”I know that smell,” I think to myself.
The wet ground oozes in between my toes like sludge with every step. I was completely naked in this strange land. Vulnerable to the wondering eyes I was sure was watching me from the tree line in the distance.
"How'd I get here," I say under my breath, catching a foul odor on the base of my tongue that gagged me. Spitting the rancid saliva from my mouth, my spit hits the ground and bubbles like a drop of water hitting a hot pan.
Ahead of me was a plume of smoke bellowing up to the sky joining swirls of ash that hovered above like snow unable to fall. This was a bad dream. One of those lucid dreams I've read so many stories about.
"Hey you," a voice called out from the direction of the smoke.
The voice was low and gravely. The closer I got to the smoke I saw the figure of a man standing there. His body was a dark silouhette against a large bonfire burning with furious flames that stretched up into the sky.
Motioning me to come over with a wave of his hand, he then called out to me once more. "Don't be shy. This fire may burn for all eternity, but I'm an impatient man."
As I neared the man's position the heat from the flames created a force of wind so strong it nearly made me lose my balance. Catching my footing, my toes sinking into the dark sludge below, I kept moving until we stood face-to-face.
"Jesus Chr... oops, better not say that." He snickers and then turns to watch the raging flames. "It took you long enough."
"A fire isn't something I'm use to rushing towards." I say as I turn to join him in watching the dancing inferno.
Slapping me on the back he chuckles and let's out a deep sigh. "No, I suppose not. Well, anyway, welcome to Hellivania. Land of the dead, where no one can keep a job too long before their FIRED." A burst of laughter barrels out of his mouth.
"What's Hellivania?" I ask fearing I already knew the answer. "Am I dead?"
The man gives me a look that says "I love to break it to yuh," and then picks up a stick and prods at a charred arm that falls from the side of the firey pit in front of us and he shoves it back in.
"Seriously?" I ask. A feeling of dread sweeps over me and my knees buckle.
"Don't get all long-face on me. It's not that bad." He says poking at the remains in the fire. "Allow me to introduce myself."
The End
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