Black Sheep

New Beginnings

'It's all gone. Everything's gone!' I subconsciously take a step back into a firm chest and jump as familiarly cold claws are set down on my shoulders. I did not look at him. I was too entranced by the fire consuming my home, but I did shift my gaze when flashing blue and red lights stole my attention. The police held a man in custody that I recognized him from the news. It's that arsonist that's been running around. Did he do this?

"No! No, please! You've got to believe me! It wasn't me! It wasn't me, I swear! It was that voice! That fucking voice made this happen! It made me do it!" Even as he was forced into the car, he continuously let out cries that he was innocent. Oddly enough, I believed him; well, maybe not fully. It just made me wonder: if demons are real, who's to say one wasn't putting things into his head?

'What am I supposed to do now?' I grip the strap of my bag tightly with trembling hands.

'All my stuff is gone. That means...' I gulp and hesitantly look up at Mephistopheles with worried eyes. I receive a soft look as he took his hand and brushed it against my cheek.

"It seems your time is up now, Y/N." His words sounded ominous, yet also kind. Still, I am afraid.

"B- But..." I shut my mouth, quickly cutting off my refute. I have no excuse. I take in a shaky breath and felt the need to cry.

'I'm not ready. I don't want to go— Not yet!' I sniffle and wipe my eyes, which feel dry from the fire's heat. A pair of arms come around my body and hold me steady as the demon's face nuzzles against the crook of my neck.

"You needn't be afraid, Y/N. I'll look after you like I've promised. It'll be all right. You've accepted the deal. I'm afraid there is no going back now. Will you trust me?" My breathing steadies as I rest my head against him and shut my eyes.

"I trust you. Let's go," I whisper to him before opening my eyes. The crackling of the flames dies to pure silence as shadows rose beneath our feet to consume our bodies until all that was left was darkness. I could not see him nor could I see myself, but he still held onto me. My own hands cling to his coat in reassurance. His arms provided a comfort that I can't quite explain. I was afraid that if I stepped out of them, I'd be lost to the abyss, so I kept him close. The weightlessness of my body disappeared within a matter of seconds, and my boots touched down on a stone path. His hold had lingered when he let go, but my hands remained on him as my stomach flipped in horror. My breath caught in my throat as my legs went numb at the sight of those massive gates leading to the castle of my nightmares.

"W- Wha..." My head whips to Mephistopheles as my hands retreat to my chest. Looking around, I found it exactly as it was during my dreams, but it couldn't be. "H... How could you bring me here?"

"Y/N, listen," he demands in a low voice whilst snatching my wrist and forcefully pulling me back towards him. I did not react kindly to this.

"No!" I try to pry myself out of his grip, and though, his hand didn't hurt, it was too strong to escape from. My breathing grew ragged as tears welled in my eyes. "Let me go!" My demands go ignored; instead he brings me back into a hug to still my struggling body. He shushes me and pets my hair, doing all he can to calm me down.

'This whole time... This is Hell? He should have told me! He should have warned me before I—' My thoughts silenced as he knelt before me and looked back and forth before meeting my crying eyes.