“This can’t be right.” I say with a panic. One moment I’m walking along the street in New York, minding my own business, and the next I’m who knows where. Standing under a massive gate that’s literally on fire.

I heard the car speeding down the street, but I had a green light. He hit me. Or he must of, because clearly this is some sort of after life. Clearly, I’m dead.

“Hell makes no mistakes.” The guard, a demon, I presume, has a bright red face and eyes blacker than night. He wears a bored expression. I’m sure everyone who makes it Downstairs says the same thing.

“You don’t understand, I did everything right! I’ve never missed a day of school or work in my life, met my deadlines, hugged my grandma.” I ramble on for another minute before he stops me.

“What did you say your name was?” He looks back to his clipboard, searching through a list of names.

“Claire Travis. Claire Elizabeth Travis.”

The demon scans his clipboard again, searching for who knows what. He reviews it for several minutes, not saying a word.

I’m stuck listening to the agonizing screams coming from beyond the gate. Like a nonstop symphony of pain and suffering. This has got to be a mistake. I’m not meant for Hell!

Finally, the demon looks up from his clipboard. He scans me up and down.

“Come with me.” He turns and motions for me to follow. I have to jog to keep up.

We walk down a narrow path shrouded by skeletal trees. The thick dog makes a dense wall on all sides. I can’t see more than ten feet ahead of me.

“Where are we going?” I say, breathless from our quick pace.

“Hell’s Palace.” He says gruffly. “It seems there’s been a mistake.”

…. To be continued