All My Friends Are Heathens

by XxIpsywitchxX

Eleanor May Carter was once an honest and caring soul trying to make everyone happy in her life, until her depression got the best of her and she decided to commit suicide. She failed judgement, and ended up in Hell as a Spider Demon. Now known as Jack Rose, let's join Ellie as she discovers who she is, and hopes to make things better, as she becomes a patron of the Happy Hotel.

9. Pop a 9-1-1

Pop a 9-1-1, Then Pop Another One

~Jack Rose's POV~

"Head up, Spider Boy! I need to see that beautiful face." Vox told me, as I dropped to my knees and lowered my head in exhaustion.

It's been over a week since Alastor, Niffty, Husk and Sam joined in helping work the Happy Hotel, but things haven't been getting better. Right now, I was in Vox's wing of the Studio, working on a new music video, and Vox has been working me to the bone. I've been working on this music video since the crack of dawn! Talk about a crazy schedule!

"We've... been rehearsing... for hours, Vox!" I shouted between breaths, "Can... Can't I just... Take five?!"

"We have a deadline, Green Siren." He shot back, "Grab a drink and get back to the set. We start from the top."

He clapped his hands and the lights switched off. Leaving me alone on the set, I struggled to pick myself up to my feet and made my way to backstage. I grabbed a cup of cold water and splashed it over my face. The ice-cold sensation of the water woke me right up, but my legs feel like they were gonna fall off.

I grabbed another cup of cold water and downed it in three gulps. I shook my head and jogged on the spot for a few seconds. Awake and refreshed, I was ready to try again. Sure, Angel Dust offered some drugs to take the edge off, but I stubbornly declined. And I find coffee or espresso too bitter. So two cups of cold water will have to do for now.

"Alright, Jack. You've had your break." Vox called, returning to his seat and crossing his legs, "Now, let's try this again. From the top."

I took a breath and walked toward the set. The music started playing, the background dancers were in place, and the lights were starting to turn on. I quickly dashed for the center of the set before the spotlight shined upon me and the music picked up tempo.

I forced a smile and began dancing as I sang the song we rehearsed,

"Turning up emotional faders,

Keep repeating self-hating phrases.

I have heard enough of these voices,

Almost like I have no choice."

The background dancers revealed themselves behind me and began dancing along with the rhythm,

"This is biological stasis,

My mood's shifting too manic places.

Wish I laughed and kept the good friendships,

Watch life, here I go again.

I can't see me cry,

Can't see me cry ever again. (Ooh)

I can't see me cry,

Can't see me cry,

This is the end. (Ooh)

My biggest enemy is me.

Pop a 9-1-1!

My biggest enemy is me,

Pop a 9-1-1!

My biggest enemy is me,

Ever since day one.

Pop a 9-1-1,

Then pop another one."

I glanced at Vox. He was smiling with a look in his eyes. The same look Valentino gives when he's enjoying something. It sickens me, but I continued singing and dancing on the set,

"Keep my dolls inside diamond boxes,

Save them 'til I know I'm gon' drop this.

Front I've built me around my oasis,

Paradise is in my hand.

Holding on so tight to this status,

It's not real but I'll try to grab it.

Keep myself in beautiful places,

Paradise is in my hands."

The lights all shined upon me, as I began to sang the chorus once again,

"I can't see me cry,

Can't see me cry ever again. (Ooh)

I can't see me cry,

Can't see me cry,

This is the end. (Ooh)

My biggest enemy is me,

Pop a 9-1-1!

My biggest enemy is me,

Pop a 9-1-1!

My biggest enemy is me,

Ever since day one,

Pop a 9-1-1,

Then pop another one!

P-pop another one. (Ooh)

Pop a 9-1-1,

Then pop another one. (Ooh)"

As I looked at Vox, my vision began to go a little weird. I started seeing colors and hearing voices in my head. I ignored the colors and the voices and resumed singing and dancing,

"I can't see me cry,

Can't see me cry ever again. (Ooh)

I can't see me cry,

Can't see me cry,

This is the end! (Ooh)

My biggest enemy is me,

Pop a 9-1-1!

My biggest enemy is me,

Pop a 9-1-1!

My biggest enemy is me,

Ever since day one.

Pop a 9-1-1,

Then pop another one!

Please patch the line,

Please patch the line.

Need a 9-1-1, can you patch the line?

Please patch the line,

Please patch the line.

Need a 9-1-1, can you patch the line...?"

But everything got worse and the colors morphed into horrifying creatures. The voices grew into snarls and growls. Like monsters and demons creeping inside my head. My blood ran cold and my body stopped dancing. I couldn't find my voice any more.

"Pa-Patch the l-li-line..." I struggled to speak, as the demons came toward me and bared their teeth and claws at me.

I clutched my head and screamed in horror, falling to my knees, wrapping my arms around my body and started trembling. What's happening to me? I've never felt so horrified in my entire life. Why do I feel so scared? My heart is beating out of my chest. My head is building up with pressure. I can't hear! My body ached every time I tried to move! I can't see! I can't feel! I don't know where I am any more!

SOMEONE HELP ME!

"ANGEL/JACK!"

I felt something punch me hard across the face. I caught my breath and started feeling back to normal. Except I wasn't in the set any more. I was in Angel Dust's dressing room, within the Studio, and Valentino was standing in front of me.

"Fucking typical. And while you're still on the clock too..." Valentino sighed, as he looked at the carpet floor to find a cracked syringe on the floor.

I looked around in confusion, "Wha? Wha-What the fuck? The fuck am I?!" I gasped and found that my voice was Angel's voice. What the hell is happening to me?! I'm not Angel Dust! I'm Jack Rose!

"You know where you are." Valentino answered, "You've only took enough for an elephant to O.D on shit." I growled a little, then Valentino lifted my chin and smiled at me, "Too bad that sort of thing don't stick down here. Huh, baby?" He let go of me, "Clean yourself up."

With that, Valentino left the room and everything went silent. I closed my eyes as my vision started to go black and all I could hear was voices and whispers until...

"JACK!"

I felt another punch in the face, but this one was harder than the last one. I opened my eyes and gasped for air, as I sat up and caught my breath. I looked around and saw that I was back in the set and Vox was kneeling next to me. I rubbed my temple and my eyes. I must have blacked out from exhaustion, but how did I do that?

"There you are." Vox smiled, "Good thing we finished the video before you screamed and blacked out on us." Then he looked at me, "Now, Spider Boy. What the fuck was that?"

I looked at Vox in confusion, "What was what?"

"You screamed and blacked out on us, my dear." Vox explained, "When you came to, you weren't acting like yourself. You were confused and delirious. Then you blacked out again."

I was about to explain what happened from my point of view, but I stopped and wondered if they would believe me. I mean it took a while for Valentino to believe that I'm able to sense other Demons as far as the other side of Pentagram City.

I looked at Vox and shrugged, "Guess I was just tired. You know what exhaustion can do to a person, why should a Demon be any different?"

Vox was about to argue back, but realized that I had a point. Then a Demon behind me yawned and began to topple over in exhaustion. Vox rubbed his chin in thought, then announced, "Alright. We got the music video done. You guys can go home now. Good work everyone."

Everyone smiled and made their way to their dressing rooms, to get changed and go home. I couldn't help but think about what that blackout was about. Was I really seeing Valentino through Angel Dust's eyes? Was I in his mind or something? If so, how the hell did I do that? Can I do it again with someone else? Maybe it was just a one-time thing? Whatever it was, it really freaked me out.

Wait... Angel!

I quickly got changed out of my work attire and into my casual attire. I exit my dressing room and dashed down the hallway to Angel Dust's dressing room. The door was open but there was no sign of the pink Spider Demon.

I closed my eyes and focused my thoughts on the location of Angel Dust. From all the Demons I sensed within the Studio, including Valentino, Vox, Summer, Dia and Velvet, I was able to track the pink Spider Demon upon the roof. I opened my eyes and made my way to the rooftop. As I predicted, Angel Dust was leaning over the railing of the roof, looking over Pentagram City and crying.

I walked over to him and placed my hand over his shoulder, "Hey."

Angel gasped in startle and turned to see it was me. He calmed and wiped his eyes and face dry, "Hey, Jackie. What are you doing here?"

"I came to see if you're doing okay." I answered. I noticed that Angel had a red mark across the right side of his face. I gently placed my hand over the mark, Angel winced slightly, but that didn't go unnoticed. I frowned and furrowed my brows, "Did Val do this to you?"

Angel Dust nodded and looked away, "Only because I was drugged out of my mind." He lowered his head and let out a heavy sigh, "I deserved it, anyway."

"Don't say that!" I told him sternly. I took a gentle hold of Angel's hands and gave him a concerned look, "Angel, you need to stop with the drugs. They're not healthy for you."

Tears welled up in Angel's eyes, as he placed his hands over mine, "I can't help it, Jackie. My life is in shambles. My work is getting me nowhere and I can't catch a break. I need the drugs, so I can put up with it."

I gave Angel a sad look, walked up to him and threw my arms around him, resting my head into his chest. Angel gasped and froze for a second, until he wrapped his arms around me and started stroking the back of my head.

I let out a small laugh, "You know, it's funny..."

"Huh?" Angel asked me.

"You kinda remind me of my great-uncle." I replied in a soft tone, "My nana used to tell me that her brother used to have a tough guy act, but is actually a softie. I never knew him, though. He died before I was born. Broke my nana's heart..."

"Really? I'm really sorry to hear that." Angel answered. A moment of silence, then he asked, "What was your grandmother's name, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Molly." I answered. Before anything else could be said, the door opened and one of the members of staff arrived. I let go of Angel, turned to the Demon and asked with an annoyed tone, "Can it wait?"

The Demon shook his head, "I'm afraid it cannot." He looked at Angel, "Angel Dust, you're up now."

Angel Dust cleared his throat, looked at me, then left the rooftop, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Once the door closed and everything was silent, I walked over to the railing and looked over Pentagram City. I clutched my head with my upper arms, while my lower hands balled into fists of anger. Frustration and anger built up inside me like a volcano or a bottle of shaken carbonated soda.

I opened my mouth and screamed into the sky as loud as I can.