Chapter Text
Chapter 8:
“That doesn’t sound so bad.” Vaggie said with a shrug. Molly glared at her intensely
“Yeah. Sure. Until ya own fucking muthah, the only person ya ‘ave up there wakes up one day and has no idea who ya are.”
“Wait. What?” Angel whispered
Molly was about to reply when Angel’s phone blew up with texts.
“Shit thats my boss. Fuck I’m late. Uh. I uh gotta get to work. I’ll see ya later?” He said trying to leave as quickly as possible. Emily turned to him
“We can walk you to work!” She offered
“NO!” Angel yelped quickly looking panicked
“I mean uh. Appreciate the offer toots but uh. My job ain’t your scene ya know?” Emily looked confused for a moment before realization dawned on her.
“Oh uh. Before I go. Molly. You still remember how to use one a’dees?” Angel asked pulling out one of his Tommy guns. Molly grinned and nodded as he tossed it to her.
“You know it. Bet I’m still a better shot than ya too.” Angel rolled his eyes not having time for a rebuttal as he answered his ringing phone, running out the door.
“Val... yeah! I uh. I’m on my way now” he rambled. Molly could hear someone yelling on the other end.
She stared at now closed the door, concern etched on her face.
“His boss sounds like a real Scumbag.” She muttered. Husk scoffed
“That’s putting it lightly.” He grumbled taking a sip from a bottle he grabbed off one of the bar shelves. Molly frowned but decided not to press it as she examined the gun Angel had given her.
Emily approached her looking at the gun as if it might explode at any moment.
“You know how to use a….gun?” Emily asked whispering the last word like it was offensive. Molly sighed
“Doll. I grew up in the mafia. Yes I know how to use a gun.”
“Anyways!” Charlie butt in. “Vaggie and I have a date planned but Dad, Alastor, Husk, Nifty, I was thinking you guys could show Molly and Emily around town!” Lucifer and Alastor glared at each other
“Charlie I don’t think-“ Lucifer started
“Please dad? I want you there to make sure they’re safe. Alastor’s more familiar with the politics down here than you are. Besides, you two need to learn to get along.” Molly huffed
“We can take care of ourselves ya know.” Vaggie glared at her
“Well forgive us for giving a shit about your safety.” Molly rolled her eyes at her.
“Cmon! It’ll be fun!” Emily encouraged. Molly sighed in defeat.
“Great!” Charlie squealed. She grabbed Vaggie and the two took off, Charlie nearly wrenching the past-exorcist's arm out of her socket.
Molly watched Charlie and Vaggie disappear out the door, leaving behind a swirl of conflicting emotions. She felt a pang of unease at the thought of Angel dealing with whatever mess awaited him, yet she was also hesitant about the upcoming tour of the town.
Husk, sensing the tension, broke the silence with a cynical remark. "Well, looks like we're in for some babysitting duty."
Molly shot him a glare before turning her attention back to Emily, who still seemed wary of the gun.
"Don't worry, Em. It's just a tool," Molly said, trying to reassure her. “I aint gonna use it unless I ‘ave to I promise. But knowing how to use it can be the difference between life and death around here."
Emily nodded, her expression a mix of apprehension and curiosity.
As they prepared to leave, Molly slung the Tommy gun over her shoulder, feeling its weight as a reminder of the world she thought she'd left behind.
"Alright, let's get this over with," she muttered, following the others out of the hotel with Emily trailing close behind.
Outside, the streets were alive with the hustle and bustle of the city. Neon signs flickered overhead, casting an eerie glow on the pavement below. Molly couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia mixed with trepidation as she and the hotel residents navigated the familiar yet unfamiliar terrain.
Their first stop was a local market, where Molly and Emily were introduced to the colorful array of characters that populated the town. They passed by vendors selling everything from exotic fruits to dubious-looking potions, each one hawking their wares with a mix of curses and haggling.
As they made their way through the market, with Emily clutching tightly to Molly’s hand, Molly couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. She glanced over her shoulder, but the crowded streets offered no clues as to who – or what – might be following them.
Niffty, sensing Molly's unease, grabbed her at her leg. "Why do you keep looking around? You look silly.” She informed the spider.
Molly forced a smile. “Im fine, just... old habits you know?"
Alastor chimed in with a low hum of agreement, his eerie presence adding to the tense atmosphere.
“Right uh. You two can explore on your own if you want. Just say close?” Lucifer offered. Emily’s eyes lit up.
Husk eyed Molly and Emily with a mix of caution and exasperation. “And please don't do anything stupid."
Molly rolled her eyes, "Yeah, yeah, we got it," she muttered, shooting Emily a pleading look.
But Emily's curiosity was already piqued, her eyes darting around the crowded streets with an eager gleam. "C'mon, Molly!” she urged, already moving towards a dimly lit passageway.
Molly groaned inwardly, her instincts screaming at her to keep Emily out of trouble. But she knew arguing would be pointless, so she begrudgingly followed, her steps heavy with reluctance.
They reached the alley, its shadows stretching ominously across the pavement. Emily hesitated for a moment, a thrill of excitement mingling with unease. "Should we...?" she trailed off, looking to Molly for guidance.
Molly's jaw tightened with frustration. "No, we shouldn't," she snapped, her tone sharp with warning. "This ain't no place for us."
But before she could stop her, Emily had already stepped forward, drawn to the promise of adventure like a moth to a flame.
Molly's heart sank as she watched Emily approach a shady-looking sinner lurking in the shadows. He handed her something. She exited the alley, something in a small foil package held in her hands.
“Em?” Molly asked
“It’s candy Molly!” Emily squealed beginning to unwrap it
Molly moved quickly, her instincts kicking into overdrive as she snatched the candy out of Emily's hand and tossed it into a nearby trash can.
“Hey! What was that for?" Emily exclaimed
"Emily, you can't just take candy from strangers," Molly scolded, her voice tight with worry. "You never know what they might do." Emily looked down in shame.
Molly's gaze softened, her frustration giving way to a sense of protectiveness. "You gotta be more careful, Em," she muttered, her voice laced with worry. "This place ain't like home. You gotta watch your back."
Emily nodded, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she realized the danger she had unknowingly put herself in.
“I’m sorry.” she mumbled. Molly sighed and led her out of the alley, pressing a kiss to the seraphim’s forehead
“I know you want to trust people doll. But ya can’t. Not down here. Okay?” Molly tried to explain. Emily hesitated before nodding.
Momentarily distracted, Molly didn’t immediately notice as a shadowy figure emerged from the crowd, his eyes fixed on Emily. His steps were unsteady, his body one of a humanoid rat, and his intentions seemed anything but innocent.
Molly's protective instincts surged as she noticed the rat man closing in on Emily, his hands reaching out toward her. She immediately stepped between them, her voice ringing out with authority.
"Back off," she yelled, her voice sharp and commanding, her eyes flashing in warning.
But the man, fueled by alcohol and aggression, paid no heed to Molly's warning. With a drunken grin, he lunged forward and grabbed Emily's arm, his grip tight and possessive.
“Pretty birdie” he slurred grinning maniacally he reached out his other hand to pull on one of Emily’s feathers. He wrapped his arm around her chest clutching her towards him
"Let go of me!" Emily cried out, panic rising in her voice as she struggled against his grasp, her heart pounding in her chest.
Molly's blood boiled with anger and fear as she watched the scene unfold. With every ounce of strength she had, she used all four arms to fight against the rat humanoid, trying to pry him away from Emily.
"Get your hands off her!" Molly's voice was fierce, and full of frustration.
The sinner’s grip tightened, his intentions becoming increasingly clear. He leered at Emily, his gaze predatory as he attempted to pull her closer.
Emily's heart raced with terror as she fought against him, her mind reeling with fear and confusion. She glanced desperately at Molly, silently pleading for help.
Molly's protective instincts shifted into overdrive.
With a surge of adrenaline and desperation, Molly made a split-second decision. Her hand reached for the Tommy gun slung over her shoulder, her fingers wrapping around the cool metal of the weapon. In one swift motion, she pulled it from its holster and aimed it at the rat.
"Let her go, now!" Molly's voice boomed, her eyes blazing with determination as she stared down the assailant, the weight of the Tommy gun steady in her hands.
But the man, fueled by alcohol and bravado, only sneered in response. He tightened his grip on Emily, his intentions unmistakably sinister.
“No. My birdie.”
Emily's panic skyrocketed as she felt the man's hold on her, her chest tightening with fear. She struggled to break free, her breaths coming in short gasps as she fought against the overwhelming terror.
Molly's heart pounded in her chest as she realized the gravity of the situation. She had no other choice, she had to protect Emily.
Her finger hovered over the trigger, her gaze unwavering as she locked onto her the rat. The chaos of the crowded street faded into the background as she focused solely on the threat before her.
In one fluid motion, she squeezed the trigger, unleashing a torrent of bullets from the Tommy gun. The deafening roar of gunfire filled the air, drowning out all other sound as the weapon spat out its deadly payload.
Molly remained steady, her stance solid as she controlled the recoil of the gun. The muzzle flashed with each shot, the bright bursts of light illuminating the scene in stark contrast to the shadows of the alleyway.
With each bullet, she aimed for the man's legs, intending to disable rather than kill. The air filled with the acrid smell of gunpowder as the rounds found their mark, striking the assailant and sending him reeling backward.
The man cried out in pain as the bullets tore through his flesh, his grip on Emily loosening with each impact. She ran as soon as she was released. Several rounds hit his chest as he fell. At last, he collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony, before going still as the gunfire ceased. He was (double) dead.
Molly lowered the smoking gun, her chest heaving with exertion. She surveyed the scene with a mixture of relief and apprehension, her senses still on high alert for any further threats.
Emily stood nearby, frozen in shock as she processed the violence that had just unfolded before her.
Her eyes were wide with disbelief. The world seemed to spin as her breath caught in her throat, panic seizing her in its suffocating grip.
Molly's heart sank as she watched Emily's distress, her own hands trembling with adrenaline and guilt. She dropped the gun and rushed to Emily's side, her voice soft and reassuring as she tried to calm her trembling girlfriend.
"Emily, it's okay. You're safe now," Molly murmured, her arms wrapping around Emily in a comforting embrace.
But Emily was already spiraling her breaths coming in ragged gasps as tears streamed down her cheeks. The weight of the traumatic ordeal crashed down on her, overwhelming her senses in a whirlwind of fear and confusion.
“What did you do? You shot him Molly!” She yelled shoving the spider away from her
“Em… I-”
Lucifer appeared out of a portal followed by Alastor (with Niffty on his shoulder) and Husk.
“We heard gunfire. Are you okay?” Emily began to sob.
“Molly… she… she…” Molly couldn’t look at her girlfriend. Both ashamed of what she had done, and frustrated and Emily’s lack of understanding. Husk noted the firearm at Molly’s side and the dead sinner behind her. He caught Molly’s eyes.
“Some fucker tried to hurt her?” He asked gesturing at Emily. Molly nodded
Lucifer was quick to try and comfort Emily, his expression full of pained understanding.
“It's okay, Emily. Hell can be overwhelming, especially for someone who's never been here before. Why don’t I take you to my palace for a bit huh? It’s much less… chaotic there. I think we can discuss some stuff there. Fallen Seraphim to fallen seraphim. That sound okay?” Emily hesitated looking at Molly who nodded
“Go ahead Em. I’ll see you later?” Emily sniffed and grabbed Lucifer’s hand, following the king through a different portal.
——
“Shit.” Molly hissed burying her face in her hands
“Was he a bad boy?” Niffty asked. Molly let out a choked laugh
“Yeah. He sure was.” she agreed.
“I like bad boys!” Niffty informed her. Molly smiled despite herself.
“Good to know Niff.”