It had been one year since I first arrived in Hell. Eleven months since Belphegor had left.
He had explained to me that time worked differently in Hell compared to Earth. I might have been dead a year from my perspective, but for Kian, Dylan and everyone else I had probably only been gone a few days at most.
Nick was sitting next to me, frowning at the screen as we sat in the cinema room watching a crappy sci-fi drama about a smuggler and his nephew traveling around the universe so he could win his ship back.
It had been his turn to choose what we watched.
"The original was better," he said, shaking his head as he took a large handful of popcorn and stuffed it in his mouth.
I honestly didn't care. My mind was focused elsewhere, and hope that we would find a way out was dwindling.
"You should've let me pick then." I countered.
Nick rolled his eyes, "Yeah, because I really want to watch The Hobbit for the fifth time in a month."
"You love The Hobbit." I frowned.
"Not five times in a row!" he exclaimed, "Honestly, I should tell my Dad that one, he'll probably use it for someone's Loop."
I glanced over at him. He rarely spoke about his dad.
"Do you miss your dad?"
"Of course," Nick replied confused, "Why wouldn't I? He used to sit for hours with me watching films, swimming, playing chess..."
Huh. I did not picture Lucifer as a hands on kind of parent. Then again, if Lilith was Nick's only other option... yeah she gave me the creeps.
No wonder Belph had become so attached to him.
"I met him once." I said, "It was the worst day of my life, but over everything he healed me."
"He's not evil you know. Not like the films say he is." Nick said, "He was exiled from his home, so he made Hell his home. Before he went, Mum made me hide from him. They had been fighting a lot. I didn't want him to go."
Shit. Lilith really was a bitch.
"I'm sorry, Nick."
"It's okay. I had Belph, and if that never happened I wouldn't have met you." he grinned, "My Wolfie."
Despite everything, I smiled at him.
"You're a dork, you know that, right?" I said, pulling him into a hug.
Nick grinned, "The Prince Of Dorkness!"
"And yet still a dork." I laughed, "So, are we watching The Hobbit next?"
Nick rolled his eyes, "Sure. It won't last long when you fall asleep in the middle and wake up with drool everywhere."
"That happened one time!"
Twice, actually...
Nick just chuckled, reaching across the seat to flick me on the forehead.
I scowled but couldn't help grinning back at him.
"Nick, I have to tell you something..."
"What?" he frowned.
Fuck it. He had to know. I took a deep breath, steeling myself. Here goes nothing...
"I don't think-" I began, but before I got another word out, the door behind us opened. I turned around to see Lilith smiling sweetly, although it didn't reach her eyes. Her long black dress matching her hair.
"Hello, boys. Having fun?" she asked, taking a seat in the empty chair next to Nick.
"Hey Mum," Nick said, sounding genuinely happy.
But Lilith didn't smile at all. She just turned towards me.
"We need to talk, Alec."
I gulped down my fear and nodded. There was no way this was going to be good. But fuck it, I wasn't running away. Not that I could.
"About what?"
"Oh, I think you know." Lilith said, her eyes flashing dangerously.
I felt my blood run cold. Fuck. She was talking about Nick. She'd found out about Belph's plan to get us out of here.
"I don't-" I tried but stopped immediately, my voice catching in my throat.
"Save it, darling. You know exactly what I'm referring to. So, I thought maybe we should come clean, make things clear between us."
I swallowed hard, feeling like a deer caught in headlights, about to become roadkill.
How the fuck had she found out?
"Belph took your place. He left Hell for the surface. Why? What is that idiot son of mine planning to do? Betray me? He should know better."
I stayed silent, my heart hammering in my chest. Lilith leaned in and lowered her voice, almost whispering now.
"What is he even doing on the surface, hmm? Do you honestly believe he just wanted to play tourist while you were stuck here waiting for something that was never going to come?"
Fuck, how did she even know about that?
"Who said it's not," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
Lilith laughed then, her voice a high pitched giggle, "I do. Your body has been moved. Can't risk you trying anything now, can we?"
She leaned back, smirking, and turned to Nick, "I assume you already knew about this, dear?"
Oh crap...
Before I could stop him, Nick stood, glaring at me, anger and hurt written all over his face, "You were planning to leave?"
"I don't belong here, Nick." I said, my heart breaking as tears made their way down his face.
"You said that before," he said, "But, it's not true!"
"Oh, but it is." Lilith smiled, "He has too much waiting for him back on Earth. Nicholas, he played you from the moment he came here."
"That's a lie." I snapped.
"Is it?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, it is." I growled.
She raised an eyebrow, "Really?"
"Yes, really!"
I heard Nick sniffle beside me.
Damn it, I was losing him. This wasn't supposed to happen.
"Listen to me, Nick," I whispered, reaching forward to grab his hand, "I was going to leave, yes, but I wasn't going to leave you behind."
He shook his head, trying not to cry. I pulled him into a tight hug, ignoring the fact that Lilith was watching us.
"Touching," she sneered, "A little brotherly love to strengthen the bonds that keep you both to Hell."
I glared at her, "Leave him alone."
Her smirk widened, "Well, aren't you two adorable?"
"Get out." I snarled.
Lilith stood, turning to look at me one more time, "I should be grateful, I suppose. After all, if it weren't for your stupidity you would never have come here, and wouldn't have what I want."
She turned to leave, walking past a flustered looking Nick. I squeezed his hand one last time, hoping it would somehow reassure him, before she slammed the door shut behind her, leaving us all alone in the darkened cinema room with our thoughts.
Nick wiped a sleeve across his eyes, looking anywhere but at me.
"I'm sorry." I whispered.
Nick shook his head, "Don't be." he muttered, his voice hoarse.
"I should have told you..."
"Yeah." he replied, "You should have."
I wasn't sure how long we sat there in silence, but neither of us moved.
Finally, Nick broke the tense silence.
"Alec?"
I looked over at him, my head tilted slightly to the side. His blue eyes stared into mine, pain shining through them.
"What happens now?"
Honestly, I had no bloody idea...
Before I could say any more a red mist appeared and slowly began to surround us.
"Alec?" Nick asked sounding scared.
"It's okay," I said holding out a hand to him, "Take my hand. We'll go together."
"Go where?"
"Home."
Nick took my hand, holding on tight just as the mist obscured my vision.