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He was trapped. Stuck in place. Held by chains around his wrists connected to the floor. He couldn't move. He struggled, but he couldn't break free.
His darling wife was held tightly in the creature's grip. He knew one wrong move would be enough to split her spine or worse. Either way she'd be dead.
And then there was…Him.
Satan himself. The magenta monarch of Hell stood towering above the chained man, his sinister grin on full display as he held the woman in his clawed hand. Malice radiated off of him. He was the one in control. And he was going to make sure the chained man knew it.
He tightened his grip on the maiden, chuckling darkly before the chained man spoke up.
"No…please…don't hurt…her. Do what you want with me, just…don't hurt…my wife…" he pleaded weakly. He didn't want to see her die. Not like this.
"How about no? Don't worry, I'll make sure she gets the best accomodations. Probably better than whatever you could possibly provide. Time to say goodbye now, young man. I like my new arrivals on time for their suffering."
CRUNCH!
With that final sentence, the devil clenched his fist, crushing every vital part in the mortal woman's body. Her very being seemed to crumble away into dust, falling to the ground once the being opened his hand again.
The man was at a loss for words. He couldn't say anything. All he felt the drive to do was scream.
So he did.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"
In an instant, he was grabbed on the shoulder, feeling discombobulated as he was shaken by someone.
"Danny! Danny, what happened?! What's the matter?! Tell me what's going on!" A familiar voice called out to him.
As soon as he could register anything at all, he stopped screaming. He turned to the source of the voice, and the shaking stopped when he gazed into her eyes. It was his wife. The very same one who he'd dreamt died by the hands of…
"Darling, what happened? Are you alright?"
He opened his mouth a little, but no words came out. It was like something was stuck in his throat, preventing the explanation from being said. How could he tell her? How could he describe what he'd gone through? What he'd seen?
"I can't-"
That was all he could say before he covered his face and began to quietly sob.
"It's okay. You don't have to tell me. It's okay now. I'm here for you," she reassured him in her calm, soothing voice.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean- I'm sorry, Nina, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry," he repeated over and over again like it was a prayer. A prayer for forgiveness maybe.
"Danton, what do you mean? You didn't do anything wrong. What ever could've gotten you this worked up?"
She didn't get a response, just another series of choked sobs and hiccups as he tried and failed to steady his nerves. He rubbed the tears from his eyes, looking her in the eyes again before trying to speak again. He coughed a little bit, a side effect of letting so much air out while crying.
"I couldn't save you. In my dream, I- I couldn't save you. That demon guy, Satan, he- he was holding you, and- and- and…" he explained through sniffles before letting out a few more sobs.
"Oh my days. I'm so sorry, Danny. But it's okay now. I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere. It's okay now."
"But what if it happens- what if it happens in real life? What if I can't save you?! What if-"
"Danny. Look at me when I say this. You are the bravest, strongest man I've ever known. You don't let anything stop you. If ever I should become trapped by some horned monster or what have you, I know that you would be able to save me. It's going to be okay."
"Are you sure? I don't-"
"I promise, Danny. It will be all okay. And if ever it's not, I will always be here for you."
She gave a warm smile, cupping his face and bringing it close to hers for a kiss. He accepted the gesture, leaning in close and letting himself get lost in the feeling of her lips on his. He always treasured moments like this. Moments after a stressful period where he and her could just be together. Be connected by their bodies, their hearts seeming to beat as one. He felt at peace when he was with her at times like this.
They broke the kiss for air, both a bit out of breath, but still happy nonetheless. "Feeling better, I assume?" Nina asked when she noticed her husband's goofy, love-drunk smile.
"Much better. Thank you, my darling."
"Anything for you, my dear."
With one more peck on the forehead, Nina laid back down and pulled the covers back over her, Danton following suit soon after. He made a note to give her extra kisses tomorrow morning, before closing his eyes and drifting off once more.