Headaches & Hazbins: Book 1: New Kind of Life, New Kind of Hell

Chapter 6: Dress to Impress

About Five Minutes Later...

[Asher walks down the streets of Pentagram City with his hands in his pockets. He keeps his gaze fixed on the ground in front of him. His face looks a bit blank, he seems a bit off.]

Asher: (In Head) Mmmmm... How the hell does Jerry run this biz? If I were him I would have croaked long ago...

[Having just finished a transaction/deal with a demon and his gang, he's a bit on edge.]

Asher: (In Head) That big guy was freaking me out the whole time, gave me the fucking heebie-jeebies... Ehhh... I don't like being here in the city alone, mainly because Jockey and his gang could be lurking around any corner ready to kick my teeth in... Also because I have a shit load of money on me now... Mainly Jockey, but the money does not help my confidence whatsoever.

[Asher looks back up and stares down the sidewalk, his eyes widen a bit.]

Asher: (In Head) What the hell? Why am I so riled up about being alone out here all of a sudden? I've dealt with tougher assholes than those demonic dicks! When I was still alive the boys said I had a spine of steel! I'd talk shit to anyone if they gave me a problem! There was even that time with the mob... Thank god I remembered how to speak Italian... But still...

[Asher glares forward.]

Asher: (In Head) *Groan* Ugghhhh... Good grief... What's gotten into me? Have I changed ever since I got down here? I mean, yeah, I kinda have... I'm a helping hand working for an eight-and-a-half-foot-tall imp who just so happens to be a blacksmith... Wait... Eight and a half foot tall... Am I scared of tall people? Was that why I was freaked out being near that big guy from before? Do I have Megalophobia? How do I know that's the fear of tall objects or people?

[Asher stops walking and puts both of his hands on his head, he looks up into the pentagram in the sky and yells out.]

Asher: (Yelling) What the hell is wrong with me!?!?

[His eyes go wide. He looks back down and all around him. There are a few demons in his vicinity looking directly at him.]

Asher: What the hell are you fuckers looking at!?!?

[All the demons go back to minding their own business. Asher takes his hands off his head.]

Asher: (In Head) No, I'm still the loud annoying Asher I always was...

[He continues walking down the sidewalk.]

Asher: (In Head) Then what the hell is going on... Am I changing? For better or worse? Hmmmm...

[Asher stops walking and looks to the storefront on his right. He looks at his reflection in the glass.]

Asher: (In Head) Maybe being in hell is finally messing up my nerves... Or getting on my nerves... Or both... *Groan* Maybe I should get something to drink, calm the nerves that are all cockeyed... No, no, can't risk getting drunk in the city... I don't want to risk getting caught with my tail between my legs... Speaking of tail...

[Asher moves his tail forward in front of himself. He looks pleasantly at its ashy color.]

Asher: How you doing buddy?

[Asher's tail sways a bit side to side.]

Asher: *Sigh* Same...

[Asher moves his tail back behind himself. He closes his eyes and rubs his temple. He seems stressed, which is odd considering he's usually energetic and ready to fight. He lets out a sigh.]