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Hell.
There was no way of knowing how long Edwin had been there. It felt like forever first trapped in a dark cage that wasn't big enough for him to properly fit in. There was no room for him to move as he was forced to crouch with his knees tucked to his chest and his head bent at an awkward angle and his arms tucked uncomfortably beside him. The darkness was overwhelming as he longed to move his body in a way he never had before. In those early days he had only had his thoughts for company and he spent a long time thinking about his favorite stories as he refused to think about his family or those he lost or he risked losing himself to sorrow once again.
Eventually, Sa'al grew bored of hearing him weep and traded him to the first demon who came along. She really didn't have a use for him either. She had thought he would be good to have in order to help her but his body was that of a sixteen-year-old and while he was strong, he wasn't able to keep up with the tasks that she needed. It was during his time with her that he learned that death wasn't permanent in Hell no matter how many times he wished it was. He also knew for the first time what it felt like to have his limbs break as well as crushed. It was almost a relief when she grew tired of him declaring that she was going to trade him again. He was also terrified as he didn't know what to expect from the next demon as he was forced to follow her deeper into Hell to a place known as the Doll House.
Upon entering he froze in his steps, his body shaking in fear. Not because of the dog-sized spider made of Baby Doll parts that stood watching him with its many eyes, even if the thing was the most terrifying thing that Edwin had ever laid eyes on. No, the thing that scared him the most was the demon that stood next to it. The Demon with the grey schoolboy outfit and the perfectly coiffed hair. The Demon that had his face, his smile, even his jawline. The only thing that was different was his eyes. They weren't the same green eyes that Edwin had, at least he didn't think they were the same as the demon's eyes were more animalistic as they stared at him. And when the Demon finally did speak, it was with his voice.
"He isn't much to look at," the Demon taunted as it reached out running a hand along the middle baby doll's head. "My spider is going to starve gnawing on his bones."
"I assure you he will entertain your spider, if anything he is quick," She told the Demon. Edwin felt a shiver go down his spine at the fact they were discussing him like a meal for the spider. He wanted to beg to stay with the female demon or return to Sa'al's cage but he was frozen in terror. The Demon moved closer taking Edwin's chin in his hand. He tilted Edwin's head to the side looking at him.
"Leave him. I will send your payment along," the Demon stated. The female demon turned and left leaving Edwin in the Doll House with his new owner. The Demon dropped his grip on Edwin's chin as he headed to the exit.
"Who are you?" Edwin stammered finally finding his voice. The Demon paused in the doorway a cruel smiling crossing his face.
"You," it answered then it was gone. Edwin stared at the closed door and the answers that were behind it. He had already figured out that time worked differently in Hell which made him wonder if the Demon was telling the truth. That he somehow actually belonged here despite Sa'al's apology. That he would one day become a Demon who fed children to his spider made of Baby Dolls and who knew what else he was capable of. Edwin sank to his knees as he shook with the tears that streamed from his eyes. He didn't remember that the spider was still a threat until it latched on to his neck and Edwin felt the life draining out of him. He just hoped that he wouldn't wake up.