Hazbin Hotel Season 3

Chapter 9: The World Turned Upside Down

Elena flipped the page in her journal, eyes defocusing and focusing again. She rubbed her temples and set the book down, reaching for a glass of water.

I need a break, she thought to herself, staring dismayed at the splayed out journal, her scribbled down notes in it. Taking a deep breath, she picked up the journal again, twirling her pen between her fingers as she studied the uncoordinated notes she had made during her appointments.

Her prosthetic arm whirred as she fidgeted with the pen, another reminder of her injury that she hadn't ever gotten used to, despite how much time had passed.

Just as she had settled back into her too hard chair and had started finally processing the words on the page, someone knocked on the door of her small cottage.

Sighing, she got up from the chair and opened the door, revealing a teenager with curly hair and a dimpled smile.

"Alec?" Elena squinted her eyes, the sun too bright for her after sitting in her dark house for too long. "What happened?" Her gaze flicked to his sleeves, mind darkening with the worst possible scenario. "Did you...?"

His eyes widened. "NO. No, I didn't..." his voice trailed off. "Um, I actually wanted to ask you something?"

Her brows raised but she stepped aside to let him in. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Alec said, waving her concerns away. "Have you um... heard of that hotel?"

"The one that supposedly redeems sinners?" Elena chewed on her lip. "Yeah, why?"

"Well, uh, I kind of joined it?" Alec tried, holding up his hands before she could react. "I'm the new social media manager of sorts, and was wondering if you could come hold a group therapy session?"

She blinked at him before turning around, picking up a duster to distract herself. "No."

She could feel him freeze behind her, in shock. "Why?"

"I'm busy." She flicked the duster across a not-at-all dusty shelf. "And I don't hold group therapy." They both knew it was more than that. Though Alec didn't know the full story. No one does.

"Elena, please," Alec begged her, thankfully not pushing her on that. "Just give them a chance."

"It's not that," she said, busying herself with dusting the mantle of her small house to not have to look at him. "I'm very busy. I don't think I'll have time to-"

"But they need you." He paused, and when he spoke again, his voice was softer. "I need you."

Sighing, she dropped the duster and turned around, blinking away tears before he could see them. "Look, Alec, I..." her voice trailed off when she took in the boy in front of her. He towered well above her height, and she was used to that, but at the moment it looked like he was looking up at her. His face was glowing. He looked happy. As if this hotel had helped him, given him a better life. But he still wants me there.

She swallowed. "Fine." her voice was soft, quiet, as if her own brain didn't understand why she was agreeing. "But only for one day."

He beamed. "Thanks, Lena."

She playfully tousled his hair with her right arm, not having to avoid the fiery streak due to her prosthetic. He dodged it, crossing his arms.

"I'll let you know it took me a good 30 minutes to style that this morning."

Elena grimaced, pulling her hand away. "I'm assuming you used the snail gel."

"You know me so well."

"I should've never bought you a new pack for your birthday. That thing is disgusting."