Harry sat on his bed, his head leaning against the headboard while he fiddled with his rings on his hand. One in particular was always one that he kept close to him, the one that could open and close the door to hell whenever he saw fit.

Yet, the ring meant so much more to him than that.

He sat on his bed, staring at the ceiling while he listened to Delilah's whimpers and whines from a few doors down while she had what he assumed to be nightmares.

It was times like these that he wish he didn't have enhanced senses because of what he was.
He didn't pay much attention to it though, he was still very much annoyed by her.

He didn't like the fact that he had to be here, watching her instead of what he would usually be doing. Right now, he would be at the bar, probably taking some girl home and having a good time to which he would leave her unattended the next morning, but no.

His thoughts were interrupted by the rumbles outside, the underworld's cries and roars never rested. Thunder constantly booming with lightening flashing the night sky.

That was probably what caused Delilah's whimpers and slight screams in the room down the hall.
Although that was sad to hear, Harry found himself resenting her anyways. She took away his freewill to go wherever he pleased.
Why did she even need to stay in his own sanctuary ; in his own house, on his own floor?

Harry hated being tied down. His father had already tied him down enough, he didn't need it to be done by some mortal.

He was stuck. He was stuck for eternity with his jackass of a father, alone. He just wished he had someone else to tame the fire.

But yet, the universe wasn't so forgiving, and it proved that to Harry when it took away the specific person.

Thoughts of it raged through his mind, causing an unforgiving spark to rekindle as he fiddled with his ring. He looked around his spacious room, in its darkened glory with nothing but a small looming light from his lamp on his nightstand next to his bed.

It suddenly grew claustrophobic, and stuffy. He needed some air.

He stood up from his bed, grabbing a lightweight grey jacket to throw on quickly over his bare chest and dangling cross chain necklace.
With irritated steps, he opened his room door to be greeted with the darkened, breezy hallway, nothing but the storm to provide a bit of light through the windows.

Harry didn't exactly know where he was going, he just needed to walk and clear his head a bit.

He walked down the hall, the cool tiles hit his bare feet as he made his way down in relaxed strides, knowing that he'd have to pass the room Delilah was staying in.

He was just about to make it past her door before he heard the doorknob twisting to open, revealing a very exhausted looking girl. Her eyes widened once she saw that Harry was right there.
Her eyes were reddened, and her cheeks were a bit tear stained. She had been crying, but Harry didn't think much of it.

He was more angry that she was trying to sneak around.

"What are you doing?" He asked sharply, seeing that she didn't emerge from her stance between the doorframe and the door.

She shifted her weight between legs. "I uh..I couldn't sleep." She was quiet.

"That's not my problem."

"Jesus, I know it's not your problem. I just wanted to clear my head." She snapped, her once tired face now casting a glare at the devil's offspring.

Harry was taken aback at her attitude. Most people who knew who he was wouldn't even dare to speak to him that way, considering what he could do. He was growing sick of Delilah already.

"Go back to bed." He waved her off, his eyes brows furrowed as he turned to begin walking away.

"Sure." Delilah replied casually, watching as Harry turned his back to her to begin walking away, before he stopped stiff in his tracks.

He turned around, seeing Delilah watching him through the crack between her door, making sure he was far enough away for her to leave her room. At least, that's what she had planned.

Harry groaned, tilting his head back with annoyance. Did he really have to do this? If he didn't, she would be roaming free in his house.

And there weren't any of his demons that were awake to watch her. Harry may be the offspring of Satan, but even he can understand the beauty of sleep, and he prides himself on fair treatment of his demons.

"I'm not stupid," He glared. "I know what you're doing, and I'm not about to let you roam my house alone."

Delilah stepped out from her door a bit more, revealing her in her skimpy clothing that she died in and that didn't cover much. Her hair fell in loose yet tangled chocolate brown curls over her low-cut shirt that Harry was now noticing.

He cleared his throat, reluctantly nodding his head to signal Delilah to follow him, followed by an eye roll. He couldn't believe he was allowing this, but to was better to keep an eye on her rather than face the repercussions from his father if Delilah was left unattended.

He sighed irritatedly when she caught up to his speed, now walking side by side with him as he walked to wherever he planned on going to clear his head.

"Where are we going?" She asked, her hands clasped in front of her.

"Somewhere."

They walked down Harry's hallway to finally meet the steps that led down towards the first door that Haney first entered through when Delilah first arrived here.

They stopped in front of it before Harry stepped forward, placing his palm on the doorknob for a moment. He paused, his eyes closed shut as he mumbled something, making the door rumble for a moment before he finally twisted the doorknob open.

It seemed like his normal routine, like he did this often. Just not with anyone else.

He swung the door open, casting a focused look at Delilah before turning to walk through the doorway, disappearing from her view.
She exhaled, sighing as she cautiously took a bold step through the door presented to her, emerging on the other side to face Harry.

She almost immediately heard the same chilling sounds she heard earlier, the ones that gave her nightmares.

Harry stood there, hands in his sweatpants pockets before he turned around to begin walking, signaling for Delilah to follow.

She took a look around her, her jaw dropping as she saw that she and Harry stood in a clearing in the middle of what seemed to be a forest.
She looked up above her, and there hovered intimidating storm clouds carrying the sounds of thunder and lightening, seemingly threatening rainfall at any moment.

But it never seemed to. It seemed to be rather calm at the moment, almost dormant, like the eye of the storm. It was almost calming.

The clouds cast gray shadows everywhere, and when she looked at Harry, she saw that he wasn't fazed at all by this peculiar weather.

Where's the infinite fiery pits? Where's the lost souls? I hear their horrible sounds, but don't see any sign of a Hell, here. Delilah wondered to herself.

"You seem confused." Harry finally spoke, his eyes staring at his feet as Delilah walked beside him.

Delilah tensed for a moment, surprised at his lack of insults. " 'Confused' is an understatement."

Harry shrugged, exhaling with puffed lips while he led them aimlessly down the walkway that led through the dark forest.
He didn't offer to explain anything, it would take far too much effort.

But Delilah wanted answers. "Are you sure this is Hell?" Her eyes wandered.

She looked around, some of the dark forest's trees were sectioned off and others seemed to have certain numbers engraved in the bottoms of the trunks, further confusing her. What the hell is this all about?

Harry raised his eyebrows judgmentally, "Pretty damn sure, yeah. Why? You think it isn't?"

Delilah winced at Harry's offense, knowing she might've been a bit too brash. She was just so confused.

"Well, I was kinda expecting more.. infinite fiery pits and dead people wandering all over." She admitted, making two of her fingers dance to symbolize a person walking in front of her.

Harry snickered, adjusting his jacket while, looking to his side to face the forest, then look up above him and all around, just taking in their surroundings. "Yeah, sorry to say that your descriptions are all myths. Mortals are so easily persuaded."

Delilah raised her eyebrow, even more confused. "So then..what isn't a myth? How exactly is this Hell?"

Harry exhaled tiredly, groaning dramatically as he looked up at the dark cloudy sky of the underworld. His home.

Being met with his silence, Delilah pressed on, "Please. Can't you tell me anything? Can't you explain yourself, and explain why I'm here?"

He didn't see the problem in explaining how the underworld functions, because hopefully, she'll have to be put into the system here anyways, where she'll forget it all.

"It depends on what you want to know."

Delilah hesitated, looking down at her hands while she walked beside Harry, looking at him nervously out of the corner of her eye.

Now she was timid of asking her question, yet her curiosity was greater.

"H-How does Hell work?" She exhaled, looking to see Harry's reaction, before she regained confidence, "Like, since Hell tortures people, what's the reasoning behind it? Who does it?"

"Why would you want to know any of that?" He asked with raised eyebrows and a disconcerted face. "Usually, girls ask questions like if any presidents or celebrities are here."

Delilah scoffed, shaking her head while pressing her tongue to the inside of her cheek.

"Yeah, well, those girls are stupid. I'm different, I actually have a damn brain to realize I'm in fucking Hell."

Yeah, you're definitely something. Harry thought. It was intriguing to see a girl like Delilah have such a different reaction to him than usual. She had spunk. It'll make things more interesting during her stay, for however long that would be.

"Can't say that you're wrong." He shrugged, his accent dragging out.

He could sense Delilah's gaze on him while they walked side by side, trying to get him to notice her waiting for an answer to her questions.

Harry inhaled, shoving his hands in his sweatpants pockets at his sides. "Fine."

He finally surrendered to her whining and nagging, just to get it out of the way since she seemed determined to understand.

"You asked how Hell works?" Harry raised his eyebrow, tilting his head as he looked questioningly at Delilah.

She nods with confidence.

"Alright then, pay attention, sweetheart. Because I'm only going through this once, just to keep you from asking me any more questions. Got it?"

~

Author's Note

things are gonna start picking up pace next chapter, so then that's when we'll really get into the plot.
i just didn't want to make this chapter any longer otherwise i wouldve made it more eventful  :/

.1900 words.