Hazbin Hotel - A Dream of Redemption

Chapter 39: Slipping Sands

Charlie awakens from her sleep. It's a quiet day in the Pride Ring. How nice. Except, it isn't. The silence comes from fear. She steps onto her balcony and turns to the angelic clock tower, the Heaven Embassy. The tower's hourglass is running out of sand. Time is slipping away. It's one day till New Year's Eve. One day till Extermination Day. As she looks out over the city, she can see the fear and uncertainty in the eyes of the sinners below.

Their movements are slow and deliberate, as if they are afraid to even breathe. The streets are nearly empty. Sinners are either hiding, attempting to fortify their buildings, or trying to do everything they can before the cleanse. Or they are recently deceased; and are trying to find out what is going on, or they think that everyone is overreacting. She shudders to imagine the death and destruction the exorcists will cause. She just hopes that maybe Adam has considered her offer, however unlikely that is, or that he will have, at the very least, learned his lesson and will leave the hotel alone and its inhabitants safe.

Charlie turns back to her room and grabs her phone, scrolling through the messages from her bodyguards. Razzle and Dazzle are waiting for her, their forms perched on the windowsill. They bleat at her worriedly.

She replies, "I know guys but danger damned, I'm not just going to hide. Oh, I have a wonderful idea!" She runs downs the hall and enters the elevator. She sprints into the lobby and gathers everyone. She announces,

"Guys, I have a great idea!" She pauses for effect.

She continues, "Since the Extermination is soon. What if we offer a new deal?" No one says anything.

Vaggie helps her along, "What kind of new deal?"

Charlie smiles and continues, "What if we tell sinners that everyone who stays at the hotel will get protection from the exorcist?"

Husk, the bartender, interrupts, "Protection from the angels? Are you sure we can offer that? Wouldn't that be lying?"

Charlie's smile drops, "Well, I mean... not really. I mean... since Adam now knows that I'm Lucifer's daughter; he will leave me and by extension, the hotel, alone!"

Niffty also questions her, "Also, even if, by some miracle, you get some people who listen to your offer. There is nothing to make them want to stay. So after the Extermination, they would probably just leave."

Vaggie tries defending her, "I think it's worth a shot. We have to at least try. And besides, What's the worst that happens?"

Alastor counters, "This fails. Everything ends horribly. Then the hotel's reputation is forever ruined, and no one will ever trust us again. No more residents or sinners itching for redemption. So, let's do it"

He smiles widely. With no other objections or concerns, which is slightly worrying, they all head out into the city. She announces excitedly, "To Central Park, we go!"

Central Park, named after its central location in Pentagram city, is the location of the Heaven Embassy / clock tower and the massive statue of Lucifer. It also to be a very population-dense area.

As Charlie enters Central Park, It's full of the corpses of sinners hoping to end their existence before the Extermination, to no avail. Fire, trash, and destruction are seen all around. Lots of screaming and looting can be heard. So, not too different from usual, if not even more peaceful. Her group follows her.

Alastor begins to hum a cheery song to the annoyance of Vaggie. Angel keeps his hand on his Tommy gun, and Niffty's eye darts around quickly. She isn't sure if it's from fear, nervousness, or sadistic anticipation. Perhaps all. They all continue walking toward the clock tower and Lucifer's statue, the heart of Central Park. As they approach the statue, they notice a group of demons surrounding it. They seem to be eyeing it mischievously.