“Hey little button.” My father wheezed, coughing up blood. “Can we watch a movie one last time?” Tears streamed down my face, watching me from a year ago do as he wished.  They laughed and cried, the scene flickering to the day he died.  Machines beeped, the breathing machine whirring away.  My fake mother was nowhere to be found, my father’s withered body barely clinging on.  

“It is time for me to go.” He wheezed, the air hissing from his lips. “I love you and always will.  Keep your mother’s head on.  Take care of her even though she treats you like shit.  Always be the good guy.”  Watching me, my heart shattered as tears flooded from everyone’s eyes.  Clutching my chest, his bony hand dropped to the side.  The machine beeping slowed down, a cry of anguish exploding from her lips.  The darkness of my mind enveloped me, my bald father lurching towards me. 

“You could have saved me.” He gargled, blood cascading over his lips. “You are the biggest disappointment ever.”  Cupping my hands over my ears, his cold bony hand tilted my head up.  Thick black blood poured over my face, the blood never ending.        

Cold sweat dripped from my brow, my body jerking awake.  Dean slept next to me, the past couple of days a blur.  Tears welled up in my eyes, the date on my phone shattering my heart.  No wonder I had that dream, today was the anniversary of his death.  Salty tears streamed down my cheeks, my fingers pulling a black hoodie over the black tank top and black shorts I was wearing.  Sliding on a pair of converses,  the bedroom window was still open.  Hopping out, my feet pounded to the cemetery.  Red moonlight bathed the pathway, trees flashing by me.  Skidding to a stop at the black iron gate of Planter’s Cemetery, something felt off.  Ignoring the feeling, I twisted my hair into a simple bun.  Leaping over the locked gate, the dirt crunched underneath me as I stopped in front of my father’s simple tombstone.  Fresh tears flooded from my eyes, my palm pressing against his grave. Black roses grew from the ground, my fingers tracing every word on his stone.  Sitting down, my elbows rested on my knees.  

“Hey I wanted to tell you that I am married to the Devil’s son, and I finally have a true friend.” I chattered sadly, playing with the grass. “I miss you everyday.  I miss your smile and how you would take me out of the house when she was too angry.  I miss our Friday night movie nights, and most of all I love you.  I regret not telling you that in time, but I hope you knew that I did.  I hope there is an endless movie marathon up there with popcorn.  Do you remember the time we snuck out of the house at midnight to go see Jaws in the water?  She was so mad, but it was so worth it.”  My lips parted to speak more, a crunching noise alerting me.  Wiping away my tears with my sleeve, I spun around.  A woman with black armor stood in front of me, black leather peeking out in between. 

“I knew you would be here.” An icy female voice chided bitterly, tears dripping from underneath her mask. “You killed my children.  For that you must pay.  I knew you were going to show up here.  You deserve to be among the dead.”  Turning to run, a white chain whipped in my direction.  Dodging it, the branches creaked as I leapt branch from branch.  Panic gripped my body, there weren't any more trees.  A white chain trap lay beneath me, my only choice to leap on top of it.  The soles of my shoes burned as I ran along the chain, chilly night air rushed around me as I leapt out of the cemetery.  White smoke blocked my vision, their mother popping up behind me.  

“I wasn’t the one who put the needle in Lily’s arm.  It was your damn group of psychopaths.” I growled through gritted teeth, elbowing her stomach. “I don’t want to kill you either.”  Launching into the air, rocks cut up the bottom of my feet as I sprinted back home.  My black scythe slid into my eager palms, white chains shooting in my direction. Raising my scythe, metal protested as the chains wrapped around the handle.  

“I poisoned your father for loving you.” She bragged proudly, dragging me towards her. “It was an order from our higher ups.  It makes it look like poison, and your mother helped.  Sorry to break your heart.”  My heart wasn’t broken, pure rage seethed in my eyes.  Black vines burst through the ground, my powers failing me.  The vines rotted away, my scythe faded away.  A single black iron nail stuck out of the ground, a wicked grin dancing across her face. Think, you idiot.  My only place was to run, my eyes seeking for a way out.  The trees grew close together in the pine tree forest next to me, an idea flashing in my head.  Dashing between the trees, the bark falling off as the chain wrapped around each tree.  A black flash caught my attention, strong arms scooping me up.  A familiar scent relaxed me, an irritated death glare met me.  Shrugging my shoulders, my body felt cold.  Setting me down, Dean cursed under his breath. 

“I refuse to let you kill my wife.” He declared furiously, a dark sneer curling on his lips. “As stupid as she was to leave by herself, she doesn’t deserve any of this.  How dare you poison her father?  Is it that hard for someone to love someone as beautiful as her?”  His red hair fluttered in the wind, his black Italian suit a sharp contrast to my outfit.  Red flames devoured the blade, his eyes twinkling with excitement.

“How are you not affected by my nail in the ground?” She gasped in disbelief, a sly grin brightening his face. “You can’t be him?”  Cocking his head, evil laughter thundered from his lips.  Cold sweat dripped off of my brow, both of his eyes going black.  

“Red flames of Hell, guide me through this fight.” He chanted with a pissed tone, raising his sword to the level of his eyes. “I am the son of Hell, the half devil.  I am going to make your life a living hell.  So get ready.”  Dropping her chains, she pulled out a simple white holy blade.  Ripping off her helmet, gray eyes bore into his black eyes.  White hair cascaded down her back, the two of them circling each other.  

“Bring it on, devil boy.” She teased cruelly, her brow cocking. “At least she is a full demon, unlike you.”  Shame dimmed my eyes, my powers still deader than the corpse’s in the cemetery.  The bushes rustled behind me, a curious black squirrel sitting down next to me.  

“Here to watch the fight.” I commented oddly, the squirrel tilting his head.  Picking up an acorn, his tiny paws accepted my gift.  Peeling off my destroyed sneakers, she took the first blow, holy energy canceling out his red flames.  Maybe I could pull the nail out, and help him.  Saying goodbye to my nutty friend, my feet pounded towards the nail.  Smoke curled off of my palm, the black iron burning my skin.  Ripping it out of the ground, power surged through me.  Dean was struggling holding her back, my scythe back in my eager palms.  Other hunters emerged from the bushes, holding black spikes in their hands.  Thorny vines crept up their legs, red lilies encasing them. 

“Sleep.” I whispered gently, the flowers opening up.  The hunters dropped to the ground, the twins’ mother not noticing anything.  Charging at her, childlike wonder made his eyes return to normal as I swung my scythe in her direction.  Blood squirted all over his face, the sickening sound of my blade sliding through her neck nauseating me.  Landing gracefully, her head rolled to his boots.  Horror widened our eyes, her dainty hands picking her head up.  Placing it back on her neck,  Dean taking off his gloves.  Red flames licked his palm, the crunch of her chest breaking echoing in the still air.  Ripping out her heart, he pulled out a needle.  Pressing it into the still beating heart, her body crumbled into ash.  A whistle blew in the distance, the hunters retreating.  

“Until next time.” The twins’ mother called out coldly, snapping her fingers. “One last thing. Curse of death upon you, Ary Morningstar.”  She stood in the trees, pulling up her chains.  A black dagger shot from her hand, the blade quivering in my arm.  Blood dripped onto the ground,  my vision blurring.  Dean called out to me, the ghost of my withered father in the distance.  

“Dad!” I called out, leaping over the fence. “Stay there, I want to say something to you!”  Tears flooded from my eyes, a storm clouds brewing above me.  Heavy raindrops crashed  all around me, the spirit of my father sitting in the black roses.  Sprinting over to him, he wrapped his cold arms around me.  Unable to control my emotions, sobs wracking my body. His ghost hand ripped out the blade.  His lips moved, my ears not hearing what he was saying. 

“I trade my soul for her to be free of the curse.” He begged calmly, defeat rich in his eyes. “I will give up my existence.”  Parting my lips in protest, the dagger dissolved in his palm. Lifting up my face with his finger, he kissed my forehead.  

“Please don’t go again.” I pleaded desperately, my body trembling violently. “I love you.”  A warm smile dawned on his face, his fading form tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.  Shaking his head, my wound sealed shut. 

“I have waited so long to hear it.” He mused playfully, kissing the top of my head. “Be a good Queen of Hell for me.”  His spirit turned into a flurry of white petals, a cry of agony exploding from my lips. My fingernails dug into the dirt, the black roses drying up.  The orange rays of the dawn peaked over the mountains, the rain stopping.  Dean pulled me close to his chest, clutching me closer to his chest.   

“I will sit with you all night if I have to.” He promised sweetly, kissing the top of my head. “Let’s get you home, so we can skip school.”  Nodding numbly, he whispered the word sleep in my ear.  Sweet slumber swept me into dreamland, the day unfortunately just beginning.