Dead Hour Page 3

  “Do I look like a backstabber to you?”

  “Yes. Now get going.” Sam turned to leave, then hesitated.

  “What did Martha mean when she said you were responsible for her death?”

  “Time unfortunately reveals all.” And with that, Sam left her encounter with the devil.

  The way back felt extremely short to Sam, partly due to the now comparative easiness of knowing what lay ahead and the feeling of protection emanating from her hand. Her thumb glided with ease over the purple gem on the dagger as she walked through the sullen city. The golden beast was nowhere to been seen, and his tongue laid where it had been chopped off. Sam continued though the rest of the city, and out into the azure plains. Sam thought over and over to herself as she stepped in-between the mountains about her final confrontation. The formally jagged stones now appeared smooth and leading.

  “It truly is the matter in which you travel.” Sam said aloud, her words echoing in the quarry and spilling out over the lake. For the first moment since she lost Arthur, she felt a sense of calm, if only for a moment. She looked over to her makeshift home, which was still the same as it had ever been. It looked homely and inviting, and all she wanted was to go and hide herself from everything in the worlds. But Arthur needs you! The blade in her hand seemed to pulse. She looked at it, the ivory catching the hilt, and silver steel shining with pride. Such a small hope laid in her hand.

  She crossed the lake effortlessly, clearing her mind about the righteousness of her quest. After reaching the other bank, she looked at her home for a moment. Sam shook her head, and continued. Retracing the path up the mountain, she wondered what would happen after prying open the gate. Would she be instantly killed, and all this the devil’s plan? She felt conflicted. She needed to try, but she didn’t want to die. If she could die, anyway.

  She passed the spot where she told Arthur of her constellations, and a pit grew in her stomach. She just wanted him back. The dagger in her hand began to grow hot, as if preparing for battle. Sam didn’t know if it was simply her palm raising the temperature or if it was doing it on its own. She stepped up the final slope, and saw the familiar pond, with the statue of Martha eloquently behind it. Walking over the pond and group of Water-wafters, the girl with the dagger stood face to face with the gate. Sam rose the dagger to the statues heart, and easily slid it in.

  A roar filled the open air, like something forbidden escaping. The portal opened, and engulfed Sam, who held on to her dagger, and screamed in agony. Just as the portal had been opened, it closed, and left a stale air behind.

  Sam’s eyes opened, and everything was black. She floated in nothingness, her limbs as light as air.

  “Hello?” She called, her voice echoing in the void around her. She reached out her hand, and stared at it. Her skin was blue, and filled with stars. She looked down at herself only to see her form covered in nebulas and galaxies. Her once blond hair swam around her, matching her body. For the moment, she was made of celestial objects. She stared at herself for the longest time, perceiving the beauty of her skin. She wept, never seeing something so fantastic. The tears, lacking gravitational pull, fell off of her face, and into the emptiness in front of her. They pulled one another to together, slowly forming a ball of light. Sam watched in awe at her whole situation.

  The ball of light hovered in front of Sam, almost calling for her to touch it. She reached for it in her hand, and felt the weight of the ball. It countered her other hand slightly, which she suddenly noticed had been grasping the dagger the whole time. It had a cool blue tint to it from Sam’s body, and the blade glinted. The small ball began to glow brighter and brighter, illuminating the nothingness. It twisted and morphed, consuming everything around Sam. And then, it was day.

  After closing her eyes due to the strength of the light, Sam opened to a quaint patio. It felt strange to be taken from something so erratic to something so normal. A few feet off sat a pool, shimmering in the yellow sunlight. Her skin had returned to normal, and she wore a simple black dress. Her hair laid down her back, and her bare feet felt the cool cobblestone.

  Further down, a table sat, with two chairs, and two bodies filling the chairs. An umbrella guarded them from the sun. Sam also took notice of the building wrapping around the pool and patio. In fact, she recognized the place. Sam had vacationed at this hotel with her family when she was younger.

  Sam walked toward the sitting figures, dagger still in hand. She slowly approached, attempting to make out the people, until she realized they were just the people she had been looking for. Martha sat in a plain white dress, sitting across from Arthur, who was wearing a simple suit.

  “Well, isn’t this quite the social gathering.” Martha said causally, clearly expecting Sam. Arthur turned his head, and opened his mouth in shock.

  “Sam!” He yelled, getting up to meet her. They hugged passionately, and turned to look at Martha, who had also risen.

  “I’m impressed, making a deal with the devil. You’ve got heart, Samantha.” Arthur looked back to her.

  “You did what?” He said in shock.

  “Don’t worry, he’s actually not that bad of a guy.” Sam said to Arthur, reassuringly. “She’s just mad he gave me this.” She held up the dagger and Arthur looked at it for a moment. Martha also looked, before scowling.

  “This has gone on long enough. You’re not taking him back, his time is up.”

  “Bullshit, his isn’t up for a long while.” Sam said angrily, readying her body for a fight. “So he’s coming home with me.” Martha was about to say something, when Sam lunged over the table at her. Martha quickly stepped back, and Sam regained herself. Martha ran for the other side of the pool, when Sam caught up to her and raised the dagger. Martha pushed Sam toward the pool, and they both tumbled in to the water, as Sam had not let go. They groped around under the water, both punching and kicking at each other.

  Arthur dove in after them, and swam over to the fight. He grabbed Martha, attempting to hold her down. She took hold of his throat, and clawed into his skin. Sam drew the dagger, and like with the statue, plunged into Martha. She howled and screamed, and let go of Arthur. Martha stopped moving, the dagger still in her heart, and sank to the bottom of the pool.

  Sam looked at Arthur, and the two kissed. They hugged for what felt like hours, and Sam sobbed. During all of this, they didn’t notice the old man with the white beard sitting wear Martha had once sat, observing. When they finally did notice, they swam over to the shallow end and go out. They both joined the man at the table, who laughed at their soggy appearance.

  “A-are you God?” Arthur tentatively asked. Sam and the devil laughed heartily.

  “Arthur, this is my friend the devil.” Arthur looked the man up and down, and frowned.

  “It’s true.” The devil said. “Now, you won your little boyfriend back.” Sam looked at Arthur and smiled.

  “Yep.”

  “And I suppose you want to go home?”

  “That would be lovely.” Arthur responded.

  “Well, alright. But I want my knife back.” Sam handed to him, and he looked it over. “Ok, then.” He waved his hand, and a door appeared. “Right through there is home, for both of you.” The young couple looked at each other, and smiled, approaching the door.

  “Tomorrow,” Sam said to Arthur, “Meet me at the diner on Lexington, 8pm, sharp.”

  “You live in the city too?” Arthur asked, shocked about how close they’d always been. Sam nodded, and placed her hand on the door knob. She opened the door, and they both walked through. Exactly five seconds later, across a bustling city, a boy woke from an hour death, and a girl woke from month long coma. And they were in love.

 

 

 
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