Chapter 3: A New Day

Lena awoke around dawn that next morning due to a small sliver of red light that was seeping through her curtains and shining in her eyes. As she lay there for a few moments she thought about just how different this room was from hers back in Heaven. It wasn't nearly as dark inside, in fact, she was always up early due to how bright it would get in the morning. The furniture she had was white, gold, or on occasion blue, and not at all like the dark cathedral-styled furnishings that covered every inch of this room. She found herself torn as to which she preferred but decided that wasn't important. It was time to get up and begin the day, surprisingly though Lena had managed to sleep well despite the events from the previous evening. Her dreams were filled with vibrant colors, strings of pearls, mountains of champagne, and beautiful music…they reminded her of home. Her real home, she hadn't thought about that place for a long time, it usually held too many sad memories, but they weren't all bad.

She rolled out of bed and headed to the bathroom, but when she got to the sink and saw herself in the mirror she almost jumped. She hadn't recognized the reflection staring back at her. It seemed that God had outdone himself when he created her demon skin. She stepped forward and looked at herself more closely, admiring the striking blue locks of her hair, and the patches of siren scales that spread around her body. She giggled, when she was a little girl she always wanted to be a mermaid, she never imagined she would actually get the chance, well, sorta. Lena quickly got dressed, grabbed some things from her bag, and headed downstairs. It was early, and she was sure no one would be up yet, but just to be on the safe side she still tiptoed quietly down the hall and past Alastor's room,

When she finally found the kitchen she was amazed at its grandeur, it was covered in black and marble, with stained glass cabinets and tiled floors. She would have described it as gothic but also chic. It took her a few moments to find what she was actually looking for, a coffee maker. She had learned how to use them over the years as they continued to change and innovate, and she was very thrilled to be familiar with the model Charlie had. She quickly started to brew a pot with the coffee grounds she grabbed from her bag. Louisiana Chicory, her favorite, and the nice part about being an immortal? She could get them whenever she wanted. Next, Lena moved to the fridge to see what she could find for breakfast. She decided on omelets with spicy peppers, cheese, scallions, and a little bit of Cajun seasoning. Between the food and the coffee, the kitchen was suddenly filled with a rich aroma, and the other guests of the hotel slowly followed its scent. Charlie arrived first.

"Hi, Lena! Wow, that smells amazing, are you making us breakfast?!" she smiled and leaned against the counter.

"Yes, I thought it would be good fuel for today, I hope you don't mind?" she blushed as she continued cooking.

"Not at all, I'm happy to know someone else here can cook, Al is the only one who has for us so far!" This didn't surprise Lena, considering he was the one who taught her in the first place. She shook the memory off and passed her a plate. Vaggie, Nifty, and Husk came through next, each grabbing an omelet and making their way to join Charlie in the dining room.

Lena started a new pot of coffee when static filled her ears, it wasn't as loud this time, but definitely noticeable. She turned around to find Al smiling in the doorway. "Good morning Lena! I hope you found the room we assigned you to your liking!" She took a breath and smiled. "Yes, I did, thank you for asking, would you like some breakfast Alastor?" He made his way over, taking a whiff as he walked. "My my! Is that Cajun seasoning I smell?!"

"Yes, it's a southern omelet! Here." She passed him a plate and a cup of coffee, hoping he would just take it and leave, but that would have been too easy. He took a seat right across from her on the island and helped himself. "I think everyone is in the dining room Al, wouldn't you prefer to be in there?" he laughed "Now why would I do that and leave a lady like you here all by yourself?!" Great. She started on the next omelet, "Suit yourself." She found herself really focused on cooking this next dish. She chopped each ingredient perfectly, fluffed the eggs as lightly as possible, and fried it to perfection. She did everything in her power not to make eye contact with Al.

"You are quite a natural, young lady! This is exquisite! Reminds me of my time on earth!" She plated the food and turned around to pour the coffee. "Thanks, but I was actually taught how to do all this, I'm not naturally gifted. I was actually pretty hopeless, in fact, I used to just drink coffee and call it a day." She laughed. She couldn't imagine not cooking for herself now, but she really was a complete dunce for the longest time.

"Well then, my compliments to your protégé! They must have been quite a talent!" Lena nodded.

"You could say that." She took a sip of her coffee, enjoying the rich and bold flavor it left in her mouth, it made her smile.

"I said you should smile more dearie, life's always better when you do!" She looked at him, letting it fade, but his never did. It seemed as though it never would, which made Lena conclude that it was disingenuous, so she retorted. "You think life is better in Hell if you just smile? Tell me, is there a lot to smile about here?" He took a swig of his coffee, "My dear, you can smile anywhere, people who don't are just plain miserable, and lack true entertainment in their lives!"

"I'd rather smile for actual good things, than for others' misfortunes, but hey, what do I know? I'm only an angel." She started cleaning some things up when Al spoke again.

"So, tell me, sweetheart, how does one such as yourself get straight into heaven?" Lena looked over her shoulder to see if anyone in the dining room had heard him, but it appeared they were too busy talking. "Look, I'd appreciate it if you kept that information to yourself, the last thing I need is for people here to question my capabilities. I'm more than qualified for this. So please, just, shut up!" she whispered harshly, and he smirked.

"Well, why don't you answer the question? I'd be more than happy to drop this subject completely if you do!" He gave her the courtesy of whispering back. She leaned across the counter so they were at eye level, "Well it won't help any souls here, but if you must know, being the victim of murder can certainly get you a ticket right to the promised land, and if you didn't deserve it? Well, you get put right in front of the pearly gates. Now, does that answer your question?" He nodded.

"It does indeed my dear, much obliged." He inched closer "But how would a dame like you get caught in that kind of crossfire?" She stayed where she was "Someone decided that I was supporting the wrong person, my end, was their solution." He seemed focused, she continued.

"It's a real shame to die over someone you love, especially when you discover that they never really loved you at all, but what can you do, the heart wants what it wants." She was entering dangerous territory, and she felt herself move in just a little more. Their eyes were locked into each other's, his filled with curiosity, and hers filled with utter loathing.

"Whoa, if ya'll wanted to fuck on the counter you have just gotten a room." Lena turned to see Angel Dust in the doorway. Her cheeks turned red and she quickly pushed herself off the counter. Everyone in the dining room had turned around with quizzical looks, trying to see into the kitchen.

"I-we- I don't know what you think was happening, but you're mistaken, I made breakfast for everyone, I was simply asking Alastor if he liked the taste!" Al smiled, as usual, but said nothing.

"Yeah, whatever you say." Angel took the plate she had made for him and took a seat in the dining room. Everyone was still looking at her, she needed some air. "E-excuse me." She walked quickly out of the kitchen and back upstairs to an open balcony. She leaned against a banister column and took a deep breath. The gentle breeze hit her softly and she felt herself begin to cool down. She didn't like being this close to him, it made her forget how to act. She was an angel who descended into hell for God's mission, she needed to act responsibly, and accordingly, she couldn't get caught like that again. She stared at the landscape surrounding her; a looming city that was full of sinners, temptation, and perhaps…redemption. Which soul here would be her saving grace? Was there even one at all? This should be her focus and not the deceptive Radio Demon. She took another minute to pull herself together and went back downstairs. Everyone else, including Al, was finishing up their meal when she walked in.

"Alright everyone, who would like to accompany me to the train station?" Vaggie looked up at her.

"Why there?" Lena explained. "Well as much as I love your eight-legged friend over there, I unfortunately don't see redemption for him happening anytime soon. He is what we in Heaven would call, a work in progress." Angel shrugged and went back to his food.

"Anyways, since there is such a stigma around redemption for those who already inhabit Hell, I believe a fresh new arrival will be our best chance. So i.e., the Train Station." Charlie agreed, "That's an excellent idea!"

"Well count me out for this trip, I have a massage scheduled in an hour, but do enjoy yourselves!" Angel seductively stated.

"What kind of massage!?" Vaggie barked. To which he replied, "I'll let your imagination run wild with that one!" He snickered and excused himself from the table.

"It's fine Vags, we can go, Nifty and Husk can hold down the fort here, right guys?" Nifty smiled. "Yes, Mam!" and Husk grumbled, "ain't got a fuckin choice now do I?" They made their way out and only Alastor was left. "Al, would you like to join us?" He simply smiled "No can do, I have a couple of errands to run today, but I will be back this evening to hopefully welcome our new arrival!" He got up and walked out, but not before giving a long look to Lena, which she desperately tried to ignore. "Whelp, I guess it's up to us, come one guys, let's go!" Charlie grabbed the girls' hands and lead them out the door.

*The Train Station*

"Whooo! Whoo!" The train whistle blew with a low, but distinct rumble, and hundreds of demons could be seen entering and exiting the large steel cars. The station was busy, between the actual riders and the other hustlers in the lobby, it was hard to find room to walk.

Charlie and Vaggie seemed unfazed by this and pushed their way through, but Lena was more than overwhelmed. Hell was not the place she wanted to get lost in, so she tried her hardest to stay close to the girls. "Isn't this train station supposed to just be for new sinners?" she asked, but Charlie laughed.

"It used to be, but once hell had enough of its own born inhabitants my father wanted to create an easier way to travel between the seven rings. Don't worry though, there is a separate tunnel for new arrivals just over there!" It was to the far left of the station; dark, and hidden away from the rest of the crowd. As they stepped through, the sound of voices began to lower, and nothing but the exhausted hum of a train engine filled the void. There was one track, and several lamp posts above it that were dimly lit. The decor of this station was crumbled and worn. There were no smiles here, just lifeless souls who exited the freight car, looking tired, confused, and emotional. So this is where he came? She thought about Al, this is where he would have arrived when he first came to Hell. He was supposed to be right here, but he wasn't. By the time she got there, he was already gone, swept away by temptation and sin. This left her feeling empty. "So how should we do this?" Vaggie asked, snapping Lena out of her thoughts.

She looked around, eyeing the souls, but none would meet her gaze, probably afraid of her demon disguise. Charlie pulled out some flyers from her bag, "Maybe we pass these out?" She handed one to Lena, it was an ad for the hotel, but it looked like Charlie had drawn it herself, which of course meant that they were littered with rainbow stickers, smiley faces, and excessive amounts of glitter. "Well, I guess-" She quickly gave a stack to Vaggie and they spread out. However, it turned out they were not the only solicitors there, other demons were heckling the new arrivals too. Some offering money, some looking for dancers, and others offering despicable deals. The girls were getting pushed around, and Vaggie was getting pissed. It seemed like time flashed before her eyes, so many souls, so many demons, and not one ounce of concern. Lena found it disgusting, the girls couldn't get a single person's attention, and after a few minutes, the platform began to clear out. With nothing but Charlie's stepped on flyers littering the ground. She gave Charlie a pitied expression, but she just smiled and started picking them up, what a persistent girl she was. Lena started strategizing a different approach when she felt someone tap her shoulder.

When she turned around she found a small demon female staring up at her. She had one of the flyers in her hand, "Is this yours?" she asked her.

"Uh-yes, yes it is, thank you." She went to grab it, but the girl wouldn't hand it over. "This talks about being rehabilitated? Does that mean, going to Heaven?" Lena was perplexed.

"Yes, did you just come from the train?" The girl seemed like she was trying to hold back tears.

"I don't belong here, or maybe I do, I just, I don't want to be here. Please, is there anything you can do?" Lena smiled and placed a hand on the young woman's cheek. "Shh, It's alright, we want to help you, would you like to come with us?" The girl seemed hesitant, and who wouldn't? Walking into an unknown world and then following a bunch of creatures you didn't even know existed? She wasn't sure she would be brave enough to do that herself.

The demon nodded, "Alright, why don't we go and talk with my friends over there?" she pointed at Charlie and Vaggie, who had only just noticed the girl's presence. She nodded again, and Lena took her hand. "What's your name?" she asked as they walked over.

"Alice…" Lena smiled "Well it's nice to meet you, Alice, although I wish it were under different circumstances, my name is Lena." They reached the girls who smiled warmly at them.

"Alice, I'd like you to meet Vaggie, and Charlie Morningstar, she is the owner of the Happy Hotel, and is the eldest daughter of Lucifer." Her nails dug deep into Lena's hand.

"L-Lucifer? As in the bible-th-that Lucifer?" She tried to ignore the pain and calm the girl down.

"Hey-hey it's alright, I promise, It's not exactly like that. Charlie is really, a very friendly, bright, and bubbly person, she just wants to help." She smiled at Alice, trying her best to come off as a safe person to be near. "Alice, I want to help you get into Heaven, and I swear, no harm will come to you as long as you're with us." Her grip loosened a bit by the calmness of Charlie's voice.

"There now, come on, let's get you settled in." Alice held onto Lena's hand almost the whole way back to the hotel. She would sneak a few glances around but mostly kept her eyes on the ground. When they reached the front door, Charlie stepped inside first. She knew this girl was very afraid and asked if Nifty and Husk could step out until dinner time. Once the four of them were in the lobby, Vaggie got her signed in.

"Charlie, is there some sort of office I could use? I'd like to speak with her privately and get a better evaluation of what we're dealing with. Preferably a room that's less, intense?" Lena whispered, and Charlie smiled.

"3rd floor, sixth door on your left, should be just what you need. I'll ask Nifty to put a sign on there for you later." She nodded and turned to Alice.

"Alright, while these two start working on getting you some more clothes and supplies, you can come with me." She grabbed Lena's hand again, and they made their way up. The office was mostly covered in a pinkish-red color, and the furniture was brown instead of black. It gave a softer vibe than the rest of the hotel, which she believed would make the girl more comfortable. Alice took a seat on the couch while Lena shut the door behind them and sat on the chair adjacent to her.

"Are you ready to tell me what happened Alice?" The girl looked up at her sadly, "You don't know?" Lena smiled.

"While I do have the ability to see how you got here, I would prefer if you told me in your own words, and at your own pace. This is a safe space, so take your time." The girl sat there for a while, saying nothing.

"I'm here because I'm a murderer."