Chapter 1: Those Granted to Hell I

The drive on the road was most quiet, for there were really no other cars after they passed a certain point. Because the road they were on was too desolate and because of how few people frequented it, there were not many power poles and the road was very dark.

—Judging by the lack of lighting, I can tell that the place we're headed for must be a lot worse —Jason scratched the back of his neck, as he was sweating.

—That and we are the only car on the road. Apparently in Vallimorth they don't have many visitors... and if they do, they don't come back —Rocky commented, which made Ashley angry.

—Honey! Don't say that. That's precisely why we're here.

—Oh, I'm sorry! It just slipped out, I'm sorry. Would you like me to play some music to set the mood? I've got country music...

—Country? I love country -Nikolai nodded happily.

—Do you like country, Nikolai? Interesting, so do I. Maybe we should go together to sing in a bar I know very close to my house.

—Well, actually country was one of the first genres I listened to when I came to the United States. Because I worked on the plantations in Texas and also got to know a lot of people from there, I have quite a varied mix of musical genres.

—I was saying that your name and your face were not common! Where do you come from, Nikolai? From Russia? Romania? Slovakia?

—The accent I adopted from my parents, it's a mixture of both. My father Vladislav was born in Russia and my mother Oksana was born in Lithuania. Me? I'm Serbian, and my accent is so peculiar because it's a mixture of sounds, that and I had to adapt to English.

—It's a very sensual accent, if I may say so —Rocky complemented, since the gravity of Nikolai's voice together with that tone he had was most peculiar. —And what do you think of the United States, Nikolai? Do you like what you see? What differences do you find between Serbia and the United States? —Rocky asked, as he was interested to know what a foreigner thought of his homeland.

—Well, I honestly didn't find many differences. Back in Serbia poverty is a little more visible than here, here in the United States things are usually decorated with billboards, with their stars, the bright colors of their food chains and mostly the materialism, the consumerism that is very marked in your nation. It is unfortunate to hear that girls nowadays worry about not having access to the internet, or not having a dress of an expensive brand. When I was a kid I wore my brother's clothes even if they were torn, and I didn't bathe for weeks. Here drugs are not explicitly heroin or crystal meth... and not exactly a dealer in a dark alley sells them. —Nikolai scratched his nose and neck.

—What do you mean? -Ashley was serious, attentive, listening.

—We as people have twisted the word "drug" a lot. Yes, by drug we mean the liquid or powder that causes effects on your brain, but it's not just that. The drug of people with extreme obesity is food, and food itself is sold wholesale in their food chains, and so much so that cashiers won't even prohibit a person who clearly has diabetes and eating is killing them from consuming it.

—But isn't that different? It's kinda ***ridiculous*** what you're saying, you're making an absurd comparison to the food and substances that....

—Food in large quantities should be restricted to people to whom it is having a negative effect on their lives, with narcotics as well. I am not comparing, I am stating a fact. There is no difference between a dealer selling drugs to a kid and this causing damage to his health, as it is for a food company to sell food to a fat kid and also causing damage to his health. The problem with you is that you are so ***overshadowed*** by your pretty colors and your billboards that you are not aware of the problem that is going on around you. Do you know how many people go home miserable after going out on the street or partying because they know that all their happiness is ephemeral because of the industry?

—Hey, guys, let's not get into an argument about this. We come for other intentions and among them is not to fight each other. So, please, both of you, drop it. —Ashley didn't want to hear that kind of discussion because of how violent Rocky could get about it.

—It's ridiculous! Now it turns out that a foreigner knows more about my country than I do.

—Well, I definitely know more about life than you.

—Man, fuck you.

—Hey... Are we in Vallimorth? —Jason asked.

—NO. And you all better shut your mouths, I don't tolerate this kind of thing in my car, and if you don't like it, you can get out of my car and walk.

—In that case stop the fucking car and I'll get out.

—No, Nikolai! You're staying with us, and you shut the fuck up too, Rocky.— Ashley locked all the doors to prevent Nikolai from getting out. —If you don't stop with your shit, Rocky, I'll be the one getting out of the fucking car! You got that? Now drive, because that sign over there says there's still two kilometers to go AND I DON'T GIVE A FUCK about getting out and walking there.

Disgusted and not wanting to talk, the group opted to remain silent and not say anything along the way as they did not want any more altercations.

—Welcome to Vallimorth, Nevada... Population: 46,728... —Jason saw a large sign on the side of the road.

—Too many people for a place that hardly anyone knows about. I wonder if they're hermits... you know, the kind of people who live in rural communities and are too disconnected from current affairs. Ashley wondered what kind of people might live in a place about which there was almost no information.

—Do you see those lights in the sky? —Jason pointed to a pair of lights that were moving from right to left somewhere in the city.

—Hmm... reminds me of those spotlights that the cartoons used to call the superheroes. Although, it's strange... if someone uses them it's to get someone to come, or to get attention... But from whom and why? —Ashley replied equally intrigued.

As they continued driving, they could see that the streets of the city were empty, something natural considering that it was already four in the morning.

—This shit is scary. At least some buildings have their lights on... So, shall we find a motel to stay in? —Rocky had to see where to leave his car, since it was too late and he was a little tired.

—Let's see if there are any motels... the disadvantages of not having a map or at least some orientation.

As they were driving along, they could see a man walking on a sidewalk....

And they opted to ask him...

The guy didn't look so good.