Chapter 8: The Clue Hidden On His Face

It felt like hours passed before Zack was able to pull himself away from the mirror. As much as he wanted to make theory after theory, he had to leave the room at some time. Charlie was obviously worried and he didn't want to make her wait any longer. His footsteps echoed down the hall, as he slowly calmed himself down, yet the cold sweat wouldn't go away. He felt as if things weren't going to be getting better any time soon, like the only thing he could do as just hide in a room somewhere. He shook his head. Doing that wouldn't get him anywhere, and not only that, but he wouldn't be able to solve what was going on with IMP and why he was attacked before. No matter how scared he got, his desire to solve mysteries always overpowered it. He soon made it down the stairs, as he took one last deep breath.

"Ahem, um, hello? Anyone down here?" he called out.

"Oh, Zack, we're in the lounge!"

He walked towards the voice, it belonging to Charlie, as he slipped his hands into his pants pockets. As he stepped in, his eyes raked the area top to bottom. Everyone was there, except for Alastor, which he was relieved about.

"Hey, um, everyone. Sorry it took so long, I was just, er, processing stuff." he said with a forced chuckle. He sat on one of the stools near the bar, to which Husker was standing behind. Charlie soon followed, as well as Vaggie and Angel.

"It's alright, I can understand that this whole thing can be a bit jarring. Try to relax for a bit, okay?" Charlie comforted, as she rubbed Zack's back. He smiled exhaustedly. The whole ordeal instantly sapped everything out of him, and it didn't help that he had faced near-death three times already.

"Thanks Charlie," he looked at the others in the room, each one staring at him, "Um, and thanks to you all too."

Everyone smiled at him, well, except for Angel, who winked sensually at him, and Husker, who was too busy preparing a drink to smile at him. He soon poured the mixed drink into a glass and slid it to Zack, a sliced lemon sitting on the edge of the glass.

"Here, you're gonna need that kid." he chortled, as he leaned against bar. Zack stared at the drink, a slight bit nervous. He had never drunk anything alcoholic in his life, but as things stood right now, he knew it would at least relax him a bit. With a clear of his throat, he quickly downed the glass in one go. His face twisted in a look of slight disgust, yet forced a smile on his face, ending up with an awkward, distressed grin.

"Th-Thanks, it tastes amazing." he forced out, his voice slightly above a whisper. Angel laughed in the background, while Charlie and Vaggie giggled softly. Husk smirked, as he fixed his hat.

"Hehe, so anyway, I think it's time we get to the point at hand, don't you think?" Charlie said in between chuckles, as she sat next to him. "Now, tell me what happened? How did you end up in hell, anyway?"

Zack gulped nervously. Should he really tell her? After all, if he did, he could end up exposing Loona and her friends, and from what Stolas told him before, it wasn't exactly legal for Blitzo to even have the book in his possession. Even so, if he didn't, it would look like he was trying to hide something from them, which would only make them think he was plotting something. With a sigh, he shook his head and told them everything, while leaving out any names.

"Well, it's a long story, but basically, I was pulled into this world after getting shot by a sniper round. When I woke up, I was in hell, and before you say that I may actually be dead, no I'm not dead. I haven't transformed and I don't have any powers, like apparently that Alastor guy does..."

"Did someone call my name?"

With a loud and girlish yelp, Zack jumped behind the bar counter, hiding behind it. Before anyone could say anything, he had already broken an empty bottle and held up the sharp-edged end, pointing it at the strawberry-colored demon.

"Stay back you! You want a round two?! Because, uh, I'll have to take a raincheck on that! How about next Tuesday!?"

Charlie smiled awkwardly, as she placed a hand on his shoulder, clearing her throat.

"Calm down Zack, I don't think Alastor is going to hurt you again. After all, he was the one who brought you inside."

Zack's face twisted into a look of confusion, as he looked at Charlie, his finger pointing at Alastor. She nodded at him.

"Believe it or not, after you fell out, he took you inside and told me that you needed a place to relax...though I don't know what the point was in fighting you..."

Zack rubbed his chin in thought, as he chucked the broken bottle into the trashcan nearby. What was the point in Alastor trying to kill him if he wasn't gonna do the job to the fullest? Could there have been another reason, or maybe he just wanted to mess with him?Well, whatever the reason, he had to at least show a bit of gratitude. After all, he Alastor could have done a lot worse to him.

"W-Well, if that's the case, then thanks for bringing me back inside...and not killing me, I guess." Zack thanked, as he cleared his throat.

"No need to thank me, my fine frivolous fellow! A human like you dying so soon would be a waste, trust me." Alastor replied back. Something about the way he said that rubbed Zack the wrong way, but he just shrugged it off. He walked from behind the bar and sat back down on the stool, his hands resting on his lap. Charlie, along with everyone else, breathed out a sigh of relief.

"Well, regardless of how you got here, you don't have to worry about it anymore. My dad is kind of a big deal, so he can get you back home somehow. I'll just have to pull a few favors and-"

"No!"

The group of demons' eyes grew wide from Zack's outburst. They were definitely surprised, shocked even.

"I can't go back yet, not now. I kinda have some things I need to figure out right now, and the only way that's gonna happen is if I'm here in hell." He explained, as he rubbed the back of his neck. Angel Dust snickered, as he crossed his arms, all four of them.

"Kid, that ain't exactly to smart of an idea. You saw how closer ya were to dyin' before, didn't you? Not only that, but you're a human. There's gonna be a lot of fucked up demons that's gonna wanna piece of ya, and I don't just mean your ass." He said, which instantly made Zack slightly uncomfortable.

"I wish he would stop talking about my body like that..."

"As much as I hate to admit it, Angel is right. You're right now in possibly the worst place to be in existence. Not only that, but as a human, you're gonna have a lot of people after you, just because of the rarity of you being here. It's best if you just go home and try to forget this even happened." Vaggie confirmed, as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

Zack sighed, as he looked back at the counter, his eyes slowly glancing at his mask, which sat right next to him. Maybe they were right. Maybe it was best for him to go home. If he did, he would be able to go back to the life he once had. Sure he'd have his eye being all messed up and his body stuck in whatever state it was in, but at least he would be able to live without a constant fear of getting killed, or worse. Yet, something gnawed at the back of his heart. He of course wanted to solve what was going on, but there was something else, or rather, someone else. He shook his head.

"Maybe you're right... Maybe it'd be best if I just-" he stopped, as he stared harder at the mask. A liquid was on it, most likely the leftover booze that was in the bottle he broke, but that wasn't what struck him as odd.

"Um, kid, what's up with you?"

He ignores Husker's question, as he slowly pulled the mask towards him and looked closer at the droplets of booze. They were stuck in the shape of something. It looked almost like a letter.

"That's weird. Something like that isn't just a coincidence. Is there an indention somewhere? But if that's the case, then there has to be some form of writing, yet I don't see anything...unless..."

Zack's eyes widened, as he whipped his head towards Charlie.

"Hey, do you have a black light, or something along those lines?" He asked, to which Charlie nodded in confusion. She walked over to a nearby cabinet and pulled out a small black light, handing it to him. He turned it on and illuminated the mask, his heart racing with excitement. A gasp left his lips; the mask held an inscription, one that was written in invisible ink no doubt!

"I thought so! The indents were left by a pen of some sort!"

Everyone soon gathered around Zack, a look of intrigue, confusion, and curiosity apparent on all their faces. With little hesitation, Zack began to read it out loud.

"May the one who wears this mask fight for the cause. Demon shall fall before you; Human shall worship you."

Everyone instantly raised an eyebrow. What did it mean? Some sort of code, a pledge perhaps?

"That's most intriguing. Pray tell, what does this mean?" Alastor asked, his smile still present on his face.

"It's an oath of some sort. Possibly from a gang, but I don't know nothin' about a gang with this kinda oath." Angel replied.

Within seconds, Zack's mind went into his usual detective mode. He closed his eyes and tuned out the other's voices, as he began to think to himself.

"This mask... something about it is telling me that it could be connected to Loona getting ambushed before. If I think about it logically, there's not much to go on, but if I think about it in another way..." He stood to his feet and began to pace around the lounge, causing everyone to turn their heads to him, "Human shall bow to you... why would a demon want that? From what Loona told me earlier, most demons here are sinners who died and ended up her as their punishment. If that's the case, why would they want to go back home. I mean, there are no rules here, you could do whatever you wanted. So, then that means that whoever this gang is has some other motive. Maybe..." Zack's eyes widened, his heart stopping. That, that was it. It had to have been.

"No, that couldn't be! But, it does hold up somewhat. If that's the case though, I'm gonna have to hurry back!"

Zack quickly looked back at the group of demons, his face housing a serious expression.

"I need to get back to Imp City!"

*

Zack sighed, as he leaned against the chair, after getting settled into the last train back to Imp City. It took a slight bit of convincing, but he was able to get Charlie to let him go, without telling anyone he was there. After all, a human in hell isn't exactly the most legal of things. He stared out of the window, as the train began to take off. He couldn't help but smile, as the thought of making it back to Loona made his heart grow warm. Sure, she wasn't especially nice or kind, but she was the only real interaction with a person that he had in a while, at least to this level.

"Hm, I wonder if Loona is worried about me..." He mumbled, as he closed his eyes.

"Oh, is this Loona the one who brought you here?"

Zack's eyes shot open, as he jumped out of his seat. He knew that radioman voice anywhere. He quickly looked around the area, finding no one around him.

"Alastor!? Where are you?"

Suddenly, a finger tapped his shoulder, to which he quickly spun towards the figure behind him. To his surprise, it was Alastor.

"Hello there, my friend! I'm glad I was able to catch you before you went too far. So, who is this Loona you were mumbling about?"

"Th-Thats nothing you need to worry about! Anyway, what are you doing here? Did you forget to tell me something?"

Alastor merely chuckled, as he walked around the car of the train, his can grasped in his hand.

"You've committed a very terrible sin." He stated, causing Zack's eyebrow to raise.

"Excuse me? What are you talking about?"

"I wouldn't expect you to know. I can already tell that you're not the type to delve into the world of rituals and spells and demonic texts and the like. However, that doesn't change that fact that you put yourself in a very dangerous situation." he stared down at Zack, the sound of static growing louder around him, "If I were you, I would have taken Charlie's offer and went home, but it would seem that you decided to go down a much harder path. And to that, I say bravo!"

"I'm not following. What does that have anything to do with me? I didn't do any ritual or anything like that, not to mention that I didn't commit any sin that's that bad. Are you gonna explain or-"

"Oh, I would, but where would the fun in that be? Besides, someone with a mind like yours can figure it out at some point. No, I came to you for something else. I came, to make a deal with you."

Zack blinked in confusion. A deal, but what kind of deal?

"Okay, what sort of deal are we talking?" He asked, to which Alastor answered.

"Oh, a very simple one. All you have to do is make sure you hold up your end of the agreement. If you do, then I will assist you through your little trial in hell."

"And if I don't?"

"In simple terms, you will die."

Zack gulped nervously. Hearing someone say that he would die isn't something anyone would enjoy hearing. He cleared his throat, as he crossed his arms.

"And what if I refuse?"

Alastor smirked, as a chuckle escaped past his lips.

"Well, do you really want to take that chance? After all, you know how powerful I am, or shall I show you once more?"

He was right. Having someone like him help assist with this entire ordeal may be beneficial, plus, now wasn't the time to be wussing out on things. In hell, you gotta take this opportunities given, or else you may lose your life.

"So, what do you say? Do we have a deal, Zack?" Alastor asked, as he held his hand out towards him. Zack looked down at his hand, slightly unsure. His hand however, slowly moved towards Alastor's, grasping and shaking it gently. As he did, a warm, dark green flame wrapped around the two's arms before disappearing in an amazing fashion.

"Splendid! It would appear that you have a backbone after all!" He exclaimed, making Zack roll his eyes.

"I'm SO happy I could make you SO proud. Anyway, what is it that I have to do?"

Alastor merely smirked, as he stepped back into his shadow. His body slowly disappeared, leaving Zack with a confused, yet fearful expression.

"My dear boy, it'd be too easy if I told you. All I can say is, you'd better not bore me."

And just like that, he was gone, leaving Zack in a state of pure confusion.

"Did he...make me agree to do something... without telling me what it was...?"

Zack went from feeling confused, to downright stupid. He new what just happened; he got played.

"GOD FUCKING DAMNIT!"

To Be Continued...