I Can't Escape This Now (3/4)

[darlinghoots]

Arthur made his way through Gehenna for the last time. He was so excited he almost wanted to skip his way into M’s office. Almost. He still had his pride left.

He walked up to the guards.

“I am here to see M.”

“Let him in.” M’s voice answered. So M was expecting him, that was different. The guards moved aside as Arthur walked in. The room was still the same, but M looked different. He looked conflicted. M was never conflicted. He always had a side. “Arthur, please, sit.”

“Is something wrong?” He asked as he sat down.

“Not at the moment.” M opened up the folder. “So, you got your last soul.”

“I did. Will Matthews. Wanted to save his sister and all that.”

“Oh how sweet.” Arthur watched as the name appeared on the paper then the whole folder disappeared. That was different.

“What was that?”

“When someone completes their task, their folder gets sent to him for an overview.”

“And overview? Of what?”

“He has to make sure you did your job well, Arthur.”

“I did my job well. I got all the souls he wanted.”

“I know. I know. But it is just a precaution. You understand. But expect a visit from him soon.”

“A visit? But, he never comes up here unless it is really important.” Or to take someone to Hell with him.

“I’m sure he can make an exception.” M replied with a smile. “You are dismissed.” Arthur just stared at him for a few minutes before standing up and leaving his office. He glanced around the bar and couldn’t help but feel worried.

Something was wrong. Why else would he make a special visit up here just for Arthur?

Arthur pushed all those thoughts away so he could just get home and rest.

By the time he made it to his apartment, he really wished he wasn’t going to be alone. He needed Eames here with him. He needed Eames to tell him that everything was going to be alright. He needed someone.

When he walked into his apartment the first thing he realized was that there was someone there. All the lights were on and there was music playing. Great.

“Hello?” He asked out, knowing that it really could do him no arm to actually speak. If someone wanted to kill him, they would just fail because he couldn’t really die. He heard footsteps approaching, but they weren’t male footsteps, they were the distinct sound of heels clicking against the floor.

A woman?

He looked up just as the woman walked into the room. She was tall and curvy, wearing a tight black dress that clung to her in all the right places. The dress ended just above her knees and was cut low revealing quite a bit a cleavage. Her hair was dark brown and curly, bouncing around as she moved. She had bright blue eyes and lips that reminded him of Eames.

In fact, the whole woman reminded him of Eames. Arthur was sure that had Eames been born a woman, he would have looked just like her.

“Um, who are you?” Arthur asked after regaining his senses. The woman just laughed.

“Oh Arthur, weren’t you expecting me?” Her voice sent shivers down his spine and he knew immediately who she was.

“Lucifer.” She gave him a big smile before walking passed him to sit down. Of course he would disguise himself as a woman.

“Yes. Do you like my new look? I made her especially for you.”

“No really my type.” Arthur replied as he walked into the kitchen to get him a drink. He really didn’t want to have this discussion sober. “Although I do appreciate the attempt.”

“Right. You go for the male persuasion, correct?” She said with a smirk.

“Why are you here? M wouldn’t specify.” Arthur replied as he sat down across from her. Or him. Arthur didn’t really know what to call Lucifer at the moment. He knew him as a man but now he looked like a woman. Yeah, he really could not be sober for this discussion.

“Well.” Arthur watched as his file appeared on the table. “I see that you finished your 1000 souls you owed me.”

“I did. That means that I am now no longer in your debt and I am free.” She laughed.

“Oh Arthur.”

“Don’t oh Arthur me. I am free. That was the bargain.”

“The bargain, Arthur, was that your soul was mine. It belongs to me.”

“My soul belongs to me!” Arthur shouted.

“You dare shout at me!” She said, standing up and Arthur was sure the room got a little bit darker. He was even sure her eyes turned red. “I own you! You are mine and will be mine forever!” Arthur looked down.

“I thought…”

“Yeah I know what you thought. You thought after you were done you would go gallivanting off with Eames right up the golden stairway to Heaven. Is that right?” Arthur didn’t respond. He just looked down at the table. He told himself that he wasn’t going to cry. He was stronger than this. “Well I am here to tell you that that isn’t going to happen, my friend. You are coming to hell with me, where you belong.” Arthur looked up at her.

“I don’t belong there.”

“Of course you do. Just not right now. I need you up here with Beelz and M. You will stay up here until I no longer have any use of you. And then you will come and join me.” She gave him a very lecherous smile. “Until we meet again, Arthur dearest.” Arthur just watched as she disappeared right in front of his eyes.

Now what was he supposed to do?

+++

Arthur was sitting in his favorite spot in the city. There was a lake just on the outskirts of the city that was the perfect thinking spot. The trees were in bloom and the sun was shining and it was perfect. Arthur liked to sit underneath this one tree because it gave the perfect view of the whole lake and you could even see the city from it. On a nice day, the view was breathtaking and a photographer’s dream come true.

He had been here all day and no one had once come over and bothered him. It was a truly a record for sure. Usually there were children or couples around here being loud and interrupting him.

He was about to get up and head back home when he saw it.

A lone white feather, slowly falling back and forth in front of him before it finally hit the ground. He reached forward and picked it up. He smiled. It was so soft and the most perfect thing in the world.

“Hello Eames.” He whispered.

“You have been here all day Arthur.” Eames said. Arthur glanced up and saw that Eames was sitting in the tree. “What’s wrong?”

“Lucifer paid me a visit last night.”

“He did.” Eames sounded wary. Arthur watched as Eames jumped down. His wings spread out wide as he hit the ground before slowly disappearing. Arthur loved Eames’ wings. Eames never really showed them much, but when he did, Arthur loved it.

Truth be told, Arthur was envious of them. He wanted wings. Angels had the most beautiful white wings that were so beautiful and pure. Demons, like himself, got wings too, but they were black and looked like ashes. They just weren’t as lovely, maybe because they also looked like they were rotten.

Also, you had to earn your wings. Arthur had only seen two demons have those wings, and they were Beelz and M. But that was because they were the top men in charge and Lucifer’s favorites.  Arthur didn’t want those kinds of wings anyways. He wanted the ones like Eames’.

“Yeah.”

“What did he say?” Eames asked, stepping forward.

“He said my soul belongs to him.”

“Well, he is wrong.” Arthur almost wanted to laugh. Eames had never met him. He had no idea what power he had.

“Is he?” Arthur asked, looking at him. “I sold him my soul. I should have known that it was too good to be true that I could be saved.”

“Arthur…”

“You can’t trick the devil, Eames. You just can’t.”

“Arthur…I promised that you would be able to get out of this. I will make it happen.”

“But it can’t happen. It just isn’t possible.”

“What does he want you to do? Is he taking you back?”

“No. He wants me here with M and Beelz. I don’t really know what for yet.”

“Well, that should get me some time then to figure this all out.”

“There is nothing to figure out Eames. I am stuck here until he decides to send me back to Hell.” Eames was silent after that and Arthur knew that there wasn’t really anything he could say that would make him feel better. Arthur looked over at Eames. “Eames.”

“Yes.”

“Will you come home with me, tonight? I don’t want to be alone tonight and I need you.” Arthur said the last part rather quietly. He had never really ever told that to Eames before, but he knew that Eames knew. The small fact that Arthur sold his soul is enough to tell him that.

“Of course.” Eames said with his always charming smile. Arthur stood up and brushed all the dirt and grass off him. Eames just walked forward and grabbed his hand. “Lead the way.” Arthur just smiled and led the way back to his apartment.

+++

Arthur couldn’t sleep that night. All he could think about was how he would never be happy ever again. The only reason he had even lasted this long was because he thought that someday he would be free and would be able to be with Eames.

He didn’t think he could live like this. Being on earth and seeing Eames knowing that now they could never be together.

He slowly ran his fingers over Eames’ arm which was wrapped tightly around him. He felt safe here, in Eames’ arms. He felt that no one could touch him here. Here he was protected.

Arthur wished that he could just stay like this forever. Never have to leave the comfort of Eames’ arms ever again.

For the first time Arthur was beginning to regret the decision of selling his soul.

“Arthur.” Arthur tensed up. That voice did not belong to Eames. In fact, he had no idea who the voice belonged to. He looked over and saw a man standing in his room.

“Who are you?” Arthur asked, slowing sitting up so he did not wake Eames.

“He won’t wake, if you are worried about that.” The man said. Arthur turned and looked back at Eames. It almost seemed like he wasn’t even breathing. “You could say we are in a bit of a time lapse at the moment.” Arthur looked around and saw that it seemed that nothing was moving. There was no sound of cars or anything. It was like time had just stopped. “As to whom I am, well, I am Gabriel.” Arthur’s eyes winded as Gabriel sat down in a vacant chair, wings spreading out widely. They were just as beautiful as Eames’ and Arthur was instantly mesmerized.

“Gabriel.”

“Yes. I take it you have heard of me.”

“Everyone has heard of you.” Gabriel just gave a small smile and looked out the window. Arthur couldn’t help but take notice of him. He was tall and about Arthur’s build. He had short brown hair and bright blue eyes. He reminded Arthur of Beelz, but he knew that Gabriel was all good. Where everything with Beelz was dark, Gabriel was all light.

“Then you should know as to why I am here.” Gabriel said, looking back at Arthur. Arthur slowly got off the bed and stood in front of him.

“You are here to give me a message.” He knew that much. Gabriel was always the messenger angel.

“Yes.”

“Why? I work for your enemy.”

“That you do. But dear old Lucifer isn’t exactly playing fair. Not that he ever really does to being with. I am here to offer you a compromise to your deal with him.”

“A compromise?”

“Yes.” Arthur was about to respond when his front door burst open. Arthur looked over and saw Beelz come storming in. And boy did he not look happy.

“No! There is no way in hell that you can do that!”

“Beelz, so nice of you to join us.” Gabriel replied calmly.

“He has a deal with Lucifer, you can’t just ignore that.”

“Oh I assure you, I can.” Gabriel replied as he looked at Beelz. “You see, He is more powerful than Lucifer and can cancel any contract if he sees fit.”

“Lucifer has been waiting for his soul for a very long time.” Beelz said, pointing to Arthur. “You can’t just take it away because you feel like it.”

“Oh but I can. That is, if Arthur agrees to the compromise. If he doesn’t, well then, his soul is Lucifer’s. It is completely up to Arthur.”

“So, what is this compromise?” Arthur spoke up. Gabriel turned back and smiled at him.

“Right. So, your compromise is almost a test of sorts.”

“A test?”

“Yes. You see, to prove where your soul actually belongs.” Arthur froze. He wasn’t too sure about this.

“Um…”

“Oh, it’s not going to be so bad. You see, Eames spoke a lot about you. If you take this compromise, you will get to live again. A new life of sorts.”

“But?” Arthur knew there was always a catch.

“But, you won’t remember a thing. You will wake up tomorrow just as you are today. But you won’t remember anything about your previous life or about being a demon. You will be given a new life with new memories.”

“Okay. But, the reason I did this was so that I could be with Eames. How would that help me out if I can’t even remember him.”

“I know. You see, there is a small saying that says true love will always find a way.  Well, we are going to test that saying.”

“I’m sorry, but I still don’t understand.” Arthur asked, looking from Gabriel to Beelz. Beels just looked mad.

“We are sending Eames back as well. To this city. He won’t remember you either. But you both will be here.”

“So, we have to find each other? On our own?”

“Exactly. Live the life you never got to.” Arthur was silent for a bit, letting this all sink in. It was a good deal. He wouldn’t have to remember anything. But then he would lose Eames until he found him again.

And even then, he wouldn’t remember him. And what if he never did find him?

“Arthur, come on, this is not a good deal.” Beelz added. “You want your memory. It is the only thing you have left. You have Eames now. Don’t take it.”

“The decision is yours and yours alone.” Gabriel added, stepping in front of Beelz. “Think about what you really want.”

“If I say no, will I still be able to see Eames like I did before?”

“Yes. But only until Lucifer decides to send you back to Hell, and who knows when that will be. And I can’t make any promises with Eames being able to be here forever either. I have no control over that. Angels are only allowed on Earth for so long.”

Arthur really didn’t know what to do. Both of these choices were not as good as they seemed. He knew forgetting would be nice, to some extent. But if he stayed a demon, even seeing Eames sometimes, how would he survive the times he couldn’t see him? There were pros and cons with both of the sides.

But he knew deep down exactly what he wanted to do. It was as clear as day.

“Alright.” Arthur said, looking up at the two men.

“Alright what?” Beelz snarled.

“I have made my decision.” He said, glancing back at Eames’ sleeping form. “I know what I want to do.”

“What is your decision?” Gabriel asked, stepping forward. Arthur just looked back at him and smiled.
Part 4