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2024-10-29 19:42:56With the 70s rolling around and the end of the State's involvement in overseas war, a sense of change was in the air. Still, the now university student had other things in mind.
Standing in a dark corner, she observed a row of lit candles. Her hair is covered with a familiar, costly scarf which mysteriously appeared four years ago. Ever since that day, Tiffany could not shake the feeling that something supernatural was involved. She took every opportunity she had to visit different places of worship and learn as much as she could. Sadly, none of her efforts were rewarded.
She stood, somewhat awkwardly next to a table with wooden icons, similar to those seen in early Christianity history books. Their composed faces seem to watch her as she moved through the secluded hallway.
Tiffany put some coins in the donation box and murmured a few words. On her way out, a priest in black greeted her. "Did you find what you were looking for?"
The girl smiled politely. "Yes, thank you. It will be a nice addition to my essay on medieval arts."
"I'm happy to hear that. There are not many young people who are interested in spiritual things. All these students only seem to care about is get drunk at parties and messing about."
He looked outside and frowned. "Like that girl over there. Look how she spread herself on the hood of that car. And just look at how she's dressed. I've seen night workers with more decency."
"Hmm, yes, my generation has truly fallen. Father, there is something else I was meaning to ask you. Tell me, please. During your long years of service. Have you ever witnessed a miracle happening in this place?"
The priest hummed. "I'm not sure what you would consider a miracle. There were a few sick people who got better after visiting. If that is what you mean."
"I meant more like," she started a bit insecure. "Have any things materialized? Out of thin air?"
The man blinked confused. "Not that I know of," he uttered carefully.
"I see. Thank you for your time," she nodded and hastily left. Making sure that the priest was no longer in sight, she walked towards the skimpily dressed girl.
Regina was leaning on her car, watching her nails, bored. As Tiffany came closer, she took off her scarf, showing her wavy highlighted hair.
Her friend made a face, watching the small building. "Fine hobby you have there?" she added sarcastically.
"Excuse me. Aren't you the one who went temple-hopping with that hippy guru-"
"Oh, don't even mention that freak. I'm so glad my mom left him," she blurted getting visibly upset. "We just can't pick them, I guess."
Her friend caressed her hand to comfort.
"So anyway! I seriously don't understand why you keep coming to such freaky deaky places," Reggie said, getting into the driver's seat.
Tiffany rolled her eyes. "As I told you. Time and time again... It helps me with my major. And besides, it's kind of peaceful in there," she replied calmly.
"Tiff," her friend uttered worried. "Is there something going on? I mean, you would tell me if you had a problem, right?"
"And what problem could I possibly have?" Tiffany said curious.
Reluctant, Reggie uttered, "You aren't planning to become a nun, are you?"
Stunned, Tiffany turned to her and burst into laughter. "What in the world made you think that?"
"Well, you've been acting strange. You're reserved and quiet. I mean, you were never a chatterbox, but it was always that wise calculated silence... Like, keep laughing peasants, you know who is going to have the last laugh."
Tiff puffed amused. "Oh please, I wasn't that scary, was I?"
Regina ferociously nodded, making her laugh.
"You were so fierce back in high school they called you the 'Queen Bee'. Not like now. You have closed up completely. Even from me. Why?" Reggie uttered concerned.
Tiff smiled gently and placed her head over her shoulder. "Don't worry. I'm just... thinking about my life. Making plans, you know."
"What is there to think about? You have excellent grades, a hunk boyfriend, who worships you. What more do you need?" Regina said.
Tiff hummed. "Yes... Everything seems so perfect from the outside, doesn't it?"
"Is everything okay with you and Tim?" her Reggie whispered worried.
"Of course. He is such a sweetheart. He treats me well and my parents love him," Tiffany said, but her gaze went elsewhere.
"Then what is the problem? Is he cheating on you?"
Tiffany let out a deep sigh and uttered: "No. It's just... do you think I'm pretty enough to have such a boyfriend? I mean, he is a really popular dude..."
"Oh come on," Regina puffed mad. "You're a hot fox if I ever saw one."
"Please don't patronize me, Reggie. I'm smart enough to know how average-looking I am," Tiff declared.
Her friend could only shake her head. "Whatever happened to that confident girl I used to know? You were so cool back then when you twirled people around your little finger."
"When did I do that?" Tiff gasped.
"Don't you remember when you made the entire chess club run leaps around the football field just because one accidentally tripped you in the lunchroom? One glance from you and whoosh... They were standing straight just like mumbling and stuttering more than usual," Reggie said, snapping her finger.
Her friend shrugged. "Not like it was a challenge. It was the chess club after all."
Reggie chuckled with glee. "And do you remember how you tricked that girl into getting us the lock of her brother's hair?"
"Mmm yes and his sweaty T-shirt." Tiffany bit her lip, blushing. "In my defense, he was totally bodacious."
"You mean bodylicious?" Reggie grinned, giddy. They chuckled, driving to the beach.
The two friends laughed, reminiscing. "What can I say, I was a horny teen. Doing what horny teens do."
Regina smiled, nostalgic for their high-school life. "Yeah, things seemed so simple back then. I was sure you're gonna be something big."
Two very handsome boys were goofing off near an open-top car. Seeing them, they waved and hooted.
Regina smiled, blowing a kiss. Tiff waved, faking a happy grin.
"So what will you do now?" Reggie asked, not changing her expression.
"I don't know."
"Are you going to ditch him?"
"No... Maybe. I don't know," Tiff said and smiled, looking at her boyfriend's muscular physic.
Regina giggled, knowing exactly what that meant. "You are horrible."
"Hey, I may no longer be a teen, but I'm still horny," Tiffany whispered giggly. Not long after, she hopped into the boy's open arms.
This memory was a pleasant distraction from Cassandra's current plight.
"How could I've been so stupid? I should have known this was a trap. Why did I come so willingly? What's wrong with me?" she thought, swallowing her tears.
"Finally, some fresh meat!" someone's voice echoed from the dark oval corridor. The scream completely startled the nostalgic Cassandra.
"Who said that?" she said, reaching for the bars. There was no reply. She stood up, grabbing the metal bars. The dimly lit place was filled with rows upon rows of identical cells.
"Hello? Answer me?" she tried again.
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Helltown First training day
A few chuckles broke the silence.A pair of thin hands appeared from a cell paralleled to hers. "I did," the same voice snickered. The girl it belonged to pressed her face, showing off her sharp fangs and little black horns. Red long hair seemed to cover her boobs and stomach. Or maybe it was a piece of fabric. It was difficult to distinguish because of the lack of light. "What are you going to do about it?" Cassandra observed her, stern but cautious. "Nothing. I was just curious to learn who my cellmates were.""So were we, honey," another, slightly deeper female voice spoke. It was from a few cells away. "It's not often that the boss brings in some noob off the streets.""Yeah, where did she find you? On the dump?" a third voice sneered."Ladies, ladies. Give the girl some space..." a fourth, softer voice replied. A small young woman with loosely tied hair appeared from her solemn, tiny compartment. "Hi. I'm sorry we did not greet you right away. It's just...""We did not want to mi
Helltown The gladiator pit
Cassandra's tail swung ferociously behind her. She held in her anger. "Thanks, but I'm good," she said serious.Biff did not seem pleased. "You seem to not understand what a big deal I'm around here. Being kind to me means being kind to everyone here. Now, if you would kindly get on your knee-""Pass. I'm much more afraid of Tamara than I am of you," she blurted.The man gripped the bars as if ready to rip them apart. He pressed her lips with an angry twinkle in his eye. "Suit yourself," he said moving away. Stomping towards the exit, he muttered something only audible to him. The door slammed shut with a loud bang. Once left alone, Jane clapped slowly. "Bravo. Bravo. You just made the worst mistake of your hellish existence," she said."Yeah, three cheers for the new girl. She won't be here for long," Sara added.Cassandra let out an irritated grunt. Moving into the dark corner, she closed her eyes and ears, not wanting to listen to their mocking cackles. The passing of time was tort
Helltown The betrayal
A glossy magazine filled with naked women in seductive poses was lying on the dusty carpet. A slender female hand picked it up, curiously flipping through the pages. As the comfortably dressed girl with highlights sat on the bed, she looked at the vivacious girls on the pages, solemn and serious. The walls were covered in NFL posters and banners of their school team, with football gear laying on the makeshift dorm shelf. Tim walked out of the shower, drying his hair. Seeing her, he stopped awkward. "Now who left that there?" he mumbled, snatching the Hustler from her, quickly placing it in a lower drawer. She watched him chuckling and hugged him with both hands after he sat near her. "So how was your day?" she asked sweetly."Great, great!" Tim replied. "The coach told me the talent scouts asked about me.""That's great news, honey!" she said excited."Yeah... He thinks I'm going to get an invite any day now," he said excited."I'm sure you will. You're the best player in the team," s
Helltown A friend perhaps?
"And now, you all know her. You all love her. Say hello to our latest addition to the pit, dead gorgeous, Cassandra, the Heart Stopped!" the pit owner announced on her weathered megaphone.As the demons behind the arena walls cheered, the long-legged girl cat walked in. Wearing a leather bra and panties, with nothing but black straps and boots over, she slammed the blade part of her mace and blew kisses to her adorning fans. The other girls were already announced, waiting patiently for Cassandra to finish. Jane rolled her eyes, impatient. Cassandra picked up her mace, never dropping her femme fatal act. Only when her opponent was ready did she strike her blades together.The irritated Ninja attacked first. With a loud roar, she hit and hit with her blade but was no match for Cassandra's abnormal strength. The new star blocked her left and right, grunting and gasping. Once fed up, she smirked readying her weapon. Dislodging a pin, a spike flew out of the mace's head. A neat feature sh
Helltown A love interest?
Very soon the two girls were in the back of a vehicle which was covered in metal spikes. The pits were not far from the towering skyscrapers. Yet every precaution had to be made so that the gladiators accidentally did not get spotted by fans and torn apart in frenzy. At first, Cassandra was gleeful at the prospect. Her expression quickly changed seeing the stinky hog skin suit they had to wear.The ocean of lava could be seen through the small window, making the surroundings reddish and bright."Have you ever had a beauty treatment before?" Lavinia asked."A few. I doubt they were any less painful than those I'm about to experience," her companion joked.Lavinia chuckled. "They do not differ from those I suffered. Although leaches are a fresh new addition."As the vehicle rumbled down the rock road, Cassandra looked out, sighing. She thought about the magma and how it reminded her of the sea."Hmm, I can't stop wondering who sent us the water. And why?" Lavinia thought aloud. "Oh! I kn
Helltown See you again
Back at the cell, Biff slammed the bars angrily. "What in Helltown was that? For a blink of an eye, I leave you alone, and you're already screwing around with customers!" he yelled."You were the one screwing around! And while you were busy with those call girls, I got kidnapped. If it wasn't for that nice man, my body parts would be in a lab jar by now!" Cassandra replied. "Ha! You really think there are nice men here? A minion no less," he mocked scornfully. "Trust me, girl. You have it good here. You don't know the horrors awaiting you up on that tower."With those words he left the area. Cassandra knew how manipulating Biff could be. Still, his words did leave an impact.An unspecified time later, Tamara asked to speak to her. "I have some exciting news for you, Cassandra. One of your admirers, Mr. Basil paid a nifty price to spend some time with you. Looks like you won't be in our next program," she smiled, happy."What's happening?" the girls popped their heads curious."Our st
Helltown Meeting the one
Cassandra took long deep breaths. Her blood-soaked hand was firmly holding the metal ring in the middle. Her wide blade, perked on top of her weapon was now extended, piercing through Bertha's chest.Stuck and disoriented, the sturdy woman felt up her bleeding torso. The significant loss of blood, paired with the neck wound, made her dizzy. "But... but how? Doesn't the spike go through the mace top?" she uttered as blood gushed through her mouth."Actually, it goes both way," Cassandra said blunt."Oh," Bertha uttered before her knees became too weak to hold up her body. Victorious, Cassandra looked at the crowd. Observing their shocked faces, she flung her hands in the air. Through the applause, a few unhappy viewers started throwing things at her, even trying to enter the arena to fight her."Oh, so that is how it's going to be!" she yelled with adrenaline rushing through her veins. Turning to Biff, she yelled, "Bring me the chariot!"He turned to her and laughed disrespectfully. He
Helltown Getting ready
Cassandra stood up. With a heavy sigh she walked out, led by her escort to the most coveted place in the entire arena – a shower. As she walked inside, completely naked and covered in accumulated amounts of sweat and dirt. With a skull bowl and a cloth in hand, she raised her head to the sweet feeling of dripping water, feeling alive again.Outside, Jane, Ninja and Sara were waiting while making snarky remarks. "I honestly have no idea why she is so strong. I mean, look at her. She's not built like a tank, and yet she can pulverize someone twice her size," Jane remarked suspicious."Yeah, I do not know which dark mage she sold her soul to, but you got to admit she managed to get some pretty sweet terms," Sara added quietly."Yeah… she must've had her hands full, if you know what I mean," Jane snickered, simulating lewd acts."Just wait till she gets to her wedding night," Ninja added in a nasty whisper. The two other girls cackled discretely. No one dared mock her openly anymore.Feeli
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Deep underground, magma swished and splashed in the place where Helltown used to be.The tower, so high and menacing, was now nothing but floating rocks. Cassandra's apartment complex was already under the magma. With all the others trying to find footing after their great fall, only Stalin was left there. He watched the lava levels rise, making the kitchen sizzle and burn. "Finally some peace," he thought as the heat reached his cut head, letting out a breath before being engulfed by a hot wave.Further away, a number of carcasses were being carried by the current. One of them, a damned soul with longer hair and one horn, heard a sweat voice call out his name."Bernard, are you there?" the female voice said softly.The carcass twitched. "Margaret, is that you?" he uttered, not sure if the voice was coming from inside his head or was it a hallucination of his damaged mind."Bernard, what have you done to yourself?" the voice said sad."Please, tell me you are real," The burnt individua
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The distraught woman was covered in construction material. Hurting all over, still scratching at her eye, she awaited the lava to engulf her while screaming in pain. It burnt her skull and brain, filling her nose with the disgusting smell of burned flesh. Digging in her claw into the socket, she yanked it out. Her eye, was not soft and squishy as expected. It was rock hard.Cassandra was stunned. She did not remember replacing it. It was her eye color and she could see through it, but it was made of glass. Overcome with vanquish, she hit the eye on the stone slab and...It broke. Just a little. And through the crack, a drop of water fell. The purest, shiniest drop she had ever seen. Touching the dark surface, it made it radiate warm bluish light. The liquid grew, spreading quickly into streams. Tiny bluish lines formed an ocean, covering every surface. She watched amazed. There was no more pain. Only peace.The hellish creatures stopped mid-flight. All looked up towards the portal in
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Managing to reach the city. Everything was eerily quiet. Filled with newfound hope, she rushed to the tower and into the elevator, hitting the button for the hospital floor. "I'm sorry, Teo. But I don't see any other way out of this," she muttered to herself, slowly creeping into the dim hallways. "You would understand if you were in my position." "Stop your yapping and get on with it already!" Jane said impatient. "There is no better time to get rid of him than now." She was right. With everyone gone, everything was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Even Lavinia was brought to the stands to witness the colossal event. Cass cautiously popped her head, glancing into the patient's ward. There was no one there. "They must have moved him," she stuttered. "Don't worry. We'll find him," Jane said. Cass moved from room to room, opening every door. He was nowhere to be seen. "Can it be that he had recovered?" went through her panic-stricken mind. "Don't be ridiculous. Not even demons
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The woman in her 50s entered the door of a pristine hospital. Calm and proud, she walked down the familiar hallways. Leaving her home made her increasingly queasy and weak, and the doctors were clueless of why. She had her suspicious, though.Her determined gate took her into the hospital room. Her dearest friend was there, on the verge of death, like all those years ago. Sadly, there was no saving her this time. Regina was frail, reduced to a mere skeleton with skin that clung like a loose suit. Seeing Tiffany, her lips curled up. Her son was the first to greet the newcomer."Thank you for coming, aunt Tiff," he said sniffing and shaking the woman's hand."You look terrible, dear. When was the last time you got a good night sleep?" she told Josh softly."I can't remember," he said, turning to his exhausted father.Tiff sighed. "Why don't you two go and have some rest? I'll take care of her now."The men agreed, and left the two women alone.Regina coughed, as her friend sat beside her
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Basil entered the elevator deep in thought. "Nice guy," he exhaled, lowering his head. Starting to chuckle, he repeated the words, breaking into a crazy laugh as the elevator went down.He remembered a row of women and children coward as they were ushered by soldiers to a train. Thick snow covered the field, as their weak bodies shook under an insufficient amount of clothing. Alive and in his 30s, he counted bags placed on a folding table, neatly writing down all the valuable items in them. "Alright, if that is all, I will be on my way," he told the guards who escorted him to the gate. Once outside, he took a deep breath and looked at the gray sky. A small hand emerged from the snow, grabbing his hand. Startled, he looked down only to see a small boy in tatters. He was around ten, with large brown eyes, and small frozen fingers that protruded from his ripped gloves."Please, Sir. Take me with you," he begged, with his teeth chattering from the frost.The man tried to push the boy awa
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As soon as the elevator door opened, Basil and Cassandra rushed out. There was already a crowd in front of the patients room. His curious friends gathered devastated by the sight. Teo's face was completely dissolved, with only his fangs protruding. Her limbs were slowly growing back and many could see his torso moving, which meant his lungs were still functioning. The doctor mumbled at the crowd, explaining his condition with every new visitor."As I mentioned previously. His body is regenerating. With enough rest, his muscles will grow back! But it is crucial that he has peace and quiet," he yelled to another one of Teo's minions.Seeing the couple, Dr Mengele sighed, begrudgingly letting them through.Basil was genuinely happy to see his old friend, sitting next to his bed and held his charcoal hand stump. Cassandra faked it as best as she could, with Jane’s mockery driving her crazy. "Wow. You really did him dirty. Do you think his brain got fried in the process?" her annoying brai
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Dance! Dance!
"Cocktails for everyone!" the 19-year-old Tiff yelled. Her friends and her were out to a bar, dressed to a T, near her college. Disco was blasting, overpowering their chatter. "Too bad they're nonalcoholic," Jenifer sulked at the glass, but Regina already had the solution. She carefully pulled a tiny flask out of her bra and poured a transparent liquid into the girls' glasses. "I knew those melons of yours would come in handy one day," Tina squeaked delighted, taking the first sip. Tiff smelled her first. "What is this? Brandy?" "You know it," Reggie winked. The girls chugged their drinks, gagging from the taste a moment later. "That was bitter. Let's get another," Jenny yelled. Unknown to them, a group of college guys was already checking them out. A tall athletic type kept staring at them with a mysterious smile. Tiffany side-glanced him and looked away. "Is it my imagination, or is that guy checking you out?" she said to Reggie. Her friends discretely looked his way. The g
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The Helltown mayor's throne room was located on the highest floor of the tallest building. The vast area was completely covered in black smooth rocks. His throne reached the ceiling, embellished with straight geometric slabs. A group of his most trusted demon and minion advisers had formed a perfect semicircle. They looked at him in awe, awaiting his orders."How are the maggots doing?" he said."Splendidly, my overlord. As you have predicted, the damned souls were very successful in making humans sin. We have not seen such results in eons," one advisor said with a deep bow."Typical. No better way to destroy humans then humans themselves," the ruler of Helltown said pleased. He laughed menacingly, watching a large black orb levitating near him. Unlike the devices of other hell dwellers, his was made of dark matter that both extracted and engulfed light. It showed, a diplomat giving a speech. By the look of it, the man was covered in ancient talismans and writings used for warding off
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All according to plan
As the music blasted, she let out a puff of smoke, placing a hot iron on the board. The song playing in that particular moment she randomly found online. The rhythm was so upbeat and the message everything's-going-according-to-plan hit so well that she couldn't help but play it on repeat. Her husband was suddenly called that morning and told urgently that he has to come to work. She did not mind. After all it was better that he did not see this.Large piles of white linen were placed all around her as she carefully ironed and folded them all over the large open area. By the time, the clock turned 3, she had placed the ironed covers all around her living room, dancing and singing to the loud beats.A man knocked on her door. Not having anyone greet him, he entered the front door with confidence. He walked into the living room and observed the carefree woman doing her chores."We finally meet," he said calmly. Tiff still near her ironing board glanced at the man. He was in his mid-50s,
