Part 36

Long and thick cables littered the floor of the news studio, and every servant of the television demon seemed to know exactly where they were and did their best to avoid them. Vox was no different, stepping over them as he headed into the studio, looking over the script for tonight's broadcast. He would wave his hand in the air where something in the script called for more embellishment, and he pretended to chuckle when he needed to emphasize an otherwise ridiculous point to dismiss.

"Five minutes, boss." A girl in a black dress appeared over his shoulder, spoke through the headset he wore on her left ear, and walked back toward the cameras. Vox sighed, knowing that soon Valentino would be watching. But so would everyone else. And that's all that mattered.

Fuck Valentino

Fuck Alastor

You want to play fucking games? Let's play a goddamn game!

He smiled the entire way to the set, handing off his copy of the script to the assistant director as he stepped onto the stage, looking out into the lights as he sat down at his chair and turned his prop coffee mug so the symbol of the station beamed into the camera as another smear of his logo all over the landscape. "Makeup!" One of them quickly dashed onto the stage, running a thick brush over the bottom right corner of his face, and then stepped back, "camera ready."

With a wave, a deep sigh, and a wink, the little lights beside the main one blinked on, and the assistant director lifted his hand, each robot servant preparing a light or camera for him.

"Live in three, two, one!"

'Welcome to the show!'

Vox's smile stretched from ear to ear, his big eye glowing bright. His charm laying on thick, almost pouring through every screen in hell.

"Top of the hour, ladies and gentlemen, and news has begun to spread of a certain demon found wandering around hell stirring up trouble and sticking his scaled face where it doesn't belong. But I think you all deserve the truth..." his smirk widened.

'So, is it true?'

'Have you seen this guy?!'

'I haven't!'

'Is he dangerous?'

"Officials are currently on the lookout for a certain demon, reptile in nature answering to the name 'Alex.'"

Husker spit out his drink when the boy's name was mentioned, coughing as he watched the news with the rest of the hotel. Alastor felt a little control slip from his claws, and his eyes darkened. His antlers started to sprout from his head. "Don't do this, Vox..."

"The current whereabouts of this demon are unknown, with the last known location being the Vees` tower as seen in this photograph."

Plastered across the screen was a single shot from the porno Valentino had done with Alex where he had raped him, the boy on his stomach, pinned under the Moth. Valentino had been blurred out, but Alex had not.

Alex stared at the screens on the warehouse floor, feeling bile surge up his throat as his memories of what had happened a few days ago returned to picture-perfect clarity. He hadn't known Valentino had made a movie of it. He thought it would have been for Valentino's enjoyment—not this.

Alastor reached back, his hand gripping the staff and leaning it against his shoulder, pressing a palm to his face. 'You've crossed a line...'

"THATS FUCKING GROTESQUE" yelled Charlie, who was quickly followed up by Vaggie, "How the FUCK did THAT get filmed!? When did he go there?! Where the fuck are they? Where the fuck is Angel?"

Alex vomited, his whole body leaning into it, and Angel grabbed him, "It's ok. It's ok. It's gonna` be ok!"

Vox continued, "The Hazbin Hotel has also been a frequent location for this deviant. As it stands, a reward for the capture of this individual has been issued by Overlord and fellow Vee, Valentino, so right about now, it's time to get those bets in, weary travelers~."

Vox smiled, and the phone in Valentino's office began to light up. Calls, texts, and phone lines blew up—as well they should. No matter where this thing was going, Valentino was always a good businessman, and there was good money in this line of work. All the money in the world couldn't have made him smile more now than he did, and he lit up another cigarette and drew a pen, ready to write down every piece of information.

"But be warned, fellow citizens, and be sure to keep your distance from this fellow as reports indicate he is equipped with holy armaments directly from above."

Alastor's teeth thinned out into sharp points, his body growing taller, his limbs extending, and his antlers reaching their full crown, "fuck."

Carmilla grits her teeth, "fuck."

The phone dropped from Valentino's hand, clattering to the floor, "fuck..."

"And that's all we have this moment, listeners. Thank you so much for tuning in, and remember! We have our eyes out for YOU. Thank you, and good evening."

"Cut!"

Fuck every single one of you.

Alastor drove a clawed fist into the television screen, his voice warped, static filling the air, as he ripped chunks of it out: cables, wire, silicone. "Well...that puts a damper on my plans."

Carmilla grabbed Alex by the collar, "Get them in the vehicles! Now!"

Valentino felt nothing but white-hot rage roll through his body, and he drew his pistols from inside his wings, firing over and over again into the screen of his television as the phone kept ringing.

There was a flurry of motion as Cherri was shoved in the van with them, her consciousness slipping in and out while they were shuffled away towards safety and with their bag. They left only rubble in their wake, needing to get out of sight quickly.

Angel stayed by Alex's side until the final van door slammed shut. Alex had heard the truck behind them, "Alex," he whispered as the arachnid glared over to the other, his bloodlust rising in his chest as Alex wiped his lips clean, "we can't help her anymore. They said they would take care of it. And now...all of hell knows about the sutures. I think...I think we're fucked."

The drive took much longer than Alex preferred, but they had lost the attention of the roving gangs after leaving the crime scene. The roads weren't clear—they were far from clear. Not for the first time, but Alex felt his whole world was falling around him.

Back at the hotel, Alastor had calmed down and returned to his usual smiling and cheery self, though now he was staring out the window and uncharacteristically quiet.

Charlie's phone rang, and it took her a moment to look at it. "Dad calling?" Again, it took a moment for terror to run through her, "DAD CALLING?!" she nearly yelled, and she fumbled, getting the phone, and almost dropped it. "Oh shit. What do I say? Do you think he saw the news? Uh...UHHHH!" She hit the answer button, "heeeey biiiitch."

...Why?

Lucifer stared out his window, pinching the bridge of his nose and rubbing his eyes. He leaned, sighed, and cleared his throat, "What are you doing with Alex in the Hazbin Hotel, Charlie?"

"And good evening to you, Dad!"

"That is not an answer."

"It's uh...nothing."

"Mhhnn...Well, that's not a good reason."

"Alright, it's an experiment with sinners to help redeem themselves by getting into heaven."

Lucifer frowned at the words, not exactly sure what his daughter had said, and glanced up to the ceiling, "I'm not asking about your plan, sweetheart." He tried to keep a smile, to sound relaxed, "What I'm asking is why you found it necessary to bring a demon, who, need I remind you again, are TERRIBLE PEOPLE, with fucking heaven Band-Aids, into your hotel and not say anything. These aren't like angel weapons, you get that right? Cause I'm feeling like a bit of an asshole when I ask something like that, yea? The difference between some knife an overlord sells on the black market and god damn SUTURES?! I just...OH! OOOHHH! I think I'm having a panic attack here. Did Vaggie know about this?"

The line goes quiet, Lucifer waiting for an answer as he listens.

"...yyyyyyea?"

"UUUUUUUGH!" his hand meets his forehead, his grin ever-present but fading by the second as his eyes snapped shut. "Do I dare ask who you've put your trust in to do whatever the Fuh-fuh-fuh-fuuuuck you feel you need to do with this guy? I swear to the almighty himself, you better not say Alastor!"

There was a pause.

"Oh fuck...it's Alastor, isn't it?"

The girl's voice was timid as she spoke, "Angel Dust...?"

...

He sounded like he would cry, "Oh sweetie...please lie and tell me it's Alastor."