The Miracle of Second Chances (Cover Pending)

Chapter 1: Dead Girl Walking

"I wonder if I'll ever be able to leave this literal Hell hole." Heather said to no one in particular. Her gross tasting cigarette was almost done and she knew that work would begin again soon.

As she looked out at the great expanse that was eternal damnation, Heather couldn't help but wonder if she would ever be able to leave.

She noted the classic brimstone fires and lava pits that dotted the landscape. One thing she learned pretty quickly was that Hell had kept up with the times. Long expanses of asphalt parking lots and malls were the most common land feature of the place.

Another aspect of Hell that she was not expecting was that she had to work. For lesser sinners such as herself, she was given a shitty retail job where demons posed as customers and made her life a never ending headache.

For the great evils of society's past, they were given a hard labor jobs. They included constructing never ending roads or buildings that crumbled right as they were almost done. This was of course in addition to the daily torture sessions that really had put Hell on the map.

After a few more moments of reflection, Heather stood and stomped her cigarette butt under her heel. She straightened out the shitty uniform of her workplace. She frowned at the name every time she saw it, which was quite often. Heather was unfortunate to work at 'Weinerholic.' A place that sold exactly what the name suggested. She thought it a cruel joke.

As she headed back towards her vile workplace, she noticed a figure leaning against the wall near the doorway. He was the definition of tall dark and handsome. Definitely one of those guys who had everyone falling at his feet. As she made eye contact, his alluring gaze froze her in place. He smiled as if trying to relax the tension.

As if shaken from a trance, Heather regained her composure and marched towards the door. However, the man decided to speak.

"What did you do in life to deserve working at such a place." He motioned towards the 'Wienerholic' printed across Heather's chest.

"Nothing. I mean, not really. I wasn't a good person per say but I don't belong here. If those two idiots Kurt and Ram could make it to Heaven, why can't I? And get this, my shitty best friend and her trench coat wearing  boyfriend killed me." Heather replied.

"Well, that sounds like quite the story. Care to fill me in?"

"I have a job to get back to, I don't have the time. Why would I tell you anyway?"

"Nonsense." He spoke as he snapped his fingers. "You now have plenty of time to tell me what happened. No excuses."

Heather realized that he must be a demon and a powerful one at that. Great, I have to deal with another one of these douchebags. She thought to herself.

With no other excuse, Heather told her side of the story. She explained what she had done for her friend: letting her go to parties, bringing her to the top of the high school food chain, fixing her wardrobe malfunctions.

Then she took a deep breath and explained the events surrounding her death. As much as she didn't want to relive her death, she found that telling her story to someone else was cathartic.

At the end of it all, the demon opened his mouth. "Wow. Now that you mention it, I think I heard of this story a little while back. What were your last words again? Oh yes, 'corn nuts.' How very funny." Heathers face reddened as he spoke.

"Yes, really fucking funny." Heather deadpanned. "Doesn't matter though, I heard what happened to my ex-bestie and her little boy toy. Their relationship really did end with a bang." Heather smiled at the knowledge.