the hell's mirror

The bustling streets of San Francisco were greeted by the crisp morning air and the sounds of a city alive with movement. Cars honked, people laughed, and the distant clink of a tram's bell echoed through the busy streets. The world around them felt dizzyingly alive—so full of energy, so real —it made the oppressive silence of Hell feel like a distant dream.

Gem let out a deep breath, taking in the cool, earthy scent of the city. It was strange being here again—strange and almost comforting . The sunlight kissed the pavement, catching the yellow street signs and the occasional bird fluttering between buildings. There was something about the living world that always felt warmer, even if it wasn't always kind.

Her niece, still adjusting to the whole situation, glanced around with wide eyes, clearly unsure of what to make of it all. The living world was very different from the one she'd grown up in, and now that she was here, there was a touch of uncertainty in her movements, her steps cautious and unsure.

"This is... weird," she murmured, taking in the bustling street with a bit of awe and hesitation. "I don't know if it's the city or the fact that I'm... well, dead."

Gem's lips twitched into a small smile, though there was a touch of something melancholic in her eyes. "You're not the only one who thinks that. But hey, you're not alone in it."

Her niece gave her a look, half amused, half confused. "What do you mean?"

Gem waved a hand in a vague gesture. "You know, the whole dead thing. It's strange at first, but it gets easier. You're still you. Just... without the living part. But that doesn't mean you can't walk around, enjoy the world, or... get into trouble every once in a while."

Her niece raised an eyebrow. "Trouble? You're the one dragging me into this."

Gem chuckled softly, her eyes scanning the lively crowds on the street. "I never said it was a bad thing. I was just making a point. You don't get to enjoy the good parts unless you're willing to take a few risks."

The air around them was bustling with life—people walking down the street with coffee cups, street musicians strumming guitars, and tourists snapping pictures of iconic landmarks. Gem took in the sights, looking at the city with a quiet sense of nostalgia.

Her niece, still unsettled by the strangeness of it all, looked up at her. "Is it even legal for dead people to be here, though?" She fidgeted with the hem of her dress, glancing nervously at the passersby. "Should we even be here?"

Gem shrugged, giving the question some thought before responding. "Probably not. But I've been through mirrors before. Mostly for... emergencies." Her gaze darkened for a moment, remembering why they'd ended up in the living world in the first place. "We're fine for now. Nothing's happened yet, and I plan to keep it that way."

Her niece nodded but still didn't look entirely convinced. She glanced around, taking in the unfamiliar landscape. There were so many people here, all moving in different directions, yet none of them seemed to notice them. In a way, it made her feel invisible, like a ghost among the living.

As they walked down the sidewalk, her niece couldn't help but let her curiosity get the better of her. "I still don't get it," she said, her voice tentative. "You know, about Alastor. I mean, he's this big, intimidating figure, but... don't you think he's kind of... lonely?"

Gem immediately stiffened, the playful banter fading from her face. "Lonely?" she repeated, almost as if the word tasted sour on her tongue. "He's not lonely. He's just..."

The niece waited, her eyes narrowing as she looked up at her aunt. "He's what ?"

Gem grimaced. "He's selfish. A man who only cares about himself and his agenda. If he's out there pretending to be charming, it's only to get something from others. Alastor doesn't care about making friends. He's just a predator who likes to play with his prey."

Her niece blinked, taken aback by the intensity of Gem's words. "Whoa. You don't like him, do you?"

Gem sighed, the frustration with the Radio Demon evident in her voice. "It's not about liking or not liking him. He's dangerous, and I've had enough of his games. Trust me, if you had the misfortune of being stuck in a room with him for more than five minutes, you'd see what I mean."

There was a long pause as they continued walking, the noise of the city filling the space between them. The niece processed what her aunt had said, but something still lingered in her mind. "Okay, okay. I get it now. No more Alastor talk. But still, he kind of seems like the type who just wants to make people like him. He's not as scary as people make him out to be, right?"

Gem almost scoffed. "Trust me, the man's terrifying . He's not what you think. There's nothing cute or charming about him."

Her niece shrugged, not entirely convinced, but decided not to press the issue further. Instead, she looked around, her eyes falling on the busy streets, the city alive with activity. "So... why San Francisco? Why here?"

Gem glanced at her niece and let out a quiet sigh, almost as though she was reflecting on a memory long buried. "This city... this place is where I lived. Where I died . It's a part of me." She paused, a wistful look on her face. "It's always been my home. A place where everything felt like it was possible. A perfect place for parties, if you know what I mean."

The niece raised an eyebrow. "Parties? You? I didn't take you to the party."

Gem smirked at her, a small, playful glint in her eyes. "You'd be surprised. I celebrated at parties. But not the kind you're thinking of. These weren't your usual high school gatherings or sports team awards parties. No. I was out here chasing auditions, waiting for that big break. It wasn't always fun, but it was mine."

The niece took in this new information with a raised eyebrow. "Ballet auditions, huh? Sounds like a lot of pressure."

Gem's expression softened. "It was. Ballet is all about perfection, and the pressure to succeed is overwhelming. But at the time, I didn't mind it. I loved it. The stage, the lights, the music... it felt like everything was there and never ended."

She paused, looking out over the city with a bittersweet expression. "San Francisco has a way of making you feel like you're on top of the world, even when you're not."

Her niece nodded slowly, her gaze distant as she thought about her own experiences. "I went to a lot of parties, too. Mostly sports stuff, family gatherings, team celebrations. But they weren't like your... ballet things. Mine were just big, noisy events. The kind where everyone shows off their awards and brags about the next season."

Gem gave her niece a knowing smile. "I get it. The world is full of people who think their achievements are everything. But the thing about those big parties? You have to constantly keep up appearances. It's exhausting."

The niece seemed to consider this for a moment, then shrugged. "I guess it's not that different from what you went through in your time. You make it look easier."

Gem smiled at her niece's observation. "It wasn't as glamorous as it seemed. Trust me."

As they walked through the streets, the city's hum felt different now, softer somehow. With each step, they seemed to blend in, just two souls walking through a world that, for now, was theirs to experience. There were no mirrors here, no Radio Demons lurking in the shadows, just a city full of endless possibilities.

"Alright, what do you want to do now?" Gem asked, looking at her niece with a mischievous smile.

The niece grinned back, her earlier nerves starting to fade. "I dunno... maybe find something fun? Something that doesn't involve breaking anything?"

Gem chuckled. "I'm all for that."

And so, they strolled on, the city unfolding before them like an open invitation to a life they never expected to lead.