Protal part 1

Somewhere in Lansing, Michigan

“First place baby! Woooo” a very proud Nathan cheered.

“Would you lower your damn voice you nearly made me go deaf in my right ear.” said Samantha who was currently supporting her very proud drunken friend.

The two of them had both left a costume party contest at the Lansing Convention Center an event that comes in mid October and currently walking to Nathan's home. The competition was tough and divide up into five different themes of medieval fantasy. Dark, Wizard, Holy, Fighter, and Creature. Winner takes home four hundred dollars and you can only win one.  An event that the two of them have been preparing for about the whole year and the goal was to at least to take third. Only one was able to make it to the very top.  Nathan was the proud victor of the Dark theme.

“Oh come on I finally got to win something for once. And I, Hades the Reaper, must celebrate my victory. There shall be a feast, music, and women.” he chanted raising his black scythe in the air. “Man it's freaking cold out.” bringing his arm back down to his side.

“You think. I told you to bring a jacket but 'Nooooooo', instead you told me that you'll man up and walk from your house and back in your gray painted body. For your benefit from a painfully death, you better hope that it isn't rubbing off on my dress.” she stated.

“Oh it'll wash out, oh Dola the Phoenix Knight.” leaning more on her.

It was a busy morning for the two of them in getting prepared and was worth the time. Samantha, a curvy girl, standing only five-four, with light green eyes and short brown hair that she hid under a wig. A fiery red hair with yellow highlights which was separated in to two pigtails that hung just above her waist. Her dress was a reddish orange halter that went down to mid thigh with a red breast plate that was cut, heated, and shape out of foam with Nathan's help. More of the red armor was made into gauntlets and knee high boots that she wore over black tights was fitted over her sneakers. Her proudest piece on the costume itself were two wings that appeared to come out of her back with red, yellow, orange, and pink feathers that shown in the light. Under wizard category she took forth place.

Then there was Nathan, a six foot tall young man that wasn't skinny nor huge, but toned enough to know that he worked out. To Samantha's enjoyment would poke fun at him how skinny he was growing up and how a little over two years ago he started taking interest in MMA and Calisthenics, would start calling him skinny-strong. Trying to put on weight is one of his hardest goals only weighing a hundred fifty two, only twenty or so pounds from the weight he wished he was at. His hair is a dark brown shoulder length overgrown undercut that frame his face that was painted a grayish white along with the rest of his upper body and his back painted with black skeleton wings.

Currently how ever, his costume provided little resistance against the cold as his exposed chest was feeling the biting cold of a calm October breeze. He wore a hakama that had the ends shredded with a dull gold sash to hold it in place. Just like Samantha's shoes, he shaped craft foam and painted it silver to go over his sneakers. Getting an idea off the internet on how to make automail from one of his favorite anime, he made entire arm for his left and shaping the finger tips into claws. The next detailed piece was a paper and plaster skull mask that was currently being worn backwards under the hooded black scarf. The final item was a foam cut scythe glued to a five foot PVC pipe, painted black with a small plastic length of chain, and foam cuffs with more plastic chain.

“I swear I'm fine now.” Nathan said as they finally neared the steps of his home.

“Bull. You've been swaying back and forth as I supported you. I swear you had too much spiked punch in the lobby. Now give me your keys so that I can get us inside.” she said.

“No I got this.” He said as he detached himself off of her and dug his hand in his pants pocket underneath his hakama. “ Hold my this, I got beer.”

“Nathan!” Samantha snapped at him and received mocking laugh in return.

After feeling the lock for a minute he turned the key and open the door. “See. I told you I could do it.” he said stepping in the door way. His foot then caught underneath the door mat and began to stumble into the entry way almost falling over.

“Right. One of these days Nate, you're going to get hurt and your dump luck is going to end.” she said stepping in and shutting the door.

“As if.” finding his balance and calming is heart from the sudden surprise. “You just wish that you could have luck just like me.” No sooner as he said that he turned and smacked his face into the corner of his hall way with a solid thud.

“Oooooooowww.”

“You had to go jinx yourself didn't you.” she chuckled. Finding the light switch she turned on the living room lights and turned to see her closest friend with his left hand on his face. She also saw a light coloring of gray on the white wall as a clear indication of contact.

“Yeah yeah. Laugh it up Sammy. Hows my face?”. Removing his hand.

“Your good.”

“Good.” He said turning around and headed straight for his room with his scythe dragging on the ground.

The one thing that was a pleasing sight was his bed in the opposite corner of the room by the window and head straight for it. Resting his crafted scythe against one of the bed post, he grabbed his mask from behind his head and laid down. His room itself was not messy, at least according to him, with few gaming posters that he framed and hung on the wall. A dresser with a couple of family photos on top of them when he was younger stood next to the door, a small flat screen TV that face him at the end of his bed for one of his lazy days to play his games, and a simple studying desk back when he was finishing college last summer. It was a simple room that he felt at ease with every night, that was until the ceiling light flicked on and revealed all of his dirty laundry, paper recites, and game cases all over the floor.

“AH THE HELL!” He winced in pain as the light burned his eyes.

“You're not going to take a shower before bed?” Samantha smirked from the doorway at her friends discomfort. “Your body paint is going to smear into the sheets.

“Not really. I was thinking on doing that tomorrow morning along with laundry.” He said pulling his skull mask over his face to block out the light.

“ Slob.” as she walked across the sea of debris and sat down next to him on the bed. “ So...Where's my share, hmmm?

Nathan opened his eyes and looked at her through the mask. “Come again?”

“The prize winnings? Nate come on now. Your not going to keep it all to yourself, are you?” She said giving one of her evilest smirks at him.

“I don't recall on anything about giving up my prize.” Nathan said. “In fact, if I remember correctly, we were trying to get to third place.”

“At minimum.” she corrected.

'Crap...She's right.' He thought.

“But that doesn't mean I have to split my prize.” he said sitting up.

“Who helped you with your body paint? Who had to get us in the showcasing? Who had to carry your drunken ass home?” She was getting closer to his face with each question.

“Fork it over.”

Nathan was now in her hands. Any man would give up at this point with her and give her what she wants. Except for him.

“Okay I will. But how about we celebrate first.” Smirking underneath his mask.

“Excuses me?” Raising her eyebrows.

“This was a big win for me after all. I would like to celebrate with a feast, music,” His eyes narrowing mischievously at her. “and women.”

Samantha’s smirked fell from her lips as she stared up into his blues eyes.

'He couldn't possible be serious could he?' Her heart was started to beat a little faster.

'We've only known each other for a couple years. There is no way in hell that he'll even try that.' Her eyebrows scrunching up as she glared at him.

“What are yo trying to pull here?”

“I don't think that I ever complimented you on your look.” Tilting his head to the side a bit.

“Your green eyes shine brightly with your red hair shaping your face.”

“Are you saying my natural hair doesn't do the same.” she inquired.

“I didn't say that.” Leaning forward till he got his arms around her waist.

“I'm just noting how beautiful they are.”

“What else is beautiful about me?” Bringing her foam cover hands up to his chest.

“Everything.” He said softly. 'Smooth'

“Is that so.” Pushing him back down on the bed. “Tell me what they are.”

Nathan pulled her closer to him to the point she was laying on top. His hands moved down to the lower part of her back resting on underneath the wings that were folded on top of her back.

“You aren't afraid of anything. You're strong and you have proven that you can kick my ass time to time.” She chuckled a  little. “And there is no one I would rather be with then you.”

Samantha was touched at those words. Her eyes lost their mischief and her smile showed care. She brought one of her arms up to his face and lifted the bottom part of his mask up blocking his vision. Nathan for the briefest second froze as he felt her lips brush his. Closing his eyes he brought his hands up her back to secure the embrace on her. Leaning forward he caught her lips with his and held the kiss as long as he could. Samantha lifted herself up from the kiss to adjusted herself and laid on her left side with her right hand laying on top of his chest.

Looking back up at him she leaned back up and resume kissing. Nathan's heart was starting to beat a bit faster as he wanted more from this embrace and tested the waters as he began to kiss with more passion. Samantha followed and began to bring her arm down to his tone stomach till reaching towards the top of his hakama. Nathan took that as a sign and bought his tongue to hers asking for entrance to which she allowed by with hers.

'Sammy' He thought just as she pulled back panting. Unable to see, he felt the bed rise on his right side noting that she had gotten up. Quickly sitting up and lifting his mask off his line of sight to see the magic that was about to be happen in front of him. Instead he saw her counting a small stack of cash in her hands.

“Oh you little sneak.” His eyes glaring at her.

Not meeting his eyes she tucked away three fifty dollar bills away in her top and laid the rest on  top of his desk. “No offense Nate, but you have to do a bit better then that to seduce me.” she smirked at him.

Nathan pulled his mask back down to hide his shame and embarrassment. With out saying a word laid back down and turned his back to her. Samantha was a little hurt now looking back at what she did. She played him when she could have gone another route, however, there was that part of her that really enjoyed it. Stepping closer she leaned down with a small smile on her face and peck the side of his mask.

“But that doesn't mean I'm saying no.” She said in his ear.

Nathan turned his head to her with a shook of interest in his eyes.

“ Give me a few minutes.” she said.

“I don't know. I'm drunk and my pass out.” Nathan chuckled.

“Then it's your loss.” She said turning around to the door. She flipped the switch off and grabbed the door.

“I'll be back.” Was the last thing she said before closing it.

'I don't believe it. I KISSED her.' He thought. Turning on his back again with the biggest grin he could muster to how happy he was. Closing his eyes his mind wander on their relationship that has lasted through out the months and how one time he put his life in front of hers a few months back. From the loss of his family to being raised by his uncle to lead him to this moment. She was everything to him and he'll do anything in his power to make it stay like this.

The room was quiet with only his steady breath being muffled under his mask and the ticking of his wall cock being the only sound in the room. Nathan's body relaxed as his heart was slowly coming done from the excitement when a small sound of something being crumpled began to be heard at the center of the room. Snapping his eyes open he slowly turned his head towards the noise. 'And the little mouse in the wall has finally come to show it's face.'

This eyes having adjusted to the darkness and using the little light from the street light outside coming into his window he looked for the tiny mammal. He was able to see quite well and identify all of the surrounding objects that littered his floor and was waiting for the slightest movement to catch him. His eyes twitch up and down scanning till he spotted movement go to the left slightly. In a quick motion his right hand launch in an open palm and smacked the area of interest. Knowing that he would have zero luck on hitting it, made the goal only to scare it off and have it running back into hiding. Under his hand however was a crumpled recite and most likely the little guy ran past it.

“Next time” He spoke softly.

Just as he was about to lift his hand up he felt another paper recite brush against his hand. Turning his head to the right slightly he saw no move moment and instead felt the air around him move ever so gently going to the left. Bringing himself back up he sat there on the edge of his bed feeling the air in his room move. Staring at the ground he watched the other bits of paper roll towards the wall closet at the other end of the room and started to go around in a circle.

“What in the hell...?” He thought.

As if answering a tiny red light grew out of nowhere and started to get bigger in diameter. As it grew the air pressure in his room did as well and was starting to get sucked into the red light. Scooting up to the head board trying to put distance between him and the light as fear gripped him. Then a thought hit.

'What am I doing!? I need to get out of here?'

Just as he put his right foot down there was a sound of rumbling thunder erupting as the the red light exploded into a twisting red whirlpool. On quick reflex he turned around and started gripping his bedding for something to hold onto as he felt him self get jolted towards the vortex. The blanket and top sheet only move out of his way before he had a firm grasp on the fitted sheet. Nathan's room now became storm as paper and other loose objects began to flay towards the the red opening as he felt his body leave the ground and hover as his grasp tightened.

The air his rooming was roaring as the loose fabric whipped around him.  Looking down he saw his scythe drag across the floor till the foam end lifted off the ground and get sucked in and shrink in what appeared to be a never ending spiraling tunnel of fire. His attention then sifted as his body jolted and looked up to see one of the corners have release it's hold on the mattress as it curved to the force pulling him.

“Oh please don't. I beg you.” he said as he saw the sheet start to slide off the other corner by the second till finally let go. At the moment only one thought went through his mind.

“Fitted sheet...Why do you betray me so.” and was sucked into the vortex.

“NNNOOOOOOooooooooo” was all he said as he flew past the perimeter of the entrance and began to spin around with no sense of direction.

His heartbeat was at overdrive as he saw sparks of lighting flash and crackle next to him. Trying to his might to stop his spinning he threw out his arms and stretched his legs out for stability as he was pulled.  After bringing some control to break down his situation some how one of his sheets flew into his face and began warping itself around him.

“Oh come on.” as he felt himself start spinning again. “Shit.”

With trying effort he was able to work his left arm out and grabbed the sheet off his mask and to see his foam scythe spinning towards him. On reflex he he was able to catch it, but the force driving it made his hand fly and punched himself in the face.

“Damn it.” he exhaled through his teeth.

Fear had gripped him as he curled up and shut his eyes from his surroundings as he the air around him roared like storm. Lighting flashed and snapped all around him as objects of his room flew a round him in the madness. Opening his eyes fighting the fear, he breath in and out slow open his  defense of limbs and looked forward to find an exit out of this hell. What he saw was what he could describe was black and purple lighting that was jumping from the spinning walls of the vortex heading towards him.

“Not good!” he shouted and with all of his might twirled to the left and dodged the bolt as it flew past him. His luck was about to be tested as another one came at him. Leaning right he maneuvered just barely missing it only to be in a direct path of another. “No!”

This body tensed to the immense pain of electricity going through him. Eyes shut, his unheard scream left him as his toes curled and finger tips stung to the burning sensation. His body felt it was burning as he felt certain areas feel like they were being seared off and began losing feeling in his limbs as he grew cold with numbness. His vision was failing him as everything started to blur and hearing muffled to a ringing as he continue to fall. What felt like minutes of agony only happened in a short few seconds of as his body smoked in the spinning storm.

His breathing came out slowly and his eyelids were getting heavy. How long has he been going through this? How much longer does he have to be in this? Debris from his room were spinning around him some pecking his paralyzed form as few would get hit by bolts of lighting and incinerate. Then something through the mess he could of sworn he saw another person in here.

“Sammy.....” He thought.

Again one of his bedding pieces would came and block his view and only saw a flash of purple fly inches past him. When the sheet move out of the way he saw one of his sweaters and pair of pants burned from the bolt. Darkness was taking him finally as his eyes finally shut themselves. The last thing his mind registered was that everything had stop and landed on something hard.