Pandora’s POV

„Turn... them back to the light...” I blinked looking back at her, for a second completely forgetting about the grimoire just laying there for anyone to take it and fedex’it back to Gates. She looked really chipper, smiling at me like she had just figured out the meaning of life, well... share the discovery secret, we all were very eager to find out this little bit. „Okay, Tempest... I’m gonna explain this once and once only... Fallen angels are fallen for a reason. They chose this life. They knew what they signed up for... God... Don’t they teach you anything up there?” I shot her a dirty glare before I walked the corner to where the grimoire supposedly was laying.

„Wait, Pandora...” She ran up to me, the edge of her white robe swaying around her legs, „Everyone deserves a second chance.”

A second chance? I snorted and rolled my eyes as I inspected every little inch of the pavement, trying to find the ancient book. Second chance my ass. „So? Where is it? You said it’s around the corner... so where the fuck is it?”

Suddenly she looked like a lost puppy. She put a strand of her golden hair behind her ear as she inspected the ground. „I swear I left it here...” She pointed out to the spot on the ground. Frankly, I didn’t see shit. She bent down and touched the ground to make sure the grimoire was in fact gone. Sherlock Holmes would be really proud.

„I can assure you it can’t turn invisible.” I said as I pinched the bridge of my nose. This was just... perfect. „Bloody hell,” I exclaimed and furiously punched the wall, my fist leaving a hole in it. „So getting my ass beat up was completely pointless... Great.”

Her eyes lingered on the hole in the wall, before they fixed on me. Frightened had gained a fully different meaning to her. „Wh-what do you mean? You let them...?”

„Oh come on!” I spun around, my fingers drowning deep in my hair. „I was the commander of Devil’s army... of course I let them beat me up!”

„I’m... so, so sorry Pandora...” She apologized, looking straight at the ground. Sorry won’t cut it, now will it, sister. „I didn’t know it would just disappear...”

„Well... now you do.” I glared at her. Fuck. Just let’s calm down. She honestly didn’t know, she’s never been here... She’s from Heaven for fuck sake, she’s as clueless as a chipmunk in the Apple store. „Okay... I’m sorry, I overreacted. We’ll think of the grimoire tomorrow, right now we have to get you some more of them Malibu Barbie drinks. Let’s celebrate your first night on Earth.” I rested my hand on her shoulder as I offered her an apologetic smile. I mean... fuck me. If we search for the grimoire tomorrow, I was more than certain that we won’t find it.

„Really?” She suddenly lit up, looking at me hopefully.

„Yep,” I nodded, suppressing the inner demon and the will to kill everyone I lay my eyes upon. If I was still the demon everyone took me for, I’d start with this little angel here. „But first... let’s get you out of the goddamn robe.” I said and looked around, spotting a clothing store just across the street. I took her by her hand and pulled her over to the store, stopping right by the big glass door. It was obviously locked, knowing it was way past midnight, but who has ever payed for their clothes, am I right or am I right? A perfectly good waste of money. Forever 21 was a place I used to politely borrow clothes from very regularly. They had in fact some pretty neat leather.

„Wait, what are we doing here? The fruity drinks were back... there.” She whispered the last word noticing I had bent down and was picking the damn lock with the bobby pin I had pulled out of the pocket of my pants. Honestly? You can never have too many bobby pins. I knew this place never set up their alarm, because they were fairly certain that nobody would rob a place which’s a few houses down from the police station. Well, weren’t they just a special breed of moron. The satisfying click resounded in my ears and the door opened.

„Voila!” I stood up with a cocky grin on my face, „After you.”

Tempest walked inside, carefully inspecting every inch of the corner, bumping into bunch of mannequins, „Oh, excuse me, sir...”

Okay, that was hilarious... She just apologized to a mannequin... That right there just cracked me up. What’s next? She takes out it on a romantic stroll down the pier? If that ever happens, remind me to film the thing and put it up on youtube. Maybe I could get youtube famous.

„Pandora?” She sounded frightened, „Pandora... it’s dark here... I’m... I don’t feel safe in the dark...”

The angel was scared of dark? What would she do if she happened to wake up in Hell? She’d go nuts. I walked up to the light switch and after a brief moment the whole store lit up. It will be plain luck if the cops don’t show up here and arrest us both. „Relax... The dark isn’t quite as scary as you think.”

„Oh!” She exclaimed standing in the middle of the store. „Clothes!” She walked up to one of the hangers and pulled out a white maxi dress.

„Oh, no, no, no, darlin’...” I shook my head, rushing up to her and jerking the hanger out of her sneaky little fingers. „Enough with these potato sacks... how about you try something like... hmm...” I moved along the rows of clothes and picked out what I assumed was a fucking awesome outfit. „This. Yeah. Try it on.”

Her shoulders twitched, but nevertheless she took the clothes.

„And now let’s find something for momma...” I rubbed my hands together, with the corner of my eye seeing how she undressed in the middle of the fucking store. Did I mention that you could see absolutely everything what was happening in here from outside? No? Well, I do now. „So... no underwear. I see you’re a person of culture as well.” She was butt naked under the robe, tho I had to give it to the Old Man upstairs, he did in fact know how to create a woman. I should actually bring her shopping... Ha. That would be hilarious.

Just a moment later I found myself in the lingerie section picking out some mouthwatering underwear for the angel. Oh the irony. „Pandora? I think there’s something wrong with the outfit...”

„Coming!” I exclaimed and took a crimson lace thong. Why a thong? Knowing she has never worn one throughout her entire existence? For shits and giggles of course. When I walked back to her and saw her in the whole outfit, I could say never in a million years would she pass for a fucking angel wearing something like that. „Whoa momma...”

„See?” She kept pulling the edge of her skirt down, thinking it would magically make it longer. Fat chance, love. „I think it’s missing something...”

„Yeah, I know what you mean,” I agreed, picking out the nearest hanger with a black leather jacket and passing it to her, before I pulled off the tag from it. „Here, this will make the hole thing a lot better. Oh... and these.” I handed her the thong, barely suppressing my laughter. „They may feel uncomfortable at first, but... you’ll get used to it.”

„What... is it?” She held the lace fabric between her fingers. „Is this a... hat?” She was about to pull them over her head, but I stopped her in the very last moment.

„No,” I shook my head, laughing. „You know what pants are?” She nodded, looking at me with a frown, „Well... These are... smaller... pants... panties. Hmm...” I paused for a moment trying to figure how to word it out so she’d understand the whole thing, „This is what you wear underneath other clothes.”

She nodded, before her frown grew even deeper. „Okay, but... why?”

„Uhmm... I’m not quite sure. I guess you just... do.” I frowned. Why did humans wear underwear? Was there a legitimate reason besides it looking hot as hell? I should probably google it.

For a good second she just kept staring at the fabric, before she pulled it over her legs, the crimson lace disappearing underneath her skirt. „Is this right?”

I walked closer, moving the skirt up. „Yep.” I nodded. „It’s perfect.” My eyes narrowed on her feet. „You wanna keep those golden flats?”

She looked down and then back at me, „Yes.” She smiled. „God gave them to me, so I could always find my way.”

God this – god that... What nonsense was she talking? Find her way? Did they have some GPS built in them? Okay, never mind... Either way she wasn’t ready for pumps just yet. „Oki-dokes, put on your leather jacket and let’s grab you another Daiquiri.”

„A ... what?” She questioned as she picked up her robe from the floor.

„Daiquiri. That’s what you were drinking.” I replied as we walked towards the exit of the store after I had switched off the lights. But as I shut the door behind us, I heard the familiar roar of a Chevrolet pull up in the parking lot of Johnny’s. The engine died down and moments later the door opened and both Shadows and Gates got out of the car. I froze in my tracks. A couple of seconds later both of them had vanished inside the saloon. I had to blink to regain from the daze his presence (even from afar) had left me in. I looked around, fearing Tempest had already taken off towards the bar, but instead found her standing exactly beneath the lantern. „Tempest?” Shit, that still sounded like something my grandma would be called if I had one, „Hey, angel, you know what your last name will be?” Maybe her last name will be a tad cooler.

„Last name?” She sing-sang as she danced around the little splotch of light.

„Yeah, it’s the ultimate trend between humans. Even I adapted to it.” I stepped forward, shoving my hands in my pockets. „My last name is Ripley.”

„I once knew a man called Ripper...” She mused thoughtfully.

„Ripper?” My eyes went wide and my eyebrow arched. Holy shit! „Jack the Ripper? You’re shitting me...”

„I would do no such thing!” She looked at me angrily, before she continued, „But yes, I think his name was Jack. At least that’s what he used when he introduced himself to the archangels.”

„What kinda cookies did he have to bake to get up to the Silver City?” I blinked a couple of times. The notorious killer... The Ripper. Something was deadly wrong with the place up above.

„I don’t... quite understand what you meant by that...” A slight frown took over her face.

I took a deep breath, „We were discussing possible last names for you.” I changed the subject, but bloody hell... The bastard up in heaven? Wait... but—„Actually, hold the thought... When did you meet ... Jack?”

„Let me think...” She crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes on something behind me, „It was the day before I found myself here...” A day before... A day in Silver City is five years on Earth. Fuck!

„Okay, let’s go.” I took her hand and dragged her back to Johnny’s. Just as we approached I saw Shadows going out for a smoke. „Yo, Shads!” I called, bringing his attention to me when he was mid lighting the cigarette. I can see you sighing, bastard!

„This is my night off, Pandora... If you want to start a fight, come by tomorrow.” He mumbled, moving the flame closer to the end of the cigarette, before I yanked it out right from his lips and dropped to the ground. „Hey! What’s the big ide--”

„Shut up.” I hissed, letting Tempest go. „He’s inside?”

„Who? Gates?” He asked pulling another smoke from his package and letting it linger between his lips. „Yeah, he’s inside.”

„Perfect,” I smirked, shooting a glance back at Tempest over my shoulder. „Oh don’t be scared, love, this is Shads. When he’s not on patrol, he’s quite nice.” I offered her a smiled, before I turned to Shadows and all traces of the smile were gone. „If you hurt her, I swear some heads will roll.”

„Come on, you know angels are not my type.” He blew out a cloud of smoke.

„Great, then help her come up with a last name.” I told him as I headed for the entrance, „Something that doesn’t scream – I’m ninety and I’ve given up on life.”

I headed straight for the entrance, passing the bouncer who had been one of the gate keepers down in Hell. I got curious – what did he bribe him with to get him work as a bouncer? But then again, Earth was in fact a lot better than Hell.

As I squeezed through the sea of people, I noticed him sitting by the counter, sipping on his whiskey and what it seemed reminiscing. A typical old person. „Here. Just like you prefer it.” He said not even looking at me as he pushed another whiskey glass towards me. Did he think of me as some sorority chick who could be roofied?

„You have to go back to Hell.” I insisted, refusing the polite offer.

He laughed in his glass, „And why would I do that?” I noticed Johnny sending me a warning glare. Yeah, I know you’re pissed over the last time I trashed the bar, get fucking over it! He turned his head to look at me, his eyes looking even darker than I remembered them. „I’m fine just where I am, Pandora.”

„One of the damned got into Heaven,” I explained. Well, this clearly should change his mind, right? There has to be order. Damned needed to remain in Hell.

„Well then, I should probably shake their hand and congratulate them, don’t you think?” He smirked, raising the glass to his lips. I felt the blood starting boil in my veins. „He surpassed even you.”

„He?” I didn’t mention a gender... The revelation hit me hard. He knew. But of course he knew, he was the devil – he knew everything. „How did you do it?”

„That’s for me to know and for you to dot dot dot...” He sneered at me. Fucking sneered. My fist landed on the counter, cracking it under the force. My eyes lit up and veins around my eyes became visible. „Now that’s the Pandora I know and love!”

„Not again...” I heard Johnny cry out.

„You want a war? ‘Cause that’s what you’re gonna get.” I hissed, trying to calm myself down.

„I-„ He cut himself off as he took a mouthful, „don’t want anything. But if you’re so concerned about Hell, go and be it’s ruler. You have my permission.” He waved me off.

„Then why did you kidnap the angel?” I ignored the last part. Everyone knew a demon couldn’t rule over hell, besides, that was a mildly cruel place, so – no chance I’m returning there.

„Me?” He pointed to himself, before erupting in laughter. „You really saw me kidnapping someone...”

„Don’t play dumb,” I felt a vein starting to pulsate in my neck. Oh I swear if he keeps it up like this, I’m gonna tear him limb by bloody limb.

„Look, Pandora, don’t try to figure out something that’s way above your paygrade.” The corners of his mouth lowered as he simply stared at me. „But remember, the offer about Hell still stands- that’s if you reconsider.”

My lips parted and between eyebrows formed a deep crease. I couldn’t figure if finally had gone insane. „Yeah, go and shove that offer up your—„

„Pandora! We figured it out!” A voice came from behind me. Surprisingly I felt myself calming down, which was really odd, knowing I was still standing next to Syn. I turned to look behind my back and saw Shadows and really happy Tempest walking in. „It’s Klark!”

„And now she’s a ninety-year-old Superman... great...” I sighed.

Notes