Hope Abandoned
Abigail had been cleaning off the tables when Ilene had joined her carrying a pair of tea cups. She smiled as she took hers.
Ilene looked on at the dismal state of the Nightingale. Despite their best efforts to refurbish the place, it still hadn't drawn in more than a few customers a week. Abigail had been such a help though; always looking for something to do, never without her positive, can-do attitude; put simply, she was a good friend above anything else. Business might not have been good, but it all seemed better with the right company.
The two then turned at the sound of the door nearly being broken down. Imagine their surprise when the Princess herself along with her partner burst through the door. Neither seemed to come delivering pleasantries, especially not the one gripping her spear tightly, ready to skewer.
"WHERE IS HE?!" Vaggie demanded.
Abigail nearly fell out of her seat at the pair's sudden entrance, while Ilene merely blinked; responding by taking another sip of her tea.
Lowering her cup back onto its coaster, she turned back to the two.
"Pardon?"
Vaggie made time in rushing to Ilene.
"Vaggie!" Charlie called, but was given no response.
"Answer me!" Vaggie pressed, the tip of her spear now inches from Ilene's neck. Though if the lady of the establishment had an inkling of fear at this, she kept it well hidden.
Before Vaggie could press any further questioning, however, there came the sound of a shotgun being cocked. Abigail had suddenly reappeared, keeping her aim square at Vaggie's head from the bar.
"Try it, pute."
"Everybody please!" Charlie begged as she came in between Ilene and Vaggie, with Abigail lowering her gun. "We don't need to start anything."
"Indeed." Ilene concurred.
She turned to Abigail at the bar.
"That won't be necessary, dear."
The girl looked conflicted for a moment or two, but slowly laid her weapon on the counter.
"Now then." Ilene started, turning back to Vaggie. "What can I do for you?"
"Our friend was here earlier." Charlie began. "We…I really need to talk to him."
"And your friend…was he the frightened young man dressed in your father's clothes, perchance?" Ilene inquired as she stirred her tea, not even looking in Charlie's direction.
Charlie went wide eyed.
"Yes!"
She quickly placed herself in Ilene's line of sight, anxious tears threatening to fall.
"I know you held a contract for him here a little while ago, but I'm begging you, please let him go."
Ilene took another sip of her tea, as if to think over her decision. One she didn't have to make.
"There's no need to worry about that, your Highness."
She put her tea cup down, resting it on the table.
"He never signed."
All Charlie could do was blink.
"What?"
"Just because I am an Overlord, doesn't mean I don't have a moral fiber. But yes, he declined my offer, and then he went on his way. Rather abruptly actually."
Charlie and Vaggie were both taken aback by this; Overlords, given their reputation, never let souls slip by. Especially if any of them became aware of Connor's secret. The pair lit up, thinking Connor had just narrowly dodged a bullet! Until a new problem dawned on them.
"Wait…if he's not there…where did he go?" Vaggie asked.
"Well judging by how it so suddenly gripped his attention, I would guess he's made his way to the Heaven Embassy."
A pin could be heard dropping after that statement; Charlie greeting Ilene with a thousand yard stare as a weight fell in her stomach. She whipped around to meet Vaggie, a look of grave concern on her face.
"We need to go, now!" Vaggie said, before the two dashed out of the Nightingale.
Ilene and Abigail both came to the doorway watching the two disappear down the same direction Connor had not half an hour before.
"Strange for the Princess to worry over one Sinner, isn't it?" Abigail questioned.
Ilene hummed in agreement, thinking to herself. What could be so special about this boy?
Connor was laying in a pathetic ball at the embassy's doors, as if waiting for them to open. Despite at this point doubting that they ever would. He was well aware of how easy a target he was making himself out as, but where else could he go? It didn't matter whichever part of the city he found himself in, he would always be at risk.
And so he remained there, lying atop the hard stone stairs. He would occasionally try to wake himself, wishing that all of this was just another nightmare, but the situation had sadly proven much too real. The ever present screaming, gunshots, and explosions ensured that.
What could he take away from Heaven itself, the protectors of the innocent, not hearing his plea? How could this place even be called an embassy if it failed to live up to its name? Of course most here would probably not deserve being allowed within its walls, but he thought those that had been placed here undeservingly would be heard. So then why was he given no inkling that anyone was home?
Perhaps he really was meant to be left there…
Connor shuddered at this notion. It was one that he had been wrestling with since he learned what this place really was. He hadn't given it much thought at the time; being surrounded by a number of increasingly menacing demons had demanded his immediate attention.
But what if he was meant to be in Hell? What if he was no better than these sinners, these demons that ran rampant through the streets causing mayhem of every kind? The brief vision of his home had only given him tidbits of his former life, but never gave him anything concrete as to who he was as a person. He didn't think his behavior thus far was an act, he was genuinely afraid. Of course he was, any sane human being would be. He had spent the past day in a constant state of panic.
But he knew that he could also be kind. The brief interactions he had with Charlie, Vaggie, Ilene and Abigail had proof of that. He had at least tried to be cordial with them, almost reflexively. That at least told him that he had been taught to be kind. But was there something he had done before he came to Hell? He sighed, pained by a sense of guilt he wasn't sure had any real meaning. But whatever the case may have been, it didn't matter now.
He slowly rose to his feet, dusting himself off as he did so. He looked back up to the embassy, standing as a tall beacon of gold amidst this city of red and black. Through the reflection cast by the glass doors he saw the pitiful state he had been left in.
That plaster-white ghost of a man greeting him with a debilitated stare; those eyes, whether it was from the color in the contacts Vaggie had given him or from his lack of rest were sore and reddening. This look alone almost made him want to break down all over again.
The wig had luckily remained firmly attached to his head, though it too had become disheveled. The clothes he had been given, tight and ill-fitting as they were, having become rumpled from his moping session on the ground. He ran his fingers over the buttons. Each one a bright gold, polished clean; leaving a small glare onto the doors. It took Connor a moment to realize that these had at one time been worn by the actual Devil himself. A chill shot down Connor's spine upon this realization; he knew that Charlie's father probably wouldn't take kindly to just anyone donning his garments. Though, at the same time, he did have to wonder…was the Devil really this much shorter than him?
The image of a domineering, titanic monster with large black horns and cloven hooves had been the one Connor had in his mind. That was the prevailing description of the ruler of Hell the world had come to know of course. But then…why would the Devil dress this way? Was it possible that he could change form? It certainly seemed plausible. Though why the bright colors, he hadn't a clue.
Another blast shook him from his thoughts, jolting him back to reality. He hadn't taken stock of the surroundings, with the bombings having been kept further away until now.
He shook his head. You're getting distracted again, Connor, he reminded himself.
There wasn't any point being here anymore. He tried, once more to open the doors.
They still wouldn't budge. He let to another defeated sigh.
Help wasn't coming.
Charlie couldn't recall a time when she had ran faster. Desperate to stop Connor from reaching the embassy, she ducked and dodged out of the way of the city's residents the best she could, though still had insults shouted at her from passersby. The others: Vaggie, Razzle, and Dazzle, were able to keep up somewhat, though they were slightly more mindful of the obstacles in their way.
In time, they had arrived at the chapel, legs and wings both burning. But when they looked to the stairwell leading to the embassy's doors, they could see that Connor was nowhere to be found.
Charlie ran up the stairs with Vaggie closely behind her; Razzle and Dazzle both looking on in equal worry.
When she reached the doors, Charlie began furiously pounding on the glass.
"Connor! Please let us in, you don't know what you're doing!"
She tried to pull the doors open, Vaggie even trying to pry them open with her spear, but as before, they remained unmoved.
"We're too late…no…"
Charlie hung her head as she fell to her knees, the panic now setting in full.
Her mind was running a million miles an hour. Visions of Connor confronting Heaven about his experience in Hell, and possibly shifting the blame towards Charlie in particular. She couldn't be certain that she could convince them of her intentions; why take the word of Hells' princess over an innocent soul?
Vaggie knelt down to Charlie's side and pulled her into her arms. She stared at the doors with a glare. Her first thought was to try and break through the glass, but knew it would be a wasted effort. Another was that if they couldn't get in, then perhaps neither had Connor, and that he was still out on the streets. But the possibility that was most likely in her mind, was that Connor, being an innocent, had made it in and was confronting Heaven about his 'imprisonment', and as such Heaven had closed off the chapel to any other outsiders should they try to get him back.
Whichever may have been the case, she knew there was nothing more that they could do. She helped Charlie to her feet, and the group left for home.
After having the doors to his salvation refuse to open to him, Connor left the embassy. Now aimlessly traversing the city as he continued weighing his options. Shuffling past demon after demon, no longer plagued by fear. How could he? What was there to hope for? If he was to survive this place until those doors opened again…wait.
"That's it!" He shouted, to the confusion of some passing imps.
That's what the clocktower must have signified! Perhaps it was a day when the doors to the chapel would open! For what purpose he still didn't know, but was a possibility! But when he recalled at how much time he would have to wait, his moment of relief left again.
Three hundred and sixty-three days…
How was he expected to last almost an entire year in Hell?! Between Charlie, Alastor, or any other demon he came across, he didn't stand a chance! Thinking back on it, perhaps he shouldn't have been too hasty for Ilene's supposed promise of safety? She at least seemed well-mannered enough, but then again, so had Charlie.
He shook his head.
No, he wouldn't reconsider having himself signed away. Devil or not.
His head craned upwards to the winged-moon again. So pure, so bright, and so far out of reach.
*CLANG!*
That clanging had stopped him in his tracks. He glanced across the street to a rather peculiar sight; even by the standards of what he had experienced thus far.
From out the bombed out remains of a hardware store, came a trio of anthropomorphic eggs; each dressed in little suits with matching top hats. They all carried with them an assortment of tools and parts, a few that should have been much to heavy for them to lift.
One of them spotted Connor staring from across the street and waved eagerly.
"Hello!"
Connor, continued to stare slack-jawed at this would-be-omelette, before slowly returned the gesture as the eggs collected their wares and waddled off around the corner.
"I've officially lost my mind." Connor remarked flatly. What would those…things need parts for?
…and why was his curiosity slowly taking control?
"Screw it." Connor said before taking off after the three. He didn't have much better to do at the moment.
"Alice had a rabbit, and I'm chasing a damn egg!" He muttered.
The eggs, and likewise Connor, had made their way to the city center.
Just as he had caught up, Connor was astonished to see that the three were not as unique as he had thought previous. Soon another two of the things were gathering, sharing details of what they had found. They were all getting ready to leave again, until Connor had stopped them.
"Hey, hold on a second!"
The five turned to meet this stranger.
"Oh hey! It's that guy I was telling you about!" One of the eggs said, pointing out Connor.
"He's taller than I thought."
"He looks like a candy cane!"
Connor was left slightly put off by their comments; he clearly wasn't dealing with an intelligent sort.
He shook his head.
"What are you guys?"
"Oh! The Boss calls us the Egg Boiz!"
"We don't have names!"
Connor blinked.
"I can see that."
There was a pause. The Egg Boiz all seemed to stare blankly at Connor just as he did before. Though in their case, it was mostly due to a lack of substance behind the eyes. Could these things actually not have brains?
"So…" Connor started, unsure of how he was supposed to talk to literal breakfast food. "what's all that stuff you got there?"
"Oh this stuff?"
"They're parts!"
"For our Boss' airship!"
In an instant, the wheels began to turn in Connor's mind.
"Really?"
He knelt down closer to their level.
"And…would you say his airship goes pretty high up?"
"Oh yeah, REALLY high up!"
"Super high!"
"You can see the whole city from up there!"
Connor shrugged, acting naive. Though probably unnecessary given his company.
"Could I…see it?"
"Sure!"
"We were heading back now!"
"We needed parts to help Boss fix it!"
Connor's grinned. Too easy.
"Alright, lead the way."
Well. This one was a bit of a downer. Connor's on his own now, lost in the city with no one to turn to. I mean it is Hell, so for all he knows everyone is out to get him. Poor Charlie is just destroyed right now, but hopefully things will work out for the best soon.
Despite that however, I think you guys know who's coming next chapter. Wonder how Connor will react to our favorite snake? Because it might not be what you're expecting.
Anyway, please tell me how you're liking the story so far! I'm really looking for feedback. Thanks!