Deadly Hypnosis

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction.  I have created in my mind, all that you read in this story.1

Barely any moonlight fluttered down into the deep dense forest, making it very hard to see.  No one was around, and no one knew that she was there.  She had wandered away from her family’s new house earlier that day to explore the woods, and had gotten lost.  She had lived in the suburbs of a city all her life, so moving out into this desolate place was like an adventure—an adventure gone very wrong.2

At this moment, she was very glad that she had taken the survival course when it was offered.  Since it was so dark out, she decided that a fire was in order and a shelter too.  She could find her way out when it was light out.  She’d never expected to ever have to put her skills to use though, she thought, as she got the fire going with some sap and matches that she always carried around.  The only reason she had taken that stupid course at all was because her friend thought that it’d be interesting.  And it was an interesting class, but still stupid.  Oh well, it was helping now, and it was the reason she had gotten in the habit of always carrying a small package of matches around.  The things she did.3

Sitting down by the tiny fire, she slowly fed it twigs on top of the ignited sap.  Then, as it grew stronger, she put bigger twigs on.  Eventually, she was able to put on some good sized branches, but she had to be careful not to start a forest fire, so she didn’t start a humongous blazer.  As she sat, staring into the hypnotic orange flames, she wondered why the area seemed so quiet.  All she could hear was the crackling of her fire, and nothing more.4

As she continued to stare into the flames, her mind began to wander, and her eyes to loose their focus as the flames hypnotized her.  Her imagination ran wild, and it was as if she were dreaming.  And it was one of those dreams that you just didn’t want to wake up from at all.5

She was dancing, dancing as she never had before.  Every movement fluid and graceful, all eyes upon her.  She was the center of attention on the stage.  She was the prima ballerina.  All she knew was her dance, and that it made her feel as if she had been given a set of angel wings.  Her spirit soared with the dance, her leaps seemed longer than ever, and the air flowing by her face was magical.  It seemed that she could do no wrong in her dance—a dance of dreams.6

However, the dance was slowly turning into a nightmare as her audience turned from her and gasped.  There was a man in the shadows, and nothing but his silhouette could be seen.  His presence was sinister, and seemed very evil.7

She watched as he slowly made his was over to where she was standing.  When he had appeared, she had stopped dancing, but suddenly she felt the urge to dance once more.  If only she could dance with enough grace and spirit, it would drive the darkness that was this man away.  She danced her greatest, put all of her strength and heart into it, and yet he still advanced.  Closing her eyes, she concentrated even more, hoping and praying that she could drive the darkness away.8

However it didn’t work.  She felt herself falling, and falling fast.  She hit the ground with a thud, and felt an intense heat against her skin.  Coming from her hypnosis, the girl realized that she had actually been dancing in the forest, right around the fire.  But too late she realized what the heat was; she had fallen into the fire and set herself aflame.  She didn’t come to her senses fast enough, and she let out a horrific scream as the flames completely engulfed her.9

There was no escape.  She couldn’t move, the pain was too immense.  Her clothes disintegrated off of her body, leaving only charred skin in their wake.  Her lungs felt as if they too, were on fire as she breathed in the acrid smoke and flames.  She cried tears that evaporated before they could form, and cursed the divine name of God and of Jesus Christ.  How could they let such an atrocity happen to her?  Why, why did they let it happen?  Curse them, and she hoped she never had to deal with them ever.  She hated them for allowing this to happen to her!  And that was her dying thought, as the flames finally stole her life.10

She blinked, and woke up to find herself in a bed of the softest nature, curled up in black silk bed sheets.  Sitting up, they fell from her form with a quiet swish, and she found herself to be wearing a toga style shirt of black silk.  Upon standing on a lush crimson red carpet, she saw that there were black toe slippers on her feet that laced up to her knees in a criss-cross fashion, and that she had on a black silk skirt that fell to her knees in gentle pleats.  From the skirt, up to the shirt, vines and roses entwined around her body.  The outfit was absolutely gorgeous!11

Stepping from the room, she decided to explore her new surroundings.  She was in a large marble hall, and it was of a dark stone.  She walked down it to a large archway, her feet making soft tapping noises as she went.  Once she was within a good sight of the arch, she looked up to read the inscription.  It was in characters that she recognized from somewhere, but couldn’t read.  It didn’t stop her though, and she stepped into the room past the archway.12

What met her eyes was amazing.  There were many girls dancing who wore the same outfit as she, and they all had black wings!  That was when she made another realization; she too had the black wings.  She hadn’t noticed them before, but now she felt the weight of them upon her back.  And she also felt compelled to join the dancers on the stage.13

Stepping forth, she easily fell into step with them.  It was as if she had always known this dance.  It was deep and seductive, and very dark.  And over in the corner she could see a man.  He sat in a throne that was bathed in shadow, but he looked handsome.  Yet there was evil in the area.14

Then she knew where she was.  This was Hell, and it was where she had been sent when she died for cursing the Lord’s name.  It was here that she would be condemned to dance at Lucifer’s pleasure for the rest of time.  She was at his mercy.  She was a dancing slave, just like all the rest of the people she danced with.15

The forest ranger came upon the ruins of an old campfire, and radioed back to his search team at what he had found.  They’d been out for over a day now, searching for the lost child.  Her parents had filed a missing person’s report just as soon as they were able, and they seemed terribly upset at the incident.  They really were very nice people.16

Sifting through the remains, his hand touched a solid object.  Picking it up, he found out upon further inspection that it was a bone.  He dropped it immediately, and there was a disgusted look on his face as he realized just what he’d come upon.17

Radioing back once more, he said “Bad news fellas, the girl’s burned to death.  There’s nothing left but bones.”18

A silence then fell over the radios.  They knew now that the coroner had to be brought in, and possibly even a police investigator.  This could be a crime scene.  But the worst part was going to be telling the parents.19

When the parents were told, you could feel their sorrow hanging in the air like a cloud.  It was one of the most oppressive feelings ever.  And to see them cry as they did was even worse.  She had been the eldest sister, over that of a younger sister and brother.  Both of them looked absolutely devastated as well.20

A police inquiry was also done, and it took considerable time.  But it was deducted that foul play was in no way a part of this accident.  But no one could say for sure just how she ended up in the fire and burning to death.  No one wanted to think of the possibility that it was suicide.  The remains were brought back, and a closed coffin wake was held for her.21

Tears streamed from her face as she rested in her bed that night.  It didn’t seem like such a horrible place, this Hell, but she didn’t like the fact that she was dead and could never see her family again.  If she had gone to Heaven, at least she could have been a guardian angel or something.  But here, here it was all hopeless.22

Lucifer stepped into the teary eyed girl’s room.  “Child” he said, “Do not cry, for you have not been condemned to a forlorn place like everyone believes my lair to be.  Those who behave respectfully and accordingly do get granted wishes.  And I could give you the ability to walk unseen in the mortal realm, to see your family.” He finished, and then wiped her tears away with a soft handkerchief.23

“R-really?” she asked, stuttering a bit.  A soft smile caressed her face at the nod of his head.24

“All you must do, child, is dance your very best every day.” He said, and then he left the room.25

Every day that she was asked, she danced her best, danced with her heart.  The hope that filled it at the prospect of seeing her family was just so much that it brought even more beauty to her dance, and left Lucifer smiling.26

Then the day came that she was allowed to see her family once more.  With a feeling of moving through water, she felt her spiritual essence return to the surface, and the first place she went to was her house.27

Her family looked very tired, and as if they had been grieving for a while.  But they also looked as if they had moved on, and forgotten about her.  This bothered the girl very much, because she had only been in Hell for a month.28

Then she saw their mantel.  On top of it was an urn, and her picture was over it.  Under the picture it read her name, and her year of birth to death.  But the year of death that had passed, and the year on the calendar were thirteen months apart!  It had been over a year since she died!29

What she hadn’t realized is that time passes more quickly for mortals.  While she was alive, she didn’t realize just how precious their time was while they were alive.  Now that she was dead, she could appreciate this.  And she promised herself that she would.  And somehow, she’d find a way to relay the message to her family.  But until that time, she’d dance for Lucifer.  Maybe he’d even reveal to her a way to let her family know how precious time is if she asked.30

With that thought in mind, she descended back into the pits of Hell to return to her Lord and Master, Lucifer.31