The Devil Within

~Samantha's POV~

It's been over a year and a half since I came to Hell and began my services with the Radio Demon, Alastor. The guy was kind enough to give me a position on his radio show, as a reader of stories. The money was good and the recognition is totally worth it. Now, the other denizens of Hell recognize me for my voice and talents behind the microphone. I like it.

It turns out I've been learning a lot about myself while working with Alastor. I learned that I have a few abilities, due to being a spider demon. I can jump high and far places. I can climb walls and ceilings. I have a poisonous bite and I can sense things before they come, such as weather.

Anyhow, I'm rambling on a bit. I was on the north side of Pentagram City, getting some cleaning supplies for Niffty and a six-pack of beer for Husk. That fellow can drink, let me tell you that. When I noticed something crumbled up on the side walk, near the curb. It looked like a small piece of paper. Curious, I picked up the piece of paper and un-crumbled it to look readable. It turned out to be a ticket to a show at the Porn Studio just up the road from where I was standing. And it was tonight!

I put the ticket in my pocket and quickly made my way to Alastor's home, outside of the city. Once inside, I put the beer and cleaning supplies in the kitchen and made my way to Alastor's office upstairs.

I gently knocked on the door and waited a couple of seconds before calling, "Alastor? It's Samantha. Can I talk to you?"

I waited a couple more seconds and the door opened to reveal Alastor with his signature smile, but something was up in his eyes. His eyes seemed... Bored or troubled. But I'm not sure why...

"Ah, Samantha. My favorite story-teller." Alastor greeted me with his smile, "What can I do for you, my dear?"

"Well..." I dug into my pockets and showed him the ticket, "I found this on the sidewalk and thought this might be an opportunity to find someone else to join our ranks." Alastor took the ticket and read it, "I think it's a show in Valentino's studio." I explained.

Alastor looked at me and placed his hand over my shoulder, "Samantha... I like the way you think." He smiled, "I grant you permission to attend this show."

I smiled back, "Thank you, Alastor. I will see if I can get anyone to join our ranks."

With that, I left Alastor to his work and made my way to my room to get myself ready and pick out an outfit for the show tonight. I took a nice, relaxing shower and got dressed into a white collared shirt, with turquoise buttons, under a black dress, black leggings and black boots. I brushed my hair and it was time to go to the show.

I handed in the ticket to the studio and the bouncer told me to head up the stairs. I walked up the stairs and found that the club was jam-packed with demons with wallets and purses full of cash. Sitting in the box in the front, was a tall moth demon in a pink fur-lined coat and a top hat. He wore heart-shaped, rose-tinted sunglasses over his eyes, and had a golden fang with his sharp teeth.

After a few moments of talking with the other demons, the lights dimmed down and the curtains to the stage opened, as a voice spoke from the stage, "Ladies and Gentlemen. Demons of all ages. Allow me to start this event with our own Green Siren: Jack Rose!"

The spotlights shined on the center of the stage. Standing in the center of the stage was a female spider demon with green markings, and wearing a short, black slit-dress and black boots. I'm guessing this demon was Jack Rose. The music started playing a steady ticking sound, like inside of a clock and Jack Rose grabbed the microphone and started singing,

"I'll keep quiet,

You won't even know I'm here.

You won't suspect a thing,

You won't see me in the mirror.

But I've crept into your heart,

You can't make me disappear,

Till I make you..."

The audience cheered and wooed for Jack, as the music begin to change into ominous tones. This song was getting hauntingly beautiful. The moth demon began to smile. Jack looked at him,

"I've made myself at home,

In the cobwebs and the lies.

I'm learning all your tricks,

I can hurt you from inside.

I made myself a promise,

You would never see me cry,

Till I make you..."

I narrowed my eyes at the green spider and tilted my head slightly. There was something very familiar about her. Something about her voice? Something about her eyes? I cannot say.

"You'll never know what hit you!

Won't see me closing in.

I'm gonna make you suffer.

This Hell you've put me in.

I'm underneath your skin.

The Devil Within...

You'll never know what hit you!"

Jack removed the microphone from the stand and walked down the catwalk, keeping her eyes on the tall moth demon,

"I'll be here,

When you think you're all alone.

Seeping through the cracks,

I'm the poison in your bones.

My love is your decease,

I won't let it set you free,

Till I break you..."

The female spider demon's eyes glowed an eerie green for a second, as she stared at the moth demon before her,

"You'll never know what hit you!

Won't see me closing in,

I'm gonna make you suffer.

This Hell you put me in,

I'm underneath your skin.

The Devil Within...

You'll never know what hit you."

Jack's eyes stopped glowing, and she turned, removing one of the dress' straps from her left shoulder. The crowd cheered loudly,

"I tried to be the lover to your nightmare.

Ah-ah-ah-aahh...

Look what you've made of me.

Now I'm the heavy burden that you can't bare.

Look what you've made of me.

Look what you've made of me!

I'll make you see..."

My eyes widened in shock, surprise and recognition. Ellie is Jack Rose! I couldn't believe my eyes. My own sister has been working as a performer for a pimp this entire time! I have to meet her and tell her I'm here too. I have to get her to work for Alastor, with me.

"You'll never know what it you!

Won't see me closing in,

I'm gonna make you suffer.

This Hell you've put me in,

I'm underneath your skin.

The Devil Within...

You'll never know what hit you...

Ah-ah-ah-aahh...

Ah-ah-ah-aahh...

The Devil Within...

You'll never know what hit you!"

The other demons cheered and woo-ed my sister, as she finished singing, shouting requests and throwing their cash onto the stage like rain or confetti. The moth demon pimp was grinning during my sister's performance. And it wasn't just 1 soul. It was 20 souls. 50 souls. Even 100 souls.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Miss. Jack Rose!" The announcer shouted from the speakers. My sister took a bow and the curtains closed. The crowd clapped their hands and cheered for more. During this, I left my spot and snuck towards the backstage of the studios, so I could meet my sister and convince her to join Alastor and myself.

I snuck past the guards and security to find a large sugar pink door with a golden star, labeled 'Jack Rose: The Green Siren'. This must be the place.

I cautiously knocked on the door and a voice called from the other side, "Come in."

I entered the dressing room and found my sister sitting in front of a mirror, wearing a dressing gown and removing her make-up with a facial wipe. Once her make-up was off, she turned to me and smiled, "Hello there. Can I help you?"

I walked up to the green spider demon and smiled, "Ellie, I can't believe it's you. I've been looking everywhere for you. But you've been here this whole time."

Ellie looked at me with a narrow eyes, "I'm sorry, but... Do you know me? No one calls me that, unless they knew me in life."

"It's me. Sammy. Your younger sister." I told her, gesturing to myself, "We used to be very close." A small frown replaced my smile, "Don't you remember me?"

Ellie looked at me dead in the eyes. I stayed as cool as a cucumber, indicating I was telling the truth. Her eyes widen, "Sam?" I smiled and nodded. Ellie smiled and threw her arms around me, "Sam! My goodness! I can't believe it." She released the hug and looked at me, "What are you doing here? How did you get here?"

I smiled, "Well... I tried to stop a domestic violence act, and ended up getting shot." I adjusted my shirt, "And I'm now working for Alastor."

Ellie's eyes widen, "Alastor? The Radio Demon himself?" I nodded. She smiled, "You lucky star. I thought that was you on the radio. I listen to your stories every night."

I smiled happily, "Thanks." Then I turned serious, "Listen. I have a proposition for you." Ellie tilted her head slightly, "How would you feel if you worked for Alastor instead of this jerk? Hours are good. Pays very well. And you get to hang out with me and make new friends."

Ellie frowned sadly and shook her head, "I'm sorry, Sam. As much as I'd love to, I can't leave Valentino. He's my boss now, and I have a contract with him. So I can't leave my services unless he says so."

"Come on, Ellie." I insisted, "I've seen the way you look at that pimp. You hate working for him. He treats you like an outdated toy." Then I asked, "Is this about a boy?"

Ellie took a step back, "What?" Then glared at me, "No! How can you say that?" She calmed down, shook her head and told me, "I'm sorry, but I'm gonna have to ask you to leave. It was good seeing you again, Sam. Don't ever come here again."

Then she put her hands over my shoulders and pushed me out of the dressing room. The door closed behind me and I heard the lock activate. She locked me out again!

I looked at the door and was about to knock, until a male voice shouted from my left, "Hey! You got business back here?"

I turned and saw a male, pink striped spider demon, over 8 foot tall, walking toward me. He had a protective angry look on his face, and he was looking at me.

"I-I-I..." I stuttered, but I recollected myself and stood up straight, "Why do I need to tell you?"

The demon folded his arms and glared at me, "Because I'm Jackie's friend. And it's obvious that you've said something to upset her." Then he pointed down the corridor, "I think it's time for you to leave. The exit is down that way. Thank you for coming to the show."

I glared at the demon, then angrily marched down the corridor. I exit the studio and sat down by the curb of the sidewalk. My phone vibrated and I picked it out of my pocket. It was a message from Husk.

'How did it go?'

I sighed with a sullen face and texted back,

'Not well. I made a shocking discovery, though.'

'What is it?'

'The Green Siren, Jack Rose, is my older sister.'

'And?'

'She's working for that pimp, Valentino. She won't leave.'

'That is shocking. Do you want to inform Alastor what you've found out?'

'I'm no good at keeping secrets from him. I'll tell him when I've recovered from what I've just found out.'

'Okay. Take your time.'

With that, I put my phone back into my pocket and walked down the sidewalk, making my way back to Alastor's base of operations. I still can't believe after all these years, Ellie has been here and working for a pimp Overlord of Hell. I can tell she wants to leave, but she doesn't have the guts to say 'I quit'. I swear she's doing this for someone. She's never been the selfish type. She's not doing this because she wants to, because she has to.

When I see Ellie again, I promise I will find a way to break this contract and free her from Valentino's grasp. Cross me heart and hope to die again.