A Helluva Boss Story

Different Kinds of Fire 2.0

Chapter 10

A Second Encounter


~Becky's POV~

The alarm went off on my phone, indicating it was time to wake up and start another day. Letting out a big yawn, I reached my arm towards my phone. Feeling around for a bit till I felt my phone under my fingers. Grabbing and turning it off before sitting up in my bed. Stretching my arms in the air followed by cracking my neck, I got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom.

The events from the Harvest Moon Festival left me feeling fatigued. After everything that happened from Moxxie getting his ass kicked, learning about Striker's intensions to kill Stolas, and Blitz and Moxxie putting a stop to his evil plan, I had enough of the country lifestyle to last me a lifetime. All I want to do now is take advantage of my day off. Blitz agreed to give us one more day off before returning to work the next day. Guess he had enough of the Wrath Ring as much as the rest of us. During the car ride back to Imp City, he wouldn't shut up about the hillbillies and crops and the Pain games. I did apologize for my actions. As stupid as Blitz was being, yelling and slapping him when I was pissed off was out of line. Surprisingly, he was actually cool with it.

He said, and I quote, "I've had worse from worse people then you Becky, but you've got balls slapping me like that. Nice to see we're rubbing off on you, kiddo."

He had a point. I've been in Hell for a couple months now, and I've spent most of my time with Blitz, Millie, Moxxie, and Loona. I haven't done any exploring on my own. Haven't gone out to explore more of the Seven rings of Hell, or learn more about what Hell has to offer. Guess work's kept me busy, but perhaps I'm secretly nervous about doing any exploring on my own. Never got the chance to go out on when I was alive. Dad usually kept me on a tight leash. I was lucky I could go out to attend school, but I had to return home at a certain time. If I was even a minute late, dad would whip me with his belt. Thinking about it, I wish I'd stabbed him in the heart when I had the chance.

Oh well, it doesn't matter now. It's unlikely I'll ever see him again. Even if there's a slight chance he does die, ending up down here, he's unlikely to bother looking for me. He'd be too drunk off his ass to recognize me if we ever ran into each other on the street. Besides, he's not my problem. I'm a free woman now with a job, a home, and great friends. Who may have some disadvantages, but they're good people, figuratively speaking.

Splashing cold water on my face to wake up, I look up at my reflection in the mirror. I may be a demon, but my facial features haven't changed as much when I arrived. I just look like a tall imp with red skin, yellow eyes, horns, a tail, and hoofs for feet. Besides those changes, I'm still myself inside and out. I dry my face with a towel before heading too the kitchen for breakfast. As I'm walking down the hallway, I can smell some yummy pancakes in the air. Pancakes for breakfast, sweet! I hurry towards the kitchen. Once I arrived, I saw Moxxie by the stove flipping a pancake with the frying pan while Millie was setting the table.

"Good morning Millie, Moxxie." I say with a smile.

Millie lifts her head up and smiles, "Good morning Becky, how'd you sleep honey?"

"It was alright," I say, making my way over to sit at the table. "I still feel a tad fatigued after the Harvest Moon Festival."

"Tell me about it," Moxxie flipped the pancake again. "I had enough physical activity like that to last a lifetime. Now who wants pancakes?"

Moxxie puts the now ready pancake on a plate with other pancakes. Carrying said plate over to the table. The pancakes looked warm and fluffy. I could hardly wait to sink my teeth into them. As soon as Moxxie set the plate down, I grabbed my fork, grabbed a couple pancakes, and got right down to eating.

"Hey, slow down Becky. There are plenty of pancakes for everyone," Moxxie watched me devour the pancakes on my plate. "I get that you're hungry but slow down."

I chew and swallow before speaking, "Sorry Moxxie, these are just so fluffy and delicious. I love pancakes for breakfast!"

"She's got a point Mox. You make great pancakes." Millie pointed out.

"Well yes, I suppose I do make good pancakes. Just take it easy please." Moxxie was looking at me as he talked.

"Okay, I'll eat slowly, promise," I replied, taking small bites of my pancakes. "So, what's on the agenda today you guys?"

"Well Millie and I were going grocery shopping. Did you want to come along?" Moxxie asked me.

"That sounds good Moxxie, but I was hoping to do some exploring around Hell today," What I said surprised the pair. "What? Is that not a good idea?"

I don't know why they look so surprised. It was just a suggestion. Exploring Hell would be great, but maybe they don't think it's a good idea.

Moxxie finally spoke up, "Becky, exploring Hell by yourself may be a little dangerous. You're still technically new down here."

"Then why don't you guys show me around? I'll have to see more of Hell eventually so why not show me a little now while we have the time?" I was trying to win them over with sweet talk and facts.

"She's got a point sweetie," Millie says turning to look at Moxxie. "She should see more of Hell so she can grow more comfortable living here. If we go with her, she'll be safe."

"I...(sigh) Alright, we'll explore some of Hell, but not for long. We still need to get groceries and we have work tomorrow." Moxxie explained.

I gave a cheer, jumping up from my chair. Victory! I'm going to see more of Hell today, and that makes me happy. Anything beats sitting around in the house. Although, I could always have snuck out when M&M left to do some exploring on my own. However, I have no reason to do that kind of thing anymore. I only ever snuck out when my old man was drunk off his ass trying to get his hands on me. Locking my bedroom door and escaping out the window was my salvation. I would run too the neighborhood park and hang there until I was sure my dad was asleep. Then, I would return home to sleep. But that's not mu life anymore.

I'm safe now. There's no need for me to run anymore. No need to hold onto this weight on my shoulders. As a wise young woman once said, 'Let It Go'.


The three of us made our way out on the town. As I've probably mentioned in the past Hell is similar to back on Earth. Similar ways include building wise, stores, cars, people walking, pretty much the same like above. Minus the people being Imps and demons.

As we were walking down the sidewalk, for some reason I had the strangest feeling someone was watching me. Call me paranoid, but I can feel it. Someone is watching me from the shadows. Whenever I turned around to catch them, no one was there.

After sometime spent walking, sightseeing, and brief shared history, we arrived at a clothing store. Millie wanted Moxxie to model clothes for her just for fun. Guess someone's going to be a model for his cute wife. Meaning I'll get to wander around till the love birds are done. I can live with that, maybe I can find something in the women's section of the store while Double M is shopping. Aw geez...I'm thinking like Blitz. Not sure if that's a good thing or not, but after spending time with Blitz, I'd rather not think like him too much.

As I go scanning through the different size shirts in the mid section, I began to feel that familiar set of eyes watching me. It almost feels like I'm a target for some sick twisted creep. Why is someone watching me? Me, of all people. It's not like I'm that interesting, and yet, I can't shake this feeling that I have. I tried to ignore it, focusing my attention on the clothes. Scanning, browsing, pushing through clothes, but it wasn't working.

Perhaps I've been overthinking things. My mind could be playing tricks on me. I'm probably more exhausted from the events of the festival then I realized. Luckily, there's a couch in this store near the changing rooms. I walk over claiming a spot on the couch until I either feel well enough to walk again.

Making myself comfortable, I didn't notice a certain someone coming my way. I don't even hear the footsteps until a shadow covers my body. That was when I came to realize someone was standing next to the couch. My fear was becoming a reality. This had to be the guy watching me.

"Hello there my dear~! It's been a while hasn't it?" Came the voice of someone who sounded familiar and yet his voice reminded me a voice over the radio.

'Do I dare look?'

Against my better judgement, I turned. That's when I saw him, a tall gentleman in red with the striking resemblance of a humanoid deer and a bright toothy smile on his face. There was something about that smile that was oddly familiar. I know I've seen it somewhere before.

"Darling, don't you recognize me?" The man said assuming I knew who he was.

"Uh... sorry... I don't, should I?" I replied trying not to sound.

The man just let out a hearty laugh before replying.

"Oh my dear, I suppose my appearance has left you confused hasn't it. Nevertheless, I am someone you know. Perhaps you recall that little incident on the beach with that fish monster, your friends and Ms. Verosika?"

My eyes went go wide. The memory of the Spring Break event plays through my head. It was then I realized who this man was. The very same man I encountered when I was on the boardwalk.

"A-A-Alastor?"

"You do remember me~! I'm glad you remembered my dear. I almost thought you had truly forgotten about me." He said.

"S-Sorry it's just...you look...different." I was trying to use my words carefully to not upset him.

Again, he gave a hearty laugh.

"Well my dear, I am a demon after all. What you saw before was only my human form, much like yourself. After all, if we just paraded in our original forms we'd scare everyone. Not that I don't do that already but you understand of course."

"That's a good point."

"So glad you understand!"

He sat down besides me making himself comfortable on the couch.

"So, what brings you to a clothing store? Out shopping for yourself, or someone?"

"I just happened to be in the neighborhood when I spotted you through the front window. Thought I'd drop in. I enjoyed our time together back on the boardwalk. Thought we could catch up since I time was cut short."

Hearing that made my cheeks heat up in embarrassment. It wasn't like I left him on purpose, but my friends were in trouble, and I couldn't just leave them. I could never do that to the people I care about.

"Uh yeah...uh sorry about that." I began to say, carefully choosing my words when speaking. "It wasn't my intention to run off, but my co-workers...they're my friends. I couldn't abandon them when they were in danger."

"My dear, I have nothing against you for helping your friends," He says to me. "Quiet the opposite, I admired your head strong attitude as you went forth to assist those imps when they were in danger."

My cheeks heat up some more. My heart begins to beat at a fast pace, "Oh, well, thank you. To be honest, I'm still kind of new to the I.M.P. I use to be human actually, but I died after attacking my father with a knife."

"Was he trying to hurt you?"

"If you call feeling me up hurting me, then yes. The drunk bastard touched me too many times. I didn't actually kill him though. I should have, but at the same time, I just wanted to hurt him enough to escape. Then he get's a hold of the knife I was using to stab him, and he stabs me to death."

I didn't know why I was telling him my past history, but I felt comfortable enough to talk to him. Despite the whole eye peeping show, or so I assumed he was doing. Wasn't going to bother accusing him of it. He just sat there, listening to me.

"That sounds quite daring. I apologize that you had to meet such a tragic fate so soon," He takes hold of one of my hands with his own. "But look on the bright side, now you're away from the cold hearted bastard. Starting a new life here in Hell with new people."

I smile a little then reply, "Yeah, I've got some good friends by my side. With a new adventure to experience every day."

Alastor smiles, then the sound of a phone alarm caught his attention. Pulling out his phone from inside his coat, he turned off the alarm.

"I'm afraid we'll have to cut our conversation short darling. I have an appointment to attend in fifteen minutes, He stood up from where he sat and turned to me. Taking my hand, he placed a soft kiss on my left hand.

If my face wasn't red enough before, now I'm a hot mess.

He handed me what looked like a business card, "If you wish to meet again, this is my number. I hope to see you again in the near future my dear."

I took the card from his hand, and with that he left the store. Leaving me where I sat watching him go out that door. It took me a few moments before looking at the card he'd given me. There was a number on it along with his name and job occupation. Surprisingly, he worked at a radio station here in Hell. Made sense what with a voice like his; but that wasn't important, the fact that he gave me his number and wants to see me again, that's huge.

A stranger that I've met twice now wants to see me again. Placing a hand on my chestt, I could feel a powerful beating from my heart. Is this the beating of love? If it is, I think I want to explore more of it. Taking one more look at the card I put it in my pants pocket.

"Till we meet again Alastor."

Done!

Next chapter is Truth Seekers, be there~!