The Fine Line We All Walk (Hazbin Hotel FanFic)

Chapter 7

Act One

Alastor could only see darkness, the smell of the mask reflecting that of his favorite smell, his mother's perfume his father had gifted her for their first anniversary. He wasn't entirely sure how the mask replicated it, but he didn't care, he sucked in the smell happily. Alastor knew that gift from his father would be the last good thing he would ever do before he lost his job and started drinking. He felt his anger rising but fought it back down as he sat on the couch in the lobby.

Before putting the mask on, Alastor and Cross had gone to the now empty lobby as the demon had taken a seat on the couch. Suddenly, Alastor started to hear quiet beeps as eventually, the darkness was illuminated in light which blinded Alastor for a minute. When his eyes adjusted, they widened as he saw an angel in front of him, who was sitting on a chair and humming a tune. She was crocheting something as well that Alastor couldn't make out but he could see the rest of the room. A large, beautiful bed accompanied by large windows, a big, old style desk with a lamp and dial phone on top.

Finally, a picture that showed the woman smiling and holding up a child in her arms. Their dark colored skin reflecting their Creole heritage as Alastor stared at the picture through the mask. The woman was turned away from him as she saw her phone ring suddenly. She set down her crochet as she reached over the desk and picked up the phone, holding it under her long beautiful hair and up to her ear.

“Hello~?” She said softly into the receiver as Alastor jumped slightly, having heard her voice in his mask. He cleared his throat as he set his microphone cane down and took a deep breath.

“H-Hello! Is this Mrs. Altruist?” Alastor spoke through the mask as the woman turned around in her chair, a quizzical look in her sapphire blue eyes. Seeing his mothers pure, shining face almost sent tears to Alastor's eyes as his smile quivered.

“Yes? May I ask who is calling~?” Her voice was smooth as silk making Alastor smile happily. He almost responded before he stopped himself. Should he tell her it was him? Her own son? Thrown down to Hell due to him being a serial killer in his past life? No, he wouldn't do that to her. He couldn't, for her sake.

“I just wanted to wish you a happy day! Remember, you're never fully dressed without a smile!” Alastor said in his own voice, as he didn't notice his mother's eyes widen and start to tear up. He started to pull off Cross's mask before he heard his mother mutter something softly.

“Alastor?” Alastor's hands stopped moving as, outside the mask, Cross stood up and walked to the bar, knowing Alastor needed space.

“Is that you, my darling boy?” Alastor's mother was standing now as she held the phone tightly in her hand. Alastor stared at her, knowing she couldn't see him because Cross informed him before the call that the mask worked like a two-way mirror, he could see her but she couldn't see him.

“Yes…mom, it's me,” Alastor said. Alastor watched his mother cover her mouth and sob as the tears flowed down her face like a river. Alastor couldn't help his tears from flowing down his face as well, and yet his smile remained.

“I-I had been t-told you were in Hell! You're not, right?” Mrs. Altruist asked as the tears still flowed heavily. Alastor almost said, “No!” but, he knew he couldn't. His mother knew when he was lying, it was impossible for him to try. He sighed as he straightened up and nodded his head.

“It's true, mother. I'm so sorry…” Alastor said as Mrs. Altruist closed her eyes and clutched at her chest as her heart was heavy with sadness. She had finally been able to talk and hear her son's voice, but was it worth it to hear that he was in Hell?