Chasing Rainbows

~Jack Rose's POV~

It was a quiet day in the studio, for a change. Valentino was pacing back and forth around the studio, muttering to himself. While Summer, Dia and I were just finishing our photoshoot for the upcoming calendar for after the upcoming Cleanse in a little over two weeks.

Oh, yeah. I forgot to mention the Cleanse. Every December 31st, New Year's Eve, Angel Exterminators from Heaven arrive to Hell and do a yearly extermination of the Denizens of Hell, to lessen the over-population of this world. The best thing we can do is stay home, stock up on food and necessities, board up the doors and windows, and DO NOT step foot outside for any reason. Because, if one of the Angel Exterminators catches even the smallest glimpse of you, you're dead for good. I should know. I've survived seven Cleanses.

Anyhow, I got dressed into my casual attire, removed my make-up with a facial wipe, and grabbed a glass of orange juice, as I noticed Valentino pacing with an angry look on his face, muttering to himself and lowly growling.

"What's wrong, Mr. Valentino?" Summer asked sweetly, as she just finished changing into her work attire.

"Angel Cakes is late for work." Valentino hissed, "He's supposed to be doing a gang bang in the studio today, but he's not here for his role."

I decided to look away and stay quiet. To be honest, I'm not sure where Angel disappeared off to. I remember he told me his family used to be an Italian Mafia family, but... My eyes widen and a gasp escaped my throat. Oh shit...

Valentino, Summer and Dia must have heard me gasp, because their attention shot straight to me.

Valentino narrowed his eyes at me, "You know something I don't, Little Jackie?"

I rubbed my upper-arm in discomfort and my second pair of hands twiddled their thumbs. I took a breath and looked my moth demon boss, "Have you been having any money affairs with anyone?"

Valentino hissed at me, "What the fuck are you talking abo-" Then his eyes widened and he growled in anger, "That... Stupid... Whore..."

"Is something wrong?" Dia asked.

Valentino took a breath and smiled, looking at me, "Summer. Dia. Take care of the studio." He grabbed my arm tightly, "Jackie and I are going for a ride."

Summer and Dia smiled and giggled. With that, Valentino dragged me out of the studio, into his limo with two other demons, and we drove off down the road, to the darkest part of Pentagram City. Valentino told me to keep an eye out the window and see which building Angel Dust was hiding in. Apparently, I have a gift for sensing other demons, similar to how Angel and I can sense storms coming from over a mile away. Useful, but kind of annoying when others ask you to use it.

After ten minutes of driving in Pentagram City, we came across a crowded building with a couple of shark demon bouncers at the front door. I got a familiar sensation that Angel was in this building. There was a smell of gunpowder and men's cologne in the air.

I raised my hand and spoke up, "Stop the car. This is the place."

Valentino looked at me and asked, "Are you sure?"

I nodded, "Absolutely. Angel is in that building."

Valentino growled for a second, then told the driver, "You heard the lady. Stop the car."

The car stopped in front of the building and waited. After thirty seconds of waiting, Angel Dust exit the building. He looked like he was ashamed of what he's done and what happened in the building. The driver exit the car and opened the back door, where Valentino was sitting.

Valentino looked outside, to Angel, and beckoned him with his finger, "Oh... Angel."

Angel sighed, removed his hat and walked towards the limo. He entered the car and the driver closed the door. The driver entered the front of the car and resumed driving.

I looked at Angel and threw my arms around my best friend, "Angel! Thank madness you're alright. You had me worried sick."

Angel smiled and pried me off him, with his hands over my shoulders, "Easy, Jackie. I'm alright."

Valentino cleared his throat and spoke up, "How touching." Then he turned to Angel, "So. Tell me, Angel Cakes... What the fuck was that?"

Angel Dust twiddled his thumbs and tried to explain, "I... I overheard you at the studio."

"Angel..." Valentino started.

"Talking about how you didn't have anyone to handle this deal... With... I mean..." Angel continued.

"Angel..."

"I know I could take 'em out easy and even scored ya both-"

"ANGEL!" Valentino raised his voice to stop Angel from talking, "Baby... How have I told you countless times, Sweetheart? Regarding you, work and my affairs?"

Angel waved his hand and scoffed, "C'mon, boss. I know how this stuff goes... It was just-"

Valentino angrily grabbed Angel by his face and pulled up, staring down at him, "WHAT. Have... I told you?"

"Hey! Lay off! It was just a mistake! Angel-" I shouted defiantly, trying to defuse anything that might happen.

But Valentino glared at me and slapped me across the face with his free hand. The force of the slap knocked me off my feet and collapse onto the seat. I glared at Valentino and placed my hand over my red, throbbing, burning cheek.

"Stay out of this, Jackie." He told me with a hiss. Then he returned his attention to Angel.

Angel swallowed a lump in his throat and answered softly, "Stay in the studio?"

Valentino lowered his hand, "Very good. And where were you today?"

Angel looked away in shame, "Not the studio."

Valentino smiled and withdrew his hand, "Very good, Darlin'." Then he sat down, "Now. Let's talk about how you're gonna make up for the work you missed."

Angel shrugged his shoulders, "I can... Pull a double shift tomorro-" "I think..." Valentino cut him off, as he snapped his fingers.

The driver stopped the car at a corner of the street. I looked out the window, then looked at the moth demon pimp Overlord. He can't be serious about this!

"You can get out right here. Stand on this corner and make up the time you missed filming." Valentino told Angel Dust, who look uncomfortable about this idea, "You were supposed to do a gang bang today. So you might be having a long night, Sugar."

I stood up and glared strongly at the Moth Demon Pimp, "That's not fair, Valentino! Angel doesn't deserve this!"

Angel, Valentino and the other two demons looked at me. The two demons looked at me in shock. Angle shook his head and Valentino glared at me with a low growl. Valentino walked up to me, grabbed me by the neck tightly, and threw me out of the car, into the street. I slid across the ground and hit hard into the building on the other side of the sidewalk.

"Take 'Little Miss Spunky' with you." I heard Valentino tell Angel, "She still needs to learn her place and keep her mouth shut."

Angel Dust sighed and exit the car, "Yes, sir."

"Is that all?" Valentino asked, making Angel flinch.

Angel turned to the Overlord and faked a wide smile, "Whatever ya want, Mista Valentino."

Valentino smiled, "Good boy..." Then told the Pink Spider Demon, "Now get out."

With that, Angel exit the limo and walked onto the street. Valentino closed the car door and the limo drove off, back to the studio. I sat up and rubbed my painfully throbbing head. I tried to stand up, but the left side of my torso surged with strong pain, I couldn't move.

Angel walked up to me with concern visible on his face. He helped me to my feet by putting my arm over his shoulders, "You okay, Jackie?" I winced in pain, and gave him a small nod. Angel frowned, "No, you're not okay. You're badly hurt. Probably suffering from a concussion or a few broken ribs." He sighed, "What were you thinking? Standing up to the boss like that? You could've been killed for what you've said."

I looked at the ground, "I guess... I wasn't thinking. I couldn't just sit there and let Valentino treat you like that." I looked at Angel, "You did what you thought was right and he throws you out on the street like that?! It's not fair! You don't deserve this treatment! You're a Demon, not a Hellhound or an Imp."

Angel looked at me and scoffed with a smile, "You're too good for a place like this, Jackie." Then he growled under his breath, "Fuckin' pompous shithead! Fuckin'... Ugh..."

After two minutes of waiting on the street, a stylish car stopped by. Angel Dust walked over and leaned forward, as the window lowered. Angel smiled, "Well, hey there. See some-" He froze with an alarmed look on his face.

I looked at my best friend, "What is it, Angel?"

I looked into the car and saw why Angel froze. Inside the car were two female Demons. Very different from each other. The one closest to the window had long, blonde hair, tied in a low ponytail. Scarlet red eyes with yellow sclera, and white skin with black lips and red cheeks. Almost like a a doll or a marionette. She wore a white collared shirt with black buttons, under a black bowtie and red blazer jacket. Matching darker red pants and black and white saddle shoes.

The other female Demon was humanoid too. Her skin was a dark gray color. Her very long hair was white, with light pink stripes at the ends, and she wore a big pink bow in it. Her right eye was a light yellow and her sclera was light pink. Her left eye is missing and is replaced by a pink X, which is difficult to see with her long bangs.

Her mini dress was white with light-navy blue X's on the chest, a frill at the bottom, and a belt. Light-navy blue evening gloves and a choker of the same color. Her right stocking was light-navy blue, while her left stocking had light-pink stripes. You can also see straps of light-navy over her shoulders, since she wears the straps of her dress down.

Like a pastel goth Moth Demon, of sorts.

The first female Demon smiled and waved at us, while the other female Demon face-palmed.

Angle shook his head and waved them off, "Whoa, now. For the ladies, I charge extra."

The first female Demon spoke up, "No, no, no! No! We don't want any of that! I was wondering if we could talk to you and your friend real quick."

"We're on the clock, sista..." Angel Dust told her, "Ya gotta pay if ya wanna waste our time."

The Demon nodded and opened the door with a pleasant smile, "Oh, yes! Sure! I can do that!"

Angel and I looked at each other. Angel Dust shrugged and helped me into the car, following close behind.

"Ya got any booze in this fancy ass car?" He asked our new acquaintances.

"Are you sure these are the ones you wanna talk to?" The moth girl asked the blonde-haired girl.

The blonde-haired girl looked at me and Angel. Angel was in his sassy persona, while I was trying my best to hide the pain I was in.

The blonde nodded, "Yes. They're good. I can tell."

I narrowed my eyes at the blonde-haired girl. Her appearance looked similar to the images of Lord Lucifer. Is she a relative of his? My head throbbed in pain from thinking too much on the subject. I placed my hand over my head for a second.

"So... What's what?" Angel asked, "Like I said... We're on the clock."

The blonde drew a blank, "Well..."

So the moth girl spoke, "What are your names? Mister and Miss...?"

Angel gave them a look and answered, "Angel. Angel Dust? The porn star?" Then he gestured to me, "And this is my colleague, Jack Rose. The Green Siren? We're kinda famous here, bitch."

The moth girl raised a brow, "Was that necessary?"

Angel smirked, "Nah. But those words tend to just slip outta me..."

"And you two are...?" I asked.

"My name is Vaggie..." The moth girl introduced herself, then gestured to the other girl, "This is Charlie." The blonde girl waved with a sweet smile, "We-"

"Like Vagina?!" Angel exclaimed.

Charlie and Vaggie looked at him dumbfounded, while Angel and I suppressed laughter. My side surged with pain. Ow... It hurts to laugh...

Charlie looked at me, as I doubled over in pain. She gasped in worry, "Oh my gosh! You're hurt!"

I waved my hand to keep her away from me, "Don't fuss. Cup of tea and I'll be right as rain."

Vaggie cleared her throat and resumed where she left off, "...We have a proposition for you two. Your princess, Charlie here, repurposed one of her family's buildings into a rehabilitation center for souls, like you two, who we think have a chance at redemption. Our goal... Is to get a damned soul into Heaven! At least one. Just to prove that it's possible..."

"Is it?" Angel and I asked.

"We don't..." Vaggie sighed, "Know yet."

"Uuhh-huh. Right." Angel nodded in uncertainty.

"But!" Charlie spoke up, "We want you two to be our first test subjects."

"Uh... Why us?" Angel asked. I nodded in agreement with his question.

"Because... You two seem like someone who regrets their life choices and would be interested in self-reflection and bettering themselves." Charlie smiled.

Angel looked uncertain. You can see the conflict in his facial expression. That's the reason he created this sassy, selfish and overconfident persona in the first place. I rubbed my arm and looked out the window, as my reflection. I remember very well what I did to come here, and I'm not happy with the outcome. Overdosed on narcotics and failed judgement because of the sins of Envy and Sorrow. So what else is new? Everyone has a sin they can't run away from. Even the best of people...

Vaggie spoke up, snapping me back to reality, "Because. We've been talking to Demons all day and nobody has agreed to do it yet."

Angel smirked, then burst into laughter. I looked away in uncertainty.

"Look. You both will get free meals, free housing and protection from Hell's constant hazards." Vaggie continued, "That is if you agree to attend what activities we plan... And genuinely attempt to rectify your behavior!"

Angel Dust calmed from his laughter and shook his head, "Sounds lame."

Vaggie growled in anger, but Charlie spoke up, "Aw! You can't tell me you two enjoy standing on the side of the street waiting for someone to pay to-" She paused for a moment and looked away, "You know..."

Angel tilted his head and smirked, "Hmm... I don't know! Please, finish that sentence..."

Vaggie sighed in disgust, "Ugh! Charlie, They're not good candidates... We'll just look again tomorrow."

"HEY!" Angel shouted, getting Charlie, Vaggie and my attention, "Who said we're not a good pick?! Jackie and I are the best picks! You broads don't know us! We could be whatever we wanna be!"

"Then prove it!" Vaggie challenged.

Angel and Vaggie stared at each other, eye-to-eye. You could see sparks flying from their eyes.

Then Angel smiled and answered, "We're in."

My eyes widen, "What!? Angel, you don't have to-" "Yes, I do, Jackie. For your sake too." He cut me off, putting his hand over my shoulder.

"Really?" Charlie and Vaggie asked, Charlie with a big smile on her face, and Vaggie with a raised brow.

Angel nodded, "Yeah! I'm also three months behind my rent, so free housin' sounds fuckin' good to me. Plus it'll be nice not to have to... Suck the greasy landlord's dick every month."

"Charming..." Vaggie commented in disgust.

My eyes widen again, "Three months?! Angel, why didn't you tell me you were behind rent? I could've helped you out."

Angel looked at me, "You've done enough for me. I don't want to be a burden on your shoulders."

I shook my head, smiling, "You're such an idiot..."

Then Angel stretched his back a bit, "Anyway... If that's all, then I guess we should prob'ly get back to work today, at least. If you gals ain't payin' for playin'... Jackie and I still need to make abo-"

Suddenly, Charlie dropped a large amount of cash into Angel's second pair of hands. Angel and I looked in surprise. Angel rubbed his chin in thought, silent in shock.

I looked at Charlie and Vaggie, "What's this?"

"Money." Charlie answered.

"I can see that." I replied, "But what is it for?"

"Helping us." She answered with big eyes.

Angel looked at the money, then at Charlie, then back at the money. He does this three times before speaking, "... This is a trick."

Charlie shook her head, "No. This is an investment in you two." She placed her hand over Angel's fluffy chest, "There's a lot more to you than what you think there is, Angel. We want to help you both."

I rubbed my arm and looked at my reflection in the window. Angel rolled his eyes and scoffed, "Pft... Okay? I mean I don't really need help, so, uh... Yeah."

I nodded with a small smile, "Thank you, Charlie."

With that, the car came to a stop and Angel and I exit the car. Angel looked back, "Okay... Well, um... Thanks. We'll be in touch, huh?"

Charlie smiled and shook Angel's hand, "Yes! And thank you!"

With that, she closed the car door and the car drove down the street, leaving me and Angel under a streetlamp, alone.

"Sure..." Angel answered quietly. Then he walked off down the street.

This roller-coaster of a day has left me with a lot to think about. I mean... I always thought the Princess of Hell was much like her father, but she was so... Nice and bubbly. She kinda reminds me of Mimzy in a way. A chance at redemption... Getting to Heaven... I'm sorry, but I don't believe that there's a chance to redemption. There's a reason why we're here, and by the looks of things, no one is interested in becoming a better person. But, if Charlie believes there's a chance... Then there's a chance.

I dug into my pockets and got out my hellphone. I looked over the phone book and found Charlie's number. I tapped on the phone icon and placed my phone over my ear. After three rings, her voice spoke, "Hello?"

"Hey, Charlie?" I answered, "It's Jack Rose. I have an answer for you regarding your hotel."

"Really? What is it?"

"I'm in."