MYSTERIOUS Sɹ∀Ǝ⅄ II
The Charm Of The Chase
Chapter Three | All Rights Reserved.
Once Upon A Time,
There was a young adult named Maria and a young adult named Marty. The details of their original entanglement and failed betrothal shall remain unimportant for the time being. All you must know now is a pivotal rehash of all of the important facts about their relationship:
Once High School Sweethearts.
Long Relationship Under Their Belt.
Year-long Wedding Preparations.
One Failed (Embarrassing) Wedding.
And now we arrive at the present day.
A few weeks after Maria went off on her own after their disastrous & much gossiped about wedding. Not often does a wedding go so bad that the local news airs shots of a drenched ‘mystery woman’ in a wedding dress sulking down the local sidewalk She quickly chose a recluse sabbatical was in order.
While off on her sabbatical she had a dreadful dream about her ex. She had a vision that his soul was in serious torment, a few seconds later she was awakened with a phone call announcing his death. It should have alarmed her more, but God typically gave her a heads up through dreams. While it was regretful news to hear, she definitely understood the meaning for the dream.
Marty was in danger.
Her mind reeled. All of the Bible instruction from preachers and past lessons had left her in shambles.
“Those who do not repent will never see the light of glory that is with our Lord Jesus Christ! They shall perish forever!”
Maria was never the one to hinge on things, but the warnings from childhood preachers had left her in shambles. She was fine… but Marty… not so much.
“They are unrepentant sinners that deserve all of the suffering hell warrants! Are you one of them?!? There are no second chances for them!”
The memories continued to flood in. She knew her eternal soul was safe, and that’s all she had to worry about right?
Not so much.
Maria’s cutthroat belief system led her to believe she was much more powerful than she really was. She was but a young adult with a crazy faith in God that didn’t really waver no matter what lie you threw her way. She knew to always focus on the truth.
And as rare as her beliefs were, Maria truly believed that the God from Israel all those years ago was still the One In The Same. Same power, same love for his people, same hell-raising power and all. So she made an odd choice. But taking into consideration her unsurmountable confidence in the ways of the Lord… she definitely took a risk. She chose to summon death (After a quick prayer of course).
I once heard a story that a random Great Tent Revival Pastor dissed the devil so badly that it actually showed up to confront him! An old wives tale, but wouldn’t that be amazing if real? That seemed a bit too much for Maria, a bit too bothersome for her. So instead of soiling her tongue like said pastor, she chose to simply say a quick prayer to God summoning Satan for a chat. Turns out… it worked.
And that’s how we find ourselves here.. between worlds, realms, and parallel universe. A place only God himself could have brought her.
“Let me go find him,” Maria said through gritted teeth. She became resolute in making sure she kept her words short and concise. “If I find him, let me bring him back.”
“Now that my fair lady, is not up to you.” Said the hooded animal, “You must know even I don’t have the power to revive the dead. Only…” the devil was cut short by a massive thunderbolt that brought light throughout the wooded mountainous area in which they stood.
“My judgement is sound. God supports my cause, but I must first ask your permission. If I find him, can bring him back? God and I will sort out the rest later!” She once again blasted, this time through tears. “Please. I beg you."
Death was amused. He rather enjoyed Maria’s defiance and iron will for her bereaved ex. He decided to taunt her in a low whisper.. “Well. Assuming you do ever find him… chances are; you’re a lot more likely to get lost in there yourself than you are to find him. He's in a dark place he rather much enjoys. He's acclimated quickly to his new home, it's almost as if... Hell was built just for him." He said through a sinister smile and deep cackling. "Tell me. What will happen when you find him and he refuses to join you? Not everyone was made for goodness Maria." He lowered himself and stared at Maria intently eye-to-eye. His glare included a new emotion.. sympathy. Death actually.. cared. "Save yourself you silly child. Your heart does not belong in the depths, his does. IF I agree, I will only allow you to leave with him at your side. That is the only way. If he chooses to stay ... What will you do then?” Death tilted his head slightly. "Don't chase the lost... Heed my warning."
“PSALM 139:8 ~ If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” She recited Scripture out loud to Death. “Don’t worry about me. I'll be just fine. I always land on my feet with God at my side."
“Yes.. Yes.. Most cats do. But not dogs.. SAVE YOURSELF Stupid insolent woman! Do you not understand that God has no place in hell. He cannot go there to save you. I EXPLICITLY FORBID IT! You speak as if God has any kind of power in hell. That is MY DOMAIN. He has no power there.” Death said in a deep laugh.
“Don’t worry about what God can and can't do. He always comes through for me. Please. I'm begging you." She said in a near whisper, almost as if she couldn’t even believe her own words.
Death swiftly turned his gaze. "Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's what I thought too."
His response baffled Maria. Without thinking .. she spoke words she did not even understand. "He hasn't forgotten you you know. He remembers and cares greatly for you." She said with a careful smile, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Let me in. Please. You never know.. maybe I can help you find a way out too. Anything is possible with God."
Death faced her once again, this time with tear-filled eyes. "Silly girl, you know nothing of my situation... I once trusted God too." Death lowered its head and wiped its tears. “Alright." It said decisively. "You may enter my dark kingdom. Just do as I say: Slowly take three steps forward." Death said as it took three steps back. "A bottomless pit will appear behind you, all you must do is close your eyes and let yourself fall. Clear your mind of all the good, and let your spirit fall to black. Then you will be taken exactly where you want to go.” Death said, shaking its head slowly.
Maria gave Death a sympathetic glance for a few monents.
She didn’t flinch. She took three steps forward and instantly, the winds surrounding them became ravenous. The pit appeared almost instantly. And Maria was more than ready for the fight. (It was better than everything else she had going on anyway.). She closed her eyes and allowed herself to fall; body, mind, and spirit.. to HELL itself.
So she became that which she feared most, in the hopes of someday saving her beloved from the clutches of death. All while putting her own soul in harm’s way.
But something else captivated her mind as she began to fall. What if... there was a chance. Even the slightest of chances, that she could save... DEATH itself. She waved with a worried smile as a concerned Death watched intently. Somehow, he was worried about her; someone like Maria would never survive in hell.
Her immediate fate was undetermined, but in the long run she knew her fate was secure.
Death watched from afar in Shock & Awe. No one had ever chosen to jump in the pit. Most people caved and did as Death wished, so this was a new one.
The hooded figure took a few steps forward, staring intently as Maria fell into the pit. She disappeared into black, long gone in seconds.
Off to another world… A much more dangerous world. DEATH itself felt sympathy for her.. For he had searched Marty's heart and saying he was lacking was an understatement. Chances were slim to none he would ever find his way out of the darkness; and those same odds were now Maria's.
Maria had not a single thought in her mind as she plunged in a quick descent into the deepest trenches.
'Remember, if God allows to go to hell it’s only to help others get out. Not to stay. Remember what Grandmother taught you; NEVER STAY.’ This thought alone, kept Maria at peace as she fell at an unimaginably quick speed.
Where exactly was she headed? Well that’s something even Death didn’t know. No one had chosen Option B before. No one had ever chosen to jump into the fiery flames before.
No One.
Until Maria.
J.J. Haro
COMING CHRISTMAS 2025
MYSTERIOUS Sɹ∀Ǝ⅄ II
The Charm Of The Chase
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