Virgil and Georgia let Luci go ahead to find their first hiding place. All parties agreed that the form of a snake would be what Georgia searched for. After a few moments, Virgil nudged Georgia and they began making their way inland.

“You got real lucky, ya know? They haven’t been above dragging people inside.” Virgil said.

“I still think this is some mistake. Like my name got put on the wrong list, or I got confused with someone else.” Georgia countered.

“You heard ‘em. There’re no mistakes 'round here, no matter how much folks would like to think so. You’re not the first one to wake up here and thought it was all wrong.”

“I just don’t think I’ve ever done anything so bad as to end up in Hell, ya know.”

“Do you remember how you got here?” Virgil asked.

Georgia shook her head. “Everything’s still pretty fuzzy. It’s funny. When I felt the water against me, I could have sworn I drank too much and feel asleep in the tub again. But here we are.” She sighed.

“And here we are.”

Before them was a black, stone portal with ancient symbols etched on it. They walked through and were met with darkness. Virgil instructed Georgia to reach into his jacket pocket and use the lighter. It provided a surprising amount of illumination for such a small object.

The further they ventured into the cave, the more the light reflected an ominous red glow from the walls. The space began to tighten. The temperature rose. The air was filled with a buzzing and thrumming that Georgia couldn’t place. It made the hairs on her neck stand. When questioned about it, Virgil shrugged and told her it was screams before pressing on. Just before complete claustrophobia took hold, they reached a freight elevator and began their descent.

When they finally reached their destination, Georgia couldn’t believe her eyes. There weren’t raging flames or people screaming in agony. Instead, they were greeted by a serene forest.

Virgil chuckled at her confusion. “Welcome to level one. Limbo.”

“What goes on here?”

“Every day living pretty much. The folks here were good, but not quite good enough to make it upstairs. Most folks end up here.”

“Like me?” Georgia questioned.

“No, this isn’t your floor.” 

"Oh."

Virgil sighed. “Look, I know you’re fishing for answers, but I think it’s best ya come to em on ya own. If you don’t remember by the time we get to your floor, I’ll let you know. Deal?”

“Deal.”

 Although Georgia wasn’t any closer to finding out the answer to how she died and ended up in Hell, she needed to focus on finding Luci. The forest was a perfect place to hide. At least according to the crime dramas she watched. There wasn’t a perfect way to do it since Georgia was alone, so she did her best to search in grids. Due to the large area of the forest she had to double back a few times. No Luci, but lots of cuts from brambles and a bruise from tripping over a tree root.

Exhausted and unsatisfied, Georgia and Virgil pressed on.

As they approached a second gate into what looked like a city, a woman was waiting for them. Her green eyes darted around nervously as she fiddled with the hem of her flowing gold dress. Her dark wavy locks were tied up elegantly with a white ribbon. She smiled nervously and waved at them.

“Welcome back Virgil! Is this your new charge? The one playing the game?” she asked.

Virgil nodded.

“My name’s Georgia.”

“Drusilla.”

She looked Georgia up and down before speaking again. “I assume The Old One wasn’t in the forest.”

“No.” Georgia groaned.

“Well before you continue, you should rest. I can take you to the mansion, help you get cleaned up.” Drusilla offered.

“That’s very kind of you.”

Virgil snorted. Drusilla shot him a dirty look. “What do you say, yeah?” She urged.

Georgia was a little hesitant, but she was tired and dying for some antiseptic (if there was any in Hell), so she agreed.

As they walked, Drusilla and Virgil talked to each other about this and that. Georgia didn’t pay much attention though. She was too busy marveling at how normal this level of Hell was. People were all around chatting, carrying goods, just living their lives. They were dressed in various styles from different time periods, and it was interesting to see everyone mingled together. The buildings were quaint, most made of stone or wood. It reminded Georgia of medieval villages she saw in books.

Drusilla saying her name snapped her out of her sightseeing.

“So, what exactly are the rules to this game you and The Old One are playing?”

Virgil interjected before Georgia could speak. “They’re taking on the form of snake and she has to find them on each level until we reach the inner circles. No time limit.”

Drusilla was quiet for a moment, brow drawn together in thought. “So, there’s no rule against forming a party?”

“There is not.” Virgil said gruffly.

“Well then, Miss Georgia, if you agree, I would like to join you on your quest. I can be very useful. I know medicine, some spells. I would like to think I am quick witted.”

Georgia looked to Virgil for advice. He shrugged. He clearly didn’t seem to care for Drusilla much, but she wasn’t going to get any more out of him than that. She seemed nice enough, but people rarely did anything without a motive.

“Well, I mean, no one does anything for free. Do I have to do anything in exchange?” Georgia asked.

Drusilla shook her head. “No. You see, there is someone on a lower level I wish to find. I only want to see them, have a moment. If you allow me to come with you, I will be your asset the whole trip.”

“Why aren’t you able to see them without me? Aren’t you able to cross levels?”

“No. Only guides and their charges are allowed to travel between the levels. But from what Virgil says of the rules, if I join you, I can travel until the game is over.”

Georgia looked to Virgil again. He nodded. “Yeah, that’s true. It’s your call.”

Georgia thought for a moment. A part of her wasn’t sure if she could trust Drusilla. After all, she did end up in Hell. But technically so did Georgia. And at least she was on the first level, not deeper like Georgia was supposedly destined to be. It would also be good to have an ally.

Georgia smiled at her. “Why not.”

Drusilla squealed in happiness and hugged her. “Thank you! Thank you so much! You will not regret this.” She started pulling Georgia along faster towards a huge building in the foreground which she could only assume was the mansion.