Page 143 of My Roommate from Hell
Oliver might not know it yet, but he’s one of the luckiest people on Earth—or in any dimension.
As we arrive at the research facility where the portal to Hell is located, my nerves skyrocket. I’ve been assured it will be perfectly safe, but it’s still terrifying. I will step through a man-made rift in dimensions and arrive in Hell. It’s not exactly the kind of place people typically want to go.
The car pulls to a stop, and I look out at the gleaming facility. I swallow hard.
My phones chimes. It’s a message from Tyrell.
Good luck today! Have fun in Hell!
Our friendship did take a hit, but it’s recovering. He’s decided to quit writing stories for Leeke, as he never wants to be controlled that way ever again. It doesn’t seem to have slowed him down; his social media gets more popular every day.
“Hey,” says Zarmenus. He puts his hand on my thigh. “It’ll be fine.”
I trust him. We go inside, and I marvel at the grand entrance lobby. If I thought the Cube was impressive, this is even more cutting-edge.
“Zarmenus, Owen,” says a woman with slicked-back hair in a navy suit. “This way.”
We follow her through the lab. Everything is pristine white. We walk down a few hallways until we reach the room with the portal.
The portal is in a big glass cage, and it’s far larger than I was expecting, so tall I have to tilt my head to see the top of it. My nerves ratchet up. Am I really doing this? Am I really about to take a portal to Hell?
The mechanical parts of the portal start to spin so fast they blur. Orange light starts to seep through the cracks, and then, before my very eyes, a tear appears. The room gets hot as the gap widens, letting in more and more orange light.
The machine slows and stops, but the slice remains. An entirely different world is visible through the gap.
It’s Hell.
Two figures are waiting for us through the portal. It’s Zarmenus’s parents. Maleilius lifts a hand and waves cheerfully.
All that’s left is to go through.
Zarmenus offers me his hand, and I take it. He squeezes. I’m not going to lie, it doesn’t get rid of all the nerves, but it certainly helps. He never steered me wrong back when our room was under siege by some unknown entity, so I have no reason to think he will now. If he says it’ll be okay, I can believe him.
I remind myself the portal can be opened at any time. I can go home whenever I want.
We walk up to the platform. I hold my breath, close my eyes, then step through the gap.
Even before I open my eyes, I know I’m somewhere else. It’s way warmer, a dry heat. I open my eyes and gasp. The sky is a shade of bloodred, and in the distance, I can see both pitch-black mountains and a river of molten lava. Directly in front of me is the most enormous, and monstrously twisted, castle I’ve ever seen. Dark spires reach into the sky, and the windows look like eyes.
I hear a screech and flinch as a massive bat-like creature flies overhead.
This is Hell. Literal Hell. I look back over my shoulder, and see Earth. A few of the scientists are looking at us through the portal. One of them waves cheerily, and then there’s a whirring sound. As quickly as it appeared, the portal vanishes out of existence.
“Owen!”
As the portal disappears, Maleilius grabs me and pulls me into a tight hug.
The king of Hell is dressed in a ceremonial outfit, and it’s quitefrankly terrifying. It’s made of black leather, and there are two large spikes on the shoulders that are stacked with skulls. Lysteria wears a very similar outfit, one that seems to be made of hardened blood, but is somehow incredibly glamorous. The gays back on Earth would love it.
“Hope you’re hungry,” says Maleilius. “We have a feast prepared.”
“Sounds great,” I say, my voice dry and raspy.
I follow them through the grand open doors of the palace, which are shaped like a fanged maw, into a vast foyer. Waiting for us are two hulking, bipedal wolves. Each is wearing a suit, which makes me think they’re butlers. One notices me, and a thin stream of drool starts trickling down its lips. I would be willing to bet it’s thinking about something other than bringing me tea. They take my suitcase, and some drool hits my hand. As I wipe it away, I hope the creepy doll from our dorm didn’t make it into my luggage. I’m almost sure it did; it kept appearing among my clothes as I was packing, returning every time I took it out.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” asks Zarmenus. “I know this is a lot.”
“I’m fine,” I say, although my voice trembling gives me away.
