Charlie P.O.V:
I almost grab Vera's hand as we get pulled back down to Hell, but I blink once; the portal is closed, and my older sister is missing. No, no, no, this cannot be happening again! I just got her back, and now this?
"They are going to open the portal again, right? She was right there, just behind us." Helia hops up from the ground first as I try to gather my many thoughts, which are running rampant.
"Uh yeah, there must have been a mix-up. She will step through any second now," I convince myself as the rest of the hotel staff wander over to us.
"Doc isn't with you guys? Why isn't she with you guys? Where's your girlfriend, Helia?" Angel starts to freak out a little as he starts waving his hands around the portal area.
"She was right there trying to grab my hand. I'm sure she is right behind us." I get off the ground frantically while waiting for the golden portal to reopen and send my sister through. It's all just a mistake. I see Alastor observe us from the upper balcony as his eyes narrow; he is also waiting to see what happens. "Vera never could fight back; she has only ever had her healing abilities. What if they try to hurt her?" I feel my mind racing in panic at the possibilities of what they could be doing to my sister at this very moment.
"They wouldn't keep there up there just because they are feeling petty. She belongs in Hell with all of us. Her literal title is Hell Doctor," Husk grumbles as he sets down his bottle on the counter and comes to sit near the portal. After a few minutes, my panic starts to amp up; Vera is still in Heaven alone. I hastily grab my phone from my bag and dial my father without hesitation. This is serious, and we need to act fast. The phone rings a little, and then my father picks it up on the other end.
"Dad, it's an emergency. Vera never came back from Heaven. I- I don't know what to do-" The loud crash of the door breaking down interrupts me as my fuming Dad stands in the entryway.
"Charlie, what happened? I need to know. No, who was with her in Heaven? Who was supposed to get my daughter home with them?!" The interrogation starts as we try to piece together why Heaven would take Vera away from us.
"I was with her the entire time, sir," Helia says as we look at the blonde boy.
"Oh, that's just great, Ophelia! Why is my daughter not standing right beside you, then??" He shakes Helia like a piggy bank as I tell my Dad to let the poor boy go.
"We were visiting the greenhouses all day, and Vera got the plant she needed to help me. Then, we went to the angelic courts to hear the trial—nothing weird-" Helia pauses. "My nose, I got hit by a shovel and basically broke my nose. Vera healed me in front of the Seraphine. The Seraphine started to go on about how she had a divine blessing. Could that be why she is not home yet?" The realization hits me like a pound of bricks and a fright train.
"Vera's abilities to heal... they were a divine blessing all along? That means that..." I trail off in horror.
"They are trying to see how dangerous Vera is. If they sent her back down here without knowing the full extent of her divine blessing, she could be a threat to Heaven. I should have seen this coming. I knew she never developed any powers like Charlie, but I didn't know she possessed a divine blessing," My Dad's eyes widened in fear. "They could be keeping her up there as an angel."

Vera P.O.V:
The worst part about being held captive against your will usually would be the utterly gut-wrenching poisonous food and the stuffy, lifeless cell. I can live with both of those things being the way they currently are. The one thing that might be my death is the warden. I have smashed against all of the golden bars holding me here; none have budged so far. I still have Meko with me, which is helping to keep me calm. Undoubtedly, the others have figured out I never made it through by now; any moment, Charlie will ride in on a unicorn and take me home, leaving a trail of glitter and confusion behind her.
"You know hitting those bars will achieve absolutely nothing, right?" Lute snorts at me from the corner of the room with her prominent frown. I remain silent and stand there, just watching her. "You Heaven's bitch now. You might as well forget about all those filthy sinners you called friends. You were a misplaced soul, that's all," she smiles, slamming her hands against the enclosure's bars. The way she looks at me as if I'm some caged beast who they will tame with time gets anxious thoughts forming in my head.
"I always knew there was something different about you, Vera. I know for a fact you will make one Hell of an exorcist, whether you like it or not," Adam walks in, tossing his soda in the trash; the way he says my name is creeping me out. The two of them leave together as I slump back against the cell's back wall; Meko tries to comfort me by rolling over playfully. I can't even pet my damn fox anymore! I study the handcuffs encasing my hands; I don't think there is any way in Hell I could get these off by myself. I hear voices coming toward me again; there is nowhere for me to go; everything is so bright here.
"Hi, Vera. How are we holding up?" Emily comes rushing over with a tray of food and some water.
"I Regret My life decisions currently. I would have stayed home if I had known this would be the outcome of my trip," I tell her honestly, and she gives me a sad look.
"I talked with Sera. She said she was not budging on her decision to keep you here. But I convinced her to let you have a room here instead of this cell. I'm still trying to convince her to remove the hand restraints. I'm doing everything I can to make this situation just a bit more enjoyable," she opens a door and enters the cage with me; it closes behind her before I can move a muscle.
I eye the food on the tray, it actually looks really freaking good, and I haven't eaten anything today with all the things going on. Emily helps me eat the delicious meal and ensures I get enough water. Afterward, she escorted me to a bedroom; the windows and door were modified to stay closed, but other than that, it was a nice room. A king bed against the far wall with a cozy nightstand and lamp and a reasonably big closet with clothes that looked like they could fit me. There is a bathroom and a small kitchen around the room as well.
"I know it's not much, but I promise it will only improve from here on out. Try to get some sleep. You are looking worse for wear," Emily bids me farewell and closes the door gently. Meko was having the time of her life exploring while I just sprawled out on the bed, defeated. Heaven is friendly, I guess. The people are okay, but never before have I missed my home like this—the smell of my apartment, the sterile hospital, the run-down Hazbin Hotel. I miss Charlie; I need Helia here with me now. This fucking sucks.
I eventually doze off in my new prison cell. The next day, I awake to the sounds of choir children in the streets as Emily comes to bring me a delightful-looking breakfast.
"Sera said that as long as you have a Devine bracelet on, we can remove the handcuffs. If you try to use your powers, the bracelet will return to the handcuffs," Emily explains as she removes the cuffs from my uncomfortably sweaty hands. I wipe my free appendages on my pants.
"Emily, you have to help me get back down to Hell. I don't belong here," I say, taking her hands in mine.
"I know you love your sister and everyone else, but Heaven is a better place to be. We are heading to your trial now and will determine what will happen. I know I said I would try to get you back home, but I want you to think seriously about staying here. Your powers are amazing and could help countless souls up here. Just because it is Heaven doesn't mean our people don't get hurt occasionally. All I am asking is that you stay open to the possibility of remaining here; I'm starting to think you are supposed to be up here with us, Vera," Emily starts walking out the door as I stand speechless for a brief few seconds. I trail after her, my thoughts racing; the only person on my side yesterday has already opposed sending me home.
We arrive at the dreaded courthouse of Heaven, and I feel everyone's beady eyes staring down at me. They are treating me as if I'm some common criminal for absolutely no reason; that is what pisses me off the most. Adam and Lute fly up to their balcony as the proceedings begin.
"We are gathered back here today to discuss what will be done with Vera Morningstar, eldest daughter of Lucifer and Lillith. A hell-born demon who has demonstrated a divine blessing in the form of divine healing-"
"It could just be normal healing. There could be nothing divine about it at all! Maybe a little extra food dye accidentally mixed in with my powers. Your assumptions are outrageous for angels who don't even know what it takes for a soul to get to Heaven," I retort as she glares down at me.
"You have a divine gift. This fact is not up for debate. Those who have been blessed with divine gifts have always been residents of Heaven and have used them to aid the holy people. The question now up for debate is whether Vera is too dangerous to let back down into Heaven or not." Sera's control over the room is intimidating.
"There is nothing dangerous about my healing! I use my powers on the souls that you and your kill squad try to exterminate every year. The sinners of Hell need medical care; it should be a basic need for everyone. Not just saints up in Heaven!" I defended myself; how could something so positive and beautiful be viewed with such fear and distrust?
"Mmm yeah, well, our little kill squad numbers have gone lower than we have anticipated, and you are the root cause, Vesper," he uses air quotes around my former name.
"There has also been a development; the sinners are now capable of bringing harm to the exorcists," Lute informs the court as discourse takes hold of the room. My eyes widen as well; how did someone manage to harm an exorcist? Vaggie, it all comes back to how Vaggie got hurt! How could I be so stupid and not think about it just a little harder? (All for the plot, lol)
"Well, it's undeniable what must be done with our little Morningstar babe in that case. She should join the exorcist ranks to heal us during the next extermination. It would be shooting ourselves in the foot to send the Hell Doctor back to Hell. I mean, Doc here was blessed divinely; that power should be used for Heaven's advantage, not for the sinners who already had their chance and flopped," Adam floats down and places a finger under my chin, forcing me to look him in the eye. I do swing at him, but he flies away quickly and tauntly.
"And what if I refuse? You don't have any control over me, Adam. I rather rot in that cage for the rest of eternity than work for you," I hiss back at the scumbag.
"Hmm, well, I think you will change that tone of yours real quick, Vera. You see, I do know the sinner you brought with you. I recognized him and was amazed that he was still alive, considering I had given him that custom present almost two years ago. He's kind of an ungrateful little cunt. Anyway, I had Lute look into it, and it turns out it was you all along. Impressive; I admire your ability to keep the thorns in my side alive. But do you know what I also learned about your precious little Helia? I discovered that the flower you came up with can take away his curse mark. That's great, your make a wish kid can have a chance. But oh right, there was one other condition. Mmm, Lute, can you jolt my memory on what the other thing our pretty little Vera needed?"
"Your blood, sir," Lute gives me a sly grin as I feel my own blood start to run cold. How could they possibly know about any of that? It took me months of research and a whim on a nameless book.
"That right, Danger tits! My blood is needed to save your little hoe. Oh, how thrilling; it gives me an ironic boner just thinking about it. So, if you don't do what I say and if you don't work under me, you will never see a drop of this blood. If you work for me, I will give you what you need, and Hell, I will even generously save your little passion project from extermination. I heard a rumour that he has a bunch of little sisters, too; they will also be spared if you obey," Adam's crooked smile makes me nauseous.
"It's an impossible choice..." I whisper under my breath; I'm starting to feel really fucking hopeless at this point. I'm starting to feel physically sick. How could I ever agree to something crazy like that? I would be fighting against Charlie, against Vaggie, against all of my friends at the hotel. Would I have to kill them with my own hands? Please let this all be some freakish nightmare. I can wake up, stare at my clock, and roll back over until dawn. I would have to throw everything away to save Helia. Could I do that? How could I possibly do that to Charlie? I want to go home already! Now would be the time to come get me, Dad; I'm in dire need of assistance!
I hadn't realized how rapid my breathing had become, and I couldn't stop myself from hyperventilating. Before I knew it, everything had gone black.