Hell is a Post-Apocalyptic World

Chapter 6: A City Called Limbo

Daniel and Virgil went inside the tunnel. If it isn't for the gas lamp that Daniel is holding both of them wouldn't see anything at all. 

"Are there any dangerous stuffs in this shit cave?" Daniel asked. 

"Don't worry, caves are the calmest place here," Virgil replied. 

They kept on walking, navigating their way through the tunnel. The tunnel is smooth. There no any signs of inconvenient rock formations. There are no signs of any wild animals, not even bats. The place is silent and dark. It is unsettling to say the least. Virgil is calm while Daniel stays alert all the time. He is looking for any sign of hazards but it seems like danger don't apply in the tunnel. 

"This place is strangely empty," Daniel noticed. 

"It is because these tunnels are designed for convenient travels," Virgil explained. 

"So what are we expecting in Limbo?" Daniel asked, scratching his head. 

"Nothing much. It's just a plain and normal deserted settlement, The only difference is  law does not exist there," Virgil replied. 

"I assume that place is chaotic," says Daniel. 

"You could bet on that," Virgil agreed. 

They suddenly stopped in their tracks. 

"We must rest here for several hours. Dusk will come soon. We can't travel at night especially in the cities," Virgil instructed. 

"Okay. But this cave is safe right?" Daniel asked. 

"I assure you, no harm will come to us here," Virgil replied. 

Daniel puts his trust on the cat. They spent a night inside the tunnel. They lied down, closed their eyes and fell asleep. 

Daniel opened his eyes. He found himself at a public library. He looked around and  saw Beatrice staring at him. She smiled at him. Her smile is so bright that even the blurriness of Daniel's vision can't conceal it. 

"Are you enjoying your life?" Beatrice asked. 

Daniel smiled." I think so. You're here with me so at least I am not alone," He replied. 

"I can see that." Beatrice showed a bright smile.  

Both of them laughed. 

"Shouldn't we pick a book to read?" Beatrice asked. 

"Why are we in a library anyway?" Daniel asked back, scratching his head. 

"I thought you love books," Beatrice replied. 

"I love to read, but now I just want to spend some quality time with you, " says Daniel. 

"I would love to spend some time with you too but for now we have to be in different paths," Beatrice responded. 

"What do you mean by that?" Daniel asked. 

"We've parted remember? We're only together right now, because inside this realm anything is possible," Beatrice replied. 

"I don't get it," says Daniel. he scratched his head, looking confused. 

"You are in a dream dumbass!" Beatrice bursts into laugher. "Just try to think hard," she advised. 

"I am trying to think hard but everything is just too much for me. I think my mind is deteriorating," says Daniel. 

"No it's not. Your mind is just bounded  by the norms of the normal world," Beatrice contradicted. 

"I never expected you to talk like that. You sound like a wise old man who pretends to know all sort of shits," Daniel remarked. 

"Maybe I am just being adaptive to my current environment," says Beatrice. 

They stared at each other with vibrant  smiles on their faces. After that everything fades away. Daniel opened his eyes again and this time he found himself inside the dark and quiet tunnel. He zoned out for a couple of minutes comprehending the dream he just had. 

"Beatrice. What do you want to tell me? Why are you visiting my dreams?"

The next morning, Daniel and Virgil continued navigating the tunnel. At the edge of it they are beginning to see a little point of light. 

"We're almost there," says Virgil. 

"I can see that! I'm not fucking blind," Daniel replied. 

"I'm not talking to you. Moron," Virgil looked at Daniel, pissed. 

Daniel looked around the tunnel lighting his surroundings with the gas lamp. The once smooth cave is suddenly vandalized by scribbles of words written in different languages. The only words that Daniel understands are the words that forming the sentences "God ends here" and "Abandon all hopes ye who enters here." He raised an eyebrow, thinking that the words does not  mean anything at all. He approached Virgil. 

"Hey pussy," he called out. 

"What is it moron?" Virgil asked.   

   "I don't know if I should say this but, I've been dreaming about my wife lately," Daniel replied. "Does that mean anything?" he asked. 

"Maybe she's paying you a visit. You know? From beyond,"  Virgil replied, slowly saying every word. 

"So she's probably dead." Daniel is saddened by the thought. 

"Yeah she's dead, so are you. You're in the afterlife now," says Virgil.

Daniel's eyes widened. "I'm dead?" Daniel clarified. 

"I already told you and I'm going to tell you again, if you remember how you got here, it will make sense," Virgil replied. 

"That asshole Yeltsa. He actually murdered me." Daniel felt infuriated. He clenched his fist and bit his lips. 

"Is that so? Then he will have a place here," says Virgil. 

"Wait? Am I in hell?" Daniel asked. 

"That is correct," Virgil replied. 

"Did I live a sinful life? Why am I here?" Daniel asked again. 

"Judging by your attitude I'm pretty sure you committed a lot of transgressions," Virgil laughed mockingly. 

Daniel remained silent. 

"I'm just messing with you. This is not the right destination for you that's why I'm taking you out of here," said Virgil. 

After a long walk, they finally reached the end of the tunnel. They've emerged at a deserted city. The city is filled with tall buildings like the ones you can find in New York or any other normal city. The tall skyscrapers and most of the establishments are filled with dust. The roads are filled with sand and the heat is scorching.  

"We're here. This is Limbo," said Virgil. 

"It looks like a war just ended here," Daniel remarked. 

The two of them kept walking until they reached a marketplace. It is filled with stalls selling different kinds of meat, vegetables and fruits. Cooking materials and tools are also being sold. Daniel and Virgil stopped in front of a stall that sells fowl and boar meat. The merchant guarding the store is an old woman that has a nose that almost looks like a beak, a white hair that  is tied in a bun, an intimidating eyes and she has a bulging mole at her left cheek. She is wearing a red scarf over her white ripped polo shirt. The merchant looked at Daniel with an ominous expression. Daniel looked away, drawing his attention to Virgil. 

"What are we doing here? Do we have money?" Daniel asked. 

Virgil rubbed her fur and out of it three pieces of gold coins came out. Daniel's eyes widened out of amusement. She gave the coins to him. 

"What am I suppose to buy with these?" Daniel asked. 

"Just ask for some good quality meat," Virgil replied.

Daniel draws his attention to the merchant. "Can you give us some good quality meat?" Daniel asked. 

"From what animal?" the old woman raised an eyebrow. 

"Boar," Daniel replied. 

The old woman picked up big chunks of pork meat from underneath the counter. 

"These are the bestsellers here," the old woman said, sounding grumpy. 

Daniel looked at the meat, examining it. He pointed the one in the middle. 

"I want this." He smiled at the old woman. 

"That would cost one gold coin," said the old woman. 

Daniel gave a coin to the woman. The old woman then packed the meat in a bag that is made out of strips of dried grass. Daniel took it then they continued walking around. Virgil spotted another stall that sells  spices. They stopped by and bought some salt, onions and garlics. They spent another coin. While Daniel is negotiating they heard someone yelling.

"Hey thief stop!" The voice is coming from a girl.  

Daniel looked and saw a girl that is wearing a black sleeveless shirt and a blue bottoms that exposes most of her legs. She's also wearing a black boots. She's running so quickly, trying to reach a mysterious man wearing a brown robe that covers almost his entire face. The man is also carrying a cream colored bag. The girl threw a dart towards the man but she misses. The dart landed near Daniel, almost hitting him. He instinctive it picked it up and examined it. The thief is almost running past them. 

"Throw that in his back," Virgil instructed. 

Without any hesitation, Daniel threw the dart. He aims for the spine of the man. The dart pierced through the nape of the man, causing him to collapse on the ground. Daniel walk towards him. he stepped at his back. 

"You have nowhere to run thief." Daniel laughed maniacally. 

"He can't hear you. He's unconscious," said Virgil. 

The girl approached them. She grabbed the bag and counted the coins inside it. She then drew her attention to Daniel. 

"Thank you." The girl showed her brightest smile that concealed her exhaustion. 

"No biggie," Daniel replied. He looked at her and saw her face up close. She has a shoulder length light brown hair that has a full fringe, a brown Asianic round eyes, a thin pink lips and a round shaped face. 

"I'm Katherine by the way."   the girl offered her hand. 

"I'm Daniel." both of them shook hands. 

Katherine approached the thief. He unveiled it and examined its physique. It has dark green skin, a pointy sharp nose, a pointy pair of ears that is filled with earrings that are made out of variety of gems. His skin is also full of reptilic scales. 

"What kind of creature is that?" Daniel asked.

"It's a goblin. I guess," Katherine replied. 

"It looks like shit." Daniel commented. 

"Hey! Watch your language!" Katherine draws her attention to the cat. "You have an adorable cat," she complimented. 

"You might want to refrain from your compliments. That feline hates affection," said Daniel. 

"Don's spoil the fun old man. Let her compliment me," Virgil spoked. 

"Oh my God! He can talk!" Katherine exclaimed. 

"Correction. She can talk." Daniel puts an emphasis on the word "She" 

"This world is full of surprises huh," said Katherine. 

"It certainly is," Daniel replied. 

"I believe we haven't been properly introduced, anyway. I am Virgil ." The cat stood in her hind  legs then bowed. 

"You're so adorable!" Katherine shrieked. 

The cat smiled and winked at Katherine. 

The scene remained silent for a while. 

"You guys look unfamiliar. Are you new here?" Katherine asked. 

Daniel was about to respond but he was interrupted by Virgil's claw. 

"Well Madame. We are actually  from the different side of this city. We are just exploring." The cat stared at Daniel with a looks that says he must keep his mouth shut and let her do the talking. Daniel look at him with an obvious confusion in his face. 

"Is that so? Well this area has nothing much to offer. It's  just a trading center filled with useless products." Katherine maintains a beautiful eyes but her eyes is filled with sadness. 

"Well the meat products here are good," said Virgil. 

"Yeah. They taste good as well." Katherine replied. 

"So how long have you been living here?" Daniel asked. 

Katherine was about to response when the sound of an ominous bell interrupted her. The people around them started running. They are running like something is chasing them. 

"It's the Leviathan's parade!"  a man yelled. 

Katherine grabbed Daniel's hand then she ran quickly. Virgil is following them. 

"What is that?" Daniel asked. 

Katherine did not respond. She kept on running while holding Daniel's hand. She's running like their life is in danger. Sweat trickled down on her face. the clothes she's wearing is soaking wet. Se runs past the people who are running as well. 

"Where are we going?" Daniel asked. 

"We're going to hide at my place," Katherine replied. 

"Hide from what?" Daniel asked. 

"I'll explain later." Katherine replied. 

They eventually stopped running, They stopped at the front of a small house that looks like a studio type apartment. 

"We're here. This is my house." Katherine lets out a sigh of relief.