Chapter Text
“There are no friends in hell, Vincent, I thought that was something you understood!” the words came sourly out of Alastor’s mouth. “How embarrassing!”
I lower my head as he continues to laugh. Was this how it felt? Was this how it felt to be an utter disappointment? I slowly get up and walk out of the bar. Alastor doesn’t seem to care, he just sits there and continues to mock me. As soon as I reach the door, I run. I don’t know or care where I’m going, I just run somewhere. Eventually, I find a small, empty alleyway, and I just sit there with my head down next to the dumpster. I’m not sure how long I sat there pathetically until I heard someone.
“Uh.. hello? Are you okay?” I hear a lady’s voice. I swear I’d heard it somewhere before, I just can’t place it right now.
“I’m.. I’m fine,” I try to convince her, choking down a sob. I look up at her, and I suddenly recognize her. Charlie Morningstar. Princess of Hell. What in the world was she doing her, talking to me, of all people?
“You don’t sound fine- here, let me help you up,” The princess said with a worried tone.
“Princess, you shouldn’t waste your time helping someone like me,” I reply, wondering why she’s so worried about a sinner. I thought the Morningstars wanted nothing to do with us.
“Oh please, call me Charlie, and I will help you, whether you like it or not.” She says softly.
Charlie helps me up, and I sigh. This is stupid, I shouldn’t be taking help from someone powerful like her, I haven’t forgotten how that went about an hour ago.
“Ok, I know this isn’t a great time, but I think you’re the perfect person to help me out with this,” Charlie says after a few minutes of walking.
“Go on…” I say.
“Well, growing up here in hell, I’ve always been passionate about helping all the sinners here, you know, since they’re my people, I feel like it’s my duty to be helping them. And after watching all the exterminations for the past few years, I’ve decided that I will find a way to stop them,” She explains, “and that way to stop them is redemption!” She exclaims proudly.
“Redemption?” I repeat, “like, getting sinners up into heaven?”
“Correct! And I think that you- wait, what’s your name again?” Charlie asks. I’m about to say Vincent, but then I realize that Vincent is the same person who just failed at reaching out for power, Vincent failed in life and death. Vincent isn’t who I want to be anymore. I’m done with using people for power, I’m done with failure.
“Vox,” I say, “my name is Vox.”
“Ok,” Charlie says, “well then, Vox, I think you’d be the perfect person to help me with the Happy Hotel!”