Chapter Text
“I’d get comfortable if I were you,” Vox began as he entered the room. “I don’t think your so-called friends from that stupid hotel are coming to get you.”
“Why would I need them?” Alastor shot back. “Once I’m healed, I’ll walk out of here easily.”
The Radio Demon lay in the towering Vees building, a bandage wrapped around his torso, as irritated as a demon could be. Damn it, why was he even here?
“Anyway,” he added smugly, “knowing Charlie, I’m sure she’s sick with worry and trying everything she can to find me.”
“Doesn’t look like they’re too concerned about you,” Vox replied, conjuring a holographic screen.
On it, Charlie could be seen singing among the ruins of the hotel, destroyed during their battle with the Exterminators.
“Judging by their cheerful faces,” the Television Demon commented, “they seem more than happy to sing and rebuild without your… assistance. And considering how much you helped with the first hotel,” he added with barely concealed glee, “I imagine it stings to see them moving on without you. Especially since you failed to defeat Adam. I wouldn’t even be surprised if they replaced you with Lucifer.”
“No, they wouldn’t… they…” Alastor stammered, his smile faltering with each word. “They’d never do that…”
“Face it,” his longtime rival cut in. “They don’t need you anymore. And besides, you’re better off here—housed, fed, cared for, even appreciated. You’re in entertainment, just like us,” he reminded him, nodding toward the other Vees. “So stop being so stubborn and do what you should’ve accepted years ago.”
“They’ll come for me,” the red demon insisted, trying to keep a straight face.
Right? he wanted to add. Because even he didn’t know what to believe anymore. On one hand, he’d seen Charlie singing and dancing without shedding a single tear for him. But on the other, he knew how much she cared about people. Especially her hotel manager… right? Yes, she would come for him. It was obvious.
***
A week later, after yet another visit from Vox, Alastor stared at the pristine ceiling above him. Vox knew how much he hated modernity, so the room was free of neon lights and other technological eyesores. It was, in a way, a pleasant place to recover — though Alastor couldn’t stop wondering when Charlie and the others would start looking for him.
“Well, I disappear for long stretches all the time,” he muttered, trying to reassure himself. “Nothing to worry about… except Vox and his endless manipulation attempts!”
When Vox visited again, Alastor was just as stubborn, which the blue demon pointed out.
“I can wait as long as it takes, old man,” the injured demon retorted.
“Listen, Al,” Vox sighed, “you can admit you feel abandoned. That’s why I’m here—to keep you company!”
“Even if I sometimes find myself enjoying your presence, why should I open up to you?”
“Still as obstinate as ever, huh? You’ve never liked showing vulnerability…”
Vox stepped closer to the bed and locked eyes with Alastor. He wanted to know how the Radio Demon truly felt—no matter the method. So he used his hypnosis to get an answer.
“Tell me, Al… how do you feel?”
Alastor tried with all his might to resist, but Vox’s syrupy voice seeped through the cracks of the armor he’d built over the years.
“Don’t fight it. You can tell me everything, you know? What’s it like to be abandoned by the hotel you so generously helped and even fought for?”
“It… it hurts,” Alastor admitted in a whisper. “I thought they saw me as a friend… I did so much for them, I nearly died… I… I…”
He hesitated, a part of him still refusing to admit his emotions. But eventually, he gave in.
“I feel forgotten.”
A wide grin spread across Vox’s face as he straightened up and exclaimed:
“Good! Now you don’t have to worry anymore—you’re among REAL friends! Maybe even a real family,” he added, mock-thoughtful. “If you need anything, just ask. Anyway, it’s almost lunchtime,” he said, glancing at his watch. “I’ll go grab us something to eat. Be right back!”
The door slammed behind him, leaving Alastor alone with his thoughts. Damn it, that bastard really used hypnosis on him!? But… did the wounded demon actually feel that way? No, of course not. It had to be one of Vox’s tricks, trying to mess with his head. He just needed a distraction, that was all! Better to focus on healing, and in the meantime, the others would surely realize he was gone and start searching frantically.
Wouldn’t they?