Hazbin Hotel Season 3

Chapter 7: Hell's Kitchen

Husk felt his tail curl up behind him, tucking under his body as shivers enveloped his body. It was unusual for Hell to be cold, but it was nearly freezing near the Doomsday District. He wondered how Eve had not even any goosebumps on her bare arms. From his pace about 15 feet behind her, he could see her almost perfectly, even in the dark.

One of the benefits of being a cat, he thought to himself, silently shuddering as a cold breeze swept by. If only I wasn't also nearsighted.

Eve looked around, seemingly not spotting the bartender before slipping into one of the alleys, right next to a restaurant Husk recognized as a pizzeria. Hell's Kitchen. Light had started to build up on the horizon, so Husk didn't risk getting any closer, instead watching with narrow eyes as she snapped her fingers to unlock the back door, and slipped in.

Hesitating, Husk wondered if it was really worth seeing what she was up to. "Fuck it," he muttered, before slinking into the alley and watching through one of the windows, a gap in the red curtains. He was careful to stand outside the frame, just barely tilting his head in to look at her.

Eve had pulled out a large box with surprising strength, and reached her arm inside. When she brought it back out, she was gripping a gun. The sight of such a seemingly delicate woman holding a gun with such familiarity sent chills down his spine. She had shed her former shyness for something else. It wasn't tough, not exactly...it was more determined, like she had stepped into a skin that fit perfectly. As Husk watched, she reloaded it with ease, as if it was an act she had done many times before. The bullets held a golden tinge as the faint sunlight hit them at an angle. They're angelic, Husk realized, his heart sinking into his stomach.

I should do something, he thought, but shock paralyzed him for a second too long. Before he could decide whether to go inside or call Charlie, Eve had already stepped through a golden, glowing portal that disappeared before his eyes.

Husk climbed through the window with catlike agility, landing softly on the floor. He looked around for the box of bullets, or any evidence that Eve had been there, but there was nothing but pizza cutters cluttering the shelves. "Shit." He leaned against the interior wall, rubbing his eyes. In his moment of distraction, he jumped when someone opened the door. It was only then he remembered he was in a storage room.

"Husker?" It was Alecto, looking very confused."What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing." Husk said, stalling. Alecto just came to the hotel. He doesn't need to know about... this whole mess. "I'm a regular customer here. A friend of mine said I could borrow some wine glasses for the bar." Husk fibbed, knowing his poker face was solid. But Alecto still eyed him with something close to suspicion.

"That's bullshit," Alecto accused, and before Husk could deny, the teenager pointed at his own apron that read 'HELL'S KITCHEN' in big, bold letters. "I've been working here for the past 3 years."

Fuck. Husk couldn't believe the apron had slipped past his eyes. I need some sleep.

Alecto sighed. "Look, man. I really couldn't care less about what you're doing here. But can you get out? My boss will kill me if he thinks I let a random person in."

Husk nodded, about to walk out, but then he paused. "What's your job, anyway? I can't picture you making pizzas."

"I don't," Alecto deadpanned. "But I'd like to let you know that if I need to, I can make a mean California." He pointed at a strange contraption in the wall, with an open trapdoor to an enclosed space, a large rack above. "I'm the oven."

"The... oven." He repeated slowly, confused.

Alecto rolled his eyes and before Husk could react, the boy's hair burst out into flames, starting from the red streak and spreading like a wildfire in a dark forest. He looked completely unbothered as fire danced on his head, his curly hair like coal in comparison to the flickering orange lights. "The boss is really stingy with money, and pizza ovens are expensive. I'm the next best option." He winked. "And I also come with free charisma."

Husk exhaled, rubbing his forehead. "Damn, kid. You just sit in the oven all day?"

Alecto shrugged as the fire died out, tugging at his loose sleeves subconsciously. Dimly, Husk wondered why he consistently wore long-sleeved clothes. Wouldn't a kid who regularly sits in an oven wear something a little less stuffy?

"It's pretty rewarding. I mean, there's a charger in there, I have free wi-fi, so as long as I keep the fire steady, I can just do whatever I want the whole day. Plus, there's free pizza." He smirked. "Horrible leg cramps though."

The front door suddenly swung open and a breeze flew in, pushing Alecto's sleeve up, revealing the start of what looked like a long white scar, smaller ones branching off like a map of rivers. Husk frowned, trying to see more, but before he could, Alecto walked over to the person who had walked in.

"Hey!" Alecto greeted. "You're late today."

"And you're too cheery," the man groaned. He was half shark and at least twice Alec's size. On top of that, he was wielding large butcher knives. He looked like a gambler and would have been very intimidating if not for the large apron on his front that read "HELL'S KITCHEN: CHEESIER AND BLOODIER THAN EVER" in bold Comic Sans letters. "I hate mornings."

Alecto rolled his eyes before glancing at Husk. "Oh Husker, this is Hammerhead."

"Like the shark?"

"Like the shark," Alecto confirmed and Hammerhead shot him a glare, not nearly as intense as Husk anticipated. In fact, it looked more like a disappointed frown.

"Boss is going to have your head if he sees you brought someone else in again." Hammerhead warned.

Again? Husk raised an eyebrow at that. Girls, maybe?

Alecto groaned as if he could read the bartender's thoughts. "Husker, please get out."

"Gladly, Alecto." Husk murmured, heading for the door. He didn't like the place, he felt itchy in it. It could be because he couldn't read anything in it, couldn't understand the underlying backstories, and that was... unusual. He wasn't used to it, but he could tell when he was out of his territory.

"My friends call me Alec," The teen called, walking to the kitchen. We're friends now?

Husk dipped his head before backing out of the front door. As he walked down the street, back hunched, he couldn't help but glance back at the suddenly lively restaurant, marveling at the boy's ability. He had never seen someone just make fire, especially with just a thought. It was almost intriguing enough to distract him from what Eve had done. Many things were rushing through his head from what he had seen, and it would take time to organize them. But one particular thought was the loudest. The image of Alec frowning at Husk while flames were reflected in his eyes... It was almost frightening.

He could be an overlord one day. Husk pondered. Should I be glad, or worried?

As he turned the street, he decided. Both.