Chapter Text
She didn’t know how she ended up here; otherwise, she didn’t want to know. She was perfectly aware of the situation that led her here, making almost all her nights sleepless. And here she was, standing a few meters away from the hotel that looked like it could collapse. This whole Ring was a mess; it's not like this building could look any better.
She took a deep breath, tightening her grip on the backpack’s strap. Inside were a few necessary items and a bunch of clothes. She left in a hurry, packing things that would be useful. She gulped, feeling anxious.
Just go there, you scaredy-cat.
It looked unstable, and the radio tower next to it didn't make it look any better.
Who cares if it collapses? Better for you.
She tried to push away the negative thoughts that were a part of her. It was almost impossible to get rid of them, the only thing left to do was to accept and ignore them. Sometimes it worked, and sometimes didn’t.
You will die, and guess what? Nobody will cry. They don’t know you here.
She didn’t tell them.
They didn’t care about you, don’t care about you, and won’t care about you.
She shook her head, trying to ignore these thoughts, and went straight to the hotel. She won’t stay long—maybe a few days. She would figure it out sooner or later, but not yet. She was tired, too tired to make a plan.
》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ * 。° 。 • ˚《
She regretted her decision the moment she opened the damn door. First, she forgot her manners. She didn't knock, and she didn’t wait for someone to answer. She just opened the door, shocking not only herself, but also the demons inside. She didn’t think much, not like she had a place to return. The palace wasn’t her home anymore, making her temporarily homeless. Second, she wasn’t a social butterfly; she hardly spoke with demons who were not part of her family, their co-workers or servants at the palace. The only demons outside this little circle were The Embodiment of Lust and his little clown imp.
Here she was, standing in the hotel entryway like an idiot, waiting for someone (anyone) to break the silence. They looked shocked that someone interrupted them in whatever they were doing. Excluding blonde girl with big smile plastered on her face. She was almost as red from excitement as her tuxedo. The red demon the blonde girl was apparently talking to was looking at her with an overly big smile and watchful eyes, as if he suspected who she was, even though it was impossible. She gulped, feeling shivers running down her whole body. She was tired, nervous, and above of that embarrassed.
“Welcome to the Happy Hotel!” The blonde girl broke the uncomfortable silence. “First of its kind, a hotel that rehabilitates sinners!”
She was taken aback, by her sudden, loud greeting, and did she say that this place rehabilitates sinners? Sounds odd. Didn’t Hell meant to be a place for sinners? People who made horrible things when they were alive, and in their afterlife being here, in Hell, as a punishment?
“Oh, em… I don’t want to be rehabilitated” she said, seeing that her hands were starting to shake slightly.
You just want a place to end your suffering. You want a place where you can disappear.
No, she just wanted a place to stay, where she could sleep and made a plan for what to do next.
Who are you trying to convince? Yourself?
Her head started hurting, this voice was louder, and louder.
You want to disappear, because you know everyone is tired of all your bullshit. You’re an exaggerated, whiny, weak abomination. Aren’t you?
She clenched her jaw, trying hard to concentrate on the blonde girl.
“Pardon?” The blonde girl blinked, obviously shocked.
“I need a place to stay for a few days” she whispered, feeling embarrassed and tired. “I’ll pay of course!”
She ignored, how some of them looked at that pink spider demon. She had enough.
"Oh, right." The blonde girl composed herself, smiling again. “I show you your room, after me!”
She went after her, hanging her head as low as possible, so nobody could see her face. They were in the hallway, almost reaching the room, when she suddenly stopped, feeling someone pulling her cloak. She turned around, lowering her gaze. Her eyes met one big yellow eye. They stared at each other, one of them anxious, and the other one visibly excited.
“Interesting”
The little demon girl clenched her fingers so hard, almost ripping the fabric.
“Could” she stuttered, “Could you let go of me?”
The girl didn’t react, making her panic.
“Please” she whispered, almost crying.
It worked, maybe because someone took her away. The little demon giggled, hanging in the air, held by a pink spider demon from before. If she wasn’t nervous, she could think he was pretty. And she would probably have thanked him, but not now. Now, stress ate her from inside, making her hands shake more, and more. She had a knot in her stomach, and her throat went dry. She wanted to vomit.
“Niffty!” The blonde girl appeared beside her, scolding the little demon. “She’s our guest; behave!”
“You hear that? Behave,” the spider said, his voice a little higher than she expected.
Niffty’s smile only grew bigger, making her more nervous, and stressed. She gulped, a lump in her throat, feeling nauseous. The distance between them and her room wasn’t big—only a few steps. With her shaky legs, no more than five. She snatched the key, running into the room. The door closed loudly after her.
The backpack hit the floor, and the key landed on the bed, when she rushed to the bathroom. In the meantime, she dropped her cloak on the floor. She could taste the bile on her tongue. She fell to her knees in front of the toilet and vomited.
She was alone — finally alone — but in moments like this, she wished someone would be beside her.