Hell's Kitchen (DISCONTINUED)

7: That's my secret, Captain...

I'm always angry. So, so angry.
This is how I live. Pissed off at the pissing planet. Because He, our lord and master, just had to interfere. Had to rip us from our lives for His little crackpot scheme, His power complex. Trapped in this stinking city in this stinking state, trapped with these obnoxious roommates who take it in their stride, never complain that our lives as we knew them are over. WHY DON'T THEY CARE? We're stuck here! Oh, but that doesn't matter, because New York is so pretty, and we can live so much better than before- whatever that was like. Because we can't remember, can we? Because somehow, all our memories have been taken away; only glimpses remain. Seriously, is it just me who noticed? I know nothing about myself. Did they not have to go through that? Am I the single sufferer? Hello?

It doesn't matter. I'm fighting back. See, I've got an idea.
An 'advantage' of this whole situation is that we've got powers. We can extend our own sins to others, briefly enough. Sort of an aura. Even our presence can unconsciously set people off. Eve uses it the most, slut. Though I'm sure we all have from time to time. I use mine for a bit of fun, starting brawls in bars. But if we were to use them against Him, then maybe we could overwhelm Him. The combined raw power of seven sins- it has to do something. Weaken Him at least. Die in defiance. And if that doesn't work, I'll throw Him off the balcony. That'll leave a mark.
Abigail agreed. Mostly. Likes the idea, but concerned about the ethics. See, this needs all seven of us. We have Wrath and Pride. Greed won't disagree. Gluttony is logical enough to see the upsides. Lust and Sloth should be fine. That's six. However, her worry was over the missing one. Envy. Gabriel. Because he's not going to help us. You'd think he would after what happened- that's what confuses me. Yet we know he's going to hold back, protect his precious, precious Lu. Nobody understands why. Doesn't matter, screw him. He is going to help us whether he likes it or not.

I time the initial discussion well, while Gabriel's in the shower. Always takes his time (probably jacking it to Lu, creep) so I know we've got a window. The others agree. Eve doubts momentarily, questioning if it's even possible. Isaac reassures her with a minute-long lecture, with the logistics and background and chances of success.
"How on earth have you come up with that already?" Abigail questions.
He shrugs. "You think I haven't been planning? I developed a similar concept months back, ruled it out as I predicted nobody would go along with it. You all seem so... happy here. Suppose I was wrong. Oh well, can't predict everything, can I?"
I'd stopped listening three words in. The bemused looks on the surrounding faces suggest they wish they had too.
"And... there was another problem with it," he interjects into the quiet. He goes to speak, then we hear a crash of bottles from the bathroom, followed by a loud expletive. "Right on cue. Gabriel. Although I'm certain you considered that eventuality and don't care, you heartless bastard."
Annoying prick. I raise my fist, stopped by Abigail grabbing my arm. I relent.
"Anyway..." she steps in. "We're agreed?"
They nod. Brilliant. "Now how do we convince-"

Then in he stumbles, towel wrapped around his waist. Wet. Plus covered in water. His eyes are sweeping the room as if searching for something, then immediately dart floorwards once aware of our existence. His hands twitch, unsure whether to block his undefined chest or further cover his minuscule crotch.
He drags his face towards us. "I miss a meeting?" he asks. Eve bites the bullet. 'Yeah," she says uncomfortably. "Sort of."

She explains, kindly. He reacts as we expect. "No. I'm not doing it."
I step towards him; immediately he cowers back. "Oh, I think you will." The room doesn't dare to breathe. He stands defiant of me: "No."
Fine then. Fine. If he won't co-operate, I'll make him. And if this isn't enough... then we'll find out how exactly He'll cope without him.
I lash out, a fast punch to the gut. He folds. Eve screams. He looks up through his long fringe, his usual dull gaze replaced by one of pure fury. I attack again, but he grips my arm, grips my shoulder, and throws me into the floor.
I stand cautiously, hands out. "Look, you bitch, you are going to help us. We are taking down this cock, and we are getting our lives back. Come on, this is the revenge you've wanted! After-"
"After what, exactly?" he cuts in with a fierce tone. It's the first time he's ever shown a spine. "After Lu violated my body? Is that the story you were going to tell me? Because interestingly, I've never mentioned anything of the sort to you. I've only told one person about what happened between us, and I'm reasonably sure it wasn't you. Now, I trust that Eve didn't spill. So logically somebody was listening. Told everyone. I wonder who. Who here is the Judas among us." He takes a ragged breath. His body is shaking further than ever. "That's why you look at me with such sympathy, such compassion. Because you've heard a story. And based on that, you wonder how I could defend Him. You don't deserve to know. None of you. All you get is me, giving you this." He raises his hand, giving a gesture summing up the situation entirely.

Right. That's it. I swing again, tackling him to the floor. Striking again; again. The group cries out, yelling at me to stop. I don't.
"Enough," Gabriel whispers, gasping. Oh no, I am not listening to him. But he will listen to me. Listen. Listen. Do as I say. LISTEN!

"ENOUGH!" he screams. And the others fall still. You can almost see the shockwave erupting from him, ripping through our bodies. They've stopped resisting. Glancing down at their feet, averting their eyes, shuffling away from human contact. Of course. Gabriel's used the one power he has left: his own aura. His Envy. His insecurity has locked the others in place.
Wait, no. Not me. He's allowing this.
"Enough," he mutters, spent. "Just do it. Saves me a job."

-----

Nobody sees Him enter the room. They're all far too focused on the spectacle in front of them. If 'spectacle' is the correct noun. It is of a sort. In almost every culture throughout history, the civilised watched peasants fight to the death. Same here. Simply more spontaneous than the average duel.
He pushes through the crowd without touching a single person. They move, free from their restraint, then fall still again. One checks his watch. He's early. Never mind that, He's here.
A hand on Cain's shoulder. A pause. Cain looks up. A freeze. The hand grips. Pulls. Hurls him across the room, leaving a noticeable dent in a far wall. Gabriel moves, confused, eyes remaining shut. That same hand cradles his head, a second brushing his bloody face. For a moment, he seems content. Then his eyes open. A conflict of emotions. Realisation. Pleasure. Fear. His limbs scramble, pushing himself along the floor, away. A painful process. Not that pain matters to him- the proof is transparent.
Slumped by a sofa while the room remains silent. Because He has returned.

Lucifer- Lu- is back.