Chapter 5, Part 1: The Underworld

                                    

                                          
Archuleta Mesa, present day
The sound of the door shutting behind her echoed in the room, freezing the blood in Diletta's veins. She was inside now, alone with them, with him - there was no turning back.
The entrance closed, shielding them from the outside world. Emergency lights lit up, casting shadows on the rocky walls. The space was empty, except for a set of steel doors that awaited in ominous silence several feet ahead. When they approached it, Simpson placed his palm on the glowing control panel next to it; the gates opened, while an artificial female voice, soft and mechanical, greeted them.
"Welcome back, Mr. Simpson."
Diletta barely heard it. She was busy collecting her jaw that had dropped to the floor.
A colossal round structure was cut into the mountain, likely the central station of the base. Several people, some wearing military uniforms, others in lab coats, and a few mundane civilians, were bustling around doing their tasks. Automatic sliders opened to passages throughout. Electric grids and gigantic screens coated the concrete walls. Panoptic surveillance cameras were placed at multiple points overhead.
Simpson gestured towards another set of steel doors, casting a sidelong glance her way. She took the hint and trailed behind as he marched. When they reached what appeared to be an elevator, he punched in some numbers on the keypad and stood there waiting, ignoring her and clenching his jaw.
Truth be told, his performance couldn't be nominated for the Oscars.
"Bryan, you are dismissed. I'll show Miss Antonucci around."
With a salute, the soldier departed, leaving her alone with the man who clearly didn't enjoy her company as well as what he was doing. And the goddamn elevator was taking forever to arrive. When finally the door opened, Diletta stepped inside, relieved to be on the move again. But when it closed, she found herself smashed to the wall by an enraged Simpson.
"Listen, you little piece of shit," he said, clutching her throat with one hand, the other pinning her arms above her head. "The only reason I am helping you is because your accomplices," - the word fell with disgust out of his mouth- "threatened the safety of my family." He released her and pushed a button. "I am not your friend, and I am nothing like you. Scum. Snake."
The pressure of the sudden descent hit a coughing Diletta, who struggled to regain her breathing and balance. Reaching to the wall for support, she finally managed to sit up straight. She dared a glance at Simpson - narrowed eyes, flaring nostrils. She hung her head as her vision blurred with unshed tears, wishing this descent would lead her straight to hell and abandon her there, because she didn't deserve any better.
"I brought you in because this is what I had to do. Other than that, I don't wanna know, although I suspect what you're doing here." Simpson straightened, fixed his uniform, and run a hand over his shaved head. "He promised my family would be safe. I hope he keeps his promises."
The elevator came to a stop, and its doors opened to reveal an entirely new circular space, connecting several hallways. Dozens of rooms lined the hallways, people bustling in and out, some bowing their heads or smiling at Simpson as they passed, others studying her with curiosity.
Who had threatened this man? Who was he talking about? Remiel? Couldn't have been the Faithful - they possessed no such power or ability. Only an angel could have forced this man to betray his country, his people, his ideals.
Awful. All of it was awful. 
Why couldn't she just let him die?
The thought alone stabbed her in the heart.