Have you ever imagined yourself being in hell yet alive? Not just in hell, but ruling it? Being the mother to dark entities? Sitting on a throne of fire?
My name is Adeline Vex, and this is my story. I have always dreamed of going to heaven when I die, sitting beside Jesus, God, the twenty-four elders, and singing high praises to the Most High. But all of that changed the night after my father's funeral.
Let me tell you a little about my family.
My dad, Alex Vex, was a noble man—not wealthy, but he had a voice in the community. He was a carpenter, crafting furniture from wood and cotton. Yes, cotton! My dad was gifted like no other; many said he fell from the sky to bring life and hope to humanity. My mother, Evenly Vex, was a stay-at-home wife with her own tailoring shop beside our house—the one Dad built for her as a wedding gift.
My mother was a fashion prodigy, creating outfits never seen before. Many said her hands moved like possessed demons; if she told you it would take two days, you could count on it being done in two days.
Fast forward to today: I stand with teary eyes, surrounded by family, friends, and the community at large, as they lower my father's coffin into the grave. Mom died a month ago, and Dad couldn't live without her. Now, he has joined her, leaving me all alone in a world filled with relatives I barely know, who never bothered to visit until today.
After the funeral, a couple approached me: a tall man claiming to be my father's youngest brother, Alaric Vex, along with his wife, Morgana, and their son, Benjamin. I couldn't shake the bad feeling they gave me. Just a week ago, I had overheard them interacting with my dad.
"Don't worry, Alex. We will take care of your daughter. You know I have no daughter of my own, just one son who isn't around at the moment. Adeline is already my daughter from now on, and I promise we will care for her in the best ways," the man said, his smile unsettling.
Back in the present, "Adeline," Morgana called. "Yes, Ma'am?" I replied, trying to maintain my composure. "Oh dear, call me Aunt. I'm your aunt after all. Anyway, we need to get going now; the journey is three hours away, and we don't want to be late. I hope your luggage is ready?"
I nodded, feeling a mix of apprehension and resignation. "Great! Let's get going then," her husband said, his smile creeping me out even more.
As they gathered my belongings, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was about to take a dark turn.