Alex trudged through the school's emptying halls, the weight of yet another detention pressing down on her. The day had dragged on endlessly, and yet she wasn't heading home like everyone else. Instead, she was making her way toward the all-too-familiar detention room, where she'd no doubt waste the next hour staring at the clock, waiting for time to set her free. Mr. Laritate had been furious with her latest stunt—so furious that he declared she needed "extra supervision" and sentenced her to another afternoon of detention.

Alex wasn't sure which poor teacher got roped into babysitting her this time, but she figured they'd be just as thrilled about it as she was. As she turned the corner, her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden blur of red and movement. Harper came rushing past, clearly not paying attention to where she was going. Before Alex could step aside, her friend crashed into her, sending both of them stumbling. Harper's satchel went flying, scattering a mess of papers, notebooks, and random trinkets all over the hallway floor. Harper let out a dramatic groan as she flopped onto her back. "Rats!"

Alex sighed, extending a hand to pull her up. It wasn't the first time Harper had nearly knocked her over in a frantic moment, and it probably wouldn't be the last. Harper dusted herself off, looking sheepish. "I swear, that keychain has been avoiding me on purpose." She started gathering her things, stuffing them haphazardly back into her bag. "Wait, what are you still doing here? The bell rang like five minutes ago."

Alex rolled her eyes. "Detention."

Harper nodded knowingly, as if she had only just remembered. "Ohhh. Right. Yesterday's little… project."

Alex exhaled, thinking back to the previous day's events. She wasn't particularly proud of how things had turned out—not because she regretted what she had done, but because getting caught was a hassle. Sneaking off into the tunnels beneath the school had been an impulsive decision, but the thrill of painting uninterrupted had been worth it. The dim glow of streetlights filtering through the grates, the quiet hum of the city above—it was the perfect atmosphere to let creativity take over. What she hadn't expected was to run into anyone down there. Yet, somehow, she had.

Strangers who spoke like they belonged to a different world, but ones who had appreciated her art in a way no one at school ever did. They liked her tag, recognized her style. They didn't look at her as just another student wasting time—they saw her work for what it was. She hadn't told anyone about them, not even Harper. Lately, she and Harper had been drifting—still friends, still spending time together, but something felt… off. Like there was an invisible thread fraying between them, pulling them apart bit by bit. So instead of explaining, she shrugged. "I made some new friends in the tunnel. They liked my piece."

That was all she was willing to share, at least for now. As Harper continued her frantic search for the elusive keychain, Alex barely paid attention. Her mind was elsewhere—back in those tunnels, back to the strangers she'd met, back to the feeling that maybe, just maybe, she'd stumbled upon something bigger than just another hiding spot. And something told her she wasn't done with it yet.

The morning sun cast a golden glow over New York's skyline, reflecting off glass windows and towering skyscrapers as the group moved through the busy streets. Even in their human disguises, they couldn't shake the feeling of being outsiders in a world that never stopped moving. Cars honked in endless frustration, pedestrians hurried past with their heads buried in their phones, and the smell of roasted pretzels and hot dogs mingled with the distant scent of car exhaust. Charlie led the way with eager enthusiasm, practically bouncing with excitement as she pointed out every little thing that caught her eye.

"Look at this! And that! Oh my gosh, Vaggie, is that a Broadway theater?!"

Vaggie, walking closely beside her, rolled her eyes but smiled nonetheless. "Yes, Charlie. That is a Broadway theater. Try not to get us lost while gawking."

Behind them, Lucifer strolled with effortless grace, his sharp eyes scanning the city like an old king revisiting a kingdom long forgotten. His disguise had transformed him into a striking man in a sleek black suit with golden embroidery, his white hair smoothed back as he exuded an aura of authority. He chuckled at his daughter's enthusiasm but said nothing, allowing her to soak in the experience. Alastor, on the other hand, seemed almost too comfortable, strolling down the sidewalks with a certain nostalgic amusement. His human form was eerily fitting—a tall man with slicked-back dark hair, his ever-present grin framed by a neatly trimmed goatee.

His red three-piece suit had been traded for something more modern but equally dapper, and yet he still carried the air of someone who didn't quite belong. "Ah, the city! The sights, the sounds, the sheer mayhem!" He chuckled to himself, watching a taxi narrowly avoid hitting a jaywalking pedestrian. "Truly a place after my own heart."

Husk, lagging at the back of the group, groaned as he adjusted his sunglasses. "Yeah, yeah, real charming. Too damn bright, too damn loud. Can't believe I let myself get dragged into this mess." His disguise had given him the look of a grizzled, middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair, a five o'clock shadow, and a long coat that barely hid his perpetual irritation.

Angel Dust strutted confidently through the streets as if he had never left, though something in his posture betrayed a quiet tension. He was human now—a tall, slim man with platinum-blond hair tied back in a loose ponytail, wearing an open leather jacket over a fitted top. His usual carefree demeanor was intact, but his eyes lingered a little too long on familiar street corners, old storefronts, and faded graffiti on brick walls. Molly, walking beside him, tugged on his sleeve and grinned. "I can't believe it still looks the same. Look, Tony! That's the bakery Ma used to love! And—oh my God—remember that park?"

Arackniss, dressed in a sharp gray suit, kept his expression neutral, though his gaze softened at the familiar sights. "Yeah. I remember." His voice was quieter than usual, a hint of something unspoken lingering in his words.

Sir Pentious, sticking close to Arackniss, was clearly trying to make sense of the chaotic energy of New York. His human form was that of a well-dressed Victorian gentleman, complete with a long dark coat and a high-collared vest. He squinted at the rush of people around them, frowning at the sheer disorder. "Good heavens, how do mortals function in such madness?"

Cherri Bomb, now appearing as a punk-styled young woman with bright pink streaks in her hair and ripped jeans, threw an arm around Angel's shoulders and grinned. "This place still got that good ol' chaotic energy! Almost makes me miss the action."

Charlie giggled, taking it all in. "There's just so much to see! I can't believe people get to live here every day!"

They walked through different parts of the city, moving from the bright, tourist-heavy energy of Times Square to the charming, historic feel of Greenwich Village. At one point, Charlie insisted they take a stroll through Central Park, marveling at the vast green space in the middle of the steel jungle. Lucifer humored her enthusiasm, while Vaggie kept a cautious eye on the surroundings. By the time noon rolled around, the group was starting to feel the weight of the city's never-ending energy. The smells of street food had become almost torturous, teasing their empty stomachs with the promise of something delicious.

Angel, rolling his eyes at Charlie's continued wonder, finally spoke up. "Alright, enough sightseeing. I know the perfect place for lunch."

Without another word, he led them down a quieter street, away from the overwhelming rush of the main roads. The buildings here were older, the sidewalks narrower, but there was a certain warmth to the area. They walked until Angel finally stopped in front of a familiar little sandwich shop with a bright red awning. The sign above the door read: Waverly Substation. Charlie gasped. "It looks so cute!"

Angel smirked. "Yeah, yeah, looks ain't everything. It's the sandwiches that'll change your afterlife."

With that, he pushed open the door, the bell jingling above them as they stepped inside. Alex paced around her room, arms crossed as she fumed over Justin's latest stunt. It wasn't enough that he always had to be the golden child, but now he was actively sabotaging her just to make himself look better. She kicked a stray shoe across the room in frustration. "Unbelievable," she muttered under her breath.

She knew there was no point in trying to explain the situation to her parents. They'd just brush it off as another one of her excuses. She had half a mind to find a way to get back at Justin, but before she could plot anything, the sound of the bell ringing downstairs signaled new customers. Groaning, she dragged herself off the bed and stomped downstairs, still irritated. As she reached the counter, she immediately recognized the group that had just entered the shop. Her eyes widened slightly, her annoyance momentarily forgotten. It was them.

Charlie, Vaggie, Cherri Bomb, Sir Pentious, Arackniss, Molly, Angel, Lucifer, Alastor, and Husk had all walked in, still disguised in their human forms. They looked slightly out of place in the cozy sub shop, but none of them seemed to care. Charlie was glancing around excitedly, as if taking in every detail of the restaurant, while Angel leaned against the counter with a smirk. "Oh hey, kid," Angel greeted with a lazy wave. "Fancy running into you again."

Alex blinked, momentarily caught off guard before regaining her composure. "Yeah, funny how that works." She turned her gaze toward the others. "Didn't expect to see you guys here."

"I picked the place here for me and my friends to have lunch." Angel answered, "I didn't know you work here."

"Well, my family owns the shop and my dad's got me and my brother's working here. Or as my mom and I call it, 'A cheap way to avoid hiring real workers and paying us in peanuts.'" Alex spoke in a sarcastic tone.

Husk looked over at Alex, "Not a fan of the family business?"

Before Alex could respond, Justin suddenly appeared beside her, standing stiffly as he eyed the newcomers. His suspicion was practically radiating off him. "Alex," he said, his voice laced with forced politeness. "Aren't you supposed to be grounded? You know from your little stunt at school? With the mural?"

Alex clenched her jaw. "I'm working, Justin. And for your information, Harper and half of the art committee liked it. Not my fault that you can't draw no better than a two year old." She turned back to Charlie's group. "So, what can I get you guys?"

Charlie excitedly glanced at the menu, while Lucifer, standing behind her with an amused expression, simply leaned against the wall, observing. Husk looked half-asleep, clearly uninterested in whatever was happening, and Alastor seemed more entertained by the lively atmosphere than the food itself. "Anything you recommend?" Cherri asked, grinning.

Alex smirked. "Well, if you trust my judgment, I'd say go for the special. You won't regret it."

"Then make it ten," Lucifer said smoothly, flashing an easygoing smile.

Justin gawked. "Ten?! That's a lot of food."

Lucifer raised a brow. "We have big appetites."

Alex grabbed a notepad and started jotting down the order. "Alright, I'll get this started. Drinks?"

Before they could answer, Justin suddenly stepped forward, eyes narrowing slightly. "Actually, I'll take care of their table. You've already caused enough problems today, Alex."

She stiffened, knowing exactly what he was doing. He wanted to keep an eye on them, probably convinced that something was off about them. Alex met his gaze, silently daring him to push her further. But before she could argue, Angel leaned over the counter with a smirk. "Eh, actually, we like her better." He pointed a thumb at Alex. "No offense, kid, but you give me 'hall monitor' energy, and that's not the vibe we're looking for."

Justin's face twitched. "Excuse me?"

"Yeah, sorry," Molly chimed in, feigning innocence. "We kinda have a rule against people with sticks up their—"

Arackniss nudged her before she could finish, but he didn't seem particularly inclined to disagree.

Justin's jaw clenched. "Fine," he bit out, clearly annoyed. "But if anything goes wrong, I'm telling Mom and Dad."

Alex rolled her eyes and watched him walk away before turning back to the group. "I'm sorry about my brother. He can be a real jerk."

"Don't sweat it kid." Angel stated, "Molls and I know what it's like having an older brother."

Arackniss rolled his eyes, "I'm right here."

As she walked toward the kitchen, she couldn't help but feel a little satisfied. For once, someone else had knocked Justin down a peg. And that made her day just a little bit better. Charlie and her group had settled in. Husk looked like he was already regretting coming along, slouched in his seat with his arms crossed, while Sir Pentious was adjusting his tie, looking around the sub shop with mild disdain. Alastor, on the other hand, seemed completely delighted, his grin never faltering as he tapped his fingers rhythmically against the table. Charlie and Vaggie were chatting excitedly about the different items on the menu, while Molly and Cherri were deep in a discussion about city sights they wanted to visit next.

Alex approached the table, reminding herself to focus—especially after what Justin had pulled earlier. She wasn't about to give him another excuse to make her life miserable. But just as she was setting down the drinks—her foot suddenly caught on something. Before she could react, she stumbled forward, the tray tilting dangerously. Time seemed to slow as the glasses tumbled, spilling their contents all over the table—and onto Angel, Lucifer, and Alastor. There was a beat of silence. Angel let out a shriek, jerking back as the freezing liquid soaked his shirt. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" he howled, shaking his arms as soda dripped from his sleeves.

Lucifer, still as a statue, slowly blinked as an entire glass of lemonade ran down his suit. He exhaled through his nose, setting his napkin down with an eerie calm. Alastor, meanwhile, remained perfectly still, his ever-present grin twitching slightly. His once-pristine vest was now dripping, the liquid seeping into the fabric like a slow-moving stain. His crimson eyes gleamed as he chuckled. "My, my," he mused, "what an unfortunate turn of events."

Alex's stomach dropped. "Oh my god—I am so sorry!" She grabbed a stack of napkins and frantically tried to hand them out, her hands shaking.

Angel was already trying to wring out his shirt. "First New York traffic, then this?! Ugh! I should've stayed home!"

Lucifer sighed, dabbing at his now-ruined suit with a napkin. "Well," he said, his voice light but firm, "this is certainly… inconvenient."

Alastor tilted his head toward Alex, his grin never wavering. "Oh, don't fret, dear!" he chimed. "I love surprises!" He let out an unsettling laugh, though the sharp glint in his eyes made Alex wonder if he was actually amused or just humoring her.

Across the restaurant, Justin was smirking. Alex froze. Just like earlier. He did this. He must have used magic to trip her, just like before. Charlie, sensing Alex's tension, stepped up beside her. "Hey, it's okay! Accidents happen," she reassured her.

Molly gave Angel a sympathetic look. "At least it's not tomato sauce?"

Angel groaned, muttering curses as he used the napkins to wipe himself off. Just then, Justin walked over, feigning concern. "Wow, Alex. That's twice in one day. Maybe you should be more careful?"

Alex whipped around, glaring daggers at him. "Maybe you should mind your own business."

Justin just smiled, all smug and self-satisfied. "Dad's not gonna like hearing about this…"

Alex's fists clenched. She was this close to calling him out when… Lucifer shifted slightly, setting down his soaked napkin. He leaned forward, his golden eyes flickering toward Justin with mild amusement. "Hmm," he mused, tilting his head. "Funny how these accidents only seem to happen when you're around."

Justin stiffened. "Excuse me?"

Lucifer smiled—but it wasn't a kind smile. "Just an observation," he said, his voice smooth as silk.

Justin opened his mouth to argue but hesitated, suddenly unsure. Charlie took the opportunity to step in. "How about we clean up and get back to enjoying lunch?" she suggested, her tone light but pointed.

Pentious grumbled something about 'uncultured human buffoons' but begrudgingly accepted a towel from Alex. With the tension somewhat diffused, Alex exhaled, still fuming but feeling just a little bit better. Because if there was one thing she was sure of now—it was that Lucifer definitely wasn't fooled. The momentary silence after Lucifer's remark didn't last long. Before Alex could even try to salvage the situation, Jerry stormed out from behind the counter, his face turning red. "ALEX RUSSO!" His voice boomed through the sub shop, making nearly every customer turn to watch. "What is wrong with you today?!"

Jerry stormed over, his face already red with frustration. "Are you kidding me?! You can't go five minutes without causing some kind of mess?" He gestured toward Angel, Lucifer, and Alastor, their clothes still soaked from the spilled drinks. "You just had to embarrass us in front of our customers? Again?!"

Alex groaned, trying to keep her composure. "Dad, it was an accident!"

"An accident?! First you stay for almost your whole shift, then you nearly drop an entire tray of food earlier, and now you've drenched our customers?! How am I supposed to keep this business running if you keep screwing things up?!"

Alex's face burned as she saw just how many people were staring at her—including Charlie and her group. Angel, still wringing out his shirt, whistled low. "Damn. Even my old man didn't yell at me like that in public."

Molly elbowed him. "Not the time, Tony."

Alastor, completely unbothered by his soaked clothes, simply leaned forward with a delighted expression, as if Jerry's rant was prime entertainment. Lucifer, meanwhile, watched the scene unfold with the air of someone deeply unimpressed, his fingers steepled as he listened. Jerry didn't stop. "Do you know how much this could've cost us?! These fine people didn't come here to be used for your sloppy waitressing practice, Alex!"

Alex's hands balled into fists. "I said it was an accident!"

"Oh, really?" Jerry crossed his arms. "Then how come Justin—who has been working twice as hard as you—has never had a single 'accident' like this?!"

Alex snapped her head toward Justin, who was still standing there, looking completely innocent. He had set her up, and now he was getting exactly what he wanted. Charlie, who had been watching the exchange carefully, finally stepped forward. "Um, Mr. Russo?" she said politely. "I don't think Alex did that on purpose. It really looked like an accident."

Jerry sighed, rubbing his temples. "That's nice of you to say, miss, but you don't know my daughter like I do. She's always causing trouble."

Charlie frowned but didn't argue. Alex, meanwhile, could feel her frustration boiling over. Of course her dad was defending Justin. Of course he thought she was just goofing off. He never saw when Justin was the one messing with her. And now, she was about to be grounded again. Sure enough, Jerry sighed and pointed toward the stairs. "Go to your room, Alex. You're grounded for the rest of the week."

"That's not fair, Dad! Justin's the one who…"

Alex was cut off by Justin, "Just face it, Alex. You're just a screwup."

That was the final straw. Alex suddenly clenched up her fist and then out of the blue, she punched Justin in the face. Jerry went into a fit of rage and slapped Alex across the face. The sub shop fell into a tense silence as Jerry's hand connected with Alex's face, the sharp sound echoing off the walls. Customers exchanged uneasy glances, some whispering among themselves, while others pretended not to notice. Alex stood frozen, her cheek stinging and eyes wide with shock and hurt. She had been scolded before, but this public humiliation was a new low.

Angel Dust, still damp from the earlier mishap, observed the scene with a mix of empathy and anger. Memories of his own past—filled with familial rejection and exploitation by those he trusted—surfaced unbidden. He knew all too well the pain of being chastised and belittled by those who were supposed to offer support. Justin smirked as he walked away. After Jerry stormed back behind the counter, muttering about the importance of discipline, Angel seized the moment. He approached Alex, his usual flamboyant demeanor tempered by genuine concern. Standing beside her, he spoke softly, ensuring their conversation remained private. "Hey, kid, you okay?" he asked, his voice devoid of its typical sarcasm.

Alex blinked rapidly, fighting back tears. "Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, though her trembling voice betrayed her.

Charlie and the others left the shop, but they were waiting outside for Angel. Charlie was the one that was mostly shocked, "What kind of man does that to their own child?" she asked, trembling.

"The kind of man that takes pride in humiliating his children," Molly answered.

Angel sighed, glancing around to ensure no one was eavesdropping. "Look, I've been where you are—maybe not exactly, but close enough."

Alex turned to him, curiosity piqued despite her distress. "What do you mean?"

He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. "Before I ended up... where I am now, I had a family that didn't get me." He hesitated, memories of his human life flickering briefly. "And after that, I got involved with someone who pretended to care but just used me."

Alex's eyes widened. "That sounds awful."

Angel shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "It was. But the point is, I know what it's like to feel alone, like no one understands or has your back."

She looked down, her fingers tracing patterns on the countertop. "I just don't get why he had to do that here, in front of everyone."

"Some people think public humiliation is a teaching tool," Angel replied bitterly. "But all it does is push you away."

Alex nodded slowly. "I wish things were different."

Angel offered a small, genuine smile. "Hey, if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm around."

She managed a faint smile in return. "Thanks."

As Angel returned to his seat, he couldn't shake the feeling that Alex's situation was all too familiar. He resolved to keep an eye out for her, hoping to offer the support he had once desperately needed. Angel could sense that Alex wasn't feeling safe here. "Hey, how about you join me and my friends?" Angel suggested, "Help get your mind off things. Hell, you can even stay with us in our place."

Alex sniffled, "You sure? I wouldn't want to be a bother."

Angel nodded and told her that it was no problem. Alex untied her apron, threw it on the counter, and followed Angel out the door. Angel told the others that Alex would be joining them on their day out. They didn't seem to mind; Lucifer, though could sense Alex's wizard magic, so he knew what Alex was and how she even tripped in the first place.