Hell
The
lanterns lighted the area just enough to see where you were going.
I walked along a paved street until I reached an arena that looked
like an amphitheatre. Next to the grey and brown stone walls there
were people shouting violently. They had come to see a sports event.
A wild game of ball was being played in the arena.
The
players looked cruel and muscular. The game didn't seem to have any
rules. The players simply fought for possession of the ball trying
to keep it for themselves. This wasn't easy. As soon as one player
got the ball, he was attacked by a dozen other players.
The
arena looked more like a battle ground than a sports field. The players
were ready to tear each other to pieces in order to grab the ball.
The weak got crushed by the strong. Bodies lay
here and there.
The
game pushed itself to various sides of the arena depending on where
the ball was heading. In their rage the players cared for nothing,
not even the boundaries of the arena. From time to time players pushed
themselves to the midst of the audience. Their pushing and pulling
angered the spectators, too, so there were frequent fights between
the members of the audience.
Following
the game was so repulsive that it was difficult to stay calm. Losing
one's balance was dangerous, though. If you let your anger grow, you
would find it hard to get out.
Still
I had volunteered to come here. I stepped on the arena hoping that
one of the players would look at me. This wasn't easy since these
creatures were only interested in the ball.
I
got frustrated. Anxious I became increasingly fearful. The atmosphere
grew oppressive. I turned around and ran away. I rushed through the
crowds
to reach side streets and alleys. I jumped by human ruins and tried
to reach more quiet areas. I kept running until I had to stop to catch
my breath.
Panting
and sweating I noticed I was in a corridor of a school. The atmosphere
was clearer here, even if this was far from pleasant. The walls looked
pale and chilling. Fluorescent light made everything look barren.
A
hole in the wall contained a kiosk selling books and best sellers.
A book titled 2000,000,000 Lost Souls seemed interesting. The
maps of the souls' dwelling areas looked like ever-widening circles.
The size of the rings varied according to the number of inhabitants
in that area.
I
put the book back to the shelf. I glanced at its sequel, 3000,000,000
Lost Souls. This was equally interesting, even if I suspected
that the purpose of the book was to maximize the profits.
Undoubtedly
these books were popular. They offered maps and
instructions in the style of a travel guide, which would come handy
for the newcomers.
