Night of the Hunter.

~Jack Rose's POV~

It's been over five months since I started working in Mimzy's club. Mimzy has kept me doing all sorts of things; performing on the stage, serving food and drinks, even learning how to make the popular types of drinks for the regular customers. I can say that I couldn't be happier, believing that nothing could ruin this day, but I would be lying. This week was when everything changed for the worse...

Tonight, Mimzy was just getting ready to perform on the stage and warming up her vocals, while I was getting the bar ready for the night hours. After a few minutes of cleaning up the lounge and the bar, it was time to open for the night hours. It was my turn to run the bar, while Mimzy was the entertainment. Tonight, it was really busy. Old patrons and new patrons came in and kept Mimzy and myself busy. I was happy with how busy it was, but something is going to go wrong. I can feel it in my bones.

Three and a half hours after opening, an unfamiliar demon entered the lounge and sat at the bar.

He was a Spider Demon, like me, but his fur was white with pink heart-shaped markings instead of green skull markings. Both his eyes were pink, but his left eye was with no pupil and black sclera. Golden fang among his sharp teeth and he wore a pink and white striped blazer shirt, that exposes his fluffy chest, with a dark pink bow tie. Dark pink, nearly red gloves, black shorts and black boots.

I walked over to the demon and asked, "What can I getcha?"

"Raspberry lemon drop martini." He answered.

I smiled, "Oh! That's a new one. Coming right up, honey." I dug into the back of the bar and started making the martini. Once the drink was complete, I served the drink to the demon. The demon gave me a nod and took a sip.

"So... How is it?" I asked, twiddling my thumbs nervously, "It's my first try at making a raspberry lemon drop martini, so give me your honest opinion. Okay?"

The demon took another sip and his eyes widen. I could have sworn I saw stars in his eyes for a second. He put the glass on the bar table and smiled, "It's perfect. Not too sweet. Perfect amount of Chambord." He looked at me and smiled at me, "You did very good, sweetheart. Well done."

I smiled and began cleaning a whiskey glass, "So, what brings you to this side of the Pentagram? I've never seen anyone like you before. From the east side?" I asked, trying to make conversation.

"Actually, I'm from the north side of the Pentagram." He answered, "I'm here on business."

"What kind of business?" I tilted my head in interest.

The demon chuckled, put my cheeks in his hands and squeezed my face affectionately, "You're such a cutie, you know that?"

I glared at the demon. I never liked being called cute. Last demon that called me cute walked home with a shiner of a black eye and some broken ribs. As I looked at this demon, I couldn't help but look into his eyes. My annoyance faded to concern. I couldn't believe what I saw behind his eyes. Behind the cockiness and twisted sense of humor I saw a soul crying for help. A soul losing itself to addiction, drugs and abuse. "Who-"

"Angel Dust!" Mimzy shouted from the stage.

The demon, Angel Dust, and I turned to the stage, to see Mimzy marching over to the bar. She had an angry aura around her. I glanced at the Spider Demon and blinked with surprise. Angel Dust? As in the adult film actor, Angel Dust? What business brings him to this side of the Pentagram?

"Hi, Mimzy. Long time no-" "Skip the greetings, Angel. What in Hell are you doing here?" Mimzy cut Angel Dust off with an angry growl in her tone.

Angel Dust gasped, "Whatever do you mean? I'm just here to grab a drink."

I narrowed my eyes at the spider demon before me. Then I looked at his golden fang. It must be some sort of branding. That was when I saw him.

Standing behind Angel Dust, like a specter or a shadow, was a tall Moth Demon of some kind. He wore a pink top hat, gold and pink heart-shaped sunglasses. A large, fur-lined coat and black boots. He looked somewhat like an overconfident pimp. He too had a golden fang. He was grinning over Angel Dust and had a dark look in his eyes. I rubbed my eyes and looked again. The shadow was gone. I quietly raised a brow in confusion. What was that? Who was that?

Mimzy turned to the pink spider demon and furrowed her brows, "I know why you're really here. I've already told your boss the answer and I'm sticking to it!" She pointed to the exit, "Now, get outta here!"

He casually shrugged and raised his hands in defense, "Fine. Fine. I'm going." He left a twenty soul bill on the counter and made his way to the doors of the club.

Mimzy sighed and wiped her brow. She leaned against the bar table and looked like she was going to collapse from the stress.

"Are you alright, Mimzy? Should we close early tonight, so you can rest?" I asked in concern.

Mimzy shook her head, "No, Jackie. I'm okay."

"Are we in trouble?" I asked.

Mimzy smiled at me, "Don't worry too much about it. Let's just return to our duties, okay?"

I knew Mimzy was trying to keep me out of her troubles, but I felt like I could help somehow. But, right now, I just have to play innocent. I nodded and helped Mimzy back to her feet. Mimzy smiled at me and made her way back to the stage. She grabbed the microphone and resumed singing. My ears blocked out the lyrics, so I could pay attention to the customers' requests.

The next night, it was my turn to entertain the patrons. I spent my time in my dressing room, making sure everything was presentable and perfect. Tonight, I wore a white polo shirt under a tuxedo-front black jumpsuit with ash grey boots.

Just as I was applying some lipstick, there was a knock on the door. "Jackie, you ready? We're beginning soon." Mimzy's voice called from the door.

"I'm almost ready, Mimzy." I answered.

I stood up and looked at my reflection one last time and smiled. I looked stunning, let's hope the patrons think so too.

I exit my dressing room and walked toward the stage. I took a breath, as Mimzy ran the introduction. The patrons cheered and clapped their hands as I walked on-stage and the light shined on top of me. The band started playing an alternative rock tune, as I tapped my left foot to the beat. I grabbed the microphone and started singing,

"I remembered black skies,

The lightning all around me.

I remembered each flash,

As time began to blur.

Like a startling sign,

That Fate had finally found me.

And your voice was all I heard,

That I get what I deserve.

Give me reason,

To prove me wrong!

To wash this memory clean!

Let the floods cross,

The distance in your eyes!

Give me reason,

To fill this hole!

Connect the space between!

Let it be enough to reach,

The truth that lies,

Across this new divide!"

The patrons cheered and raised their glasses to the motion of the music. Everything was going very well, until the door opened to reveal the tall Moth Demon that I saw the specter of, last night, with Angel Dust. Only difference was that he wasn't wearing his hat or coat. He was wearing a white shirt under a black vest. Black pants and boots. He still had his sunglasses, but he looked so formal.

The other patrons turned to see the Moth Demon as began whispering a name among each other.

"It's Valentino!" "What's Valentino doing here?" "Do you think Valentino is here to see Jackie?" "What brings Valentino to this part of the Pentagram?"

It resumed singing my song, as Valentino walked through the club and toward me. I was caught mid-verse, as he took a gentle hold of my hand and kissed it. I lightly blushed, as I looked at him.

Valentino looked at me and flashed a smile, "Hello, darling."

With a tug of my arm, he pulled me off the stage and onto the dance floor. The band changed the music to something else and Valentino and I started dancing on the dance floor. We danced around the floor, as the patrons cheered and raised their glasses to us. Valentino dipped me and smiled, revealing his golden fang. I knew there was something wrong with all this, but his charisma and charm blocked my rational thinking. He leaned closer to me, to my neck. I could feel his breath against the fur of my neck. He was about to kiss my neck, until...

"Valentino!" Mimzy shouted from the bar, freezing everything in place. The music came to a screeching halt and the patrons turned to face her.

Mimzy leaped over the bar and walked over to the stage. She grabbed the microphone and called to the patrons, "We're closing the club early tonight. Last call for drinks. Sorry for the inconvenience."

The patrons moaned and murmured among each other and left their money on the tables. They left their tables and left the club through the front door. Mimzy walked over to the door and locked it, as the last patron left the club. She sighed and turned angrily at me and Valentino.

I wasn't certain if I was to blame for this whole fiasco, but I decided to speak up, "Mimzy, I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me."

Mimzy raised her hand and smiled at me, "I don't blame you, Jackie." Then she turned to Valentino and frowned, "It's him I blame."

Valentino feigned shock, "Moi?"

Mimzy walked over to the tall Moth Demon, "Valentino, what in Hell are you doing here? I've already told you and your errand boy that my answer is no! Now leave this club and don't come back."

The demon, Valentino, chuckled with a hiss in his voice, "Oh, Mimzy. Sweet, bubbly, strong Mimzy. You obviously don't understand what I offer." He turned to me and grabbed me by the chin, "I can offer money, power, parties, safety from Hell's hazards, even things a low Sinner can ever ask for. All she has to do is give me an answer."

I looked at Valentino in the eyes. There was that dark look again. He says he promises safety and anything I could ask of him, but I felt that there's a price to be paid. I saw how he has affected Angel Dust. The guy has lost his freedom and is suffering with narcotics and parties. Angel Dust is just mere shell of who he wants to be. I won't let that be me.

I glared at Valentino and slapped his hand away from my chin, "Fuck... You..."

Valentino frowned and growled in a low tone. He raised a hand and slapped me across the face, knocking me to the ground. Mimzy ran over to me and helped me up, as I rubbed my throbbing and burning cheek.

"Wrong answer." Valentino growled. I looked at the Moth Demon and gave him a strong, defiant glare. I've made my choice and I'm sticking with it.

Valentino smirked at me, "Someone's got a lot of spunk. I like that in a woman."

He took a drag of his cigarette and blew glowing red smoke toward Mimzy. Before she could react to what was happening, the smoke grabbed Mimzy by her neck, lifted her five feet from the ground and entered her mouth and nose. Mimzy's body started glowing red and she started coughing, scratching at her throat, struggling to breathe. Valentino watched with a big grin on his face.

"Stop! You're killing her! Stop it!" I cried, as I picked myself back to my feet and tried to help Mimzy.

Valentino didn't reply. He was having too much fun watching Mimzy suffer. I clutched my hands into fists of anger. I had to do something to stop this madness. If I strike Valentino, things might turn for the worse. If Mimzy dies, who will take over the club? I'm too young and Mimzy has no other business partners, as much as I know. And I can't just stand by and do nothing! I have to do something that benefits Mimzy and Valentino. Valentino is doing this because of me. What if...?

I lowered my head and sighed. I placed my hand over Valentino's upper left arm, "Alright, Valentino. You made your point. I'll go work for you."

Valentino looked at me and smiled like the Cheshire Cat, "Good girl."

The smoke left Mimzy's body and dropped her to the ground, leaving her alone. Mimzy coughed a little, catching her breath.

Valentino looked at me and flashed his signature grin at me, "Try to defy me again and you're next."

I lowered my head and sighed. I hope I made the right choice. I have to make the right choice. Mimzy doesn't deserve to die. She's too good for this place.

Valentino grabbed my arm tightly, then he and I turned around and left the club. It was raining outside and there was a pimp-looking limo parked outside of the entrance of the club.

Valentino opened the back door and gestured inside, "Get in, my Green Siren."

I took a breath and entered the limo. Inside was like a normal limo, only with dark pink theme and leather seats. Sitting inside the limo was a familiar pink Spider Demon that I thought I would never see again. Angel Dust.

Valentino entered close behind me and closed the door behind him. Angel Dust turned and saw me in the limo, with my head hung low.

He crawled over to me and smiled, "You agreed! You actually agreed to Val's terms to work for him!" He took hold of my second pair of hands, "Don't worry. I'll show you the ropes and you'll be just fine."

I raised my head at Angel Dust and looked at him. He was smiling and glad that I agreed to work for Valentino. I lowered my head and whispered, "Thank you, Angel Dust. I promise to work very hard."

Valentino grinned, "Good."

Angel Dust smiled and put his arm around my shoulders, "I think you and I are gonna be great friends."

I hope I made the right choice... For Mimzy's sake...

(A/N: Song is New Divide by Linkin Park.

Another one of my favorite songs.

^_^)