Flash Fiction - Let Me In

“Let. Me. In.”

Flames burned brightly in the scorched arena; the smell of sulfur burned at Allison’s nostrils, and she choked upon the blackened air.

“Such beautiful skin.” The End of All stood over her, charred flesh bared to the world as his eyes raked over her own porcelain-like skin. “I so wish to crawl underneath.”

“F—fuck you.” She tried to growl out, but the smoke caused a stutter. Her glare never left his face.

“Come now, my dear. You are pure of sin, a walking contradiction. Hate and rage are your only fuel in this life you live, if you can even call this living?”

“You don’t—know a damn thing.” She hacked a cough into her arm, wincing as a metallic taste filled her mouth.

The creature stepped forward, placing its blackened fleshy hands on her face, whispering gently into her ears, “You are pure sin, a walking contradiction. Your voice is wasted, as are your thoughts every time you pray to that silly Lord of Light.” Slowly, its charred nails cut and dug into her skin.

“Shut up.”

Giggling filled her mind as its flesh melded into hers. “You pray to him for forgiveness even as you slaughter all in your path.”

Allison hissed in pain as her body began to burn. “B—Bl—Blessed Wi—Wings.”

“Accept the Nightmare of Armageddon. Take me in as your own.”

“Surroun—ngh.” She raised her own hands, pressing them tightly into the sides of her face, digging her fingers into her skull.

“I shall give you strength. Strength to see all your desires filled.”

“This child… and… and.”

“Protect this vessel.” The creature finished her words and peace reigned in her mind. Everything seemed so clear now. All she had to do was stand and speak those simple words.

“I…” The God of Darkness would not stand a chance with this power.

“Place…” It would be so simple to kill him.

“My…” The other Gods too. They would all kneel before her.

“Soul…” Kneel before her…

“At….” Like he once did… ring in hand.

“Your…” Leon…

“Alt—AAAHHHH!” Allison fell to her knees once more, hands cradling her skull as she screamed in pain and fury, digging her nails into her face, forcing clarity to fill her mind. Pain was a teacher, and pain made things clear… pain was the truth.

“Do not fight me, mortal!” It roared inside and out. The creature’s blackened flesh appeared from within her, arms scrapping at her own, trying to stop her nails stinging her own flesh.

Days and days of travel, weeks of little sleep, hunger gnawing at her gut, all chasing a nightmare, THE Nightmare. All for a false prophet of strength, a liar, a Devil. She should have known better. The only strength she needed was her own. “Blessed Wings! Surround this child! Protect this vessel!” It was her order, and so… light blossomed from her very soul.

A cacophony of screams erupted from her form as the End of All things flew from her body, its flames of malice dimmed against her own light, and soon true peace reigned. From her back sprouted twin wings of pure white, yet stained red at the tips as her back ached.

“You weren’t supposed to fight!” It’s body twisted as broken bones bent back together, darkened skin knitting back like cloth.

His words seemed so small, and his strength looked so paltry compared to his earlier might. “Did I really almost lose to you?”

The being raged, and his flames grew higher, soaring into the skies of his realm. “I would have been your better half!”

“My better? But there is no one better than I.”

“LET ME IN!”

“As if.” She scoffed.

It huffed and growled, stalking towards her. “I would have given you everything. You say none is better than you, yet you cower at the mere mention of Darkness himself.” It waved its arm, and from its hands grew long obsidian-colored nails, sharp as fractured glass.

“No more will I cower. No more will I falter.” For Leon, and for her sister… “I will reign.”

“You can reign in Hell!” With a crash of thunder, the beast leaped forward, and with a crazed grin, Allison met it with her Wings of Light.

The fight was always her favorite part of a dance.

—-

It’s nice to be back into writing and posting little snippets or ideas. Work has been hectic as always, but I do have good news: this weekend, my manuscript will finally be back in my hands from an editor. I cannot wait. Anyway, you all have a good day, and I hope you enjoyed Let Me In.