Hazbin Hotel: Nightmares

Cold Sweats

I awoke, panting, as the images of the horrible dream flashed through my mind. My radio staff was neatly placed by the door, ready to be of assistance. My clothes lay folded on the dresser, clean and ready for the next day. Nothing was out of the ordinary, except for the fact my forced smile had fled my face. I had always been smiling, I never knew how not to. And here I was, panting and sobbing like a tiny deer. I couldn't be more disappointed in myself.

The dream's shock wore off, and I reminded myself that none of it was real. Yet I could never be sure. It felt so lifelike, so vivid. The screams still rang in my ears, trying to push out my thoughts of reason. Whatever caused this nightmare to occur I would never be able to tell. I had never had a moment of doubt, in life or death. I sat up, rubbing my faded red eyes as I slipped off the covers. Stepping into the bathroom, I looked at my reflection. Scars covered my body from head to toe, I grimaced at the old wounds. Who knew something from so long ago could still be just as painful.

Splashing water to my face, I made sure to clean out the horrible memories. None of it was happening now. So why was I still in a state of panic? For the first time in my afterlife, I felt uneasy. What if it was a warning? What if something was truly going to go wrong? I looked at my shocked expression in the mirror. "Ha ha, you were scared by a simple dream? Put that smile back on your face." I whipped around, but no one was there. My shadow was nowhere to be seen, now I really felt uneasy.

"Alastor, how do you make this jambalaya so well? It's like my mouth was sent to Heaven!" Charlie said between mouthfuls. Her eyes were wide with joy. "A magician never shares his secrets." I turned away to hand Husker a plate. "Here you are." He stared at it for some time. I wasn't sure if he thought it was poisoned or he just wasn't hungry. "The fuck is this?" My smile wavered. "Why, it's my famous jambalaya, of course! What else could it be?" He slowly picked up his spoon and dipped it in. His face contorted as he slipped the spoon in. "What the hell?! My fucking mouth is on fire!" My grin widened. I added double the spices to his, just to see him suffer. It was always fun to torture Husker.

I handed a plate to Angel, who looked at me with a face only a mother could love. "Did you put shit in mine, too?" I shook my head. "No no no, I would never." He took a bite and his face lit up. "Damn, that's good. That's what I call fucking jambalaya right there!" Charlie stood from her chair and shouted, "Alastor, you are the best damn chef in all of Hell!" A strange feeling fluttered up in my chest. I pushed it aside, labeling it pride. "Thank you, my dear." I picked up her plate and took it to the sink, only to find we had run out of dish soap. I quietly snapped my fingers and a red bottle appeared. I proceeded to wash dishes as I listened to the others argue amongst themselves.

"Huskey, BABY, come on," Angel taunted. "You know you can't get enough of me." His hand slid to Husker's face, before being slapped down. "Go fuck yourself." "Come on, guys, can't we all just get along?" Charlie butted in. "Besides," she put her hand next to her mouth, "I think we're annoying Al." I looked over at hearing my name being called. Suddenly, the horrible flashbacks came. The screams rang in my ears, blocking out all sounds. All I could see was Charlie, hanging there...I brought my hands to my ears in an attempt to block out the noise. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Charlie running towards me. She put her hands on my shoulders. I shrugged them off aggressively and walked away. I couldn't let them see me so weak.