The Department of Hate - A Love Story by Anthony O'connor Read Free Book Online Page B

eyes filled with tears. She exclaimed 
    “Well that’s just fucking great .“  Jarrod nodded his agreement – too stunned at first to say anything. Then he turned to Abaddon asking him bluntly
    “So who’s the sadistic asshole who invented that?” Abaddon was surprised by the question, he answered carefully
    “Well, my Lord. Ah, God, Yahweh .” Jarrod was in a harsh mood, he snapped back
    “Yeah, I know that you stupid fuck. It was a rhetorical question.” Abaddon was relieved. Hostility was something he understood. He answered quickly
    “Yes my Lord, of course my Lord.” Bizarrely Jarrod found himself thinking of how to get out of the Pit if he ever ended up in it. He asked
    “How deep is it?”   Abaddon replied
    “I don’t know, my Lord. It’s supposed to be bottomless. But it couldn’t be, could   it? If it was they'd all still be falling.” Jarrod replied stonily
    “I’m hardly in the mood for theology. Can you get out or not?”   Abaddon replied
    “No my Lord, once you're in the Pit you're in there forever. Demons or humans. Makes no difference.”   Jarrod was deeply disturbed by this, so much for that idea.
    "How many of them go in?" Abaddon sneered
    "Most of them these days, my Lord. Almost all of them. Thousands per hour."
    Jarrod and Cassandra continued to stare at it for some time, caught up in its unbearable misery, unable to turn away. Abaddon waited impatiently but careful as always not to show it. Finally they did turn away and proceeded along the roadway - trying without any success to ignore the thundering roar from below and the endless screeching from above. Abaddon wasn’t concerned about it at all and didn’t understand the fuss. He was just keen to get them to the celebrations on time.
     
    They continued around the side of the pit, along the road, finally approaching the Great Hall.  It was a large building, a dull stony grey monolith like the others but somehow distinctive.  It didn’t have any windows, but it did have a large ornate entrance at the front facing the pit. A number of demons made their way through the entrance, every one of them casting a curious glance at Jarrod and his group as they approached. From the hall there came the sound of loud booming music, loud enough to shake the sides of the building and only growing louder as they got closer. Jarrod managed to ask
    “What is this, a rock concert?” Abaddon replied
    “No my Lord. A celebration. We always welcome back one of our own. Of course they have usually reverted to demonic form by now." Jarrod thought about this, not liking the implications very much.
    “So, how is it that everyone recognizes me?” Abaddon replied quickly
    “We see the essence my Lord, not just the outer form .” Jarrod thought about this. The implications were even more dubious. He said
    “Well, that’s hardly encouraging .” He looked at Cassandra.  She shrugged and didn’t reply.
     
    As they went up the steps towards the main door one of the demons already there turned towards them. He was larger than most of the others and dressed more elaborately. He was leading three naked humans on a chain leash, two females and a male. They looked such small defenceless puny things in comparison to him. They kept their heads down and were obviously completely submissive. It was Asmodeous. He boomed out a greeting
    “Beelzebub, welcome back .” He waited for some response.  Abaddon intervened quickly pointing out
    “He does not yet remember, my Lord .” The large demon looked at them, apparently surprised. Then he said
    “Oh yes, so I heard, how peculiar .” Abaddon continued
    “Yes, my lord.” Then turning to Jarrod he made the introductions
    “My Lord, this is Lord Asmodeous. He is the head of the Department of Lust.” Jarrod surveyed him with some distrust. He seemed sleazy. He was already openly leering at Cassandra. Licking his lips he made the casual remark
    “Nice looking female you have there .” Jarrod