The Real Story of Heaven and Hell

I took my final bow and stepped offstage.
“That was amazing Hell Girl.” Jimmy said with his usual sardonic smile.
“Thanks asshole.” I said, but I said it cheerily. “Where’s Sera?” I turned to look for the other guardians and spotted Matt and Brian in what looked like a very heated conversation.
“What’s going on?” I asked, walking up to them.
“This dipshit let Sera go outside without a guardian and she got kidnapped.” Matt growled.
“Son of a bitch.” I snarled, yanking on sweatpants and pulling off my wings in the same motion. I had sneakers on in a flash. I felt myself starting to succumb to the demon rage. At least this time I’d get to used it. “Where did they take her?”
“We’re going to get her.” Zacky said. “Johnny’s gonna take you back to the house.”
“Listen to me you jackass.” I pinned him to the wall by the throat. “You let my sister get kidnapped by fucking demons and now you wanna tell me what to do?”
“Lil, let go.” Jimmy pulled on my shoulders gently. “Come on, let Johnny take you home.” I shook free of him.
“This is my sister we’re talking about! Not some random girl!” I could feel my makeup dissolving into a watery mess. “I’m not gonna sit home and wait to see if you can get her back. Now come on, we’re wasting time!” I must have convinced them, because we got into the car and drove. I could almost feel the fear Sera was feeling.
“Drive faster.” I pleaded. I needed to save my sister. Finally they must have figured out where she was, because we stopped. I vaulted over Jimmy, grabbed a sword and ran towards the house.
“Lil!” Matt yelled after me, but I paid no attention. A shadowy form slid in front of me, blocking my way.
So I set it on fire. The screams on the burning demon followed me on my way into the cabin. I could hear the clash of swords behind me and I knew the guardians were finally doing their jobs.
“Lil, duck!” Jimmy yelled. I obeyed-for once-and dropped to the floor. A knife whizzed above my head, slamming hilt-deep into a demon’s chest.
“Thanks!” I called, kicking open a door. No Sera. I did find another demon who knocked the sword out of my hand. I used more fire on him, but somehow he blocked it and sliced into my arm. I roared in pain and punched him with my good hand. God, these things always go for the arm. I slammed his head against the wall and grabbed the sword.
Where the hell is Sera? I can’t imagine what must be happening to her. I tried another door. Locked.
I conjured up a flame ball and burned a hole through the door. Heedless of the fire, I stepped through, sword ready.
My sister was tied to the bed, naked and crying. If my rage had been high before, it was unbearable now. I could see the demon, running his hands over her, touching her, pressing himself against her.
“Get away from her!” I screamed, dropping the sword. Stabbing wouldn’t be good enough. I would kill him with my bare hands. I jumped onto his back, digging my fingernails into his back. He slammed his elbows into my stomach, knocking me off him easily. He picked up the sword I’d dropped and drove it slowly into my shoulder. The pain amped up the rage so much I pulled the sword out myself and struggled to my feet.
“Angel, you have no chance here.” He mocked.
“I’m no angel, motherfucker.” I backhanded him and cut my sister’s bonds. “It’s gonna be okay Ser. Just hang on for a second.” I helped her into the corner and took a defensive stance in front of her.
The demon looked pretty undamaged. I, on the other hand, was bleeding from two wounds and my left arm was hanging unusable.
I did have one thing going for me. A whole lot of rage and love for my sister. Sera whimpered behind me and that noise alone strengthened my resolve. I howled like a banshee and sprang toward him, lighting the sword on fire in the same heartbeat. The blade slid between the demon’s ribs with a snick. My momentum propelled him into the wall, where he hung, pinned by the sword. I stepped forward and pulled it out. He crumpled to the floor like a rag doll.
“Come on honey.” I turned to Sera, who shrank away from me with a sob. “Sweetheart, it’s just me. It’s Lil, come on, we have to get out of here.” The sword seemed to be scaring her, so I dropped it and held my hand out to her.
“Lil?” She sobbed.
“I’m here, come on Ser.” I helped her up and together we made our way down the hallway. I couldn’t believe there were so many demons here that the guardians were still fighting. I saw a demon coming at us and I pushed Sera behind me. I let the fire fly from my palms, igniting him on impact.
“Jimmy!” I yelled, trying to get his attention. “I found her!” He finished off the demon he was fighting and came towards us. Hot blood was still running down my arm from the two wounds.
“Brian!” Jimmy called. “Get over here!” Brian ran towards us, eyes full of worry for Sera. I leaned against the wall, feeling drained all of a sudden.
“Lil? Lil, look at me.” Jimmy said, catching me before I fell. My eyes fluttered and my head fell back. I was too weak to even hold it up anymore. Jimmy picked me up bridal style, careful with my damaged arm, and ran through the smoke and fighting. He put me down on the seat of the SUV and tugged off the collared shirt he’d been wearing, ripping it into strips and bandaging my arm. I tried to focus on the fact I was probably dying instead of the fact that he looked really hot shirtless.
“It’s gonna be okay Hell Girl.” He whispered, pulling me onto his lap. The others ran to the car, Sera in Brian’s arms, and we drove away.
I think I passed out from blood loss, because the next time I was aware, I was in Jimmy’s room again.
“Sera?” I sat up. Bad idea. The room spun and I held my head with one hand. My other arm was held immobile by the thick bandages covering my wounds. I felt like complete and total shit, but I needed to find Sera and make sure she was okay. I stumbled out of the room and down the hall to Brian’s room.
“Sera!” I yelled, leaning against the wall. “Where are you?”
“She’s in here.” Brian opened the door to his room. “You shouldn’t be up.” He helped me over to the bed, where Sera was curled up, fast asleep.
“Is she okay?” I wheezed.
“No physical damage.” He ran his hand through his hair. “That demon was…”
“Trying to rape her.” The rage boiled in my chest. “I should have killed him slower.”
“Fiery sword through the chest sounds like it hurts.” He remarked dryly. I lay down on my right side next to Sera.
“I put her in danger.” I whispered. “It was my fault she was out there.”
“You couldn’t have known that would happen.”
“Yeah, but it did, because I had to be a big shot ballerina.” The words dropped out of my mouth like bullets. “She could have died.” Her eyelids flickered and opened.
“Lil.” She buried her face in my chest.
“I’m so sorry Sera. It was my fault you got hurt.” I put my arm around her as best I could.
“You’re hurt.” She pulled away to look at my wound.
“It’s just a scratch.” I shrugged.
“Just a scratch? He fucking impaled you!” If she hadn’t been so serious, I would have laughed at her outburst. She rested her hand against my shoulder and it glowed briefly before she unwrapped it, revealing smooth, unmarred skin.
“Well, now you’re officially on Jesus’ level.” I joked, rolling my shoulder. “Healing cripples and all.”
“Breakfast time!” Matt sang, waltzing into the room.
“You’re awfully chipper.” I muttered.
“Hey, it’s not every night I get to kick some ass.” He laughed. “Come on, there’s pancakes.” That got us moving and we went into the kitchen. Everyone was there except Jimmy.
“Where’s Jimmy?” I asked, scarfing down the lemon raspberry pancakes.
“He went out for a bit.” Johnny said, passing me the pitcher of orange juice.
“I’m back!” Jimmy called, shaking rain off his hair. “Ahh, there’s our ass-kicker Hell Girl.”
“Ass-kicker is right. Flaming sword. Nice touch.” Matt nodded.
“I brought you something.” Jimmy said. “Hold out your hands.”
“If it’s the liver of a dead animal, I swear I’ll kill you.” I warned him, but I held out my hands. He put the cutest honey colored rabbit in my hands. It fit in my two palms and had the softest, floppiest ears I’d ever seen.
“Aww!” I cuddled it to my chest. “Thanks Jimmy!”
“Think of it as a peace offering.” He said. I just smiled at him. Maybe there’s hope for a friendship after all. “What are you gonna name it?” Sera asked.
“Hmm, Arabesque.” I tested the name. “Yup. Arabesque.”
“We’ll get a cage later.” Jimmy said, stroking the little rabbit’s head.
“This is a really awesome present. Thanks.” I looked up at him. I’d never noticed how blue his eyes were before.
“I want a pet.” Sera pouted.
“We’ll get you one too.” I ruffled her hair. I’m so relieved she’s okay. But I knew if I hadn’t insisted on going to the show, she wouldn’t have been in danger to begin with.
I promised myself I’d never put her in harm’s way again. I have to protect my sister.