The following day, there was a noticeable air in the hospital. I don't know how to explain it, but the doctors were unusually chatty with me, and everyone seemed happy to be milling around handling their usual routines. I was making my way around with half my vision; I was using a cane to assist me and prevent me from bumping into the obstacles filling the hospital. Temporary effects from healing someone else are super common with my ability. The time it takes to go away on its own can be anywhere from a few days to a few hours to a few months. There were still lots of sinners filling our rooms as I did my walk-through for the day. I did have to intervene when Nurse Toppan broke into the medicine room; that lady is always up to something.
"Did something happen, Soren? Why is everyone so friendly this Hellish morning?" I ask him as he absentmindedly trails behind me with a clipboard.
"I do believe it is your mood lifting the atmosphere. It has been a while since we have seen you this uplifted," he explains as I stop in my tracks and whip around to look at him. "The staff enjoy when you compliment their work and take time out of your day to take an interest in their experiments. Doctor Holmes was smitten when you granted him access to the lab alone for the first time and visited him. The Angel of Death nurses even started curing their patients after you bet two of them that they were incapable of keeping sinners alive," he explains, writing more information down as we continued the stroll. The Doctors and Nurses of this hospital have become oddly wholesome for a bunch of psychopaths and heathens. I observed doctors and nurses as we passed by, actually giving semi-professional care to the sinners of the hospital. When I first started this out, there was a lot of fighting; Nurse Toppan was always trying to murder my patients; that lady was always up to something. I head back to my office and stand at the door briefly. Would my Dad ever come here and see what I have done to try and help our people? Would he still be disappointed in me after all these years? What would he say to me if we ever talked again? I feel Meko rubbing up against my leg; I pick her off the ground and head over to my desk. Is it even possible to change the view of the King of Hell? I wish I had someone to talk with; talking about things makes it easier to think about. I pull out a notebook from my top desk drawer; this one has never been used before. It was a gift from Charlie when she was younger; it's essentially a walking glitter bomb if you drop the book too hard. If I can't talk to Charlie, I'll write down my adventures so I can tell her all about it. When we meet again as sisters of Hell, I will give her this book.

Dear Charlie,

As I write the first sentence, a knock at the door takes my attention away.
"Please tell me this is not about Nurse Toppan," I yell at the door as I rub my one good eye and try to soothe the headache I still have from healing that Angel.
"I told them that they needed an appointment to see you, but one of them told me to 'take us to Vesper or we will fuck you.' I'm not sure if they meant they would fight or the alternative. It's the three overlords, milady," I could tell Soren was annoyed by the sudden intrusions that have been happening lately. I am also annoyed as well. Usually, this place is pretty peaceful, besides the occasional staff fistfight in the parking lot. What? The best way to team bond is to have a beat down to let out the resentment.
"You can let them in," I sigh, standing up from my chair and walking in front of my desk. I sit down on top of my desk with one leg crossed under the other. Meko comes over, purring, and plops herself into my lap, and I gently pet her head.
"Vesper! My dear, it has been far too long since we have last spoken! And hello, little Meko," Vox comes busting through the door with Velvette and Valentino trailing behind him. Velvette is scrolling through social media absentmindedly, and Valentino is blowing his disgusting tar all over the room.
"You know, I don't allow smoking in my hospital," I glare at Valentino as Vox quickly puts out his cigarette.
"He forgot that rule. He meant no harm by it at all. I must say you are looking stunning as usual. I really love what you have done with the place, yes, yes," Vox chips happily along as Frazzle growls under his breath, getting pissed off by Vox's existence. He gives me a side eye of disapproval and remains at my side.
"Well all know you are here because you want something from me. Would you spit it out already? I have sinners that need attention, and I was planning to head out later," I yawn in boredom as I keep my guard up; they are three of the most potent overlords in Hell; if they decided they wanted to kill me, I'm not sure I would be able to win.
"Well, as you know, the Radio Demon has vanished without a trace, and that prick has been gone for quite some time; I have no idea where he is, but who really gives a shit? Since there is a power vacuum in Hell we are trying to profit off of it. Now, you own ninety percent of the clinics and hospitals in Hell, and we want you to join our group-"
"You asked Alastor, and he turned you down, didn't he-"
"That prick isn't here anymore, and that has nothing to do with what we are talking about right now," Vox raises his voice at me and catches himself; he takes a brief second to compose himself as I stare at him in amusement. I must have had quite the shit-eating grin plastered across my face.
"Look, we all know Alastor is an asshole. Didn't he leave you and say nothing about it? I mean, I would at least say goodbye to a dear friend before vanishing off the face of Hell," the grin I had was quickly wiped off my face as I felt the same anger pang in my chest; I crossed my arms over my chest and take a moment to think about his offer. The only benefit that I can think of would be the fact that if Alastor ever came back, he would be so pissed off that I decided to join his mortal enemy. He would be so irritated that his stupid grin might scowl for once. The thought alone must have had me giddy enough because when I snapped out of it, I had the most sinister grin cooling down the room.
"I'll join your little group of collaboration. You will have my support, but I will not be signing a contract with any of you miscreants. I have one condition as well to join this group," I pull my leg out from under myself and stand up, gently placing Meko down on the desk.
"And what can I do for you, Milady?" Vox grins, giving a slight bow with his salesmen-like pitch.
"I want to be Angel Dust's primary Doctor. This means that I have access to assess him at all times, and he will have free will to visit this hospital if he chooses to do so," I tap my foot against the floor as the moth man looks at me in confusion.
"That's your condition? Kinky? I think?" Vox is puzzled by the request as Valentino lets out a hearty laugh.
"That is fine by me, Chika. Just know his holes are still mine," he purrs grossly as I feel the ick crawl into my skin.
"Right," I uncomfortably stare at the three of them.
"I look forward to your endorsements. We will be off now. Thanks, lovely," Vox shoves the other two out of the room as Soren stands there looking disguised that they came in the first place as if their feet soiled the very ground they walked on.
"I would strongly advise getting into any business with those three, milady. They are simply taking advantage of you and your abilities. I don't see a favourable outcome with this group," Soran boldly remarks at the door as I look at him for a minute.
"Everything happens for a reason. They came here today for a reason, and the Princess of Hell was just here yesterday as well for a reason. It will all fall into place, I promise. Could you add Angel Dust to the green list for security? I want to be notified immediately if he sets food into any of the clinics or other hospitals. I'm heading out for the afternoon. Can you make sure things run smoothly in my absence?" I grab a hoodie and toss it over my head. I tie my dusty purple hair back into a ponytail as Soran looks at me again in confusion.
"You do realize that he is just some common slut, right? Why are you doing this all for him?" A spike of rage causes my hair to fly out of my ponytail as I regain my composure quickly while Soran takes a few steps back away from me.
"It doesn't matter what his job in hell is. He is a sinner whom I have grown fond of, and I want to make sure he receives the proper treatment. There is something very different about Angel Dust that is invisible to the naked eye. I don't know what it is yet, but he is going to be very important. Change is coming one of these days, Soran. Please choose your words more carefully when talking about patients in our care," I head back to my desk, grab another black bow and tie my hair back into place as Soran nods and runs away from my office. I head out the door without another thought. Call me crazy, but I get a strange feeling about certain sinners; Angel Dust is someone who I have been watching for quite some time. It doesn't take an extraordinary doctor to know that he is in some serious mental and physical pain. I have seen Valentino treat his staff like garbage; his public demonstrations are disturbing, even for Hell. I make my way down the streets and to a bar I frequent. The owners have always treated me well here, and I don't run into idiots.
"It's been far too long. Can I buy you a drink, Vesper?" the familiar grumpy tone of a certain pussycat fills my ear as I swing around on the barstool to come face-to-face with Husk.
"You are right. It has been too long; you're looking as delightful as ever," I joke around with the ex-overlord. He takes a seat down beside me setting his luke-warm beer on the counter and letting out a deep sigh.
"Are you enjoying your time now that Alastor is missing in action?" I ask my old friend as he scoffs.
"I know that freak ain't dead because I still have a tight leash. He will be back, and I will do whatever bidding he wants on his return. It would be nice to be the top dog again. I really should have taken your warning more seriously," he lets out another deep sigh and takes a long drink of his beer. When he started gambling too often, I tried to warn him that one day, he would go too far and his addiction would be his downfall. I had that talk with him three days before he gambled his soul away to Alastor.
"What have you been up to lately? Is the hospital running well? Nurse Toppan still being, well, Toppan?" my drink arrives as I take a small sip and place it back down. I cross one leg over the other and rest my palm on my knee.
"Nurse Toppan is still a royal pain in my ass," I admit scoffing.
"I heard a rumour that the youngest Princess of Hell is now indebted to you," he cuts right to the chase as I move a piece of hair out of my face and crack my neck.
"There may be a favour owed in the future; it was strictly a business deal, nothing major," I try to play it off like Charlie means nothing.
"The other overlords will hear about this little arrangement you have with the young Princess; all I am saying is watch your back. Hell is in a power struggle, and you may be seen as a threat," Husk gets up from his chair and stumbles away like the high-functioning alcoholic he is as I decide to pay my tab and leave. I head back into my lonely office and stare at my phone. I could call her, right? Would she pick up? I stare at the phone on my desk for a long time hold the stupid stuffed Duck Dad gave me for my birthday, and grab the pen from earlier.

Dear Charlie,
You would not believe who came to visit today.................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Love, Vera