Dante's Tribulations

            Dante grabbed his keys and backpack then made way towards his car. Remembering to shut his apartment door, he locked it and checked if the door was secure. The temperature was amazingly cold and his car looked as if it were a glacial tomb embedded in frozen dew. Opening the car door the ice shattered and laid there solidified without melting on the concrete driveway. The leather seat felt incredibly cold which did not help his trembling hand insert the keys into the ignition. Finally able to insert the key he started the car as he turned on the heater. Backing out of his driveway he made way towards the end of the street. Coming to a complete stop at the stop sign, he embraced the heat as the heater kicked in. Even though his body overcame in heat, his mind was still frozen and unresponsive.

Making way through the college campus he arrives in front of his class room door. Opening the door he already saw his Philosophy Professor starting his lecture. Ignoring his glances Dante sets his things down and sits back in his designated seat.

“Who here has watched the movie or seen the play Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street?” Professor Willington asks as a dozen hands or so meekly rises towards the ceiling.

“Good, can someone please tell me the relationship between Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett?”

“Todd is a Barber and Mrs. Lovett is a baker” replies one of the students, “She is infatuated in him but he is too preoccupied with killing the judge that he doesn’t care.”

“And why is this?” Professor Willington says with a smile. “Why would a man not care for love despite the fact that it’s right in front of him and why does she still pursue him even though she knows he has no interest?

The room overcame in silence as not one student within the bunch could answer the question. Then a hand rose which pierced through the silence and transformed the smile on the professors face, into a grin.

“Yes, Dante” Professor Willington says as he gestures Dante to speak.

            “Men are blinded by rage and Women are blinded by love, they are a prime example of human stupidity” Dante replies with a look of apathy on his face.

            “So your saying your stupid, is that what your implying Dante Jacobs” the Professor replies as the other students switch glances between Dante and Professor Willington. “What makes you different from these human beings?”

            “There are the Ignorant and there are the open minded, I am the open minded” Dante says as he straightens himself on his seat.

            “Well it seems to me you are playing the role that you hate the most” Professor Willington replies.

            “Wrong, you are playing that role for me” Dante says with a smile.

            “Last time I checked Mr. Jacobs I was playing the role of a teacher” Mr. Willington says without faltering.

            “Well your doing a s****y job” Dante replied.

            “Get the hell out of my class Dante, you’ve crossed the line” Mr. Willington says in a calm voice but his red face and sweating forehead said otherwise.

            Dante got out of his seat, grabbed his things and left the class. Heading towards his car he reaches into his pockets to grab his keys.

            “Dante, hold up!” Ana calls from across the parking lot.

            Anastasia was not the greatest looking girl or the slimmest but she was Dante’s only friend.

            “Hey, want to go to a coffee shop my professor canceled class today” Ana says with a smile.

            “Sure” Dante replies.

            Getting into the car Anastasia buckles her seat belt as the car ride felt extremely awkward, but not to Dante. Dante was to busy thinking, to busy in his own world.

            “Dante, are you going to drive or just sit here” Ana asked “We’ve been at a complete stop at this stop sign for 3 minutes.”

            “Sorry, I zoned out” Dante says with a smile.

            “I worry about you sometimes Dante, I really do” she says with a sad look on her face.

            Taking a right at the next intersection he stopped at the coffee shop. They both got out of the car as she immediately tried to get right beside of Dante.

            “I want a Caramel frappuccino with a lot of whip cream” she says with a smile.

            “That’s nice” he said as he opened the door into the coffee shop.

            They both got in line and bought their drinks as Dante who was the first to get his drink went to go find a seat. Sipping on his green tea latte he turned his head to see Anastasia walk towards him.

            “I’ll be right back Dante, don’t go anywhere okay? She says as she turns around and heads towards the bathroom.

            Nodding, he looked away and continued to sip on his green tea. Out of the corner of his eye he saw someone approach him.

            “Dante, hey it’s me Steve from your philosophy class” Steve said approaching closer towards the table.

            “Hey Steve” Dante replied as he took another sip from his green tea latte.

            “I understand your views on life Dante and I saw that proof today with the outburst in class” Steve said in a serious tone, “I want to tell you about a group who shares the same ideals as you do.”

            “What ideals are those” Dante asked curiously as he put his green tea latte down.

            “All humans are hypocrites, liars and self centered egotistical beings, do you agree.” Steve said looking deeply into Dante’s eyes.

            “What’s your point” Dante said with the same apathetic look.

            “We want to advanced through other worldly means, but we need someone like you who shares a common bond with us” Steve replied with a serious look.

            “What do you mean by other worldly means?” Dante asked curiously.

            “You’ll see when you arrive later tonight, here’s the address” Steve said as he handed Dante the directions, “Hopefully I’ll see you there.”

           

 

            Steve left the coffee shop right as Ana came back from the restroom.

            “Sorry for taking so long, I was on the phone with my friend Stephanie” She said with a smile.

            “That’s nice Ana” Dante said as he lifted his cup to find his green tea latte empty.

            “Stephanie is having a party tonight and I want you to go with me” She pleaded, “I promise it will be fun, we can stay the night if want”

            “I’ll think about, I might be doing something tonight” Dante replied.

            “Alright well call me” Ana said in a depressed tone.

            They got into the car; drove and he dropped her off at her house. Driving home he couldn’t stop thinking about what Steve said. Their ideals were similar and not a lot of people thought this way. “Humans are ignorant, self centered, egotistical and selfish if they like it or not, it’s in their nature” Dante says to himself, “If not then why would Professor Willington call me out.” Arriving at his driveway he parked and got out of his car. Unlocking his apartment door with his key he walked inside and turned on the lights. Suddenly his phone rang as he walked over to pick it up.

            “Dante, it’s Ana are you still going to the party?” she asked.

            “Hey, I don’t think so” he replied.

            “Alright we’ll I might be staying over, so I’ll check on you later, Bye” Ana said in a soft tone.

            “Bye” He replied and hung up..

            Grabbing his keys he headed out towards the address Steve handed to him. He drove under the moonlit night towards his unknown destination. Twenty minutes pass as he finally arrived at the address. It was an old house but one of the windows was silhouetted in light. Knocking on the door, a man in a hooded cloak answered the door.

            “You must be Dante Jacobs, we have been expecting you” the man said he a rough voice, “please come in.”

            Walking into the house Dante looked around to see maybe a dozen other curious looking characters wearing the same dress.

            “Dante, I knew you would come here wear this” Steve said while walking towards Dante.

            “Thank you” Dante said not knowing what to think.

            “Dante, put it on and sit down our leader is about to speak” Steve said in a soft voice.

            Putting on the cloak Dante walked towards the living room where everyone was gathering. Sitting on one of the empty couches he watches as a man who seemed to be in his mid 40’s unsheathed his hood and began speaking.

            “Welcome again my brothers and sisters” The man spoke in a clear tone, “We are here to carry out a ritual depicted in The Lesser Key of Solomon, also known as the Lemegeton.”

            Questioning the group’s motives out of curiosity Dante asked “What sort of Rituals are you attempting?”

            “Ah, Dante Jacobs, if you are that curious you shall help us with the upcoming proceedings.” The man said as a smile came upon his face.

            “What proceedings?” Dante asked, even more curious but not fearful.

            “Are you tired of the ignorant people in this world Dante?” The man said while walking towards him, “Are you tired of men like your Professor who only lives on his ego?”

            “Yes, I understand that you all hold the same ideals as I, but what are these proceedings you all are going to attempt.” Dante asked curiously.

            “We are to summon Andras the 63^rd out of the 72 demons of hell; he commands thirty legions of demons and sows discord among men and women alike” The man suddenly replies as he looks deeply into Dante’s eyes.

            “And you believe all this” Dante replied with a smile on his face.

            “You don’t have to believe us Dante, but you may witness it” The man says with a smile, “Of course to join us, you must take part.”

            He sat on the couch and was entranced in the mystical aura within the room. He was fascinated in such people, who not only share his ideals and philosophy but are able to communicate with other worldly spirits.

            “What will you have me do?” Dante asked.

            “People like the professor, don’t deserve to live Dante, do you understand?” The man replied “We must get rid of the earth’s scum but first ridding the closest scum around us.”

            “Your not suggesting me to kill someone, are you?” Dante asked.

            “Only if you are mentally strong enough to carry out this action” The man said.

            “I’ll think about” Dante replied while lowering his head.

            “We’ll meet back here when we are done with the preparations.” The man said.

            He didn’t know if he was able to carry out an action such as murder, but he didn’t want to be mentally weak. Sitting on the couch he watches the other followers make preparations for summoning. The circle looked odd and not of that of the pentagram depicted in modern media. Four stars were drawn in the middle, as a red triangle was the center of the circle. The circle consisted of a snake coiling around with each section of his body colored and marked with mysterious writing. Suddenly the man entered the room again and everyone was silent.

            “We must start the proceedings” The man said aloud “Dante, have you decided to join us?”

            “Yes, I’ll join you” Dante said expressionless.

            “Then we shall start!” The man yelled with a smile.

            The lights dimmed as the man and two other hooded characters entered the circle. Dante was gestured to enter, as he got up from the couch and walked towards them.

            “No matter what you do, don’t leave the circle” the man says.

            Two hooded individuals brought in a bag that seemed to be outlined in a human shape.

            “Is that the professor?” Dante asked.

            “It doesn’t matter who it is Dante, scum is scum” the man replied, “Now we shall start”

            Dante watched curiously as these men started to conjure and spoke in low tones. Suddenly they stopped and in that moment Dante questioned if all of this is real or shame. Suddenly all of the lights flickered and something appeared in front of them. It seemed to be an angel, but with the head of a raven. The mysterious creature was riding a black wolf and was carrying a sharp sword.

            “Who has called me” Andras said in a thunderous voice.

            “It is me, John the Magician” the man said.

            “What makes you think I will serve you mere mortal, I can rip out your throat at this very instant” Andras replied.

            “No one step out of the circle, Dante you must sacrifice the person to appease him” John warns.

            “So you’ve brought a sacrifice, how nice of you” Andras replied in glee “Now hurry and kill it so I can watch.”

            Dante’s mind was swarming with millions of thoughts and for the first time in a long time, he was scared.

            “Fear is for the weak Dante, don’t think just do” Dante says to himself.

            “Dante, take the knife and kill the person” John says “Hurry.”

            Walking towards the being wrapped and tied up, he took out his knife and got on his knees.

            “Don’t think Dante, just do it, don’t think.” Dante says to himself.

            Taking the knife he jabbed it into the person’s throat and then he ripped off the bag that masked its face. It was Anastasia gagged and tied up with tears that welled up in her eyes. The knife was already plunged into her flesh as she choked and suffocated in her own blood. Anastasia looked right into Dante’s eyes as he himself started to tear up. She tried to speak but the gargling of blood overcame her voice and she died.

            “Why would you do this” Dante cried, “Why would you pick Ana.”

            “There is no time for this Dante, calm down” John replied while trying to focus on Andras.

            “Calm down! You tricked me into killing my own friend and you tell me to calm down!” Dante yelled as Andras morphed into his human form, revealing a smile.

            “Dante, don’t step out of the circle” John replied in a calm voice.

            “You are no better then the others, you selfish b*****d” Dante screamed.

            Knife in hand Dante walks behind John and slices his throat as blood is spilled everywhere. The followers within the circle started to flee but right when they walked out of the circle they dropped dead. Andras started to laugh as he disappears into nothingness.

            “Everyone is the same, no one deserves to live” Dante says under his breath, “no one.”

Author's Note

Ignore grammar problems, inspired by Dante's Inferno, Sweeney Todd and others.

Reviews

[Str8jacket]

Sweeny Todd and iced frappacino is the s**t, lol. And this story is cold as hell. I really liked it. Darn you and your poetic descriptions and flawless writings :)