Val gritted his teeth in irritation as he ended his call with Henroin. The Spider Don had been livid to learn that Angel had not only left town, but even more displeased to discover that Porn Star had been terminated from Valentino's employment.
"Listen, Val," Henroin growled, his voice low and menacing. "We got a deal here, see? You're tied up with my family, and in return, we have control of that precious territory on the west side of the city. Your job is to handle that whore - who, unfortunately for me, turns out to be a byproduct of my own loins - and make sure he don't cause no trouble for my family and its good name. I don't give a rat's ass how you do it, but you better regain control over that slut, no matter what it takes. Remember, I might not be some big Overlord like youse, but I ain't no ordinary sinner, capiche? I got some powerful connections that could bring down your whole pornographic empire. And without Angel Dust... you're a big fat zero."
The Moth mentally chastised himself for his failure to lock up Angel Dust in the 'Special Room' for the next decade the moment he heard about the porn star's involvement in the Happy Hotel. While the Slutty Spider might have been truthful in suggesting that the hotel was unlikely to succeed, the fact that Angel had agreed to participate without his employer's permission should have been a major red flag from the start. Despite having turned Angel into a star thirty years ago, the spider remained resistant and rebellious, much to the constant warnings from both Vox and Velvette. It was evident that the boy needed to be disciplined and brought under control.
The only reason he never did anything about it was that the clients and fans liked the idea of having an untamed whore. But no more…he had tolerated Angel's crap for too long. That slut was going to pay the price for his actions and pay them dearly. But it seemed just raping and beating him into submission wasn't going to cut it anymore. He needed the Spider to suffer, not just physically…but mentally and emotionally. He needed to suffer by seeing someone he cared about to suffer because of his actions.
Not Summer or Dia, Angel didn't like when those girls were punished because of him. But he wasn't particularly close to them either. He needed someone Angel Cakes really cared about, someone he loved and treated like they were family. The pig…no…too easy. Yes, Angel could be punished through his pet pig, but the only thing that could be done with it would be to kill it. Maybe have a private chef make it into a lavish dinner and then force Angel to watch as Vox, Velvette, and himself enjoyed pork chops that were sliced from the body of his beloved pet. That would likely break Angel, but he wouldn't suffer enough for his actions…it needed to be someone else…now what was the name of that cyclops girl again?
Sitting down in his office chair Valentino thought over what he wanted to do once he caught hold of his wayward property and his female companion. He would leave the girl alone...have her get used to her new accommodations. She would know something would happen to them sooner or later, so she would just leave her to exhaust herself with the anticipation of what will happen to her and when.
Angel, on the other hand, would be in pain for his decisions. Vox had some things he had developed for the Porn Studios and what better way to test them. In the meantime, Val would also remind Angel that he had the girl in his possession and if he was sass mouthed or belligerent his girly friend would suffer for it. Princess Morningstar would naturally come to the studio to seek out her missing residents, but she would only be wasting her time. The special rooms were on a hidden floor underneath the porn studio, only Vox, Velvette, and himself knew of their existence.
The whores who suffered in those private sex dungeons were always blindfolded or unconscious when they were brought there. Angel's particular special room, however, was elsewhere...in another building. The Princess and Alastor could work together to try everything possible to find the two demons only to conclude there was no one to find. Angel and the girl would have been as good as erased by their account. And if by chance they did find the girl, they were free to take her with them. It wasn't like Angel Cakes needed to know that his female companion was no longer in Val's possession. Besides, she would come back sooner or later seeking to find and rescue Angel. Thus all the more reason for the Porn Star to watch her suffer under Valentino's hands. That would be when he would begin his fun.
Opening the fly of his shorts, Val ran his hand along his erect length as he visualized all the ways he would…pleasure and prepare the girl, before ripping open her clothing. The Moth groaned in pleasure as he pumped the girth of his loins, mentally visualizing himself entering the moist velvety folds of the girl's body all the while whispering into her ear that if she had never met Angel…if she had never befriended him this would not be happening to her. Angel was the one causing this to happen, all because he agreed to be her friend. The girl would break, it might take a session or two but she would break. Once he was done with her he would proceed to take Angel in front of her. He mentally visualized Angel crying out as the Overlord felt his loins explode. Panting with satisfaction as he tucked himself back into the trousers and zipped up his fly. Once he had finished with both, he would take the girl with him as he left. Leaving Angel to worry about what would befall the female demon as he was once again locked in that room. Forced to watch daily streams of the girl being taken by Val, Vox, and maybe others for their own entertainment. Then as he came to enjoy Angel, he would regale the spider with stories about how enjoyable his girly friend was. Once they knew for certain his untamable spirit was broken, only then he would be released to live out his pathetic existence as one Val's personal toys.
Princess Morningstar knew she couldn't stay hidden at her private estate indefinitely. Eventually, circumstances would require her return to Pentagram City, and with her would come Angel and possibly Cherri. While Angel Dust would understand the importance of staying confined within the protective walls of their hotel, the Spider, known for his restless nature, wouldn't take being cooped up well. If he didn't succumb to stir-craziness within a matter of days, the girl surely would, and when that tipping point was reached, things could become unpredictable and even dangerous.
Drool rolled down Val's chin in anticipation, the girl from what he had seen had a fine-looking body, the sort of body people paid money to fuck. Despite being aware Angel was purely homosexual, there had been clients who were interested in seeing Angel with a female partner. The cyclops girl looked like she would be a good candidate for a female Angel Dust…maybe she could be groomed to become the "New" Angel Dust. If she could give the sort of fuck Valentino imagined, he had the perfect film idea for her debut.
The story revolves around a thrilling fighting tournament, where participants sign up to compete against each other for a substantial monetary prize. However, there's a unique twist to this tournament. Every time someone loses a match, the defeated fighters are required to entertain the enthusiastic spectators on stage by being put in a violent gang rape.
Amidst the intense battles and captivating performances, a new contender emerges - the fierce and charismatic Cyclops. With a captivating presence and impressive skills, the Cyclops becomes an instant sensation, winning the hearts of the audience and becoming the new champion.
However, this newfound fame comes with a cost for Angel, the former champ of the tournament. As the Cyclops rises in the ranks, it becomes an all or nothing battle between the Cyclops and Angel as the winner. If audiences and clients approve of Cherri, Valentino would have no further reason to keep Angel in the spotlight and maintain his connections with Henroin. Valentino could follow Vox's advice and erase Angel entirely.
Then there was Henroin's other son, and there was always something that Valentino disliked about him. Arackniss could prove useful, especially if he could be persuaded to leave his father's service. The Mafioso firstborn son served as his Underboss within the Ragno Family. But this appointment wasn't based on trust; it was more a way for Henroin to maintain control over his elder son. Still, there were other members of Henroin's family who had their own uses, particularly when it came to uncovering potential betrayals. Their loyalties, too, could be bought for the right price, as the saying goes: "You pay a man enough, and they will walk naked into Hell."
Vaggie and Cherri decided to prepare some loaded potato soup for dinner that night - a comforting choice for a wet and blustery day in Hell. It seemed like a light enough option for Angel, who wasn't feeling well and needed something easy to eat. As Charlie headed for the lower floor landing to visit the sick spider, she made a brief stop on the upper loft floor to retrieve a book.
Her father's study didn't contain the kind of books she enjoyed; he had no interest in stories where heroes emerged victorious. Instead, he preferred religious mythology, lore, and concepts of philosophy, especially religious philosophy. The few novels he did read always had tragic endings or left things ambiguous, raising questions about whether the heroes truly won or if their victories were worth the losses they suffered.
While Angel and Cherri were busy packing for the trip, Charlie took the initiative to call ahead to the local library. She wanted to ensure that there would be at least a couple of books available that she could enjoy during their journey. Although she shared her father's love for myth and lore, when it came to novels, she always leaned towards those where good ultimately triumphed in the end. The idea of heroes living happily ever after and being remembered for their heroic sacrifices resonated deeply with her.
Upon reaching the lower floor, Charlie paused as she heard Angel being violently ill. A few coughs were followed by a couple of heaves that culminated in a wet sloshing noise coming from the ensuite bathroom in the guest room. The Princess mentally considered asking Cherri to come down and look after Angel, but she decided against it. She had chosen to come down here and would fulfill her responsibility.
Glancing into the main room, she noticed Fat Nuggets standing on his trotters at the edge of the bed, looking towards the bathroom door with concern. Entering the room, the Hellborn Princess placed her selected book on one of the bedside tables. She caringly patted the demon pig a few times to comfort him while she tried to deafen herself to the wet sounds of Angel vomiting in the next room. She noticed that the Spider had been sleeping on top of the bed covers for much of the day.
With a calm demeanor, the Princess pulled down the bedding and busied herself with arranging things to offer some peace and comfort for Angel. There were a couple more heaves followed by a few coughs. Finally, there was a flushing sound, then an exhausted groan, followed by a thud.
Charlie peeked into the bathing room and found Angel curled up on the floor. It was evident from how he was clutching his head and stomach that he was in considerable discomfort. His fur looked sweat-soaked and clammy, and he appeared unusually pale. Pallor seemed like a strange concept since Angel's fur was usually a snowy white, making it technically impossible to distinguish how he could be drained of color any further. However, what caught her attention was the areas of his fur that were usually pink; they had now turned into almost silvery shades, suggesting that he was off-color. Even the freckle-like spots on his cheek had dulled to almost grayish pink dots.
Silently slipping into the room, she knelt down on the floor beside him. Angel's darker eye cracked open, and he glanced up at her, indicating that he was aware he wasn't alone.
As much as she wanted to reach out and offer some sort of comfort, Charlie could sense that something in Angel's recent experiences with Valentino had set him on edge, particularly when it came to unexpected physical touch. It was possible that what he had endured had led him to mentally associate physical contact with pain. Even Cherri felt distressed that Angel was keeping his distance from her. Though she put up a brave face and insisted she was used to it, it was evident that the Spider's reluctance to welcome her as a confidant bothered her. Charlie herself vividly remembered how Angel had startled at her touch when she had tried to offer him comfort during his crying episode the previous night. He hadn't been hostile or overly reactive towards her, but she could sense a feeling of shame, as if he believed showing vulnerability was a weakness.
Knowing that Angel needed space and time to heal, Charlie decided to respect his boundaries while still making it clear that she was there for him if he needed support. She understood that sometimes people needed time to process their emotions and experiences, and she hoped that, in time, he would feel comfortable enough to open up to her and Cherri again. Until then, she resolved to be patient and understanding, knowing that healing from such traumatic experiences wasn't easy, especially in a place like Hell, where vulnerabilities could be perceived as weaknesses and exploited by others.
"Are you able to move to the bed?" Charlie asked, being careful not to make any move to touch him or help him to the next room. She didn't want to make him feel like an invalid who needed to be handled with excessive care, but at the same time, she didn't want him to strain himself if he was too weak to move.
After a short moment of consideration, Angel rolled over onto his stomach and began to get up on his hands and knees. Charlie got to her feet as well, giving him the space he needed to stand but remaining close in case he required any assistance. She couldn't help but notice that his movements were slower than usual, and he often cringed in pain, indicating that his injuries hadn't fully healed.
Once Angel was on the bed in the next room, Charlie thought she might ask if she could check the injuries on his backside, especially since those appeared to be some of the worst according to the photos Husk had taken.
Using the blood quartz countertop as leverage, the Spider wobbled unsteadily due to weakness but managed to stand with some support from the sink counter. Charlie maintained her presence nearby, ready to step in if he needed further assistance. She wanted to be there for him, supporting him in whatever way he felt comfortable with, while also respecting his need for space and independence during his recovery.
"Here," Charlie offered her hand out to him. "Lean on my shoulder."
"I'm fine," Angel insisted as he attempted to move to the other room, but his weakened state was evident. The adrenaline rush from being physically ill had clearly worn off, leaving him exhausted and struggling to stand.
"No, you're not," Charlie said firmly as she reached out and wrapped one of her arms around his waist. "There is no shame in accepting help from others when it's offered."
Gently, she pulled one of his main arms around her shoulders, providing support as they moved to the next room. With care and guidance, she led him to the bed, ensuring he was comfortable.
"Ya really sure 'bout dat?" Angel asked with a bitter tone. He settled into the bed as Charlie pulled the coverings around him. "Dere's always been a quid pro quo expectation? Everythin', includin' kindness, has its price to pay sooner or later."
"Is this from the years you've spent in Hell?" Charlie asked with some concern. "Or is this from when you were alive?" She was aware of the irritated tension filling the room. It wasn't directed towards her - not intentionally at least - but was rather a result of the brewing chaos outside and the events from the past few days. Angel noticeably didn't respond to her inquiry as he buried himself under the covers and proceeded to ignore her. Perhaps he had no real answer to her question.
Still, while she felt Angel wasn't entirely correct, she could accept that he wasn't completely wrong. He did have reasons to be suspicious of offered kindnesses. Even when she had given him that stack of souls after he had agreed to take part in the hotel, he had immediately been put on guard. As Alastor had put it: 'Kindness was something that was unexpected here in Hell, particularly by sinners.' Perhaps his view was a truth he had come to accept and embrace, but Charlie refused to believe that people couldn't be capable of kindness, even in a place like Hell. Otherwise, there was little point to existing at all.
Grabbing the book she had brought down, the Blond Princess sat at the Porn Star's bedside and quietly read to pass the time.
"Why do ya do dis?" Angel tiredly asked. Charlie had been so involved in the book she was reading that the sudden question startled her. Placing a bookmark to let her know where she left off, Charlie put down the book aside, so Angel had her full attention. He sat up and regarded her somewhat wearily, though Charlie did note that the irritation from earlier had abated, there was still a level of unease.
"I know ya have things ya want to say or talk to me about. So why do ya just... well, why do ya stay with me and not do dat?"
"I want to be someone who is there to listen to you," Charlie said. "If you need someone to be a listening ear about anything." Angel still regarded her skeptically, but then he patted the bedding, and obediently, Fat Nuggets trotted up and settled in Angel's lap. The Hellborn Princess knew this was meant to be an indication that he already had a listening ear in his life.
"I understand that Nuggs is a good listener, but he isn't the same as someone like Cherri," she continued. "He isn't someone who can actually respond or react to what you have to say. I only stay quiet because I do want to respect that there are things that you may not be ready to talk about or even feel you can. And I want you to have the choice to talk rather than feel you are being pressured into it."
Angel mentally processed what Charlie had told him. She was correct that there were things he wished he could actually talk to someone about. Nuggs was someone he could talk to, and while the small pig was a good listener, he wasn't really a conversationalist. He couldn't reply or offer insight. But even if he could honestly talk to someone, where could he even begin?
His whole life, both his brother and himself had been instructed that anything with the family stayed within the family only. The two of them were forced to live a life of subterfuge and duality, obediently following their father's commands while living in fear of his bullying rages. Being the sons of a Mafia Don, they had to be especially careful, as their crime family's reputation rested on their shoulders. Any misstep could lead to severe consequences, and their father's wrath was relentless.
Then, when he found himself in Hell, particularly after being obtained by Valentino, there was the constant refrain of "You're just a whore, no one is going to believe a word you say." Even when Val punished him or when the other Vee's were given opportunities to abuse him for Val's amusement. Over and over again, it was the promise of "Don't bother telling anyone about this; no one will believe a whore like you anyway."
Yet, Charlie... didn't she prove the fallacy in those words? Just weeks ago, she had wanted to hear him out on what was happening. She knew he had no reason to make up any of the things he had told them, nor did he have anything to gain by making it up. She had believed everything he said and even the stuff he didn't actually say. And just today, she had called Val out on his bullshit to the point where the Moth practically admitted to what he had done. She had believed him... she could see that things were occurring without it literally being performed in front of her. The fact she was willing to sit with him until he felt comfortable enough to talk to her. That was something no one had ever done; even Cherri had to personally ask him about what was happening when she began to suspect what Val was doing.
Still, he couldn't fully trust it. Charlie had no reason to exploit him that he could see. Yet, there had been those who presented themselves as friends or allies, and then once they had any dirt they felt they could exploit you with, they used it against you. Charlie had technically crossed that line with the interview where she had told all of Hell that he was a resident of her hotel. And by that result, Valentino had found out he was intending to escape. He did accept that this betrayal was not intentional as she had been unaware of what was occurring, but that didn't mean it was any less a breach of the trust he had been willing to give her.
"Have ya, y'know..." Angel responded somewhat snidely, "considered asking about anything you wanted?" He really felt like he could use a smoke right now, but it was still a total mess outside. And on top of that, he was already feeling the drug cravings starting to kick in. Fuck... this place wasn't like the hotel. He had his own room, but there was no way he could go through a drug high without notice. And he didn't bring any drugs with him anyway; they were left in his vanity drawer at the hotel. The last time he had used had been nearly eight days ago; he was feeling that itchy, uncomfortable feeling his body went through when it wanted drugs.
"I have," Charlie responded matter-of-factly. "I just haven't inquired about anything, because I don't want to unintentionally bring up anything that is sensitive. I want you to be the one to decide when it's best to bring up something you feel needs to be said. Though Vaggie and I have been starting to put some things together on our own."
"Such as," Angel sighed as he lay back against the pillows, throwing one arm over his eyes. He really wanted nothing more than to fall into a coma for the next week or so. Maybe by the time he woke up, the worst of the crap he was feeling would be over.
"Well," Charlie said hesitantly as she pulled up a photo of Henroin and Arackniss together. The large, massively hairy gray spider authoritatively was seated in a business chair, his blank sclera of his eyes gazing forward towards the camera. The pupils of all eight eyes were cold and emotionless white pits. The only clothing he wore was a pair of black suit pants and a red necktie. On his right stood Arackniss, much smaller in appearance when compared to his father, but he still carried an air that if you underestimated him due to his height, you were fatally mistaken. His eight red sclera eyes coldly glared out through the dark hair that hung in front of his face. Standing behind Henroin's chair stood a large dark brown-furred spider. He was similar in build to Henroin and had a similar cruel-hearted look in the set of his jaw. Like Arackniss, his eyes also had red sclera, with three smaller eyes resting above his right eye and another three under his left.
"Husk said you had mentioned your father and older brother were in Hell, and he suspected who they possibly were? Is this... are the people in this photo... people you recognize?"
Angel took the phone Charlie handed to him. Lifting up the arm covering his unpatched eye, he was reluctant about seeing the image he was about to witness. Charlie had said she and Vaggie had figured things out on their own, and this was based on vague speculation from Husk. It was likely that Charlie and Vaggie were way off, and the photo was of no one he knew. But what if they were right? If they guessed on their own, he couldn't be faulted for breaking omerta. Still, he had broken his oath to the family by leaving them after he manifested in Hell. He hadn't gone out looking for anyone from his family; he didn't want to be trapped in the same toxic bullshit over and over again. Instead, he had dropped all contact and his true name, using the name Angel Dust as his primary name in this new world. So that way he had some distance by the time his older brother and father joined him in this horrible place, as he knew they would.
Holding up the phone so he could see the on-screen image, he suddenly shot up to a sitting position. Recognizing the monstrous ogre-like appearance of his father instantly, even as a Spider, the large man was still the same person who had haunted Angel's childhood. Unfortunately, he had sat up a little too quickly; he felt a sense of weakness as his blood rushed to his head. He could feel Charlie wrap one arm around his shoulders as she carefully guided him back so he lay prone against the pillows. The last thing he saw was Charlie watching him in concern, she called out his name, but her voice sounded distant and distorted. Then everything went black.
The first thing he became aware of was the feeling of someone petting his hair. He at first resisted the urge to wake up, as this was the sort of bullshit Val would do when Angel found himself being abused to the point of losing consciousness. When he would begin to come around, Val would act with mock concern, but then he would tell him that he was the one who got too carried away and passed out as a result. It was never because the vibrator used was put at too high a setting, or Vox had let off a burst of electricity as he came. It was always how he got too carried away and that he should be more careful, only for the inescapable pain and humiliation to continue once again.
As he continued to regain consciousness, he noticed the hand caressing the white fur that counted as his hair was smaller... and a lot more gentle than Valentino's. As though sensing he was awake, the person who was with him stopped the comforting gesture. He felt the person get up from the bed, and he heard footsteps leave the room.
"I'm sorry, Angel," he heard Charlie say with remorse in her voice. "I shouldn't have... I never thought... I'm just so sorry." With that, she slipped out of the room, leaving Angel confused as to what had happened.
Laying back against the pillows, Angel let out a breath. He softly smiled as Fat Nuggets came up and nuzzled his cheek. He could sense the storm outside beginning to abate, thankfully. This would be a relief, though there were still other storms hovering over the horizon, and they too would have their chance to pass over and air out the hidden wounds that still festered.