Divine Carnival--Short Story

Lost My Paradise

10 years ago in First Light Theaters; There was a grisly massacre. 57 survivors & 12 deceased, 7 year old Paradisa Devine and 8 year old Virgil Arnett. Modern day, Brandish Spear Academy: Student council president, 17 year old Paradisa Devine is a yuppie that comes from a high class family. Although rich; Paradisa is a kind, caring, headstrong, meek, and moderate young lady. One day, Paradisa was walking home when she sees a car crashed into a light pole & rushes over to the vehicle to see an 18 year old man injured but wounded badly. Paradisa takes the young man to safety as she takes out her first aid kit from her backpack. The young man wakes up, startled to see Paradisa, and he doesn't seem to frightened her after threatening her. The young man escapes and Paradisa watches him go, curious about him. The next day at school, the young man she encountered yesterday appears to be fine and a transfer student. 

Vice president of the student council name Virgil Arnett, who is 18 years old too, knows the new transfer student: It's his childhood friend, Dante McBethel. It is revealed that Dante comes from a Dutch ancestry while Virgil comes from a Scottish ancestry and their family has been feuding since they were children. Dante and Virgil had no bad feelings, they're best friends and want to change things between the xenophobic feud. Dante appears to be a calm, sophisticated, intelligent, laid-back, companionable, and attractive young man. Unlike Dante; Virgil is a polite, gallant, kind, protective, and militaristic mindset. But he has a secret that he is hiding away from everyone: He killed his own father for his fundamentalist Jewish ways, Virgil witnessed his father beating his second wife and was banished when he was 14. Virgil was found by a kind woman, who was a Jewish that was 

Dante is seems stunt to meet Paradisa and stays calm, Paradisa introduces herself: "My name is Paradisa Devine, Who are you?" "Dante. Dante McBethel, it's a pleasure to meet you Paradisa." replied Dante. Paradisa smiles in relief. Meanwhile; There is a swimmer on the girls swim team, her name is Lethe Beattie. Lethe Beattie is a generally calm, reliable, kind, collected nature within and out of society. Lethe interacts a slight sense of arrogance towards others, she even displays a cold, indifferent, dark, and ominous. Lethe has a grim outlook on life. She also has a dark side that she keeps hidden from the others: More of a sadomasochistic girl. She takes an interest in Dante and develops an attraction for him but decides to keep an eye on him because he seems to make her suspicious. During their encounters, Lethe seems interested in his mysterious nature. 

The next day, Paradisa is at her student council meeting as she and the others are struggling with ideas for the club activity. After so many ideas, Dante suggest a lunch party. Paradisa agrees and the vote begins, however Dante's idea is the most what everyone wants. Paradisa is amazed of Dante's charmiastic attitude. It is hinted that Dante is from an upper family too: He lives with his cousin, Mac Hamilton, because his mother died of breast cancer. Dante learns Paradisa works at a music shop and buys CDs of the classics. Dante leaves his phone number and he would like to hang out. On Saturday morning, Dante and Paradisa hang out at a cafe where Sayer reveals the real truth: His mother was killed and he survived from the First Light Theaters Massacre. Paradisa is shocked and states she was a survivor too from the shooting. She asked what does he do after school, Dante says he's a hired assassin. Paradisa is astounded and finds it cool, much to Dante's surprise. 

In his mind; Dante gets a mental glimpse of this mysterious beauty flashing through his mind: Her hair, skin, ample bosom, and the curve of her lip. He doesn't see the vision of her fully until she emerges and his heart was stolen. This beauty's purity & attractiveness drugs out Dante's aching heart. However the beauty is a strange yet mysterious girl, who is dance-skip to music in her ears. Bopping her head to Flo Rida's "Whistle" through her ear phones & skipping in the Sawgrass Mills Mall, The girl begins a prancing and twirling dance, which attracts the attention of Dante, Paradisa, and Lethe. The girl changes her dance to a hand pump down with palm facing down, shaking her hips, and swaying her arms while shuffling her feet forward and backward. Paradisa giggles at her, The girl sees her giggle and laughs out loud! Paradisa is confused by this, Dante replies that she must've saw the trio staring at her funny.

"What are you listening to?" asked Dante. The girl looks at him and smiles, "Flo Rida. You heard of him?" Dante shook his head, "No....?" he said. The girl is startled, "Oh my God! You gotta love this song, it's a catchy tune--no lie!" but noticed the ear wax and pulls away. "Oh shoot, sorry. Gotta clean them, gross huh?" She nervously took out a hand sanitizer wipe and cleans it but looks mortified. She hands out the now cleaned earphones timidly before saying, "You want to or no? I know I'm gross about the earphones, but you don't have to listen if you don't want-" But she is cut off by Dante, who takes the ear piece before smiling and he says: "It's fine, I'll give it a try." "OK, kewl." The girl beamed. Dante put the piece in his ear and hears the lyrics of the rapper's emcee song. While listening, Dante watches The girl who smiled hopeful but frowns and then repeats the pattern as Dante previews the song. He takes the earpiece out and says with a nod, "Catchy tune, I like it."

Dante's past is revealed: His beloved, Eve Gabriel, was killed in front of him while he escaped from unknown danger. Since Eve's death, Dante suffers hallucinations over the traumatic memory. Although calm and stoic yet serious, Dante's mental instability is not exact. Alone, Dante wonders what he can do when all of a sudden, he has a mental contact of an 'angel'. Suddenly, The 'angel' spoke to him to his astonishment: "Dante McBethel....Yes, I know who you are. Do not fret, I came here to tell you something. Give me a moment of your time, I know this is going to be tough but you must do things on your own. I asked that you trust me & I will you get you out of this alive. Please be careful, your journey of revenge starts now. But for now, go to a path that will take you to Inferno's Rings. Don't worry, I'll contact you soon. I'll be watching you, Dante." and the mental contact vision ends.

Dante arrived at the path that leads to Inferno's Rings, as he was told, and the angel appears in his mind to speak to him, "It's me! You took the first step on your journey of revenge. Now, listen carefully...Who I am is not important, but if you really want to know, Please call me Saint. I know, 'cool' huh? Anyways, the first thing you must know--'The Devil', who is your Uncle Aeneas, murdered your beloved sister. No matter what happens or when things get crazy, remember about Aeneas and you will face him. Trust me, Dante, and you won't be alone. I will grant you any wish you desire. OK, Here's what you need to get ready in this mad world of Inferno's Rings, The Inferno Nine Gang--take them down." Dante fights the nine members of the gang who are named Limbo, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Anger, Heresy, Violence, Fraud, & Treachery. 

Once defeating them, Dante meets the slaves of Inferno Nine's Gang: Homer, Francesca, Horace, Ovid, Lucan, Brutus, Cassius, Cleo, Caiaphas, Pierre, Judas, and Jason. Dante frees the slaves of Inferno Nine, He announces that he is the savior to them, "From this day forward, you all are my new army. Join me, and I will lead you into the depths of the one that mistreated you." "Who are you?" one of them asked. Dante looked calm but he was cautious about his identity, "My name is Lost, and I am here to regain my Paradise." He encourages the slaves to find justice and the slaves believe him. Saint appears again in Dante's mind, "'Lost' huh? Good alter ego name! Heh, is that a reference to Milton's Paradise Lost? And you want to regain your 'Paradise'? How intriguing! Ok, enough jocular matters, focus here! There is so much crazy people so here's what I want you to do. Find the most 'sane' person name Sharon, talk to her alone, and ask for a map so you can get out of this hellhole."

Dante tells his army to stay here and finds a shop, where a woman is there behind the counter. "Welcome! Can I help you?" asked the woman. "Are you Sharon?" inquired Dante. Sharon smiled and replied, "That's my name, Don't wear it out." Dante said, "I need help of getting out of here." "You do? That's not easy, there's a lot of crazy, bat-crap people here." remarked Sharon. "I'm aware of that." replied Dante. Sharon sighed and reaches in to reveal a map. She hands it to Dante and she said, "This will lead you out of Inferno's Rings. Good luck, my friend." she said. Dante takes the map and thank her before leaving. He and his newly found army use the map as they escape out of Inferno's Rings. But they are pursued by the insane people however they cut and run from them. Once reaching to a safe haven, Saint contacts Dante again:

"All right! Out of Hell, now you're entering Purgatory! Purgatory Kingdom, that is where Aeneas is. Here's the deal. You must take his concubines hostage, interrogate them about Eve's death, and release the women unharmed. I know those girls are witnesses and may know something. Am I psychic you ask? Maybe....Maybe not. The second task is to find three people--Cato, Pia, and Sordello. Now go, bring the message to your people and I'll contact you later." Lost explains of their next step in Purgatory Kingdom, where three people are in danger by 'The Devil'. He also says that they will use only two because the other is a servant to a 'kind man' to someone (referring to himself). They meet a mistreated slave to 'The Devil' name Cato, a woman name Pia who is abused by her upbraiding husband that hurts her physically and emotionally. Sordello, who is Virgil's valuable bodyguard." Once the vision ends, Lost explains his plan to his army. Then, Lost and the others head towards Aeneas's cathouse, where they hold the concubines hostage, however Lost interrogates them about Eve's death. The concubines broke down and confess confirmations of Aeneas actually murdering Eve with his own bare hands! Dante is shocked and he lets the concubines go as he and the army head out to find Cato and Pia who are working.

Moxie Strong is the club vocalist while changing costumes of Jessica Rabbit, Holli Would, Betty Boop, Fairy Tale and Wonderland pin ups. But Moxie falls in love with Dante and talks to him after her performances. She takes him back of the club and attempts to seduce him. Horrified, Dante stops her but she persists him. Dante manage to gently yet firmly push her away as he says that he is in love with someone else. Dante receives letters, flowers, weird gifts, and sultry emails. Dante tells her off; saying it ends now! But that doesn't stop there: Moxie causes fabrication of her and Dante having a 'wild time' but a mysterious video message appears of the truth, which the whole school learns the truth of what Moxie is. After the jeers and name calling, Moxie loses her mind and kidnaps Paradisa. Learning about what happened, Dante and Lethe goes to rescue her. Dante distracts Lethe while appearing as Lost. Moxie goes insane but she bangs her head and drowns. Virgil learns about Moxie's death and vows revenge against Lost for Moxie, who was Virgil's cousin.