The Pain Of Loss

Chapter 3

It was an early morning at IMP, and everyone was cranky. Even Millie, who is normally known for her cheery disposition. And Moxxie was having none of it. 'Uh, sir, it's six-thirty in the morning. We normally go in at eight. Why are we all here?'

'Listen, Moxx, I don't wanna be here this early either, I'm still dealing with my bitchy as hell murderous hungover from yesterday, k. But the only way we can get our next hit is if we get to their morning running spot before they do, which unfortunately is a seven in the goddamn morning.'

Moxxie nodded and retreated for now. Millie spoke up, 'Um, Blitzø, when did we start taking early morning hits? Like disturbingly early morning hits.'

Blitzø stopped chugging down his iced coffee, 'When they started paying us six figures.' Millie and Moxxie's jaws dropped. 'How many people will we be offing this morning alone?, Sir.' 'Six, seven? Dunno, it's a large mob family. So prepare yourselves. We're going to Russia, bitch!'

Loona opened up the portal and they went through.

After like an hour they returned and Blitzø got a phone call from an unknown number. He pressed "answer" and said his normal skit. 'Hello, you've reached I.M.P. Who's the son of a bitch you want dead?'

'I don't want anyone dead,' the person over the phone said. 'I want you to come to Satan's hospital, immediately.'

'Who the fuck are you? And why are you calling?' 'You fucking idiot,' he heard over the phone. 'It's me, Octavia, Stolas's daughter.' 'Oh, why are you calling and not your freaky ass dad? He normally calls at ass crack in the morning. Not that I really care, the less he annoys me the better.'

'My Dad is in the hospital, you son of a bitch!' She screamed so loudly Moxxie, Millie, and Loona could hear her perfectly. Blitzø stuttered out, 'W-what?' It was so low that it was almost inaudible. 'Yeah, he attempted suicide. He slit his wrist so badly you could see his fucking bones. He bled so much he was practically swimming in his own blood. The staff called the ambulance but I don't know for how long he was like that. It could've been hours, it could've been minutes. But he's been rushed into the emergency room for surgery to try to save his life.'

'"Save his life"? How can he die from blood loss? He's immortal!' He was now agitated. Why had Stolas attempted suicide? Why had he slit his wrists? Why had his daughter been the one to find him? 'I'm not sure but there was a holy dagger next to him when I found him. I assume he used that. But that isn't the reason I'm calling.'

Blitzø was about to ask why she was calling but her answer beat his question. 'I called you because even though I might not like you, my dad does and right now I believe he needs all of his loved ones here with him if he's going to make a recovery.' Blitzø's heart sank. Stolas considered him a "loved one"? So much so that even his daughter had called him in his time of need?

How hadn't he seen it? How- 'So, please, for his sake, please, come here. He needs you here. I need you here, for his sake.' Blitzø could tell that Octavia was trying not to cry. To seem strong.

'Where?'

He could hear the relief in her voice, 'Satan's Hospital.'

'I'll be there in 10.'

'Thank you. Really, thank you.'

She hung up. Moxxie, Millie, and Loona were looking at him intently. Lona was the first one to break the silence. 'What happened? I heard that Stolas is in the hospital.' Moxxie continued the conversation, 'Yeah, Sir. What happened? Is he alright?'

Blitzø began moving towards the door. Not having answered their questions they followed him to inquire again. 'M n' M, Loonie, get in the van, we're going to Satan's Hospital.'

They moved quickly, soon getting in the van. They sat in silence. Even Loona wasn't on her phone. More worried at what Blitzø's reaction and consequent silence and worry. She was once again the one to break the silence. 'Uh, Blitzø, you alright? This isn't like you. To worry about Stolas, I mean.'

'You'll find out when we get there.' Blitzø wasn't in the mood to chat. Not even with his beloved daughter. He was still trying to understand how he was considered Stolas's loved one, by his daughter of all people. Octavia had every reason under God to hate him. To despise him. Yet, she called him in hopes that he would come and stay by her father's side.

But he didn't have any more time to think since they made it to the hospital. They all got out silently and made their way inside. They were soon greeted by Octavia. She seemed incredibly distressed, covered in blood and panicking.

'Oh sweet Lucifer, thank Lucifer you're here,' panic shook her voice. She was covered in blood. It was very noticeable. Her pink starry dress has splotches of black. Very clearly Stolas's blood. And her complexion was terrible. She looked pale. Blitzø didn't know how but she just did. And if you looked closely enough, you could see the dried tear tracks that ran down her face.

'So, how's Stolas?' Blitzø was the first to ask. 'Have they told you anything?'

She shook her head.

'No. But since my Dad's an Ars Goetia, they're putting a lot of importance on his medical case and subsequent recovery.'

Millie said, 'You look tired.'

Octavia deflated. 'I am. So much has happened in such short time. I don't know what to think of this.' She covered her face with her hands, 'I think it's partially my fault for not noticing that my Dad needed help or the fact that he was struggling to begin with. If I had noticed how my mother's screams, taunts, and insults affected him, he wouldn't be in this situation. He wouldn't have thought the killing himself was the only way out.'

Moxxie rushes to her and places a hand on her lower back, 'Hey, you're still young. You can't blame yourself for your mother's actions or the fact you didn't notice anything wrong with his highness.' He began to slowly and softly rub circles on her back, 'If you didn't notice then his highness probably didn't want you to even know. So please, don't blame yourself.'

'Thanks.'

Loona approached her this time. 'Hey, it's gonna be okay. Your dad is a powerful and strong demon. He'll make it through.'

Blitzø spoke up, 'We're here for you Octavia, and for Stolas, too. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask.'

'Thank you, all of you.'

As they comforted Octavia a Doctor had begun to make they're way towards them. 'Um, excuse me, which one of you is Princess Octavia Ars Goetia?'

Octavia brightened up, 'That's me.'

'Well, I have good news and bad news. Which one do you want first?'

'I could really use some good news.'

'Your father, His Highness Prince Stolas, will make a full recovery.'

Blitzø and Moxxie high fived each other. Octavia seemed to brighten up even more. 'But what's the bad news?'

'His Highness will need a blood transfusion to make said full recovery.'

'Then use me, I'll do anything to help my dad.'

'We already took that into consideration, your highness. But your blood is not fully compatible with your father's due to your mother being hellborn nobility, not a fallen, like your father. So the blood must come from some other source, such as another fallen angel. Do you know any fallen angel that would be willing to donate blood?'

All of them looked at Octavia. Blitzø could see the gears in her head moving and then a lightbulb seemed to light. 'I've gotta make a phone call.' She walked out of the hospital but you could still see her outside due to the large glass windows.