I opened my eyes. I saw a dim room with a lone window, an old TV, peeled wallpaper, cobwebs in the corner.

On a nearby dresser, I saw a pile of new clothes and a black bikini bathing suit that had not been there before.

'This is odd,' I thought.

Then I saw the smirking Rolando portrait off to the right and it hit me.

'Oh shit, it wasn't a dream. I'm trapped in the Helluva Boss universe with an Envian serial killer demon.'

As if to confirm my thoughts, I heard a knock on the door.

With shaking hands, I turned the knob and opened it.

A red rose on a black stem appeared in front of me in a white hand.

"Good morning, little one!"

There was Rolando in his human form, grinning like nothing had happened last night.

"Did you sleep well?"

I took the rose with a shaking hand. "Yeah, I guess…"

"Just wanted to let you know that breakfast is being served. Why don't you get dressed and head on down? We're serving waffles."

I smiled nervously. "Thanks."

Rolando nodded and strolled away.

After I got dressed, I wandered down the hall until I reached a sign that read, "Dining Hall."

Hunger replaced my apprehension, and I walked over to the counters where the food and drinks were served.

To my dismay…but not to my surprise, the only drink they had was water and the only breakfast was waffles in the shape of one star with syrup but without any butter.

I sighed and got my waffle and drink. I settled down into a chair and began to eat. Many of the guests didn't seem to notice me…they were busy scrolling on their phones and one couple named Harold and Delores were blabbering about Harold's World War II adventures. The guests who did notice me gave me glares as if they knew I was some kind of alien outsider.

I dug into my waffle, thankful that I was alone.

"Feeling left out?"

I jumped.

There he was again, standing by my table.

"Uh, no Rolando, I'm…I'm fine."

"Perhaps you'd like some company?"

Too afraid to refuse him, I nodded. He sat across from me.

"Aren't you going to eat?" I asked.

"I already did earlier," he said. "Though the food sucks here, to be honest."

A small grin appeared on my face. Then it fell as I stared at him drumming his long fingers on the table. Did he actually eat food or did he only eat…

"Souls?" he asked.

Crap. It felt bizarre to sit with someone who could read my thoughts.

"People don't really know what souls taste like," he said. "Have you ever wondered?"

"Um…n-not really. I know in my world, there are parasite energy beings that feed off fear, but since people only eat food…"

"Food has energy in it, right? And souls and emotions are energy so…I don't really see much difference."

"Surely some souls don't taste good," I said. Why were we even having this strange conversation? "They're eternal energy, so they can't be destroyed…"

"They can perhaps change form or be transferred to another place," he added. "Or into…" He licked his lips slightly, "…someone else…"

I took a shaking breath. Even the spiritual conversations were creeping me out. Rolando was too good at bringing out the negative emotions.

"H-haven't you ever wondered what positive energy would taste like?" I asked in a low whimper.

"Haven't you wondered the same thing about air?" he asked.

I briefly looked confused.

"Air has no taste and neither does positivity," he said. "Fear gives demons nourishment…power. And besides…there's only fear and death when combined with the taste of flesh…"

I looked down at my empty plate and cup…trying to look anywhere else, but at Rolando. The anxiety was almost suffocating the longer I sat with him.

Things became too much when he added…

"I bet you're wondering whether demons or humans would taste better to one like me…"

"N-no!" I replied in a shaky voice. I glanced up and his eyes seemed to pierce my soul. He said in a low voice, "I think we both know the answer to that…"

My face turned pale and the hairs on my neck stood up. I was surprised he wasn't feasting on me then and there.

"I-I think I'd better go…" I stuttered. "Thanks for breakfast."

Not even bothering to put away the plate and cup, I stood up and walked fast out of the dining hall.

"Oh no," he mused, "Thank you."

0 0 0

There wasn't much else to do, except reading magazines and watching the hunch-backed bellhop drool drag people's suitcases to their rooms.

I thought getting into my black bikini suit and swimming some laps in the lone pool would take the edge off things.

Oh, how wrong I was.

I didn't know how Rolando could be busy being the manager and keep following me at the same time…but I didn't feel like questioning anything else at this point.

I floated on my back in the water…with only a few others in the pool. For a moment, all was quiet and peaceful.

"Looking nice, dear."

My face turned red, and my eyes widened. Rolando was staring at me…and his shadow appeared on the wall like his aquatic demon form with large glowing eyes.

I blinked several times…and he was gone!

No one else noticed, of course.

'Bad enough that the government and spirits spy on humans 24/7,' I thought with a shudder. 'But this is getting ridiculous! How am I supposed to escape now?'

After I got out of the pool and got dressed, I later checked my phone and saw a text: "Dinner at 7, see you soon. – Rolando"

I sat with Rolando at dinner, eating spaghetti and meatballs. We were the only ones there. Once again, he didn't eat. I would've enjoyed it more had I'd been by myself back at home. He kept eyeing me and I continued eating with shaking hands. I was too sacred to run or to talk to anyone else…I already felt more and more at his mercy.

"You still miss your home?" he asked.

"Yes," I said.

"So, the humans in your world don't believe in Hell?"

"Some do. Some don't."

"I could certainly have a lot of fun if I could come along with you…"

My anxiety spiked. "No, no, no, no! You wouldn't want to go there! The humans are horrible…very…god-fearing…"

"All the more reason to feast on them…" He grinned widely. "Now that you've met me, are you sure you really want to go back?"

I sat there in mental anguish. I hadn't thought about how easily he could follow me back through a portal.

"You back at home, more souls for me to take to Hell…a win-win."

"I really shouldn't be in this world…b-but I'd rather stay here than let you into mine."

"Your world can't be too much different," he said. He briefly scowled. "Humanity has always been rowdy and stupid and confusing…"

"Ghee, thanks."

"They have no respect for anyone, not even me. But If I stay here," he continued, "I'll just kill off some guests and enjoy myself some more. But your world would be spared. Would you prefer that?"

"Prefer what?"

"Prefer if these humans died instead?"

"Yes."

I gasped, realizing too late what I accidentally said.

"No, no, no, I didn't mean…"

"It's all good, my dear." He held out his phone to me.

To my horror, there was a video of me during the recent conversation. Rolando was not shown.

"Would you prefer that?"

"Prefer what?"

"Prefer if these humans died instead?"

"Yes."

His eyes widened like an excited child. "This video will get some good views back in Hell. And I hope I don't send it to anyone here by accident…" He waved a finger over the screen. "They really wouldn't want to see you…"

"Please, no!"

He was toying with me and enjoying every moment of it. He pocketed his phone…it had to be magic.

"Just wait until my boss sees how pathetic you look…"

Great. Now a hellish ruler could mock me, too.

I finished the last of my dinner and high-tailed it back to my room.

"Good night, Rolando!"

Rolando looked back at me. "Good night, little one," he trilled in a sing-song voice.

I rushed back to my room, locking my door, despite knowing it was useless. I curled up in bed, praying I could somehow find a way to escape this nightmare.

I heard dark chuckling in the night, but I couldn't see Rolando. I felt a faint drop on my forehead. I brushed it off. Then I felt another, and another.

Sitting up, I glanced at the ceiling. A strange black liquid was dripping down the ceiling and more of it began to thicken and slide down the walls.

"Eugh, what is this stuff?" I asked out loud.

Then I remembered that Rolando used the substance to activate his illusions.

When more began to fall and soak the bed, I jumped off of it and onto the floor…

…the floor that was now starting to get wet from more black goo pouring in from the opening beneath the door!

I pulled on the door, but it wouldn't budge. Desperate, I got back up on the bed as the liquid flowed all around the room.

This was surely it…Rolando was going to drown me.

More black goo creeped up onto my face, arms, and legs. My limbs suddenly felt numb and tired. I looked down and saw…rusted chains binding down my arms and legs?!

"Rolando, enough with your illusions!" I yelled.

When I struggled, the goo felt like it was gripping my chest. But when I relaxed, it strangely felt like I was lying in a hot tub…

…a black puddle that seemed to…

I felt myself collapsing onto the bed, like I was being held down by weights.

"No, no, let me go!"

I couldn't seem to fight this strange substance, whatever it was. I was soaked in the liquid and my eyelids began to get heavy.

When I saw a blurry vision of Rolando's shadowy face, I let the darkness overtake me…

I couldn't see or feel much of anything…but I did feel like I was being carried…to somewhere…

When I slowly came to, I felt a tightness in my hands and neck. I opened my eyes and saw a floor a distance away and glowing lights surrounding me. The room was spacious with large windows and some furniture below.

Then I noticed my arms were pinned behind me. My arms and hands were tied with rope. A noose was wrapped around my neck, and the rope trailed up to the top of the chandelier.

I screamed in sheer terror as thunder crashed from outside.

I looked around, slowly standing up and stumbling, trying to catch my balance.

"Bet you weren't expecting this, huh?"

Demon Rolando smirked as he floated slowly over to me.

"Rolando, what is this?! What are you doing to me?!"

Rolando shrugged. "Well, you said you wanted an easy death. Now I'm giving it to you!"

"NO! NOT NOW!"

Rolando chuckled evilly. "That's what they all say before death comes upon them."

I cried out some more.

"Save your last breaths," said Rolando. "No one can hear you. No one can save you!"

Lighting flashed, lighting up a disturbing and convincing illusion. I saw the shadows of Blitzo, Moxxie, Mille, and Loona being hung from the chandelier, their bodies limp.

"W-why are you…"

"Why am I doing this? You know who I am, plus you're from another world, so I can't let that get in the way of my plans. Also, your fears and despair are so intoxicating right now…"

He trailed his long yellow tongue along my neck, and I whimpered. He bit softly into my neck, and I grunted. He licked his lips, red blood trailing into his mouth.

"It's been a pleasure spending time with you, but I do have other humans to haunt."

I shuddered as I looked down at the ground. Rolando put his clawed hands on my shoulders.

"You should count yourself, lucky. Usually, I rip apart my victims…but since you behaved so well, I'll feast on your organs after you fall…you won't feel a thing!"

That definitely did not make me feel better.

He stared into my eyes. "I can still sense your thoughts. You know you don't belong here. You don't even feel you belong fully in your world. Your so-called spirit helpers abandoned you, all your family and friends just temporary players in a game your soul chooses to play…"

"That's not true!"

"How do you know, though? Certainly no one will save you now, living or dead. If everything and everyone is one in your universe, you have nothing to lose."

"My body! My identity!"

"Things you will no longer need to worry about. Your so-called past life flaws, endless lesson learning by the ethereal elite…those are nothing, just like you are nothing."

"Stop it! I'm not nothing! I'm divinely loved by the universe!"

Rolando scoffed. "The universe does not care. Evolution stops for no one. It's all eat or be eaten…fuck or be fucked! You think everything is just some part of a pre-planned script before being born on Earth, right? Look how well that's turning out. Humans kill and destroy and taunt right and left…they're nothing but mindless food! They delay the inevitable and accomplish nothing! Your kind will be wiped out just like any other species. But I'll continue my haunts in this world and your world…and then I can feast on human despair for eternity!"

I sobbed some more.

Rolando continued hovering around me like an aquatic vulture.

"Little bitch, you're so sweet and so pathetic…you'll never be perfect for those you love and not to the universe. Just like a bug, your life is short and meaningless."

He hovered some more. "After you die, the question is, where will you go? Will you go to the Pride Ring with the other Sinners? Will you cease to exist altogether? Or perhaps…you'll be safely back in your world…"

"You don't know that!"

"Only one way to find out, isn't there? The longer you stay here, the more those in your world will miss you, wonder where you are…but if you do end up in Hell, I'll be sure to visit you…"

Rolando pulled out something glowing and held it in front of my eyes.

It was an indigo crystal…the most beautiful etheric fragment I had ever seen. It hummed with a strange vibration…a vibration that reminded me of the beginning pulse of the universe or the rush of a primordial ocean. All my fears slipped away as I let my eyes drink in its beautiful purple light.

Tears flowed from my eyes as I slowly inched forward.

Rolando whispered in my ear. "This nightmare can end for good. All you need to do…is jump."

I shook my head and scooted back, shutting my eyes. He propped my eyelids open, and I saw the crystal again. I reached out for it, one leg hanging over the edge.

"Your body, your mind, your soul, your very identity, it's all mine," he purred. "You're gonna taste delicious!"

I strained and groaned, trying to fight the sinister urge.

"JUMP, LITTLE ONE!" he bellowed.

But like a moth to a flame, the crystal drew me in, and gravity began to pull me down.

Rolando cackled as I closed my eyes and began to lean forward…

0 0 0

ENVE:

Radical-Rolando posted a new video:

The video showed me balancing on the chandelier, rope around my neck and Rolando hungrily hovering nearby.

"Had an absolute blast messing around with this little doll. She sure loved HANGING out with me! Whether her world exists or not, I'm sure we'll find a way to influence Earth more and drag more souls to Hell. My job's not half bad, feel free to get jealous, lol."

Envious-Karen: Going up to Earth seems pointless to me…playing around with humans, ew!

Glamorous Glim: I agree. Nothing beats the performing life!

Glimmering Glam: I figured infestor demons were weird to begin with.

Helsa-Alpha-Bitch: Strange that infestor demons get decently paid for going to Earth. Emphasis on "merely decent," still a commoner, imo.

Seviathan-The-Man: I think his human disguise is hideous. Besides, we have tons of luxury foods in Envy!

Radical-Rolando: You guys are foolish…you're truly missing out on the tasty thrill of a lifetime. If you ever got a whiff of despair from a human, you'd never want anything else again.

Envious-Karen: That's exactly the kind of things drug addicts would say! And I think it's very strange he's obsessed with this mortal.

Helsa-Alpha-Bitch: Not nearly as pathetic as Charlie's stupid rehab hotel for Sinners. Frankly, all of Hell would be better off if ex-humans weren't here…or at least have them be our servants.

Radical-Rolando: Get your head out of the water, Helsa. I hate humans and Sinners too, but they will play a great part in helping us demons get our revenge. I wouldn't even be here enjoying what I do if it weren't for them.

Helsa-Alpha-Bitch: If only we were immortal like the Sinners…we'd be unstoppable Overlords…well, even more than we already are.

Seviathan-The-Man: Yeah, and then we'd have to hide our hides from the Exorcists. I'd say my life is nearly perfect…if only the Morningstar Family properly allied with ours…

Helsa-Alpha-Bitch: No bimbo Charlie in my vicinity…what a dyke!

Glamorous Glim: Hey, Rolando, how did she taste? Did you kill her?

Radical-Rolando: Just about to, I can't wait to find out!

Envious-Karen: I think this hobo needs to get a real job…go back to the soccer field, Ronaldo.

Radical-Rolando: Bitch can't read or spell my name, smh.

Envious-Karen: Watch your tongue, mister!

Radical-Rolando: Whatever you say, "mom" lol.