Corrupted: Death Follows (Male Reader x Charlie) (BOOK 3)

The Trail Narrows

As the trio approached the elevator station, Charlie turned to face Y/N as they walked inside.

"Are you sure you're okay?" She asked, hoping now her husband would open up.

"I'm fine. It's just...knowing that there's that kind of stuff out there now worries me a little," he stated, referring to weaponry using his own powers against him. He tried to think how it was even possible. Reaper had been killed, and he was the one who came up with that power. As Y/N went in deep thought, he was quickly pulled out by Olivia.

"I bet it's the Queen. Who else would it be?" She said, as the three stood in front of the large doors that were labeled: GREED.

"It makes sense," Charlie said, agreeing with Olivia.

"It probably is her, but I just don't know how she got it," Y/N said, the scarcity of his powers now being questioned. The large gold doors slid open and the ground entered along with sleazy demons in cheap suits, ready to scam and plunder.

"So, I know it's a touchy topic, but what did she do to you?" Charlie asked, looking at Olivia. "If you don't want to say, I understand, but it-" she stated, not wanting to force her to reveal her obviously trauma filled past. Olivia interrupted her.

"After we kill her. Once she's dead, I'll let you know," Olivia said, pushing back the date of revelation, but still making that date instead of denying the truth to be unveiled.

The doors slid shut and the crowd of people ascended to the monetary fueled society of Greed. The doors slid open and people walked out in a gentle manner, putting on their best faces as a con artist lied under the mask. The trio got out and stood on the side, escaping the crowd.

"Okay, so it says Mammon's office is about a twenty minute walk or five minute drive. Which one do you guys want to do?" Olivia said, looking at her phone with the maps pulled out. Her screen was slightly cracked, but what would you expect from someone who's a bounty hunter, always getting into trouble?

"I'm not sure if I trust a taxi or bus down here," Y/N said, looking around. He didn't want to seem rude, but in a ring full of scammers and scams, he didn't want to fall victim to one.

"Walk it is!" Charlie said cheerfully, trying to lighten the mood. The group exited the elevator station and began walking along the sidewalk.

The sky's green hues were a nice change of pace from the other colors from the other rings. Smoke stacks could be seen in the distance, pumping out miles of exhaust from producing anything they could to obtain money. The main and bigger factories were located towards the outskirts, as the smaller and less-known businesses were in the actual town. As the trio walked, they passed many street vendors, doing everything they could to make an exchange. They declined their offers, with Charlie slightly wanting to help their cause. Y/N kept moving forward and while not paying attention, accidentally ran into a kid.

"Sorry," Y/N said, after bumping into the small demon.

"It's okay mister," he said in a Bronx-styled accent. He tried to suppress a smile, but it slightly peeled through. Y/N followed his eyes to find someone trying to pickpocket Charlie, a fellow young demon. "Hey!" He said. Olivia turned around to see the thief and pulled out her blade. Y/N grabbed ahold of Olivia's arm, preventing her from continuing to draw out her weapon. Charlie gasped and turned around to face the child.

"Hey, it's not okay to do that, okay?" She said, squatting down to match the height of the child.

"But how will we get money?" She asked, a bit of dirt on her cheek.

"Working, you just need to find a place that will reward you for your time and effort," the princess stated.

"This is how we work," she stated, making Charlie come face to face again with the harsh reality of how Hell operated. Y/N's wife sighed, her smile faltering. She pulled out a twenty dollar bill and handed it to the child.