A Race Against Hell's Clock

An Unbeatable Enemy (ch2)

Allison threw the door to her room open as tears streamed down her face. The room itself was dark and lacked much personality so to speak. It hardly looked lived in with the only thing making it look like life touched it at one point being the window seat and desk. 

The desk was covered in papers and the seat had books of various sizes littered around it while one book sat directly on the seat. It was the only section that looked as if a tornado had torn through it. 

As she stormed into the room putting her hair up as she went she looked around. The room had such a lonely feel to it that it almost drove Allison crazy at times. All it took was a single glance over for Allison to know she didn't want to stay in the room any longer. 

She walked past the unslept in bed and towards the desk. Grabbing a blank piece of paper, she scribbled a note and set the pencil down grabbing tape at the same time. Exiting the room again she pulled the door shut behind her and once alone in the hall she stuck the note to the door.

As he watched the destruction of the small town of Gravity Falls, Oregon he couldn't help but smile at the town. It was the only place where gateways to hell could be open and closed of free will, which this test proves. And as a bonus, it was in the middle of nowhere so no one would bother the demons.

The only problem would be the people...they couldn't be here when Bill opened doorways because demons and people don't mix. It would be a catastrophe so the only option he had was to try and chase them out. He had gathered a small band of mostly peaceful demons, who only wished to party, and set to work. 

Unfortunately, the locals seemed rather hard-headed and refused to leave. This had led to his ultimate demise. He hurriedly spoke the incantation asking for the great axolotl to allow him to walk the earth again.

When he opened his eye and saw the rundown wasteland of hell he worried the axolotl had not agreed to his request till its voice echoed in his head and he saw it in his mind. 

"Do not worry. I agree with your cause and will allow you to proceed with it. She's at the Hazbin Hotel." The voice and image faded out leaving Bill standing in the middle of Hell. 

This time though he had an idea of what to do. A goal in mind. He set off passing demons of all kinds. Some older who had been in hell for periods that were unknown while some were younger. As he passed a rundown-looking store for TVs and other electronics he glazed over the screens and what they had to show the residents of the underworld. One had a woman sitting at a desk with her neck bent at odd angles and making cracking sounds every time she moved it.

'Strangely Gross' Bill suppressed a shudder as the woman whipped around and began talking of some rundown hotel.

The next TV had a commercial of a group of imps killing people. 

'Wierd...but cool' he thought nodding at the Imp's idea to start an independent business.

The next was slightly dimmer but it had a demon with a static TV for a head.

'Showoff.' Bill thought as he rolled his eyes and looked towards the next screen.

The last TV in the window display was an old box-looking type that sat above the rest, not for its value, but rather its message. 

THE CLEANSE COUNTDOWN: 34 DAYS

A chill ran down Bill's spine as he read the number again. 

Time was against him as it always was. He had to find Allison and get to work fast.... 

He turned on his heels and began to walk away setting a brisk pace, the streets looked almost empty and most places were boarded up, 'must be for the cleanse...' Bill thought grimly as he rounded a corner and spotted a demon placing boards over a shop window, presumably his shop.

A small smile spread across his face as he approached the shop owner though dimmed by the thought of why he was taking such precautions. 

"Hello there my fine gentlemen", he called when he was near to announce his arrival so as not to startle the demon, they were always jumpy near the cleanse, and when a demon is jumpy they can get violent.

As he predicted the demon whipped around and pulled a small dull knife when he heard his voice, a wild look in his orange eyes, clouded with fear. Once he saw Bill and registered he was a demon as well he calmed down a bit. 

"S-sorry 'bout that, folks tend to get a little antsy nowadays..." the demon said with a small chuckle that sounded forced. 

"It's okay, I understand...if you may, could you point me in the direction of the 'Hazin Hotel?" Bill questioned the demon. 

"I believe it's that weird rehabilitation hotel down that a'way. But what's a demon like you want with that angel crackhouse wanna be?" The demon questioned as he pointed to the supposed direction of the hotel. 

"Looking for someone", is all he said before turning around to leave. 

"Oh and," Bill turned to face the shop owner once more. 

"Thank you...this means a lot to me..." 

With that small acknowledgment, Bill turned and left, making a silent vow to return to the same shop. Once Bill had rounded the corner he took off, putting as much force into his steps as possible. 

He needed to find Allison before the time ran out. Her life could depend on it.

Time was always an enemy...

Stealing lives.

Robbing those of joy.

Wearing out their homes.

Time...

You could never really beat it...

But Bill could sure try to!