Subcutaneous Magazine Fall 2016 | Page 37

felt himself slipping into depression as he rested against the soft mattress .
A new nurse entered his room , Harry noted , not the same one who had given him whatever drug had put him to sleep . This one was beautiful and had a great body , accentuated by her her tight scrubs . Harry wondered if she had done this on purpose to show off for the doctors . He had known women like that a lifetime ago , and they were good for little but a night or two of fun in a hotel or on his yacht .
“ She ’ s going to hurt you ,” the familiar voice hissed in his ear .
Harry tried to speak , but he couldn ’ t . He wanted to ask who the voice was and how it knew what it knew .
The nurse saw that Harry was conscious , trying to communicate . “ You ’ re not supposed to be awake ,” she said , walking toward him .
“ Do NOT let her near you ,” the whispering voice warned . Maybe it didn ’ t know movement of any kind was close to impossible . He couldn ’ t stop the nurse from whatever the voice thought she was going to do .
Who ARE you ? Harry thought .
The voice didn ’ t answer .
The nurse looked Harry over , taking swift glances at notes on a clipboard .
“ She has hurt others in this place ,” the voice whispered . “ Two have died because of her willful malice .”
Harry struggled to move , but his body still wouldn ’ t listen to his brain ’ s commands .
The nurse leaned over , putting her lips close to his ear . “ Struggling won ’ t help you ,” she said . Harry could smell her perfume . She grabbed his testicles , squeezing tightly . He felt fresh pain erupt , breaking through the haze of painkillers . His whole body burned anew , stemming from the unforgiving grip of the nurse . She held her hand , refusing to relinquish . Harry was powerless to stop her . “ I hope you can feel this ,” she taunted , a smile creeping onto her face .
The nurse finally let go . She moved away from Harry , standing up straight , continuing to smile . She locked eyes with him , and he was reminded , once again , of his life before crash . If he had seen this woman smiling like this in a bar , he would have done anything to get her into bed for the night . Now , though , he only wanted to beat the shit out of the bitch .
Another syringe full of clear liquid was injected into his IV drip , and he fell into the blackness , welcoming
it over the torture and pain he had faced in the white room .
Harry ’ s eyes sprang open , but he woke somewhere different , no longer covered in bandages and splints , back in his old body . He stood upon black rock , his feet bare against it . He saw flames , springing forth from pools of lava . Ungodly creatures crawled and slivered from caves , moving about the rock around him , observing him with black eyes , snarling . Two four-legged creatures lashed out , pinning him to the rocky ground . Their claws dug deep into him as the rocks bit into the flesh of his back .
A man appeared from nowhere , walking toward him . He barked once , calling off the beasts . They ran off , scurrying into holes in the black rocks . He was nude , lean , muscular , and handsome . He held out his hand , helping Harry from the ground . “ There is no need to fear , my friend ,” he said .
Harry recognized the voice . It was the one who had whispered to him in the white room , warning him of what was coming .
“ Yes ,” the man said . “ It is I . As I said , you have nothing to fear . In fact , I want you . Your soul has the material drive that guided you in life , a lack of empathy that is valued here . I offer you untold power and riches beyond anything you have ever imagined . You had a taste for beautiful women in life , using them as expendable pleasures . I offer you all the virgins you want , brought daily , if that is your desire .”
“ What ’ s happening ?” Harry asked . “ And who the fuck are you ?”
The man laughed . “ Even when facing the Prince of Darkness , you show such bravado ,” he said .
Harry stared . He looked around , finally realizing the answer to his own question .
“ Your body has been in a state of fluctuation ,” the man said . “ At this moment , it is in cardiac arrest . You are dead , so you are down here with me . Do not worry , they will bring you back soon enough .”
“ As for who I am ,” the man continued . “ I am Lucifer , and this is my kingdom .” He spread his arms . Harry no longer wanted to be there . “ No ,” he uttered . “ You say no before I even tell you what I wish of you ,” Lucifer laughed . “ I need souls like yours .