly shut. Although I didn't know what this hound had done to warrant being sent here in the first place, I knew that this was no longer the right place for him and it bothered me that he hadn't been sent to Heaven a long time ago. Lucifer on the other hand, hadn't really changed at all. He was never going to release me from here unless I agreed to be his wife and I was never going to agree to be his wife while there was a chance he was going to taint everything good in the world.

Paul glanced over at me and said "I know that you find seeing me like this disturbing, and there is something I can do about it, but Lucifer must never find out that I can do this".

I quietly said "He won't hear it from me".

On that note, a plume of black smoke appeared around him and as it dissipated, I was happy to see a man stood in the place of the Hell Hound. Even in this , there were similarities between this man and the Hell Hound he'd been... although the man was far more attractive to look at. He must have spent hours working out in the gym.