to hell and back.

Charlie, Vaggie and I are now all sitting in a small circle on the bed that has been placed in the center of Vaggie's pool room. Although the air is still cold, it feels more inviting now that I'm not alone.

I look over at the water that is so still and motionless that it looks like a solid object. So tranquil in the mindless way that all water is.

"Dani?" Charlie asks, snapping me out of my distant haze.

I didn't hear her question. I was too busy staring at the water. "I'm sorry?"

"I was asking what you thought about my idea," she says, her long eyelashes fluttering every time she blinks. Charlie is really quite gorgeous. I wish I could look as beautiful as her.

"Wait, what idea?" I must sound as confused as I am because I catch Vaggie rolling her eyes.

Charlie bites her lower lip. "My idea is that we just go on with business as usual... kind of. The hotel has been getting more and more publicity, and it's a lot to keep up with. Plus, with Sir Pentious and Cherri Bomb wrecking the turf around us, we should just stay settled, I guess," she explains, using frequent hand gestures to help get her idea across.

The name Sir Pentious makes me frown with deeper confusion.

"We have to keep our image up," Vaggie reiterates, crossing her arms over her chest.

I nod a little bit. I agree with them, I really do. Charlie has a valid point; even though Hell is a place where things are always happening (from what I have so far observed) the hotel still needs to be taken care of. Yet, at the same time, I want to get rid of Alastor. It may be for selfish reasons, such as the fact that I don't want to hide out every time I want to talk to Vaggie and Charlie, but it really is a hassle. I hate him. And I don't want him to hurt me, or Charlie, again. At all. "But what about Alastor?" I question.

Charlie and Vaggie exchange a look. It makes me slightly uncomfortable, yet I don't know why. After a moment, Vaggie speaks up, "Just stay out of his way. We'll arrange a way to communicate so if he tells you anything important, you can tell us."

I nod again, but still feel unsure. One doesn't just stay out of his way. He comes to you. There's no avoiding him.

I don't want to think about Alastor anymore. My stomach is churning and I feel like throwing up. My head starts to feel drained and faint, but I ignore it. Telling myself that I'm fine, that this unpleasant feeling is just a wave of discomfort that will pass in a few seconds, I straighten my posture and take a deep breath. I'll just have to try my best to not see him, talk to him, or even think about him.

I glance at Vaggie, who looks tired. I observe her, then frown. Something looks different.

I gasp, breaking the silence that was slowly filling the room like fog. "Vaggie, you're out of your wheelchair now!"

Vaggie blinks, then wraps her arms around her stomach before looking up at me. "Yeah. The stab wound has mostly healed. I'm all right. I can move just fine without that stupid fucking cripple-mobile."

Charlie rolls her eyes, then when Vaggie finishes talking, adds, "Actually, she shouldn't be moving around as much as she is, considering the severity of what happened to her. It's not healthy at all."

"I'm fine Charlie."

Charlie looks at the bed sheets. I notice her cheeks getting pink, like she's embarrassed. Her hair looks glossy and silky, falling over her face in thin tendrils. She appears too young and innocent to be considered a princess of Hell.