Venus wasn't sure if she needed to eat, she was dead after all. But, she was still a Hellborn.
Deciding it wasn't worth the risk, she entered the dining room for lunch. She wasn't sure what to expect, but a giant blue rooster certainly wasn't it.
"Oh!"
"Venus!" Oz gasped in shock. He quickly changed into his compact form. "Sorry! I wasn't expecting you! I-uh, have three different forms, four if you count my human disguise. My middle form is what I'm most comfortable in, but I wanted to make sure you were comfortable."
"Oh. Ok." Venus slowly processed what she had witnessed. She thought back to her own form, she was shocked when she first saw it. She was told Sinners take on new forms when they manifest in Hell, and she hadn't given much thought as to why she was a bird. But, seeing her father this way, it made sense.
Just then her stomach rumbled.
"Oh! We have bread, cheese, and ham if you want a sandwich." Oz told her.
"Uh, thanks."
With that, Oz showed her around the kitchen. He wanted to make sure she knew where everything was.
After Venus sat down at the table, she brought her hands together. She stared at them, suddenly looking panicked and unsure.
"Is something wrong?" Oz asked.
"I, in life, I always prayed before eating. It was, just something I did."
"And now, you're in Hell." Oz sympathized. "It's ok. I know habits are hard to break. Just do what you feel comfortable with. In here, when it's just us, we won't judge."
"Thank you… Father." Venus wasn't sure how to address the three-headed rooster.
"Still getting used to it, huh?"
"Yeah. I'm sure time and practice will help."
"I'm sure it will."
After a nervous chuckle, Venus went back to her food. She did a short prayer, then tucked in. Hell food was definitely different, but not bad.
When she was finished, Ozzie sat her down in his study.
"Sweetie, I've done some digging, and I have good news and bad news."
"Ok."
"Good news, the police arrived shortly after the gun was fired. And your killer was taken into custody."
"Was he released on bail?"
The Sin of Lust grew nervous. "Well... he was caught doing things to your body, which you probably don't want to hear."
Venus shuddered as thoughts of what her deranged ex did to her body.
"Yeah. So, that's the bad news. He's currently undergoing psychic evaluation." He paused before adding, "If you want, I can send someone to either ensure he gets locked up, or sent here."
Venus thought about it. She wanted justice, but, did she want him in jail, or an asylum?
"Is he pleading guilty?"
Ozzie's face fell. "No. He's claiming various things, none of which involve insanity."
"Do they involve self-defense, and cops making stuff up?"
"Yes. Even though the body cam footage shows otherwise." Ozzie shuddered as he continued, "He's claiming that it's AI, and editing." The King of Lust sighed. "You did a good thing by dumping him."
"I wish I never dated him."
"Well, did you know he was crazy before?"
"No."
"Well, you didn't know. Now, you do. Don't beat yourself up over that. Besides, hybrids tend to age slower than regular humans, so you would've had to deal with that in a decade or two."
"True, but I still wish I could've lived longer and crossed stuff off my bucket list."
"You can still do stuff now." Ozzie assured, "And I'll do whatever I can to help."
Venus smiled, and thought of all the things she wanted to do. Sure there were some things she could only do while alive, but now she didn't have to worry about dying. She was already dead, and in Hell.
Which brought her back to her killer. What did she want done to him?
"Um, would it be ok, to show someone on Earth a video made in Hell?" Venus asked, "I want to give my ex a piece if my mind. And ensure he gets the justice he deserves."
"Well, we have several options. On Halloween, the Hellborn can freely walk the Earth, and you're half Hellborn. However, you're also dead, and therefore technically a sinner. And sinners can't go back to Earth."
"Oh."
"Well, you can also freely traverse the Rings, so maybe, but, we'd have to get permission. But, don't worry, with your ex's current circumstances, we can do a 'haunting', or record a message and play it for him. Of course, we'd have to make sure that the only humans who see us, are him, and other crazy people."
"So, no one who would be believed."
"Exactly, if people know Hell exists as a punishment, then they'll be less likely to sin. And, even though we don't know what exactly gets people in here, our fellow elites need sinners to serve them."
"Our?"
"Yes, remember?"
"Yes. It's just, I'm still taking it in."
"No worries. You'll get there. Anyway, we also don't want to cause unnecessary panic. We want people to enjoy themselves before coming here."
"Fair enough. So, how would the recording work?"
"Well, the simplest way, would be to do a tape recording. Then we'd send someone up to play it, when he's either alone, or our demons are the only ones in earshot."
"Ok." Venus sat in contemplation. A plan started to form in her mind. A plan she'd never dream of going through with while alive. But, since she was dead, and doomed to remain in Hell. "Would it be possible to work the recording in with a haunting?"
The Sin of Lust was intrigued. "What do you have in mind?"