Hazbin Hotel: Sins and Second Chances

Chapter 14

The day wasn't going as Charlie hoped. Sure, she managed to get Angel Dust to agree to a session with Zack, which she thought could be the first of many, rather than a one time deal. But her enthusiasm was short lived when she saw Angel go straight to the bar afterwards and started drinking. Now, to top it off, she was forced to sit through Alastor's promotional video for the hotel, a total mockery that made her question herself more than ever. Maybe they could give it another try, come up with something that actually matched her vision for redemption, rather than what Angel was suggesting, a borderline pornographic commercial.

She chuckled nervously at Angel's idea, trying to stay positive, when her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID. It was Lucifer. The King of Hell. Her father.

"Hold that thought!" She said quickly, standing up and backing away. "I'll be right back!"

Angel Dust, casually sipping his drink, winked. "I could keep going all night, baby."

As Angel continued drinking, Charlie nervously picked up the call, moving out of the parlor.

"Hello? Dad?" She answered, her voice full of forced calm.

While Charlie stepped out, the rest of the group was left in the room, with Angel not one to let a moment of silence go by unnoticed.

"Hey, I have a question," Angel said, eye flicking over at Alastor. "If freaky face over there is so powerful, why can't he just make people stay here?"

Alastor's grin widened, a glint of dark magic flashed in his eyes as he leaned slightly forward. "Oh, trust me." He said, his voice dripping with a menacing crackling tone. "I can."

Husk, who was lazily wiping down a glass with an old rag, muttered dryly without looking up, "Why do you think I'm here?"

He would place the glass down and look at Angel as he pointed a clawed finger towards Alastor.

"You actually think I'd be hanging around, listening to you fucks bitch and moan if he wasn't forcing me?" Husk scoffed as he picked up another glass.

At that moment, Niffty popped up from behind the bar, raising a hand with a bright smile. "I like being forced!"

Husk shot her a glare. "Keep that to yourself, Niffty."

Angel leaned over the couch, an arm swinging lazily as the other held the bottle close to his lips. "What? You don't love being here with me, Whiskers?" He would ask, flashing him a teasing smirk.

Husk's eyes narrowed. "Call me Whiskers again and I'll jam that bottle down your throat."

That threat made Angel's grin only wider. "Kinky. Come on, keep talking dirty."

Vaggie, rubbing her temples, let out a heavy sigh. "Angel. Let Husk do his job. And no, we can't force sinners to stay here. They need to choose."

Angel shrugged, glancing lazily around the room before pointing towards Zack. "Oh, yeah? If that's the case, why was Mister Therapist dragged down here?"

The entire room turned to Zack, who blinked, caught off guard by that comment. "I mean, I wasn't fo-" He stopped, raising his hands defensively. "Okay, yeah. I was dragged down here, but she gave me a choice, and I said yes... so..."

In an instant, Alastor appeared next to Zack, leaning in a little too close for comfort. "Yes, such an admirable thing to do, Mister Barnes." He would say with an unsettling grin. "To risk your own soul to redeem others. I can't think of a more thoughtful and selfless act of heroism and bravery."

"Alastor, can you please stop messing with the new guy?" Vaggie would ask, her patience cleary thinning.

"Messing with him?" Alastor said with faux innocence as he stood up straight. "Why, I've rather taken a liking to Mister Barnes. Such a—" He would glance back down at Zack. "-precious soul we have in our presence. Why, I'm sure he'll be the perfect role model for our dear Angel."