Angel stepped into the shower following his most recent production shoot. He winced slightly as he allowed himself to be hit by the spray. The water was hot...hotter than he normally had it. But given everything that had happened over the past twenty-four hours he longed to melt away and never be heard from again. Bracing a hand against the wall almost as though that was all he could do to keep his tired and bruised body standing.
He hugged his lower arms around himself as he remembered how Valentino had ravaged him the previous night. His body was roughly violated over and over again...and for what? For another of Vox and Valentino's break-ups. Because Vox decided that he didn't want anything to do with Valentino anymore...yet again. Because Val couldn't accommodate Vox's needs...yet again. Because Val just wanted to take his anger out on someone...yet again. Given the on and off nature of Vox and Valentino's relationship he figured he should be used to this by now. Used to how Val always wanted to punish someone when Vox wanted to leave, and he was always the one Valentino felt deserved it. The only difference was he had done what he hasn't dared himself to do since the day Valentino had bought him, years ago. He had stood up to the Moth, he would have been raped, either way, but he had something to show for it.
All night, he had been trapped in that penthouse with Valentino, while the Moth brutally had his way. It was only the early hours of dawn when Val was finally spent and had gone to sleep. What sleep Angel was able to get was fleeting as the way Val had his arms around his battered form made it impossible for him to get up. And even if Val wasn't holding him close the pain from his bruises and sore muscles made all movement difficult. When 9:30 rolled around Val insisted that Angel fulfill his schedule for the day and then he would be able to return home to his hotel.
It had been noted that when he arrived on the sound stage that he was rather banged up. No one had asked about what happened, given the sort of tyrant Valentino was at the studio it didn't take many guesses as to who did it. Occasionally he would hear snatches of conversation ranging from Val may have gotten too carried away to comments about how it was high time someone took that eight-limbed prima donna down a peg or two. Even his make-up team had to confer amongst themselves, the director, and Valentino at least a couple of times over how to cover the worst of the bruising and injuries. Including the ugly blackish bruises that caused the lid of his white-colored eye to become swollen and pouched to the point where the director had given up and said Angel's character would wear an eye patch. Valentino had been feigning ignorance over how Angel had gotten so banged up and even placed a fake call so someone to figure out who would dare violate the body of one of his prized actors. Had however decided to make use of the effect of Angel's injuries by allowing the partners in each shoot to be as rough as they liked. Something Angel suspected to be additional punishment due to how he had dared to be defiant the previous night, but also to punish him for having to film as 'damaged merchandise'.
Fortunately, as demons, depending on the extent of the injuries they were able to heal quickly. Though these healings did take a heavy toll on their body's physical energy. The lack of sleep, the sparse meals, the constant lack he had put himself through for days had depleted his body's ability to heal itself. Even now while several of the bruises and injuries had faded, there were still plenty that hadn't and the rape/abuse shoots he had filmed today only added to the damage. He was so fatigued and exhausted he could barely walk straight.
Sticking a finger down his throat Angel gagged for he threw up all the cum he had swallowed over the last shoot. This was a habit he picked up weeks ago, at first it was only during his final shower as he prepared to return to the hotel. Now it was during every shower that he would purge his stomach of the bitter, salty, ejaculations. His eyes impassively watched as the tiny fish-like man seeds helplessly flailed as the shower water helped guide them down the drain.
Angel didn't know why demons were still able to produce sperm since sinners couldn't physically have children. Cherri herself had admitted that even though she enjoyed the fact she could bang whoever she wanted without fear of getting pregnant, she had found herself wishing for her period. Because as annoying and messy as it was, it was the only thing that made her feel like a real woman.
It was only the Hellborn demons who we're able to have children and age though at a much slower pace than a human would. While the Porn Star did take pride in his figure and an appreciation that he would stay youngish for all eternity. It still felt weird to forever be trapped in a thirty-three-year-old body, when he had existed for one-hundred-and-six years.
When he had been human, Angel had wanted to find a man who loved him despite the mobster ties. The two of them making the choice of taking Molly with them and running to San Francisco together where they could be far away from the Ragno Family. After a few years, the two of them would eventually adopt or somehow gain children to raise on their own. Or just being proud uncles to Molly's little ones, he even had names picked out for these fantasy children. Isabella for a girl and Santino for a boy. But in the end, dreams were all they would ever be. Stepping out from the shower he toweled off; got dressed and started for the door.
He could imagine Cherri would be beside herself with worry about where he had been all the previous night. He didn't bother trying to come up with excuses or explanations for where he had been. Cherri would bore holes in them instantly, and even if he had been able to call to give some explanation for why he wouldn't come home until late it still would have raised some red flags. He was secretly glad he had silenced his personal phone before King Luci came to call. The way Cherri had blown up his Hellphone with calls and texts trying to see what was keeping him...Angel didn't even want to know what Val would have done if he heard Angel's phone going off with increasing frequency.
"Angie..where are you? Are you alright?"
"Seriously man, you are worrying me... what's up?"
"Angie...as soon as you get this text, call me or Charlie. We need to know you're alright."
"I've been wanting to get everyone together and storm the studio to find you. The Princess has talked me out of it and told me to have faith you'll come back. She's concerned about what's going on but wants to believe you can take care of yourself. I want to believe that too, but considering...anyway don't worry about Nugzy. I'm looking after him, but he misses his Papa. Please...when you can...it would make everyone here breathe easier if we know you're okay."
"I just wanted to wish you a good evening, Angel Cakes," Val said as he leaned in. "Next time you defy me, you will find yourself in the 'special room' until I feel you can leave it. The beauty of it is that if any of your friends at the hotel come to look for you, they can search every room of this studio and never find you. Don't make me feel the need to lock you in there."
"Come se avessi bisogno di un motivo… (As if you need a reason)." Angel muttered under his breath in Italian as he continued to walk away.
"What was that, sweetheart?" Valentino asked, a slight buzz indicating a threat in his voice.
"I was only saying 'Buonanotte, signor Valentino.' (Goodnight, Mr. Valentino.)" Angel hurriedly corrected. Valentino roughly grabbed him by the hair and pulled his head back so he was forced to look Valentino in the eyes.
"You know how I feel about you speaking that fucking spaghetti language you like to use," Valentino said with a slight growl. "It makes me think you were trying to sass me. English only when you are here or around me, got that...or do I need to punish you...again?"
"No, sir." Angel sighed. "I'll be more careful about speakin' Italiano when I'm around you."
"Good boy," Valentino said smugly. "I have a town car ready to take you back to that dump of a hotel. See you bright and early tomorrow, dear. Oh and Angel...not a word about last night got that. Every injury you have, you received in filming today and I have video proof of it, so that makes my word over yours."
The hotel was rather quiet the whole previous night. Cherri had wanted to go out in force and assault the studio. She knew in her heart that something was happening to Angel and it wasn't good.
"I've seen the shit Valentino does really get to him once," The Bomber Girl had explained. "It was one of the most painful experiences I've ever seen."
"We should believe that he will return," Charlie stated, though she also had a feeling that something bad was happening to the Spider. But she needed to maintain a calm mindset in everyone who resided in her hotel, showing up looking for a fight would only make things worse. "If he isn't back by tomorrow night, then we will go look for him."
"You don't know," Cherri protested. "You don't know what that bastard even does to Angie."
"You're right, I don't know," Charlie admitted as she placed a calming hand on the blond cyclopes' shoulder. "And I prefer not to know. Still, that doesn't mean I am ignoring what is happening. Remember, he's undergoing this for all of us."
"But you are the Princess of Hell," Cherri pointed out. "Doesn't that give you authority and shit...maybe a way to get Angel out of there? Or what about your father?"
"I don't want to use my authority unless I absolutely have to," Charlie stated. "I know about the abuse and I want to step in about that. But I can't use my status in this unless things are serious. As for my father, he doesn't involve himself in the affairs of demons unless it's something that leads to massive upheavals."
"Okay," Cherri said bitterly. She knew Charlie was right, but that didn't mean she didn't feel helpless at what was happening.
The three girls had found it hard to sleep. Each of them kept awake listening for the sound of Angel's guest room door slamming shut. Anything saying he was back, but there was nothing. Even in the morning when pancakes were being prepared for breakfast, there was no sign or word that Angel had been back at all.
"Don't worry yourselves my dears," Alastor stated with his ever-present smile. "Angel Dust is capable of handling himself."
"That's exactly why we are worried," Vaggie commented.
"If he isn't back by this evening," Charlie stated. "Then we will pay the porn studio a visit."
The rest of the day had passed slowly finally as the evening started, Charlie and Vaggie retired to the main floor office to plan out what should be done. Cherri had returned to her room to tend to Fat Nuggets and wait to see if Angel would return or if they were going to travel to the porn studio. Glancing out her window she noticed a car pull up. One of the back doors opened and Angel emerged. The white-furred spider rubbed his forehead as he got out of the studio's town car. He looked exhausted and stumbled his way towards the door of the hotel. The Bomber Girl immediately hurried for the door of her room, knowing in her heart that Valentino had taken things too far this time. No more excuses, Angel needed to get as far away from the studio as possible.
Husk looked up in concern as Angel entered the hotel. He immediately could tell something was wrong with the Spider. The lanky demon looked practically dead on his feet and there were several dark marks that caused large patches of his pristine white fur to appear black, purple, and/or blue. His white eye was swollen almost completely shut
"Ah, welcome home my dear fellow," Alastor greeted. Angel didn't answer as his legs buckled out from underneath him sending the Spider crashing to the ground. "Oh dear me...well I guess someone should go inform Charlie and her companion that our prodigal arachnid has finally returned home."
"He's back?" Charlie asked as she appeared at the door to her office.
"Don't know about back," Husk remarked. "But he's certainly sprawled across the floor." Charlie immediately noticed where Angel had collapsed.
"I'll get Cherri," Vaggie said as she raced upstairs. Charlie didn't acknowledge that she heard her girlfriend as she cautiously approached where Angel lay. Kneeling down she gently rested his head on her lap, her hand lightly stroking his hair. The first thing she took in was the mass bruising and injuries. She could tell these had been deliberately caused by someone, and she didn't need many guesses as to who. But she couldn't accuse Valentino of this crime, not without proof or a confession. Angel didn't look like he was high, and she didn't smell alcohol so he couldn't be drunk so those were not things to worry about. The rings that had formed under his eyes were also worrisome. Same with the hollows that had started to form in his cheeks.
"Here," Husk said, handing a small flask of smelling salts to Charlie. "Wave this under his nose and he should regain consciousness."
"Thank you," The Princess said as she pulled the stopper and waved the lavender-scented ammonia crystals under Angel's snout until she heard a promising groan escape his mouth. Wordlessly she handed back the smelling salts to the Winged Cat. "It's alright…you're home among friends." Charlie soothingly said as Angel started to sit up.
"ANGIE!" Cherri said as she lept over the second-floor railing landing in a cat-like manner on the ground floor.
"We do have stairs you know," Vaggie groused as she made her way down to the first floor via the stairs. The Bomber Girl didn't pay her any notice as she knelt down beside Angel and began looking him over, her single eye shifting between horror, anger, to a desire to kill as she took in every bruise, burn, cut, or injury Angel had received.
"What did that bastard do to you," Cherri snarled in fury as she put a hand on Angel's shoulder. She quickly removed it when the Spider tensed and flinched away from her touch. An action he hadn't had with her for several years now. The Cycloptic girl dropped the anger and hatred as it was replaced with shock. It was as if that action alone was enough to make her feel like he had slapped her "Angie...?"
"Val was having one of his breakups with Vox," Angel said, as though that explained everything. His voice sounded somewhat rough as though there may have been some damage to his throat.
"And you needed to stay overnight without a word because of that," Vaggie asked from where she stood by Charlie.
"Angel...what aren't you saying," Charlie asked in concern. "What happened?" Angel's arms hugged around himself as he looked away in shame. Yes, he had stood up to Valentino. He would have been raped either way because of Vox, if it was going to happen he wasn't going to just submit to it. But that didn't mean he didn't feel like shit for it happening at all. He was so worn out and tired by everything that had taken place. Vaggie's single eye blinked in concern and met Charlie's eyes to see she had also come to the same conclusions. Angel was breaking, he couldn't subject himself to any of this...not anymore.
"This isn't the first time something like this has happened, is it," Vaggie asked as she knelt down on the floor? Angel put a hand to his mouth as though to muffle something as he curled into a ball.
"Angie?" Cherri asked in concern. She wanted to reach out to him, hold him, give him the comfort she could offer him. But when she tried he would tense and shrink away from her. It hurt so much to see him like this and know he wasn't allowing her to do anything to help.
Charlie had moved closer to the Spider in concern. She reached out like she wanted to touch him but stopped short. She remembered what Angel had confessed to them scant weeks ago. While he didn't say it directly, they didn't want to think or accept that Angel had suffered one of the worst evils someone could do to another, but they all knew. Even Cherri was more in denial of the possibility than ignorant. This had been going on for far too long and all of it...all of it needed to end. When the blond girl looked up at her companions once more the sclera of her eyes had taken on a red cast that told them everything they needed to know, Valentino had crossed the line it was time to act, but first, they needed to get Angel out of the city and as far away from the studio as possible. Someplace where Valentino couldn't come for him.
"My family has a luxury cabin up north of here," Charlie announced. "I'll call my father to let him know I'm using it with some friends. Angel, Cherri, do you two have anything that's suitable for outdoors."
"I think I do," Cherri said. "Roughing it's in my blood."
"Born city dweller," Angel said as he slowly and unsteadily got to his feet. He was disoriented following his collapse, plus the pain of his injuries and the abuse he had put his own body through made any movement more difficult. His body wanted to remain flat on the ground, but he couldn't just stay on the floor of the foyer. Nor was he in the mood to allow himself to be touched at all even if was only for assistance. The way Cherri had rested her hand on his shoulder, the action had been gentle but it only brought the feeling of Valentino's large hands tracing over his body as he brutalized him throughout the night. "The closest thing I've seen to the wilderness was Central Park."
"Well," Charlie said trying to sound encouraging. "The place is more like a private park, fortunately. Pack up what the two of you need for at least two weeks."
Angel had slipped out of his jacket and skirt and put on a white v-neck t-shirt and a pair of gray cargo pants. He didn't usually wear such attire except for days when he didn't need to be presentable. It felt strange being free to dress casually for once, at least less than sexy casual. Filling a travel bag with shirts, shorts, trousers, and sweaters. He heard a familiar buzz of his phone with his next schedule.
"Yes, Mr. Valentino sir." Angel obediently responded though he inwardly smirked at the fact he would not be anywhere in the city when the filming took place. Val was his boss, but it was time he accepted that Angel was not his plaything...not anymore. There was a knock on his door before Cherri entered carrying Fat Nuggets in her arms like a baby.
"Nugzy has been missing his Papa," Cherri said. The little pig joyfully held his hooves out to him. Tears filled Angel's eyes as he took in the sight of his cherished pet. It had felt like forever since he had seen, let alone held him. He immediately held his hands out and happily took the tiny pig into his arms and held him tightly against him as though afraid the hell pig would vanish if he didn't hold on to him with all his might.
"Thank you for looking after him," Angel said. He hesitated a moment as though in fear before he reached out and pulled Cherri into an embrace.
"Hey, he's my baby too," Cherri said as she reciprocated the hug. "Speaking of, you have a carrier for him or something?"
"Yeah, it's under the bed," Angel responded. Cherri immediately knelt down and pulled out the bag. Angel was looking through the drawers of his vanity to see if there was any makeup he wanted to bring and put it in his travel bag. Fat Nuggets squealed in protest as Cherri put him in the carrier bag, the moment Angel opened the drawer where he stashed his drugs. He paused in thought, he had been spacing out the drug use so it would be harder for Charlie or Vaggie to catch him using. Particularly over the last week or so since he had told them what was happening. How long had it been since he last used dust, about four or five days ago? He would be gone for two weeks, so if he took the drugs with him he'd be able to maintain what he was doing. Yet, the only reason he was doing dust was because of the shit he had to deal with. All people would see was a drugged-up whore. He could still hear the production crew at the studio when they assumed he wasn't in earshot. The lot of them jokingly repeated Killjoy's words when Charlie had tried to sell how he was part of the hotel and had changed for the better.
In any case, that's not even an accomplishment. I'm sure you could get that hooker to do anything with enough booger sugar and lube
The day of Charlie's interview, he had gone to see Cherri. She had been calling and texting him for several days over the weeks he had moved into the hotel. First, it was wondering if his employer was giving him trouble. Which gradually turned into concerned questions about where he was, why wasn't he responding to her calls or texts? Then, before the recent cleanse she had called saying she had gone to his old apartment to see what was up only to learn from the landlord that he was gone. No explanation or care as to where he had moved to. And then after the 'Cleanse'. She had sent one final call...asking...begging him to call her and let her know he was all right. He had the day free, and he felt enough time had passed for her to receive some explanation for the distance. And he could couple it with a drug run since he had been running out of his last bag of dust, and it was far enough away from the main part of the city so he had no fear of being caught using. And then when he saw Cherri defending her turf he knew he had to help, they were partners after all. Until the day their partnership came to an end, their first rule was to always be there for each other.
And long before then, the final days of his life were filled with Molly sitting with him tearfully whisper-singing Ave Maria and other songs both in Latin and Italian to him as he remained locked in an endless sleep. It was so painful to hear, he longed so much to awaken to pull his Sorelinna (little sister) close and tell her everything would be okay. But his body refused to move let alone recover. The only reason he was in that position, to begin with, was because of his drug use. A habit he had started when...when Celani had been killed. Looking back on it now...looking at what he had lost. Was it really all worth it?
Now with Charlie, she had believed in him; believed he was capable of change. She just had this unexplainable notion that there was something in him that was good and could be tended to, molded, and smoothed into something of worth. She had invited him to live in this hotel where he could stay for free. She had been kind and compassionate to him from the moment she had met him. And what had he done about it, he had betrayed her trust; snuck drugs behind her back; made rude cracks about the lack of demons who were jumping at the opportunity to be redeemed after she had opted to give him a second chance. He didn't know if he would completely escape Val. Even if Charlie could end his employment with the Moth Pimp, Valentino would still go after him at any given chance. If by some miracle the fucker wound up erased, he would still torment the white-furred spider in his dreams possibly for years. After all half of the years, he had spent in Hell were full of memories where he had been bullied, belittled, and beaten by that blue shit stain. The drugs were the only thing that maintained any sort of sanity. And it was a fix that Valentino had been more than happy to supply. If it wasn't for the drugs...if he could go clean and let go of the dust completely...
"I think that's everything," Cherri said. Angel had shut the drawer to his drugs...part of him wondered if he was making a mistake, but he couldn't go back on it now. Whatever happened, he would have to face it. As he was grabbing his pack he saw Cherri had noticed Angel's schedule for the next day. The punky female had picked up the Hellphone to read it before looking up and asking "You want me to tell him 'fuck you'?"
"Nah," Angel sighed. "I have a feeling Charlie may be wanting to have that honor."
"So seriously," Cherri asked as she put the phone back down on Angel's bedding. "What happened to you last night? No texts or calls...I even texted you a number of times and you didn't answer." Angel hugged his lower arms around himself as he pulled the carry bag over his shoulders, this seemed to be his go-to anxiety tick now. It also didn't escape her notice that he had winced when shouldering his travel bag, the strap possibly pulling a bruised muscle or rubbing against an area of raw flesh."Angie…" Cherri said, demanding an answer.
"Do you honestly need me to come out and say it?" Angel said as he picked up the phone from the bed and put it on his vanity table. "He fucking raped me alright! He's...he's been doing that since he bought me."
"What?" Cherri asked, confused at this admission. Alastor's words from the previous night rang in her ears.
...how can you be so certain that events that are worse than these occasional non-consensual fellatios have not taken place?
"Why didn't you tell me," The punky 80's girl nearly screamed. "I thought you and I were honest with each other about these things?!" She didn't know why she wasn't more upset than she was upon learning this. Perhaps she had always known, always knew this was happening. She just didn't want to think about it or even consider the possibility. It was hard for her to really fathom something so monstrous happening to someone she loved and cared for. But...but this...to actually hear Angel say it, it made it all the more painful for her to realize that she had been denying herself this truth.
Look at Angel's profession, look at what he does...is it that hard to believe that Valentino may have hurt Angel in that way?
"Cherri…" Angel said, his voice sounding pained. "Do you know how many times Val has threatened you in front of me? The sort of things he's told me he wants to do to you?"
"I'm not afraid of him," Cherri said.
"But I fear for you," Angel said, a protective brotherly tone she had rarely heard filling his voice. "I've faced his tortures before and I don't want him to turn his anger on someone I've come to care about. I already have two coworkers who Valentino punishes for whatever reason and he tells them the reason they are being tortured is because of me. And just last night I was assaulted because Vox and Val broke up, I had nothing to do with the breakup but I was punished for Vox's actions. If Val gets his hands on you, he would use our partnership against us. And he will drill it into your skull that everything that is being done to you is all because of me. Even if you insist you won't listen to him, that you're stronger than he believes. I've seen people who have that same mindset, and all of them have broken under the torture. I don't care about what happens to me, but if I lost you or Nuggz to Val or anyone, I couldn't bear it. I've lost too much as it is..."
"But he's hurting you," Cherri insisted as she wrapped her arms around the taller demon. "And that hurts me. I don't want to lose you to Val, to the Princess, to anyone. I know you only really see me as a friend and a sister, but I do love and care about you, Angie. You mean a whole lot to me. We swore to one another that we'd be together as partners until the bitter end. Don't hurt me by saying you don't care what happens to you, because I want to be there with you. I want to see that coward be erased, I want to become an Overlord myself so I can use my power to free you from his grasp. I don't care if it dooms me to Hell for all eternity. I mean, you know as well as I do I'll never get into Heaven, no matter what Charlie believes. And even if this whole redemption thing is for real...what's the point of Heaven if only one of us gets in. Doesn't seem so great if my favorite guy to party with isn't there too."
"There is one person in Heaven I could have you look for," Angel said as Cherri stepped out of the small hotel room. While her attention was diverted he slipped his porn studio-issued phone and charger into his travel bag.
"Really who…?" Cherri said as Angel stepped out and locked the door to his room behind him as the two friends made their way to the lobby.
"Someone who had a big part in my life," Angel said.
"Everyone packed?" Charlie asked unknowingly interrupting the conversation.
"Yep," Angel said.
"I am," Cherri said.
"It's going to be a long trip," Charlie admitted "So Vaggie is making sure there are blankets in the town car. Since the Cabin will be in use, it will be stocked with any food items we need and everything will be prepared for our arrival."
"So it's just going to be the four of us?" Angel inquired.
"Of course my dear fellow," Alastor commented, his smile tightened as he spoke. "Someone does need to stay behind and make sure Valentino and his sleazy cohorts are unable to cause any nonsense while you are all away on your little venture."
"Before we leave," Charlie said hesitantly. "Angel, this might make you uncomfortable. But I am going to need photos of your injuries...not all of them but enough so there is some physical evidence of abuse occurring."
"You're not plannin'" Angel asked?
"I am not going to place charges against him," Charlie said. "Even with physical proof, he will have more of a stance than we do. But by agreeing to be part of this hotel, that puts you under my protection. You have told us about the things that are happening and that does concern me. But I can't act on your word alone, especially since Valentino could twist everything to make it sound like you are making it up. The injuries you have right now are physical evidence we can use, I also plan on having a word with him once we reach the cabin."
"He's not gonna make it easy for ya," Angel warned.
"I am prepared for that," Charlie answered authoritatively.
"You're also going to need at least some of those tended to," Husk grumbled. "Unless you think having scars is a good look for you. I can use the storage room behind the bar as a make-shift infirmary. I'm not an expert in photography so I don't know how good the lighting in there would be for photos of anything."
"Okay," Angel said. He knew they were right, even if Valentino couldn't face judgment. Having some physical record of his injuries as they currently were could work more in their favor as an argument. It was like reporting to your Capo about anything you were involved in. If your actions were brought to the Don and there was no record of what you were doing. You would lose any sort of justification for an argument because you didn't run it by the person responsible for you. That didn't mean he was comfortable with it. "Exactly what parts of my body do ya need pictures of."
"Oh right," Charlie said, flushing with embarrassment. She had forgotten what would need to happen in order for the photos to be taken.
"I'll uh..." Husk volunteered as he started to usher Angel toward the supply closet. "I'll take care of that. And as for you, no thoughts on getting fresh with me got it. I'm only doing this as a favor."
The hours ticked by slowly as they made their way down the road after they had made their way out of the city. Cherri had gracelessly settled herself on the side bench seat with one arm over her single eye, her mouth hung open as she blissfully snored. Vaggie had curled up on the bench seat next to Charlie, her long hair covering her body like a blanket. Charlie was looking over the various injuries that Husk had taken the liberty of photographing and sending to her. She chewed on the tip of her thumb as each injury made her heart hurt over how someone would do something like this to anyone. She was aware there were demons in Hell who had been horrible people in life and they were complete monsters in their afterlives, but she had never encountered anything like this. And Angel had been experiencing this kind of thing for what...at least thirty years. How could he even withstand such treatment, there were demons in hell who were physically stronger than Angel would crumble at such abuse. The injuries to his right eye worried her. While demons, in general, were able to heal quickly. There could still be some damage that was so severe it was permanent and other times require more extensive help in order for it to heal properly. She mentally debated as to whether a doctor should be summoned once they arrive to examine the damage. Just to make sure there wasn't anything they should worry about. In the end, she would decide to see what developed. Everyone was stressed as it was without including a stranger into the mix.
Turning off her Hellphone she also started to settle down and get some sleep when she heard the sound of someone softly crying. Glancing over she had noticed Angel had jackknifed his lanky frame under the blanket covering him. His face was buried in his pillow, but even with the bulk of the gauze padding around a nasty gash that had been on his upper back. His shoulders were shaking as though he was fighting back tears. She knew he had to be processing the horror he had been through the previous night. The sclera of her eyes turned scarlet at the thought of what Valentino had done to the Porn Star. And for what, because his boyfriend left him...because he wanted to punish someone for whatever reason, it wasn't fair and it wasn't right. Calming her anger she made her way over to where Angel was attempting to get some sleep. Cautiously she reached out and touched him on the shoulder blade, his body flinched at the unexpected touch. She had expected a reaction like this would happen and she was prepared for it. He could project his anger toward her if he wanted, but either way, she would be there for him.
"It's alright," Charlie softly said as she ran her hand up and down his back in soothing circles. "I heard you crying in your sleep, so I was just seeing if you were okay." Angel remained still a moment. Running the heel of a hand across his face before he rolled over. A layer of gauze covered the black swollen mess that was his right eye, so he was forced to gaze up at her with his darker left one. He wasn't angry, just self-conscious at being caught in such a vulnerable state. She didn't smile down at him, in truth there was nothing really to smile about. The four of them were escaping into the night, trying to put as much distance between them and Valentino. Even when they did return to the hotel, there is no telling that Valentino wouldn't try to claim or hurt anyone else Angel cared about in retribution.
She soothingly continued to run circles along Angel's back. She refrained from speaking or saying anything comforting. What could she honestly say, after all, they were heading into a technical unknown. So she let the silence speak for them. Angel didn't enjoy being caught shedding tears, that was usually something he released privately. But unlike Val or his father, Charlie wasn't criticizing him for them. Instead, she was just running her hand along his back, allowing him to give voice to his misery if he so desired. The comforting way she ran her hand along his back and shoulders reminded him of the times his mother had comforted him and his siblings whenever they had been sick or distressed as children. As the minutes ticked by slumber finally seemed to find him. Sensing that he was beginning to drift Charlie stopped running her hand along his back and stood up.
"Sleep well, Angel," She softly said as she returned to where Vaggie lay sleeping. Charlie lightly brushed her fingers through Vaggie's hair as she settled beside her lover and closed her eyes. Angel quietly watched the two girls appreciating the love the two of them had for one another before he also closed his eyes and sleep claimed him at last.