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Tower of Hell: Caged and Confused, Book 1, Chapter 126
🕑 Added 2022-12-21 01:46:45 +0000 UTC"No cemetery?" Jonas visually expressed his confusion with furrowed brows. "I understand there's a reincarnation process, so Hell's traditions are probably different. However, there are probably billions of people in Hell. How do they all fit in crypts?" Since Jonas got to Hell, he had spent most of his time in a cage down in Little Wrath City, where his knowledge gained was about fighting and Sinning. His knowledge of the inner and outer workings of Hell was lacking, save the fact that he knew a little about wireless technology and plumbing.
"Most people don't know this because they don't care to ask, but the ground in Hell is efficient for digging if you get a specialist to do it for you. I came from Earth during the fifteenth century, but I know now that it's about eight thousand miles in diameter, and most of it is unreachable. You should also remember that Hell doesn't follow the same physics and structure as a planet. Dig deep enough on Earth, and you'll reach the other side. You can keep digging in the Overworld, but you'll never reach the end," George stopped outside two large oaken doors. His explanation made Jonas think of Little Wrath City and how amazing it was that an entire city was underground and that gangs had access to custom fortresses.
"What next?" Jonas asked.
"We put them in crypts that continuously expand deeper and deeper. I will be glad to explain anything about the process of death and reincarnation that any of you need. If it means helping you grieve and recover the losses of your companions, my knowledge is at your disposal," George bowed his head, and Jonas was happy to have met someone as kind as the funeral director.
"I'd like to know more," Jonas nodded. "We can start the service whenever you're ready," he and his companions were antsy to start, and the funeral director could see it in their shifty body language and anxious faces. Simon kept pulling at his tie while Ralph straightened his posture to look more mature, and they weren't the only ones being awkward.
"Of course. Just beyond this door are your companions. They were dressed, preserved, cared for, and placed in the finest coffins built with anti-rot technology. If we so wish, bodies in Hell have a very long decay period which we can extend almost infinitely. If you go down to the crypts and visit your companions, you can see them with their coffins closed or open. We will perfectly preserve their bodies, so it's up to your preference."
"Even after a hundred years?" Jonas asked.
"Even after a thousand," George smiled and began turning the handles to the two oaken doors. "Please, enter with me and join us as we mourn and celebrate the deaths of Ahmed Al Fallah and Jaden Jackson," he pushed the two doors open and revealed a beautiful and deathly quiet room with two black caskets at the end. There were rows of empty mahogany seats, and sunlight entered the room through stained-glass windows, which the creator had decorated with picture stories about demons who watched men with glowing hands fight each other to death. The stained glass stories were morbid and ancient, and Jonas discovered they told tales of Sinners and the government.
Very quietly, their group followed Director George until they reached the coffins and their hearts stood still. Jaden and Ahmed looked like two carved marble statues, handsome but lifeless. Whatever work the funeral home did was quite incredible because neither of them seemed to have any permanent damage to their bodies. They wore black suits and had their arms crossed over their chest as they rested in their coffins. Jonas could see the dull and faded tattoo-like Sin Scars, which showed no signs of life or light—they would never glow again.
"Ahmed," Jonas bit his lip and looked down at his old friend, who seemed younger than ever. His tanned skin was smooth and glossy, and his previously ashen hair was much darker and fuller while they had trimmed his beard and removed the grays. He looked clean, young, and not quite like himself. Jonas imagined that the way the funeral home had immortalized Ahmed must've resembled his youthful self back on Earth during his early life.
Jonas reached over and touched his hand and was surprised to find it was cold as ice and felt lifeless. "Dead," he whispered, and tears began to build up in the corner of his eyes. Simon wrapped an arm around Jonas' shoulder and held him in a firm hug while gently patting his shoulder.
"I'm sad today, Jonas. However, I want you to remember that Ahmed wouldn't be sad. If he knew we escaped and had bright futures, he'd be smiling right now and saying that the sacrifice was worth it," Jonas nodded at Simon's words because he knew them to be true even if he didn't like hearing them.
"I just wish Ahmed had a chance at a happier life, Simon," Jonas shook his head and wiped the tears rolling down his cheeks. "He lived so miserably for so long. It wasn't fair that his life on Earth had ended prematurely and tragically, and then his life in Hell was full of slavery and abuse. I wanted him to step onto the ground and feel the sun on his face and the wind blowing his hair. I wanted him to step outside with his new-found powers and say, 'I'm back,' and he could use his Sin to take the life he always dreamed about."
"I know, Jo," Johnson was teary-eyed as he wrapped an arm around Jonas' free shoulder. "He kept saying he wasn't long for the modern world, but I never really believed him. I think Ahmed could've figured it out, you know? He would have made one hell of a security guard," Johnson's voice choked as he fought back more tears.
"Thank you, Ahmed. Because of your sacrifice, Simon is still with us, and we escaped our cages," Jonas began his final eulogy. "Thank you for everything you taught me as a friend and a mentor. Thank you for giving me the tools to survive in this harsh world, and I hope to make you proud. Goodbye, Ahmed. With the lease on life that you've given me, I'll try not to make so many wasted movements," Jonas smiled through sniffles and slipped out of his friend's embrace.
"That was nice," Yuki was next to Jaden's coffin, and she gently patted Jonas' shoulder as he came to stand next to her.
"Thank you. I just said the things that came to my heart, you know?" Jonas stared at Jaden's sleeping face, which contained no wrinkles or any trace of age. Something about his corpse made Jonas feel anxious like he was in the coffin instead. They were both talented, similar in age, and had bright futures ahead of them, and these similarities made Jonas feel like they could have easily switched places. "Jaden didn't deserve to die. I regret letting him take the reins during our effort to kill the monster."
"Me too," Yuki wasn't crying at their deaths because she was too hardened and barely knew them, but seeing Jonas upset had made her feel choked and vulnerable. "Part of me knew he'd fail, but I was so desperate for our survival that I convinced myself he'd be strong enough to stab the creature while we held it down. However, there's no medicine for regret, and we need to respect Jaden's sacrifice just as much as our own. Right?" Jonas wrapped his arm around her and hugged her close. The smell of her hair entered his nostrils and brought feelings of warmth and comfort, while feelings of her soft skin against his made him like butter melting in her embrace.
"I'm sorry, Yuki. I haven't been a good friend to you these past two days," Jonas' voice was barely audible to anyone but her. "Tonight, I'd like to talk about us."
"Okay," she nodded while pressing her cheek against his chest. A moment later, they pulled apart, and Jonas prepared to say his final goodbyes to Jaden.
"I could've seen us being best friends or brothers in another lifetime. You remind me of what a man should be: strong, courageous, and likable. When you reincarnate, Jaden, I hope you become a baseball player and fulfill every dream you ever dreamt. You sacrificed yourself for us to have a chance at life, and I'll try and live up to that. Thank you, brother. Sleep well," Jonas wiped the last of his tears away and stepped back from the group. "I need some fresh air. I'll let you guys say your final goodbyes," his friends nodded and could see that he wanted some alone time.
"Do you mind if I join you?" George's friendly smile came into view, and Jonas nodded without meaning to. "Maybe, I can offer some answers to you," the two of them left the service room and made their way down a hall, out a back door, and into a small garden.
"Can I smoke here?" Jonas pulled out his pack from the night before.
"Go ahead," George laughed. "You probably won't find a single no-smoking sign in Hell. As you know, this place isn't big on rules," he took a seat on a metal bench and watched as Jonas lit a cigarette and exhaled smoke. "Did you have something you want to talk about, Jonas?"
"Not really. I was a bit curious about death and reincarnation, but I can see now that it's pointless," Jonas paced around the garden, smoking and staring at the various plant life.
"You know, plant life in Hell has crimson chlorophyll, and that's one of the reasons everything is so red. From the grass to the stems of plants and even seaweed at the bottom of the oceans. Everything we see is the color of blood."
"The sun is white, so why is the sky so red?"
"I'm no expert," said George. "However, I believe the sky is red because the vast, infinite ocean is red. It's a type of reflection or something."
"That makes sense," Jonas exhaled a breath of smoke and flicked his cigarette. "I don't understand Hell. What's the fucking point?"
"Oh?" George tilted his head quizzically. "What part of all this is confusing you the most?"
"Why do people even try?" Jonas narrowed his eyes and stared angrily at a red bush. "They're sent to Hell with nothing but the scrubs on their back and a piece of junk Hellphone that's no use. They'll never find their families. They'll live in fear for all eternity, and I guarantee they'll be kidnapped, tortured, and trafficked. Hell, it's more than likely going to happen multiple times as it did to me. It's an eternity of misery, so why does everyone follow the rules? Why isn't it chaos and madness all around us?"
"That's a heavy question to answer," George nodded enthusiastically. "I think people like me out-populate the world's jerks, and the people like me want peace, quiet, and some semblance of normalcy. I come to work every day because it makes me happy. I like connecting with others and sharing in their pain because it reminds me of goodness and the importance of being kind to others. It's easy to turn your back on what is good, and this job reminds me to always lend a helping hand to those around me. Does that answer your question?" Jonas narrowed his brow and looked confused.
"No. I don't understand."
"Then let me simplify. This world contains more people like me than you care to realize. All of us wish to be good and peaceful. Some of us have a more difficult time than others, but in the end, we just desire to provide a humble life for ourselves and keep out of trouble. Does that clarify things for you?"
"I've dealt with so many shitty human beings that I forgot what it's like to deal with everyday people," Jonas felt like his icy heart had melted just a bit. He thought of the billions of humble people who worked and tried to survive in the Outlands. None of them knew about Sin, but they still believed in some sense of normalcy, so they didn't dwell in wicked deeds or disgusting acts. They dreamt of reuniting with their loved ones, making money, and having some control over their fate. They didn't want to live in fear or suffer for all eternity.
"Don't ever forget about kindness, Jonas. It will always beat hate. Always, even if it doesn't seem like it."
"You haven't seen the things I've seen, Mr. George," Jonas thought of Garth, who deserved no kindness and reaped the karma he had sown. "Kindness isn't always the best option. There are monsters out there who abuse, rape, torture and kill for fun. They traffic teenagers, sell women in auctions to be playthings and treat men like slaves. Do they deserve kindness?"
"Not at all," George waved off Jonas' sudden outburst like it was of no offense. "Kindness isn't always for the other person, Jonas. Showing kindness is good for your soul too. If you only wish to be good to those you deem deserving, so be it. I don't blame you for being unforgiving and unsympathetic to the terrible folk who dirty our afterlife. You should cherish kindness too, less you become like the monsters you hate. They, too, forgot the feeling of goodness. That's all I'm trying to say,"
"Cherish kindness, or I'll become like them?" Jonas whispered aloud, and he stepped on his cigarette. "I might understand. George, when will Ahmed and Jaden come back? What will they be like?" Jonas wondered what the kind-hearted funeral director could tell him about reincarnation.
"Now, I can't speak for the other floors of Hell. I only know about the rules and regulations of the Overworld. We call them Reborn: people who have died and gone through Hell's reincarnation process. When a person dies, they'll leave their body behind and enter the process. No one knows how long it takes—it could be hours, or it could be years. What we know is the deceased will eventually reappear somewhere in the Outlands. Now, there are a few questions that need answers. When we die in Hell, are we rejudged after death? That is an age-old question that only those in the government probably know. What do you think?" George stared at Jonas while patiently awaiting an answer.
"I would say no," Jonas furrowed his brow while recalling past conversations with Old Louie and Phillip Glatorius.
"Oh? Why is that?"
"I heard that the Reborn can get their memories back if they were Sinners and achieve their original strength from their previous life. If this is the case, rejudging them and sending them to the Underworld would mean they have a good chance of becoming a Sinner again, right? That would defeat the purpose of a fresh start. Also, Phillip Glatorius told me about reincarnation and how it makes cruel people forget their evil ways. It's a new life for both the victim and the perpetrator."
"Impressive. I don't know about Sinners, but you might be onto something. Regardless, the Reborn will eventually appear somewhere in the Outlands. I met one before. His name was Jackson Hart. Poor lad couldn't remember anything personal, but he knew his name and seemed to have retained some of his former personality. He was cheeky, sarcastic, and loved to flirt and pursue women. Eventually, he took off east to work for a company. Good kid,"
"So Ahmed and Jaden will remember their names and have some of their old personality?" It made Jonas feel just the tiniest bit better.
"That is the case with the Reborn. It's a mysterious process that we understand very little," George nodded. "Any more questions?"
"No," Jonas doubted George knew anything about the other floors or the Sin Assessment. "Thanks, George."
"My pleasure. I'll see you back inside," George stood up from his bench, bowed his head, and returned through the doors and back toward the funeral. Jonas collected his thoughts and eventually returned to the funeral service, where his friends were talking in hushed tones and finishing their final goodbyes.
"Jonas," Simon smiled at the sight of his friend. "Are you ready to close the caskets? I think we've all had a chance to say goodbye," his words made Jonas' heart skip a beat due to anxiety.
"Yeah, I think I'm ready to go. Mr. George, we can come to visit them, right?"
"Of course. I'll let you go down to the crypts anytime you come in, and we'll bring you right to their resting spot," George smiled and gently began to lower the top half of each coffin to enclose them. A few moments passed, and Jonas could no longer see the faces of his departed companions. He sighed and faced his companions.
"Let's go. I want to drink my face off, eat til my stomach explodes, and smoke till I'm coughing up a lung," Jonas' companions seemed to be in the same mood as they nodded their heads and murmured agreement.
They thanked George, who shook hands with each of them while wishing them good luck with their ventures, and made their way back to the limo while feeling like they had left something behind.
While Jonas was riding in the limo, he checked his phone and saw that it was the tenth of March, and he had only three days before he met with Old Louie.
"So, I've got something to tell you all," he sipped a beer, and the quiet conversations died as everyone turned to see what the news was. "I'm leaving. Last night I called my old master, and we've somewhat reconciled things. He's taking me to finish my training, and then we'll head to the Sin Assessment, which begins in June."
"Are you sure you can trust him?" Simon looked concerned. "Didn't he sell you to the Hurts gang?"
"Believe it or not, it was only part one of my Sinner training," Jonas shook his head and gave a self-deprecating smile. "Old bastard thought being a slave would toughen me up and unlock my potential."
"What a fucking sadist," Johnson looked rather impressed. "I'm glad he's not my teacher. When are you leaving? June-ish?"
"Three days," Jonas saw the fear, panic, and confusion in their expressions, and it saddened him more than he already was.
"That soon?" Yuki looked shaken and stared down at her glass of wine in thought.
"I need part two of my training to take the assessment. The old quack says I'm not ready to take on the Hellite Sinners who'll be on the ship. I also need a ticket, which I assume is difficult to find. I'm meeting him on the thirteenth," Jonas chugged back the rest of his beer and lit a cigarette. "I wanted to let you all know now to give you time to process."
"Sounds like we have a lot to do in these next three days," Pete smiled and held his drink up. "I'm accepting Phillip's offer, so we'll be taking the first steps of our next journey. Ralphy, you're accepting too. Right?"
"That's right," Ralph nodded at Jonas. "I'm going to ask for a house, car, and hellphone."
"You deserve the entire employee package, and I know Phillip will offer it," Jonas chuckled and gave him a thumbs up. "I'm not leaving until I know you all have a place to stay and the resources to take care of yourselves. Once I know you're all set up, I'll leave."
"I want to go somewhere fun, too," said Johnson. "Let's go to the bar or a restaurant. I've never been anywhere nice before."
"Pizza Slut," Pete thumped his armrest. "Good food, hot women—sorry, Yuki," he realized his mistake.
"No worries," she looked unperturbed. "While a restaurant dedicated to degrading women and serving pizza sounds like a great place to send off your friend, I think I might pass."
"Fair enough," Pete shrugged and sank back into his chair, but his one good eye looked pleadingly toward Jonas and the rest of the boys.
"Sure, Pete," said Jonas. "Tomorrow we'll go to Pizza Slut," the mouths of all the men in the limo—not including Theo or Jonas, were slightly curved at the prospect of beautiful, half-naked women serving them food. The limo continued back to the Glatorius mansion, and it wasn't long before they stepped out of the vehicle.
Phillip and Amberlee hadn't come to the funeral because they wanted Jonas and his companions to have some privacy, but they both looked well-dressed and happy as they warmly welcomed them back home.
"How did it go?" Phillip's massive hand swallowed Jonas' hand as they shook.
"Just beautiful. Thank you, Phillip," Jonas' eyes were a bit swollen from crying, but he shook back his shoulder-length golden hair and smiled as brilliantly as he could.
"Not a problem. It was last minute, but George is an old friend of mine, so I knew he'd slip your friends into an opening."
"George is a good man, thanks for introducing us."
"Of course. Is everyone hungry? The kitchen staff is working hard and preparing something delicious for you all," Phillip beckoned them inside, and Jonas caught sight of Mr. Ken, the head butler, who smiled and nodded.
"My condolences for your loss, Mr. Ariel. I hope the service went well."
"Thank you. You better be ready for a late night because tonight I'm going to kick your ass at Devil's Deck," Jonas smiled and shook hands with Mr. Ken, who smiled broadly.
"As you wish."
The companions separated and went to their bedrooms to undress and unwind before dinner. Jonas looked at himself in the mirror and swore he'd get a haircut as soon as he hit the road with Old Louie because he felt like the long hairstyle had overstayed its welcome. He was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling, when he heard a gentle knock at his door.
"Come in," he called out, and Yuki came into the room wearing a pink sweatsuit that must've belonged to Amberlee Glatorius.
"You look cute," Jonas chuckled, and Yuki shook her head.
"I can't complain about free clothing, even if it's not my style," she closed the door behind herself and took a seat on the bed next to Jonas.
"I assume you want to talk," Jonas gave her a knowing look, and she glared at him.
"You know I'm impatient. Just rip the band-aid off so I can stuff my face with food and drown my sorrows with wine."
"Well, okay," Jonas sat up and looked her in the eye. "I'm leaving."
"Obviously," Yuki nodded.
"You're not coming with me."
"You didn't even ask if I wanted to," Yuki furrowed her brow and gave him an accusatory look.
"Do you want to come with me?"
"No. Duh," Yuki smirked, and Jonas shook his head.
"You're such a butt. I'm leaving, and you're not coming with me. It might be years before I return, and I may die on my journey. With that said, I think it's better we end our romantic relationship and return to being friends. Just two friends."
"Agreed," Yuki smiled and clapped Jonas on the shoulder. "Long distance relationships aren't my thing. You know I love the hunt."
"This is going way easier than I thought it would."
"Did you think I'd break down and beg you to stay?" Yuki stood up from the bed. "You're pretty good, but not good enough for that. Jonas, don't feel bad because I knew this was coming from the first time we kissed. You've got big things ahead: sleeping with Hellite women and beating up assholes on the way to find your big brother. I'll stay here and try to make something of my life. My hunt was to convince you to help me escape, and it worked. Now it's time for me to chase my next prey, and it's time for you to continue your crusade."
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