CLARISSA POV

"Claire! Wait up!" I heard someone call and I turned around to see a mass of pink and black run towards me. Leah had a zebra print skirt on with a Hello Kitty tee. Her pink and black hair was in a ponytail, but her bangs were still covering her face.

"What's up, Leah?" I asked curiously.

"Here are Tatiana's car keys. I got them out of her locker for you. She got in trouble and then skipped the rest of the day," she explained and tossed me the keys.

"Uhh ... thanks," I said, unsure as I caught them in my hand. She just smiled and bounced away.

I blinked a few times and I looked back at the keys in my hands. I felt like I hadn't even spoken to Leah because she appeared so quickly. I guess I was too slow compared to her upbeat personality. I opened my locker to toss the keys in and ran my hand through my hair quickly to untangle some knots. I grabbed my English books and made my way to class. I walked in just as the bell finished ringing and our teacher shot me a glare.

I sat down and opened my notebook. I was writing down our assignment when my head started spinning. I closed my eyes hoping it would stop and when I opened them, my blood ran cold. I bit down on my lip as I stared at my whole class.

Everyone was maimed and covered in blood. I swallowed hard as I stared into a girl’s lifeless eyes. Everything was red again. I felt my stomach churn and I looked around panicked. The whole room wouldn't go away and I realized I wasn't controlling what I was seeing. I heard laughter and I spun around to see a girl with wavy soft blonde hair. She had a pink bow nestled in her hair and she wore a white dress. She would have been cute if it weren't for her crazed eyes. She was the only thing not covered in blood because even my own clothes were splattered with it. She smiled widely, showing me all her teeth and I was wrong. Her teeth were covered with blood.

"Why did you kill everyone, Clarissa?" She asked with a horrible sweet voice and she began to giggle as if it amused her.

"Clarissa is a killer, a murderer and she deserves to die," she sang and continued giggling. Then it slowly turned into full out laughter. Her laugh caused chills to run down my back and I clenched my hands. My heart was beating so fast and I felt trapped. Silent tears ran down my face as I screamed for help.

All of a sudden, everything was back to normal. There was no blood and the little girl was gone.

The girl with the lifeless eyes was now alive and she looked at me like I had lost my mind. In fact, everyone was watching with me with a weird look. I heard the bone-chilling giggle and I spun around, terrified. The rush of air was cold against my damp cheeks and was breathing heavy.

"Clarissa, are you al-" the teacher began saying, but I didn't hear anything else because I felt drained and my eyes closed without my consent. What the hell, just happened?

I slowly opened my eyes and I was in a white room. There was a small table next to my bed with a box of Kleenex placed perfectly on top. I was in a single bed with just plain white blankets and sheets. I sat up in a sitting position and rubbed my temples soothingly. I closed my eyes and the little girl appeared smiling viciously. My eyes flew open and no one was there. I breathed a few times and the door opened. My head snapped up and I slowly calmed down when I realized it was just a human.

"How are you feeling, Clarissa?" she asked gently as if she was afraid of startling me. I looked at the nurse and she was in about her late twenties. She had black hair with almond brown eyes.

"I... I'm fine, thank you," I told her and offered a smile.

"Alright, then. You've got a couple of visitors so I'll send them in," she said and smiled. I watched her walk out and I realized if Tatiana found out she was going to make me explain everything. Damn. I clenched my fist when the door burst open and Sam plopped down on my bed with me.

I felt my anger leave and I chuckled. Leah walked in after and rolled her eyes when she saw Sam. Sam faked a cough as if she was sick and Leah smiled.

"Stop acting like a child, Sam," she teased and Sam pouted.

"I can if I want to and you know you love it," she shot back and stuck her tongue out. She snuggled closer to me and hid her face from Leah. "Claire, Leah is hurting my feelings."

"Thanks, guys, for coming," I told them smiling.

"We had to, because apparently, you passed out in the middle of class, screaming for help and crying," Sam informed me once she sat up.

"You've been here for two hours since school ended and Tatiana is on her way here," Leah explained softly and I felt my smile drop. The minute Tatiana finds out the truth, I will be screwed.

"You okay?" Sam asked, concerned and I nodded reassuringly.

"Well, as much as we love you, we have got to go because my mother is going to have a cow if I don't get home soon and I'm Sam's ride," Leah explained and I smiled.

"Thanks anyway, I'll just wait patiently for Tatiana ... all alone," I said my voice dropping and she stuck her tongue out at me.

"Love you!" I called after them and Sam blew me a kiss.

I slumped back onto the bed and I heard the door click softly as it closed. I played with the sheets and I started getting really impatient. Ten minutes had passed when I noticed the door handle moved. I placed myself upright as it opened and I almost said hi, but then I saw who it was.

"Hey Claire, just came to check up on you," Kyle said with a shy smile.

"I'm guessing everyone knows about my weird screaming and fainting show in class," I said more as a statement than a question.

"Pretty much and many people are saying you were possessed or something. I think they watch too many horror movies," he replied sheepishly and took a seat next to my bed. I felt myself smile at the irony because I might as well be possessed. I was actually glad he was here. After, my first day of school we still talked a bit in our classes. I was glad he hadn't taken my rejection badly.

"I think so because I am definitely not possessed, thank you very much," I said giggling and he cracked a grin.

"I can see that because you are always smiling it seems," he observed and I felt myself smile wider.

"I don't really have much to be upset about though," I told him simply.

We continued to talk and it was nice to have a normal conversation with a guy again. Maybe, I needed to get my mind off of the weird bloody visions and get myself distracted.

"I actually went on a cruise last year an-" he was saying when the door flew open. We both jumped and Tatiana grinned.

"Hey, Claire. Time to go," she announced bluntly and I saw something glint in her eye.

"Alright, sorry Kyle, but let’s catch up another time and thanks for keeping me company," I told him gratefully and got out of bed. I grabbed my black bag by the door. Before I left I quickly kissed him on the cheek.

We stopped by my locker to grab Tatiana’s other keys before we headed towards the exit.

"Are you feeling okay?" Tiana asked once we made it outside.

"Dandy," I replied as we neared her car.

"Good. You are telling me everything tonight," she said happily and she unlocked her car with her keys.

"You don't really want to actually know," I warned and we both got into her car.

"A deal is a deal."

"Tatiana! Please, listen to what I have to say. What I'll tell you, if I do, will change how you see me," I said almost desperately as she pulled into traffic.

"I can handle it, Claire. Trust me, you are not going to get rid of me that easily," she retorted and I closed my eyes.

"This isn't our typical teenage problem though," I explained, hoping she would drop it, but she was ruthless.

"I still want to know and I promise I will not judge until you explain the whole thing," she promised and she looked at me in the eye. Her blue eyes were bright with honesty and I felt myself swallow hard.

"Fine, I'll tell you... everything," I said, already regretting it and her face lit up. "But I want popcorn first."

The whole drive back to her house I was wondering how I should explain everything and I was nervously playing with my hands. I hadn't even realized how quiet it had become. I felt the car slow to a stop and I heard the distinct sound of a seatbelt being unbuckled. I took one last deep breath and got out as well. The cool wind whipped my blonde hair around and brushed tenderly across my cheek. I silently watched as Tatiana unlocked her front door.

Then we walked inside and carried our bags upstairs. I tossed my bag inside my room. We met halfway down the hallway with grins plastered on our faces. I was going to miss having these little moments where we completely understood each other. I felt her warm hand close around my own and I let her drag me down the stairs to her kitchen.

"Hey Linda, we are just going to make two bowls of popcorn and then we'll be out of your way," Tatiana informed her with a soft smile.

"Alright, the microwave is all yours," Linda said and gestured towards the modern microwave.

Tatiana moved towards a cupboard and grabbed the bags of popcorn. She threw one into the microwave and I watched as she quickly pulled out two bowls. We made small talk with Linda and laughed as we waited patiently listening to the faint popping sounds. I heard the beep beep from the microwave and Tiana opened up the door. She gave me the bag and I watched the steam rising. I took the bag and opened it into the bowl as Tee put in the second bag. I ate one and I went to food heaven. It was buttery popcorn, my favourite, even though it was completely unhealthy.

We said good night, once we were ready and had our popcorn. I climbed up the stairs eating popcorn as I went. The salt and butter left an amazing taste in my mouth. I could tell Tatiana was getting excited as we walked into her room and I realized she really was curious to know my deep dark secret. Literally, deep and dark. We plopped down onto her bed. We both got comfortable and I waited until she ran out of patience which wasn't long whatsoever.

"Okay, you've got your popcorn and now it's time for you to tell me the truth about Clarissa Johnson," she announced dramatically and smiled.

"I don't really know where to start..." I said trailing off and I looked at everything, but her.

"Just go for it, Claire," she encouraged and when I turned to meet her eyes. She flashed me a genuine smile. I took a deep breath and dove headfirst into my story.

"I'm dead," I told her simply and I watched her face for a change in emotions.

"You are so funny! Tell me the truth," she replied and crossed her arms.

"I'm dead," I repeated but continued before she could cut me off. "I'll start from the very beginning or at least what I can remember of the time I had spent in Hell."

**6 years ago**

"Daniel! Get back here before we get into trouble!" I yelled after a boy with messy dark brown hair and dark brown-green eyes. I watched as his brown top and loose shorts rustled as he ran.

"Stop being such a good girl and for once be a bad girl!" he called back and continued running. I was already running out of breath, but I still pushed myself further.

"We should be working right now though!" I whined and he suddenly stopped running. Which caused me to run into his back. He was much taller and stronger than me, but then again I was eleven and he was thirteen. I also happened to be small for my age at the time.

"Live a bit, Clary, because every passing minute we all die a little," he said softly and I was amazed I managed to hear him. "Even here in Hell."

"But we still have rules and we can live when we aren't working," I retorted and his intense dark green eyes focused on my own.

"Sometimes, you are too mature for your own good. You are still a kid and it should be about having fun," he said laughing slightly and his strong laugh filled me up with warmth.

"You’re just as much of a kid as I am and I know, you tell me every second day," I replied sarcastically and he grinned even wider. If I understood what it was like to fall in love, I was pretty sure it would have been with my Danny.

"Come on, we'll head back," he said finally giving in and he reached down to hold my hand in his. We walked back together to our working site where we built houses for future people. We walked along the gravel road and the sky was dark over our heads. There was a cold wind that played around us, but I was warm with Daniel being so close to me. His hands felt rough against my soft skin, but I didn't mind. I listened in awe as he explained his life when he was alive.

The only thing that gets wiped out of our minds were the bad things we had done, but for some reason, I didn't have any of those memories. All I could remember from the living world was the face of a woman with soft and gentle brown eyes. She was smiling kindly at me and then there was nothing.

"I remember my mom, she was really young and I knew she loved me a lot," he started saying. "We were always on our own in a small apartment because my dad had left."

At the time I didn't know what an apartment was so I asked him and he laughed at me. Angrily, I wrenched my hand out of his own and stormed ahead.

"Clary, don't be mad. I was just surprised," he pleaded as he ran to catch up, but I still refused to speak to him.

"It's like a hotel except for the rooms which are usually larger and it's filled with your own furniture," he explained and I slowed down so we walked in time together. He also told me about the city and the bright lights at night. He told me about fireworks and cotton candy. Since then, I knew I wanted to go back to the living world, but there was no possible way.

Four years passed and Danny and I were still inseparable. We always had the same routine together and we didn't think much of it. I had become more daring because of Danny and how he always encouraged me to live. He always said it was better than wasting our precious time.

"Clary, be careful," he warned and I rolled my brown eyes at him.

"Since when were you, the worrywart?" I asked teasingly and he scowled.

Without a second thought, I jumped off the cliff and dove into the blue water below. I could hear the bubbles zoom past my ears to the surface in the water and I pushed myself to follow them. When my head broke the surface I took a big breath of air. I smiled widely and watched as Danny’s body dropped from the sky. I moved my legs and arms in a way that my head stayed above the surface. I waited patiently for him to pop up, but he didn't. I started looking down into the water, but I couldn't see anything in the dark waters. Then, a scream of surprise escaped my lips when I felt him swim under me and appear right in front of my face.

"You are such a jerk!" I yelled at him through narrowed eyes. There were about three inches between us and I couldn't move because he had his arms wrapped around my waist and he held me against him.

"But you love me," he replied and I felt myself grin.

"Yeah, for some freak reason I do," I admitted sheepishly and I watched as his grin grew.

"Good, because then I won't regret this," he said softly and before I could think about what he meant his soft lips were pressed against mine.

My arms wrapped themselves around his neck and I could taste the cool water on his lips. He tightened his grip on my waist as he pulled me closer.

He pulled away suddenly and I was too shocked to say anything. My arms dropped and the sound they made once they hit the water was loud compare to the silence. He saw my eyes and he backed away with his head low. I watched as he swam back to shore and I followed him quickly.

"I... uh... I'm sorry," he mumbled and placed his hands in his pockets once he was back on the ground. I stared at his tall, lean and muscular profile. I felt myself smile and happiness flowed through my body. He was beautiful and I loved him, I realized. Before I could chicken out I ran towards him and threw myself in his arms. He was shocked, but he still held my legs tightly around his strong waist.

"Don't be," I whispered as I wrapped my arms around his neck. Our foreheads were pressed together and I saw him smile. I kissed him with everything I had. My fingers played through his hair and traced lightly across his skin. Every part of my body that was touching him felt like it was on fire. His lips were soft, but cold from the water and I felt his warm tongue run along my bottom lip. I parted my lips and I slowly got lost in the kiss. We pulled apart, smiling. He gently placed me to the ground and held me close in a tight hug.

"Wow," he whispered with a chuckle and I felt myself blush. I pressed my head tighter to his body so he wouldn't see.

We intertwined our hands and started heading back together. We continued to talk and I was as happy as could be. We were a couple for the longest time and everything was perfect.

Danny and I worked hard during the day and when we finished we ran around the town causing trouble. I was carefree and wild. I was at my high and I got to spend it with an amazing guy. I smiled to myself as I walked alone towards the stream for freshwater.

I walked into the shallow water so I could make it to a deeper area to dunk my pot. I felt the cold water cover my feet and I let out a gasp of surprise. I got out of the stream and walked along the path again. I gripped the handle of the pot tighter and tried not to spill it too much. You would think the rocks would hurt my bare feet, but I guess I had worked up an immunity to the pain. I noticed the sky was darker and I knew I should be getting home quickly to Danny.

I hummed an empty note to myself as I walked. I was about ten minutes from my house when I was attacked. I felt strong hands clamp around my arm and I hear the distant clatter of my pot. I tried my best to struggle free, but I wasn't strong enough. I screamed for help and cried out in pain. Tears fell down my face as thrashed around, but quickly they held me down. A hand covered my mouth and my tears blurred my vision as they cut my body. I could feel the sharp blade alive through my skin and it left a burning trail. I wanted to scream as I felt my blood trickle down my body to the ground.

I never found out who they were, but I knew from all the talk that the group was called Torture. I didn't doubt their name choice because for the ten minutes they had me, it was the most painful experience I had ever lived. They had cut me about fifty times all over my body and each cut felt like they were burning. The only reason Danny found me was because I had screamed so loud before I had passed out.

He took care of me until my wounds had healed, but it hadn't taken long at all. It was a surprise that I was able to survive since I had lost so much blood. I decided I didn't want to be defenceless if I got attacked again so we learned how to fight. I learned one hundred different ways to kill a human from the best fighter, Raven. She was fit and flexible. She was in her twenties and apparently a descendant of a family of assassins when she was alive. She had long black hair and she was beautiful, but she scared everyone. When we weren't with her, Danny and I spent endless nights training and fighting. It seemed like our relationship was as strong as ever.

A year later, I was able to rival my own teacher and Danny was still in my life. We had fun fighting and a lot of times I would beat him. I was in a bubble of endless love and Hell wasn't all that bad, but of course, something had to go wrong.

I was on my way to my small house that I shared with Danny. It wasn't anything amazing, but still, I loved it because it was ours. I was carrying a loaf of warm bread that I had picked up and I opened our front door.

"Danny! I'm back!" I yelled, but I didn't hear an answer, but I knew he should be home.

"Danny?" I tried again. I began to get worried, but I knew he could defend himself well.

To my left, I heard thundering footsteps and I threw my leg out within five seconds. I heard a whoosh of air leave someone’s lungs and I stood over their body.

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry, Danny," I apologized, but I couldn't help laughing a bit.

"Whatever," he groaned and winced as he got up. "This is what I get for letting my girlfriend get stronger."

"Damn straight," I teased and I kissed him on the cheek. "I'm going to make supper."

"Alright," he agreed, but I could tell he had something on his mind.

"What's wrong?" I asked softly. "Don't you dare lie to me either."

"Satan has been recruiting men for work that he has. No one knows what it is and Cameron was taken today at the new houses," he explained and he ran a hand through his soft brown hair. I knew he must be upset since Cam was his best friend.

"I'm sorry, but you know they will be well taken cared of if the Devil needs them," I reassured him and he gave me a sad smile. I placed the bread down on the table and wrapped my small frame around his. His arms went around my own and he held me tightly. I felt him kiss the top of my head and I listened to his calm heartbeat.

"Yeah, but whenever people work on a personal project for the devil they never come back," he muttered, grimly.

"I know, I'm sorry, Danny," I whispered and squeezed him tighter.

"I love you and I never want to lose you," he murmured against my head.

"I love you too," I replied tenderly and he kissed me.

Two months passed since then and everything was the same. My day had gone by quickly and I went off to meet Danny at his own working site because he had left a month ago on a trip for his job. His co-workers told me he had already gone home for the day. Confused, I made my way to the house to see the front door ajar. I stumbled into the house and saw two regal looking men with Danny by their side.

"Danny! What's going on?" I asked slightly out of breath and happy to see him again after such a longtime.

"I'm leaving, Clarissa," he said coldly and I stared at him in shock.

"Wh-what?" I asked again.

"I said I'm leaving and it also means that I don't want you anymore," he explained, emotionless.

"I don't...understand. Just a month ago you said how you felt about m-" I started saying, feeling panicked, but he cut me off.

"I don't love you anymore," he said through his teeth and I felt my whole world fall apart.

"You ... you don't ... mean that," I gasped and I felt a sting in the back of my eyes.

"I do and I never want to see you again. That's why I am leaving, this life we have isn’t what I want anymore. You’re holding me back," he told me harshly. I couldn't read anything on his face like I used to be able to do. I felt my heart break piece by piece and I thought the cuts all over my body were bad. This was a thousand times worst. To see the man you loved and have him took at you in the eye and tell you he didn't love you anymore.

"It's only been a month!" I shrieked as my tears fell. "You could not have stopped loving me!"

"Shut up! I found someone else and I love her," he stated firmly.

"I don-don't care, I still lo-love you... I'll always love you," I cried out and my tears fell onto my brown dress.

"Yeah well, I can’t stand you," he spat venomously and my legs gave away. I slumped to the ground and I sobbed. Everything came pouring out in a rush that I couldn't stop.

"Goodbye, Clarissa," he said softly and I looked up with a bit of hope. I saw the sadness in his eyes as he turned to leave with the two men that had said nothing through our fight. He deserved to feel bad, but I still continued to cry until I had fallen asleep on the cold ground.

Days passed and no matter how much I hoped, he never came back. I was alone and everything in our house... my house… reminded me of him. My heart continued to ache and I had no idea how to fix it. I had to drag myself around and it was horrible. Slowly, I began to heal, but I still closed myself off from everyone. I was no longer carefree or wild. I wasn't naive and I kept to myself.

Until one day, when I was carrying a stone to the house we were making, I overhead two people talking in hushed tones.

"Are you crazy?" whispered the first voice that sounded very raspy.

"It's true, the pendant can bring one of us back to the human world without any pain involved. All someone needs is the incantation to make it work, but it's somewhere in Satan’s library," explained the second voice quietly.

"You're a fool if you want to break into the Devil’s house,” hissed the first voice.

I quietly walked away with a new hope stirring in my stomach. Weeks passed and throughout that time I was planning how I would get the pendant. I had nothing to lose except my life and Danny already took that from me. I still wanted to go to the real world and nothing could stop me.

I didn't need to bring anything with me as I walked down the pathway to the Devil’s house. I wasn't nervous or scared because everything was going to go right. I was determined and if I failed, I would be killed. Anything would be better than being a shell.

I walked around the perimeter of the house and walked across the lawn, avoiding all eyes. I stealthily and quietly made my way to a window. I peeked over and saw it was empty. I climbed in and made my way to the library. I had spent weeks memorizing a map of the entire house. It had taken me ages to get my hands on it, but I had managed. Even Hell had a Black Market. I quietly made my way and I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins.

I turned the corner to the library hallway and came face to face with a man much taller than me. Before he could make a sound I placed a finger on his lips. I smiled as I brought my hands to his head and I twisted his neck. His limp body fell to the ground and I dragged him to the side. I walked through the double doors to the library and from the information I had gathered, I knew exactly where the paper with the incantation was.

I quickly walked over to the shelves of endless books and I found it sitting in a box next to the ruby red pendant. I broke the glass and grabbed it. I read the incantation quickly and I realized I needed to make it to an altar. I ran through my memory and I knew where it was. I walked along the dark corridors with the blood-red wallpaper as quietly as I could.

That was when I saw him. The Devil's son, Anthony. He was playing a grand piano and the music notes lifted to my ears. It was eerily beautiful and mysterious. I felt myself getting lost in the music. I watched how his hands skillfully ran across the black and white keys. Suddenly, I was brought back to reality from the howls of the hellhounds.

**Present Time**

I noticed it was dark outside and it was late. I had spent a long time explaining everything to Tatiana. I watched silently and patiently as she took my whole story in. She stared at me with awe and wonder.

"Now, I'm on the run from the Devil because he swore he would find me. He sent his son after me. Actually, I ran into him the day I went out for candy. That was why I was late. I tried to kill you when I first met you because it was my instinct. I have no parents and no home," I explained in a rush and she just gaped at me.

"Wha-what about your arm?" she asked once she finally regained her senses.

"I have this fast ability to heal as well as run," I answered and I felt myself smile. "You aren't afraid?"

"I'm fucking terrified!" she spluttered. "But I know you for who you are so I think I'll survive."

"Thanks, Tatiana, you are the first person that I've let into my heart since Daniel," I told her truthfully.

"Is Daniel the reason you have rejected all those guys?" she asked.

"Yeah, I still love him for some stupid reason," I said with an emotionless laugh.

"He's a dick if he left you like that," she told me reassuringly and hugged me. "You know, Hell doesn't sound all that bad."

"It actually isn't. You just work the number of hours needed each day and then the rest is up to you," I said smiling. "It's kind of like a rehab thing that you can never leave unless someone actually kills you."

"Lovely," she answered and laughed.

"Thanks for not freaking out, but you realize that now your fate is sealed," I informed her and her eyebrows knit together.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"You might go to Hell when you die," I told her.

"But Hell doesn't seem that bad and I'm not that worried."

"I know, but Heaven is where you belong," I told her. "Anyway, let's get some sleep."

We hugged one last time and I made my way to my room. I couldn't believe how well she had taken my news. I was glad she hadn't run, but I had lied. Now, that she knew about Hell there was no way she would ever escape it. She doesn’t belong there. I wasn't going to let here end up there.