Into The Inferno

Chapter 1: The Last Night

For most people death is the end of problems. The end of strife and pain; all your trouble goes away once you pass from this world to the next. It's supposed to signify a freedom from the hardships of the living world. Unfortunately for me...death was just the start of my problems…

"Smile!"

A flash goes off, blinding me and I hear a groan sound out in front of me. Once my sight finally returns, I see my Aunt Natalie standing across from me, scowling at her camera before looking up at me. "You know, when you're asked to smile, you're supposed to smile. Now we have to take it again."

"Sorry," I apologize as I straighten up, but before I can do anything else, an arm wraps around my neck causing me to look over and see my cousin and Aunt Natalie's son, Jesse, who looks over at his mom with a big grin and a peace sign.

"Make sure you get our good side, Ma!" Jesse exclaims, tightening his hold pulling me closer. "It's not everyday your boys graduate high school!"

His ecstatic energy, like always, is contagious as I mirror his hold, with a smile of mine own. "Yeah, we need photographic evidence of the day that hell froze over because Jesse actually graduated!" That causes Jesse's grip to get tighter as another flash goes off.

"Well, I guess that's as good as it will get," Aunt Natalie says with a sigh, but I can see the smile on her lips as she looks up. "Oh thank you, someone with actual sense!" Jesse and I turn in the direction and see our good friend Lennox Gardner coming our way. Her cap and gown, now gone, causing her honey brown hair to blow out in the wind.

"Someone's blushing," Jesse sings in my ear.

"Shut up..." I grumble out as I push him away, knowing that he's right. Luckily Lenny reaches us in time for my blush to go down.

She gives us all a smile before heading over to Aunt Natalie and giving her a hug. "Hi there Ms. Mitchells, are your boys giving you trouble?" She looks over at the two of us and gives an exasperated look. "You two should be ashamed of yourself, giving this poor woman a hard time. Bad boys!"

"Oh we are very bad boys..." Jess says as he puts his arm around Lenny now. "We need to be punish, preferably by spanking. Isn't that right, Leo?" He turns towards me with a sly smirk and that just makes me blush again, but at least this one is easier to write off.

"No commit." I can see Auntie shaking her head at her son, while Lenny rolls her eyes.

"Alright you three, time for the group picture," Auntie says as she waves all of us together. "Usual suspects on the side." The three of us get together for the picture, both Jesse and I put an arm around Lenny's waist. Auntie takes a few shots before finally putting the camera away and looking back up at us. "So, Lennox, are your parents still in for the celebratory lunch tomorrow?"

"Yes ma'am. They're looking forward to it."

"So am I. Let's just hope you three will have enough energy after partying tonight to wake up in time to go," She says as she hugs Lenny before moving over to her son. "Jesse, my darling son, get home before the sunrise and please...make sure to keep the car chase squadrons to a minimum."

Jesse gives his mother a drool look while Lenny and I laugh at his misfortune. I finally decide to take pity on him. "Don't worry, Auntie; I'll make sure he behaves and doesn't get into too much trouble."

"Thank you, Leo. I'm glad to know that at least one of my boys will behave and keep this knucklehead out of trouble." She gives Jesse a kiss on top of his head before heading towards me and waves a hand for me to follow. We head a few feet away from the other before Auntie stops me and gives me a tight hug. "Your father would be so proud of you; I hope you know that, Leonardo."

The mention of my father causes the joy I was feeling mere moments ago to drop, but I make sure not to show Aunt Natalie, making sure to keep my head turned away from her while in our embrace, knowing if she sees me upset, it will make her feel guilty.

We sit in our hug for a few more moments before Auntie pulls away, wiping her eyes as she does, but despite the tears, she gives me a smile and a squeeze of my arms. "He would have loved to see you go across that stage today. He would be so proud of the man you've become. So would have-"

"I know they would have," I quickly interrupt before she can finish. Talking about my father is one thing, but bring up my mother is a subject that I rather not be brought up...ever.

Sensing my avoidance, Auntie gives me another smile, this one softer than the first as she gives me another, quick hug. "I love you, kid," She says in a muffle on my shoulder before pulling away, now with her usual smile. "And I'm so proud of you, Leo. Now go and have fun and make sure Jesse doesn't try to persuade you all to take a trip to Mexico."

I give a two fingers salute as she leaves. I watch her go for a few moments before walking back over to Lenny and Jess, who has now, shed his own gown. Lenny sees me first and most likely reads the emotions on my face because she gives me a sympathetic smile as I come closer. "Hey, doing alright there, Hale?"

I can't help but smile at her usual use of my last name as I give a nod before answering. "Yeah, I'm good. Just a bit of an emotional talk with Auntie..."

"Leave it to Ma to bring down the mood," Jess grumbles, but even through his sarcastic tone, I can see the genuine concern in his eyes. I give him a look that says I'm actually ok and he gives a smile, before it turns into a smirk. Reaching into his jacket, he pulls out his famous flask and shakes it in front of us. 'Well, now that Debby-downer mood is over, who's ready to party?"

********************************************

"To the Class of Twenty Sixteen!" Jesse cheers as he raises a cup in the air.

"Always the life of the party, isn't he?" Lenny whispers towards me as the rest of the class raises their own drinks to the sky with a celebratory roar. Looking across the bonfire, I see Jess jump from his improvised podium and snakes an arm around a cheerleader.

"Well, he wouldn't be Jesse, if he wasn't."

"Very true." She turns with a smile and begins to walk down to the shorelines, pulling me along with her. "Let's go before our friends start getting wasted and try to bug us." I let out a laugh as I let her lead me.

We find a spot close to the water but not enough to get wet and from the corner of my eye, I see Lenny pull out a familiar thermos out of hoodie pocket. "Where did you get that?"

"Stole it from Jess when we got here," Lenny answers with a smirk as she raises the flask to lips and takes a sip. "Always can count on Mitchells to have the good stuff." She holds the flask out to me. "Don't worry, I'll give it back to him tomorrow. Besides, he won't miss it...too much"

"No, thanks," I say with a chuckle. Lenny gives a shrug and puts the flask back into her pocket, but I can see the knowing smile in her blue eyes. Not wanting to dwell on my non-drinking, I switch to a safer subject. "So...you ready for your summer courses next week?"

She gives another shrug as she turns towards the still water. "I guess so. It's going to be crazy not to be here for the summer and just hanging out. Just finished classes here and now I'll be jumping into even more classes."

"I mean, look at it this way, you get to be a college student and out of the house before any of us. A lot of us would kill to be out on our own."

Her blue eyes move from the water and back on me with a 'Are you kidding', look. "You know, you could be joining me if you had applied for it." I stay quiet, knowing where this is going. "Leo, I don't get it. I never get it. You are one of the smartest people I know, you could have gotten into the program without trying. Hell, you could have stolen Valedictorian away from me if you wanted."

I squirm in my seat under her gaze and her accusations. "What's wrong with not wanting to stand out?"

"Nothing is wrong with it, but I wish you wouldn't put yourself into the small box you lock yourself in." She grabs one of my hands and puts it between both of hers. My blush reappears as I try to look out towards the sea but Lennox frees one of her hands and puts it under my chin and force me to look at her. "Leo, I know you like being Mr. 'Middle of the Road', but you are so much more than that. I wish you could see how special you are."

With that, I turn my head away from her hand and look out to the ocean. "Trust me, I'm not special, not at all. I don't want to be special." Special will get you in trouble…

I brace for round two of Lennox's argument but instead, she lets out a sigh and places her other hand back over mine. "I guess it's time for a change of subject." I give a nod. "Hmmm… I have one… Are you going to miss me?

"What?"

"I mean when I go away for the summer program. Are you going to miss me when I'm gone?" I give a shrug and she knocks against my shoulder. "Come on, you're not going to miss me at all?"

A smile starts to pull on my face as I turn my head back to face her and I have to keep the surprise off my face with how close her face is to mine. Her own smile starts to appear as she gives my hand a squeeze.

"So?"

"Of course I'm going to miss you," I finally answer after a few moments, trying to get my thoughts straight. "You're one of my favorite people in the world, why wouldn't I miss you?"

"Always the sweet talker." Her smile grows more mirthful as she scoots a little closer so there's only the tiniest bit of space between the both of us. The smell of the whiskey still lingering on her mixes with natural perfume, is strangely intoxicating. Our faces mere inches away and it dawns on me that this is the moment. The moment that I've been waiting for... I'm finally going to kiss Lennox Gardner…

I lean forward a little to close the gap but as I do, my mind go into overdrive of always the ways this could go wrong and before I know it, I'm pulling back. Her eyes mirror my own surprise and I know I have to find away to cover.

"W...we should get back...b...before anyone notices we're gone," I stammer out like an idiot.

The surprise in her eyes grows into annoyance as she pulls away. "Yeah...of course." She fully stands, not looking my way. "I think...I'm going to go home. Not much in a partying mood anymore."

"Lennox..." I say as I stand up, guilt eating up at me. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean… At least let me take you home…"

She waves me off as she gives me a humorless smile. "No worries, I'll just ask Yvonne for a ride back. See you later, Leo..." She turns and heads back up to the bonfire in a light sprint to the group of girls hanging out by it. My eyes stay locked on her retreating figure as she goes.

"I...am...an...idiot..." I groan out as I hit my head with the palm of hand. I am so stupid...stupid...stupid! I yell my inner mantra as I start walking and before I even know it, I'm near the fire again, with Jesse standing in front of me.

"That's not a...happy look," Jess slurs out when he reaches me. Judging from the red flush on his face and his slanted stand, he's been enjoying himself. "What happened?"

"Nothing, which is the main problem." I hesitate for a second before continuing. "I finally had the...moment with Lenny and I chickened out."

"Oh Leo..." Jess groans out. "After all this time, you finally get the ultimate sign and you blow it. Let me guess, you got into your head, over-thought everything and pulled away."

"Were you watching us?"

"No, but I know you, Leonardo." He lets out a sigh and places an arm around my shoulders and leads me to where the cars are parked. The scent of alcohol on him is much stronger than Lenny's was, but his presence is still welcoming. "It'll be ok but you have to stop being so afraid to take a chance. I know you like taking the safe path, but sometimes you just have to jump, cuz."

"Hell must be freezing over if you and Lenny are agreeing on the same thing." He gives me a confused look. "Lennox...pretty much said the same things you are."

"Then you should definitely listen if Ms. Manners is telling you two." Even though I don't want to, I can't help but chuckle a little. We finally reach the parking lot and Jess lets me go. "Head home, Leo. Get some sleep and think about the ways you can make up your idiotness with Lenny."

"A. Idiotness isn't a word and B. How are you going to get home? Last I checked, I was your ride."

He turns and locks eyes with a pretty blonde, who gives him a wave. He turns back to me with a sly smile. "Trust me, I got it cover."

"Always the ladies man."

"That I am, Leo. That I am." Unexpectedly, he gives me a quick hug before facing me again. "Don't worry, cuz. It'll work out."

"Here's hoping." I give him a claps of the shoulder. "Thanks, Jesse. See you tomorrow and please, for my sake and yours, get back before sunrise."

"No problem." With a salute and a smile, he heads back over to bright party as I turn and head into the darken parking lot. Halfway into my trek, a noise sounds from one of the cars to my right. I stand there for a second to look around and make sure one of my classmates didn't decide to follow me, in hopes to scare me. Wouldn't be the first time… After a few moments, I give a shrug. Must have been an animal… And with that though, I continue on, but soon stop a few feet when the noise happens again, this time clearer than before and I can make it out to be a voice. Voices, by the sound of it.

Even though I know I should just walk away, I move closer to right side of the parking lot to see if I can hear the voices a little better.

"...Luke...we can't..." One of the voices, that I now can tell is female says softly and that is all I needed to hear. Heard enough for one night… I start walking again and while I do, I can hear the guy, which I can only guess is Luke, speak.

"...Come on, Lexi...It's grad night and we should celebrate and what better than this..." Oh brother, please get me out of this bad made-for-TV movie. I increase my speed but start to slow down when I hear the girl again.

"...Luke...I'm not having sex in a car...especially so close that anyone can walk in on us..."

"...Alexis...don't you love me?"

"...Yes I love you, but that doesn't mean I'm going to lose my virginity in a-" She suddenly cuts off with a yelp, follow by a few grunts that causes me to stop in my tracks. "Luke, stop...stop!"

"Alexis, stop being a prude!" Luke exclaims, followed by a loud noise that I can only guess what it is.

A cold feeling shoots down my spine at the situation taking place before I start scanning the cars, seeing if I can see the two anywhere. Where the hell are you!? My eyes run down the cars until I find a large, SUV parked a few ways back, shaking a little and through the windows I can see two figures moving erratically.

"Oh no...oh no...oh no..." I quickly pull out phone and call the police, but while I'm on the phone, I hear the grunts and yelps get more aggressive and I know, that even with the police coming, it will be too late. I get ready to run back to the bonfire to get help, but stop in my tracks. Even if I go help, that may take up too much time too. It has to stop...now.

Looking around, I spot a few decent size rocks and an idea comes to mind. I can't believe I'm about to do this! I grab a couple of them and head over to the SUV. Pulling my left arm back, I send one of the rocks flying and luckily, I actually hit the back window, cracking it.

A yell sounds out and suddenly the back door swings open and out comes Luke Blackwell, the former running back of our football team. His belt is unbuckled but it looks like that's all has come undone, luckily. That is the last thing I see before I start running and slam into Luke, causing both of us to his the car before falling to the ground.

"Alexis, run!" I yell as wrestle with Luke. The sound of feet hitting the gravel sound, but before I can even see if she's gotten away, a large blow hits me on the side of the head as a hand pushes me off the side. Once everything stops spinning, I see Luke rushing up to his feet. No...you...don't… I grab his legs, knocking back to the ground.

"Get the hell off me, loser!" Luke yells as he tries to shake me off his legs but I hold on tighter. He continues to try and shake me off until he finally slips a foot from my grasp and gets a kick at my chest, fully pushing me off him.

"Owww..." I moan out as I hold my chest, feeling the pain of that and the giant lump that's most likely growing on my head, but despite all the pain, I can't help but feel relief…until Luke is looking down at me, a hateful look in his eyes.

"Look who's looking all smug!" He kicks me hard in the side before landing another blow to my side. "Playing hero; cock-blocking me. I should kill you you little bastard!" He lands another set of blows to my side and even though the pain is radiating through my body, for some reason, I start to...laugh, of all things. "Are you laughing, loser?"

That just causes me to laugh even harder as I spit out some blood from biting on my tongue. "You're...funny..."

The confusion is clear on his dumb face. "I'm funny?"

"Yeah...that you're calling me...a loser...yet… I probably wouldn't need...to...rape a girl, to get her to sleep with me..."

A myriad of anger flashes on Luke's face before settling into a wicked smile. "Oh...you're going to regret saying that, Leo." With that, he walks away. Once he's away, the laughter I had fades and I switch onto my chest and starts crawling back towards where the bonfire. My vision starts to blur from the pain and I know that there's at least one bone broken.

Blurred figures racing towards come into my sight, but before I can even comprehend them, something sharp hits my back, then another. What...the…? I force my head around and from the corner of my eye, I see Luke standing behind me, pistol in hand. I've been...shot.

Like a trigger, blood starts pouring from my mouth as my body collapse to the ground. I can't believe he shot me…!? My breathing gets harder and I can feel the blood filling them. I hear people calling my name, but they sound like they're at the end of a tunnel.

Every breath becomes more and more shallow as the edges of my vision slowly become black. I...I can can't believe...t...this… I'm...d...dying… I feel every part of my body shutting down as my vision starts to fade, but before it does, a flash of movement catches my eye, drawing my blurry eyes to them. I expect Jess or Lenny, but it's someone I never met.

Through the blur, I can only make out his bright, white outfit but it's not that that the draws my eyes; it's the unearthly of him.

Like he senses my thoughts, he kneels down until we're eye to eye. The sad smile on his face is clear, even to me. "Wasn't expecting us to meet so soon, Leonardo." I try to form the words to see what he means, but all that escapes from my mouth is blood. Several spasms run throughout my body and the last light of my vision fade away. The last thing I can hear is the mysterious man saying, "This is going to be a problem..."