Warning gore and blood violence ahead!

??? POV:

Hell. A habitat of misery and home to all sin. All the unimaginable horrors of the surface world happen here in Hell. All the inhabitants of this place have sinned from smaller offenses to the highest injustices which would make them more than just a mere monster. In this place, its a free for all to sin as much as you wish without much consequence.

But...you have to be careful of you cross because you never know just how powerful or monstrous they could be. You could be their next victim if you weren't careful. Those with the most dominant abilities and sin count held the most power here.

But for me...despite being raised in a family of elevated royalty, I have no sin count. Due to that, no one really has much respect for me. It's expected as much...

People's favorite nicknames of me are "the weak princess", "pathetic girl", and other names that I would rather forget about. I don't let them get to me though, as weak as I may seem for not doing any heinous actions in my life, I hold powers to protect myself from others if need be.

My family is the most esteemed in the whole world of hell with my parents being both the king and queen of hell. Although, there is 8 other rulers in 9 rings of hell and I have meant most of them in meetings with my father. They all appeared to be considerate towards me treating me as close royalty and addressing me as my name even though they nearly match my father in power.

Princess...of Hell. I'm not suited for such a name. I may be part of an influential family with much leverage to the Mange name, I have not aided in the duties of hell. I'm treated nothing more than a doll with not much purpose.

There was a point where I was loved and was in a fairly normal relationship with my family but...

After I hesitated and stopped myself from sinning when my father sought to see why I had no sin count and didn't go out into the world to make myself stronger, he didn't mutter much of a word to me. When he did, it was of spite and progress on my life but like always, he looked down on me as I resided mostly in the palace.

This place held the harsh color of blinding red and the smell of blood from the outside. There was great amounts of heat from the lava lakes adding to the suffocating solitude. The heat wasn't much of a comforter at night when it kept me wide awake.

I tried my best even when I was young to avoid going out of the palace due to the amount of sin I would have to endure seeing. I got used to it at a point but going out for too long would eventually make me puke. Fortunately, I was always protected by my parents when anyone thought it was a good idea to strike me down.

That's why my father desperately wanted me to sin and get stronger in a place like this. He gave me a test to pass and if I failed...then he would no longer recognize me as someone able to rule. Someone so weak would have the name crumble in a short time.

So he gave out an opportunity for someone to cross him as an excuse to have his daughter to kill them but...

"Charlie...do you want to know what they did? They tried to kill me, your father, and do you want to know what happens when such a thing happens? Well, they happen to suffer dire consequences. Don't you think they deserve it?" My father's usual black pupils were replaced with a lustful bloody red. His figure held the lesser demon's neck holding him up in the air.

He had a pure whitened smile but behind that smile was a wicked intention towards the demon who was at his mercy. He lead me to the lower castle dungeons where those who imprisoned were brutally tortured and killed. Forever to be gone.

At first he lead me here wanting to show me something...unannounced to me it would be something so horrific and traumatic. I would have to make a choice that would change my life forever.

To sin or not to sin...

His smile grew wider as threw he a knife towards me. "Charlie...you know what you have to do, correct? In case you don't..." In a matter of seconds, one of the demon's arm was cut off by the sword sheathed on his belt. A horrendous scream came from the demon as my father's sin count went up.

My eyes widened as I covered my mouth seeing the sight. My body started to shake in fear of what I would soon be forced to do. His blood splattered all over getting on me and my father's suit.

He used that as another excuse intentional for him to get injured. "Curse you, blood all over my new custom made suit. Oh well, Charlie you know what you have to do. Prove yourself that you can handle holding our name and are able to get stronger. This is your first step to great power." How did he expect me to continue when I could barely hold the knife in my hand? I was visible shaken up while tears inched down my rosy cheeks.

I tried to approach closer to the demon as the demon struggled against my father's grip on his neck aiming the knife for his back but as I took a couple steps more, I collapsed onto the floor and dropped the knife.

I couldn't do it. No matter how much the demon sinned...I couldn't kill him. I couldn't sin even if my life depended on it.

"I-I can't d-dad...I-I'm scared...you can d-do it yourself." Hearing that, his smile diminished slowly as a sigh was heard through his teeth. He whispered under his breath seeming to be in a mood of rage," ...fine. so be it. you are as weak as others say. you will not be the same in my eyes unless you can prove yourself." The entirety of his eyes turned red as the grip around the small demon's neck grew in intensity decapitating the demons head from its body.

He died not long after that as his body flew to the side of my father hitting the cold wall of the cell. I could do nothing to stop my father...was this a sin in itself?

To not stop a sin from happening? Is that a sin for not striving to stop it...? No. It wouldn't make a difference if I saved him, people down here kill all the time and he would end up sinning with another life lost forever.

But...it didn't help with my stomach twisted in knots and my body frozen. I couldn't do anything anyway to save him. That would only infuriate my father more...

Tears flowed down my cheek staining my already dirtied bloody shirt. I covered my mouth once more to avoid shouting or puking.

His gaze directed from the body to me with a sinister glare from his traditional black pupils that appeared to be back. He approached me and kneeled down to my level to wipe away my tears. His cold touch made me shiver painfully as blood brushed the bottom of my eyes. He sighed as a smile that usually graced his face never appeared again. A frown replaced it instead as he spoke bluntly," Look, Charlie...if you cannot be strong for yourself, you will have to find someone strong to be next to your side. Me and your mother cannot tend to a weak daughter. If you don't eventually sin or prove yourself to me, I'll have to arrange a marriage to someone suitable of my choice. You cannot do anything to go against my word but I cannot make you sin. It has to be you to sin. Now...leave me be. Go." His last words were harsh and sharper than the sword he wielded as it stabbed intensely into me.

I followed his command and ran straight for my room to never leave for 2 days haunted by his words and the events that transpired.

Although, being stuck in solitude for that long as a princess, my close friend from school, Vaggie, came to my aid. She had my parent's permission to visit me whenever she desired as long as it didn't disturb their duties.

As I laid in bed reading tales of heroic deeds with tougher characters than I, knocks filled my ears from the wooden doors of my bedroom. *KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK*

"Anyone in there? Charlie?" Listening to the girl's familiar voice from the other side immediately told me who it was. "Come in Veg!" The doorknob twisted to the appearance of Vaggie. Long locks of white hair followed in her stride as she walked over to me sitting on my bed.

"Hey! I haven't seen you in a couple days...are you alright? I've been worried about you Charlie..." I made her concerned about me? In such a place where good people are hard to find, I guess I got lucky with her. Ever since we got close at school, she's been always been by my side even at my worst times.

I couldn't ask for anyone else to be here right now. She stood up for me at school and has a reputation for being one of the most toughest demons the school has to offer. Every time I see her in the line of fire and fighting...she reminds me of a warrior in the books I indulge myself in. Reliable and reputable if I gave her armor, she'd really look like a fighter of adventurous strength.

I couldn't stop myself from a slight chuckle at the image of her in a suit of armor fighting off dragons just like in the stories. I sighed and shut the hard covered book laying it down to my side.

"Oh...well being honest...I haven't been well. I'm sorry I haven't been to school and I'm not in a great mood. I know I put on a smile and all but for now...I just want to cry. Something happened between me and my dad and...I don't want to see him right now. I didn't want to see anyone but...h-having you here right now is a refresher haha isn't that silly?" Before I knew it, tears began to form in my eyes and the sharp pain in my stomach returned just like from two days.

Vaggie opened up her arms and wrapped them around me bringing me closer to her presence. She spoke closer to me where I could hear her soothing voice as her hand caressed the behind of my back. "Charlie, it's okay to have help and comfort. I'm here for you so don't doubt going for me help. You can tell me about what happened if you want. It'd be good to let out everything so everything is off your shoulders. I...did miss you too,  even if it was only two days haha."

The more she comforted me, it aided in getting rid of the feeling of loneliness. It didn't take much for me to spill everything to her. The tears flowing down from my eyes streamed faster than a wave of water hitting a boat of sailors on the wide ocean. I held on tight to the fabric on her back and placed my head onto her bare shoulder. "H-He tried to make me sin...I-I couldn't do it! I-I froze up and failed him...h-he said I'm weak. I'm a princess to my people but I-I can't even be strong to keep this kingdom or the respect of my name...am I really that weak? Even you have a large sin count and you appear to be like a warrior...I want to be like you..."

Her eyes widened at my words as she flinched at my remark about her. She sighed to herself as she laid a hand over my head feeling into my hair as she responded softly," You...don't want to be like me. You don't know what I've done to get where I'm at and what I've been through...I'm not sure if I could tell you. Maybe one day...but that's not important. You can still be strong without a high sin count...you're tougher than you think honestly. You may think it's cowardly to not sin but I think that's one of the greatest things in this world. A princess of hell not having a single sin despite having it all around you...must be very hard to deal with. You're strong for going on despite that."

Her message got through to me even if I tried to deny it. The grip I had on her clothing lightened as I thought about her words. Was I perhaps...stronger than I thought being able to go against the temptation of sin? She had many great points but...even if I was the strongest person in hell, having a low sin count makes my reputation close to nothing.

Everyone in hell knows me as the "Forsaken Princess of Hell" and I'm not sure if that would ever change as long as I continue the way I am now.

I desired to be strong in my own way just like those hero's in the books. I wanted to be the one to give a happy ending but how could I make a true difference of prosperity in a place like this?

That's where I got the game changing idea and the light bulb in my head turned on brighter than the sun.

Redemption.

Charlie's POV:

Years later after I graduated, I still resided within the palace but after I gotten the idea of redemption stuck in my mind, I had to do something about it. I made plans for the time I had and for once I could be able to make a name for myself. If I couldn't use strength, then I could use persuasion through the skills I've learned.

When I told Maggie of the idea, she was definitely hesitant at first but eventually through persistence, she was convinced of it and strived to aid me as a manager.

My grand plan for redemption was to build and open a large hotel to help rehabilitate sinners. A sort of second chance for them to redeem themselves and be sent to a better place known as heaven.

Over the amount of time that has passed an influx of souls has risen making the population of hell rise. As much as death is common, it's not enough to lower the population to a livable degree. So to maintain population control, exterminations were held as areas were getting new leaders over them.

It was what was described as a bloodbath as my people were dying left and right. Even if there was a huge population there had to be another solution apart from a murder...

Then came a perfect opportunity to build a plan of redemption for sinners. Instead of death...they could be sent away to heaven. I couldn't stop the inevitable fate of death from happening but I could at least make a big enough difference for people to notice my efforts.

I saved up money from my daily allowance and with it, I began construction on the hotel. It was fairly nearby the palace so I wouldn't be far from it but it wouldn't be long until my parents got involved.

"What do you think you're doing? You already have a horrible reputation, this is only going to bring it down even more. You're going to be a laughing stock for us." I bit my lip trying to ignore him. What could he do to stop me? He couldn't take my money and even if he did he would be taking away his own money.

I walked over to the main entrance of the palace to depart to see the progress of the hotel but as I took steps towards the door, he followed close behind me. "Don't ignore me Charlie. If you don't listen to me, I'll have that building demolished instantly." I finally stopped in my tracks and sighed yelling to him,"And waste your money? I'm doing you guys a huge favor. This could be a way to avoid bloodshed and extermination! Redemption may seem impossible for our people but-" Surprisingly, instead of getting infuriated, I heard hearty chuckles and laughter come from him.

This went on for a good minute before he wiped away a fake tear. "Haha Charlie...you're not serious are you? A demon going through redemption and going to heaven haha...is impossible. If it is, I wouldn't allow it. Even if we have over population, I wouldn't let heaven have such an opportunity to gain more strength." He laughed at my attempts and to add insult to injury, he tried to trample all over the possibility of redemption for a demon. He wouldn't allow it?

It wouldn't matter if Heaven gained more strength anyways, their domain is far more powerful for obvious reasons. Even if we sent souls there after they redeemed themselves, it wouldn't help much to the fact that they were already more robust.

There's no war between the two. Both places are needed but even if there are those who committed vicious actions, they can still have an additional opportunity to try again. I believe that maybe there is some good in everyone and it's their choice to be redeemed.

"Heaven is powerful enough to destroy the earth and hell dad...we couldn't defeat them even if we wanted to. It doesn't make a difference. Just...give me a chance please. Give me some time and if I could get at least one demon to check into the hotel and go through redemption then you have to let me keep it. If I fail then...I promise to sin. I'll pass the test you gave me all those years ago and get greater in strength." Saying such things with a great deal of risk forced me to gulp going back on my words. Giving back the humanity I had to give others a second chance...? I wasn't sure if I was being selfless or delusional but either way, I couldn't go back.

His head tilted ever so slightly to the side as his smile broadened at the thought of such a bargain. He had doubt she would pass it but...he used some magic to have his cane disappear leaving only his hands. He held out his hand to me and stated sounding like an open contract. "Alright then. I'll give your hopeless dream a chance. Here are my terms and conditions, if you go against them then you will have to immediately sin. You have 6 months to find a demon and redeem them until able to enter heaven. You have to find a portal to enter into heaven. But...you cannot force them into heaven and they have to have a high sin count. If they do not wish to leave in the time I have set, then you have failed by forcing them through. If you fail...well then my part of the deal will be quite interesting."

I glanced down at his extended hand and grabbed it accepting the deal with courage behind my grip. Despite the time gap and everything that could go wrong, I would take this risk for my people. The only worry in my mind...was being able to find a high sin count demon and convincing them to the path of redemption but...it's not impossible.

"I accept! I won't lose! Now can I go?" He let go of my hand and nodded his head agreeing to my question. With that, I headed out the front entrance of the palace in anticipation as my dream was being built.

In Hell, things were built relatively efficiently due to magic and other means so by the time I got there, the entirety of the building was constructed.

I couldn't help myself from smiling as I gazed up to see the red neon sign that said " Happy Hotel" shined brightly over the building. Even though it was just built, it was like my own dream beaming down on me. It gave me hope for a better future with Hell. For my own people to have a chance to be happy again just like in their past lives...

Although...my hope to maintain this hotel in perfect shape is going to be a bit difficult with all the casual chaos. I'm not sure if I could protect it but I'll surely try.

I ran up to the main entrance of the building and eagerly opened up the doors with anticipation to see what the inside looked like. As I imagined, it was quite bare as I only paid for the outside furnishes and for the building to be assembled. I had only a slight amount left to furnish the main hall of the hotel.

It wasn't anything extraordinary but soon enough I could raise more money as today I was also planning to go on air. More viewers would be interested to see what the princess has to say after all these years of silence...hopefully.

In school, I was one of the most known in the school due to my status. I wasn't quiet much with a bright happy aura around me and a loud personality to follow. I had passion in my step and a smile that never left my face...those were the days I missed.

Then I was mainly happy, but after people took note of my behavior, they got disgusted of it. They hated how happy I was so they put me down because of it.

They beat me down over and over in an endless cycle. I would come to cuts and bruises and once my parents saw, they dismissed it to the young being the young.

It continued for a great while and I wanted to give up on the idea of smiling again but someone didn't allow me to.

"Smile dear! The more you smile on, the less you give to those who wish to take from you. A smile is what suits you best!"

Their voice was similar to a radio, crackling every so often but monotone and soothing to hear. After being belittled so much without any assistance, his little message telling me to smile made something in me flutter.

At the time, my head was down as my body was on cold ground so I didn't see who the voice belonged to. They extended a hand for me to take presumably to get off from the ground, so I took it.

I wanted to look up to see them but once I did, they disappeared. I didn't have a chance to thank them for their gesture of kindness.

They were the first person out of all this hell to offer me a piece of heaven. It was a small slice but to me it was a whole cake of prosperity.

After that, I smiled again.

I became just a little bit better hearing his voice in my head repeating the advice he told me.

Things began to look up for me.

I practiced my voice to become a better singer so that I could one day convince people through it. Vaggie came to my rescue one day after class when I was getting home creating an amazing bond. I met Seviathan von Eldritch or Sev one of the most pompous and arrogant demons to exist but with his persistence to start a relationship, I accepted. He always thought of himself first while I couldn't mutter a single word but in the end, it taught me how a relationship would work out for me.

My voice was most important to me and if I was suffocated then everything else would drown out.

After the disagreement I had with my father though, I felt back stabbed and hurt to the point I couldn't smile for a long time. Happiness was hard to come by even if Vaggie was there by my side.

The only time I could genuinely smile, even if it was for a moment, was when that one guy's voice played over in my head.

I missed hearing it...I wished I could've saw who gave me kindness that day. It made my heart rush and I despised it. It was a pain in my chest...

"Hey Charlie, are you okay? You seem to be holding on pretty tight to your shirt. Are you nervous?" My eyes widened hearing Vaggies voice wake me up from my trance. I guess I was gripping hard onto my shirt thinking about all the past events. I sighed to myself letting go of the clothing seeing some wrinkles form.

"Oh silly me haha...I guess I am a bit nervous. No one has seen much of me since high school. But that's not going to stop me! I'm going all in Vaggie!" A large grin grew on her expression seeing my enthusiasm. Sadly, it faded into a frown of concern and doubt as she let a small sigh.

Something that reminded me of my parent's expression as they worried about me and the route I was going to take for my future.

"Okay...I'm going to help you out as much as I can but please do not sing or do anything extra...just follow by your talking points. Please Charlie..." She gripped both her hands onto my shoulders desperate to have me not mess up.

In the past when I couldn't speak up, I sang instead to get peoples attention. Through my lyrics, my messages were told of redemption and hope for a peaceful future for those who wished for another opportunity at life. When I saw others suffer, I wanted to do something to change that.

One of the most fulfilling feelings in the world is aiding someone even if there's nothing to get in return. Even if someone isn't redeemed...I just want to help someone become better and get out of a hard place.

I laid a hand over hers and spoke with reassurance in my tone," Don't worry. I'll try my best not to, I promise! Trust me!" She gazed down at my hand and smiled again as the reassurance soothed her nerves. She gripped her hand around mine and stated with contentment," Alright...I trust you." With one more squeeze, she let go of my hand and fixed the position of my tie.

"Good luck Charlie!" She waved me off as I stepped towards the room where the news anchor and green screen was displayed.

"On today's news we have the Princess of Hell coming on to tell us about this new project of hers. Known as the weak princess or forsaken princess of hell with no sin count, her appearance is quite a shocker! You do not want to miss her upcoming speech as she's about to come on now!"

I walked into the room steadily but cautiously out of the anxiety of being on camera. My mind raced with what the thoughts of my people would be. It was hard to put on a smile and get into the room with my shaking state but yet again, that one person's voice echoed in the back of my head.

Smile my dear!

So I smiled wide. Although my heart rushing a mile a second, my body was a lot more calm. I wasn't alone, at least I had Vaggie by my side supporting me.

I gripped the papers in my hand that were meant for my speech and greeted myself as I got in the room.

Although...

Without my knowledge until later, it wouldn't be just Vaggie to come and support me. The person who told me to smile all those years ago was also watching my show.

Charlie's POV:

"Hello! It's a joy of mine to finally release my plans and perhaps dream to the public. As of recently, there have been exterminations of my people due to overpopulation and I come with a much peaceful solution." I gazed over at the news anchor giving her a chance to speak as the entire time I spoke I felt as though daggers were piercing through me. She looked furious but maybe it could've been just her natural face.

She bestowed a wide grin to the camera completely washing away her last demeanor. "Peaceful? In a place like this Princess, how could peace ever exist? Please do indulge more in this solution you speak of." Her full smile was now subtly jagged and crooked seeming to hold back from mocking laughter. She wanted so desperately here this idea because once she did, she could tear apart everything I built up.

I knew the risk of coming on a show like this. The stage set and manipulation for the audience's amusement could kill my reputation if I didn't approach this carefully. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them, the Princess of Hell falling into an embarrassing trap as the audience would laugh mercilessly at her.

Well...not the entire audience. I knew that at least I wasn't alone if anything did happen. I could make a fool of myself and I would still have at least one person to be by my side.

I was used to it all. From being at school and even in my own home, if the entirety of Hell chose to hate me so be it. If they chose to laugh then they could but I would do everything in my power to appear calm and serious. My intentions were nothing but a benefit to them...even if I got nothing in return. I don't expect anything back.

"Well, I've had this dream for quite a while. You see, I've seen my people suffer here and if I can offer even just a little chance to be happy again then I'll try for them. Someone once told me to smile when I was down so I want to pass that message along. What I had in mind was to offer a happier and safer place for demons to stay in while offering a chance of redemption. What if instead of killing each other we could be happy together? But that's just my dream to tell everyone. I'm opening a hotel called the Happy Hotel so anyone is free to come."

Silence filled the room. Nothing for a great while but it's not surprising that I would get a reaction like that. After all, the Princess just poured out her inner innocent desires to a cruel world that would smash all over it.

It was just like asking Hell to be Heaven. Two different opposites are meant to exist in a balanced but in every balance...there's a rupture meant to happen. A Princess of Hell meant to be sinister and dark was the light of Hell. A seemingly hopeless dream to have demons of complete sin redeem themselves so they can go back to the light.

Murderers, assaulters, and so much tainted living in an afterlife of sin. How could I expect them to change...?

Maybe I didn't. There are some actions that you can't go back on but there's a point where the punishment has come to an end. Where perhaps redemption could be possible. Or maybe not, all I knew was that I spoke my dream to help my people. I couldn't go back when all eyes were on me.

Including the first person that aided me that day when I was at my worst. My heart impairs so much listening to his voice over and over but...it encourages me to go on.

Unknown to me, another heart and soul felt the same watching me from the TV screen at the mention of him.

To break the suffocating silence, laughter could be heard from the woman sitting across from me. "Haha...you wish to open a hotel that offers redemption? That's impossible, Princess. Any demon that comes to hell never leaves. Any hope for heaven is gone. You can't be serious." She hid a portion of her peering smile behind her hand as she chuckled to herself. The audience in the background started to laugh at me while Veggie glanced away with deep doubt and concern.

She had her hand covering her arm attempting to hide the shame in her body language. A pit of guilt welled up inside of me seeing her in such a state because of me. The stigma and humiliation of supporting my ideals and dreams was a major worry to her. Her unclear eyes reminded me so much of my parents but despite that...

She still chose to support me instead of ridiculing me. So...If I couldn't persuade them through speech then maybe through song. I had a song planned just in case something like this happened. I wanted to prove to all of Hell that I was critical in the devotion of my project.

I smiled back to her giving her a reaction no one could predict and spoke with clear intent," Yep! I'm serious about my dream! It can't be impossible to help at least one soul out there. To prove how serious I am..." I snapped my fingers and within mere moments, lesser demons with instruments in hand alongside a wooden stage appeared out of thin air.

With a song of redemption already prepared beforehand, I sang away giving a show to the demons of Hell. I didn't mind if I was a fool at the moment or if demons cared to come to the hotel after an advertisement like this but...

I gave it all because I feel like I was going to die of suffocation if I didn't give my full voice a chance to breathe.

Close to a musical in a movie, I gave off a sure show for others to interpret as either my way of showing how much I put my soul into this or a true joke to tell. This was my way of showing how meaningful this was to me.

I soon finished off the last bit of the song concluding on a breathtaking note but as soon as I retired from the performance...that's when I saw Vaggie's expression. Shame, embarrassment, but more than that was disappointment for breaking a promise. That seed of guilt before grew to a full tree but it was too late to apologize now.

Hopefully, she understood why I did all this...

Silence fell once again after the performance I distributed. My breath to speak was gone as I inhaled a large amount of air striving to get some energy and voice back. At least this time...I wasn't suffocated but now I was vulnerable to judgment.

Which I got a lot of after the laughter came. This time except not just the news anchor was laughing. It was like Hell itself was cackling at what was the funniest contradiction in history. My once big ego shrank quite quickly hearing the snickering and gazing over at Vaggie's tiny form.

Vaggie couldn't watch in the shadows any longer as she grabbed me by the wrist and dragged me out of there. She hauled me into the nearest bathroom to hide in as I could tell an intense lecture was coming my way.

"Charlie! What were you thinking?! You promised me-" I intercepted her trailing words by holding a single finger to her lips. "I know I know Vaggie...I'm sorry...I only did this because they were going to laugh at me no matter I did...I could hear the news anchor snicker and laugh it felt suffocating to just sit there...now it's up to Hell what they want to do. Even if people don't like the idea of redemption, they could still come to check-in at the hotel since it's going to be the cheapest place to stay in." I kept going on with excuses frantic to wipe away her concerned and disappointed expression. Before I could ramble on more though, she put her hand to my mouth to shush me.

"Yes, it's fine! I'm not mad anymore Charlie! Just, please...don't do that again. I hate seeing people laugh at you like that...I want to be there for you so no one can torment you again. I know this sounds cruel but I wanted to kill everyone who dared to laugh at you. They may not appreciate your voice but...I-I think it's beautiful..." She...wanted to protect me? A flush of pink flooded onto the grey skin of her cheeks.

So she wasn't disappointed in me breaking my promise or embarrassed of me...?

A tingling sensation from my chest similar to the fuzzy sound of a TV, it was buzzing around inside me. She wanted to protect me again like a close warrior or body guard staying by my side...no one except my parents and some select people ever complimented my singing voice. Maybe it was due to never singing in public but the times I did sing for someone they appeared to be memorized by it.

It gave me the identical fuzzy emotion I felt now seeing my progress from the awkward cracks to full versed lines of song. Just as her cheeks turned an adorable pink, so did mine. It was the same painful ache in my chest whenever I thought of that man's voice. That voice couldn't leave my mind no matter what I did but...they weren't here were they?

As much as I missed to hear it and to give my appreciation to them, the person who has always been there for me had been right next to me.

It made me want to tear up that no matter what, Vaggie was always going to be on my side and protect me when I couldn't defend myself.

Tears began to build up in my eyes as a broad beam couldn't resist to form. I wrapped my arms around her chest in a tight hug admiring her warm and safe presence.

I couldn't see her eyes but I could imagine them being wide with surprise as in this moment she flinched to my sudden approach. She hugged me back but spoke with a bewildered tone," Woah! Are you okay Charlie-" As much as I adored her scratchy and tough voice in my ears, I wished to just keep her near to me.

"I...want to stay like this. You're a really comfy person you know? I...do want to thank you for being so thoughtful and loving to me for all these years. All I want to do right now is stay like this..." Vaggie's body loosened to my words but I could hear an unsure sigh in my ear. "Charlie...you know we could stay in a bathroom for awhile but it kinda stinks in here. Do you want to go back to the hotel and relax there instead? We could watch a movie and be as close as you want." Her hand ran through the strands of my golden hair feeling the silky touch to it.

I was silent for a moment contemplating if I desired to leave so soon due to all the demons out there waiting to belittle me but...

As long as she was there with me, I think I would be fine.

I sniffed the environment around me and she was right. Maybe I didn't notice it with how distracted I was but it reeked of blood and other unpleasant odors. The urge to puke resurfaced again having that smell full in my nose so I glanced up at Vaggie and nodded my head agreeing to leave. She delivered a faint smile down to me with a sweet rim to it. It held a secret within it but instead of anything evil, it was holding back a loving intent.

She held out her hand and jokingly said like a chosen knight," Shall we go my princess? Let's venture out of this shit-infested dungeon and go back to our mission of going home." A chuckle escaped my lips as her attempt to make me feel better from past events worked. My heart lightly thumped as I seized her hand into mine with a snug grasp.

She didn't know but the amount of charm she bestowed when she laid out her hand to me struck me hard. She truly appeared to be a knight escorting me to my next destination.

An enchanting thought came to me as I walked out of the bathroom hand in hand with Vaggie.

Vaggie...my glamorous knight in shining armor. Strong, reliable, and protective of all that she loves.

My eyes widened at another reflection that passed through my senses...did she love me?