Hellbound
an excerpt

“Wake up, Syd, Critter's in Hell again,”

My eyes open reluctantly. Across the apartment the intercom buzzes again, followed by Amanda's static-charged voice. The speaker crackles, cutting in and out as she repeats her message, but I heard her the first time anyway. I slide across the half dressed mattress and pad to the door, then mash my palm against the security release button. I want Amanda inside, if for no other reason than to keep her from broadcasting my family's problems to the neighborhood.

I rub my face, wondering whether an energy drink will do me any good. I haven't been sleeping well lately, and the combination of exhaustion and artificial pep might dull my mental reflexes. I'm going to need my mental reflexes today, I think, if I'm going to have to negotiate with Hell.