The fall....

The fall was the most painful experience of my life.

I remember running...running in the pouring rain....

My heart was pounding, my arms wrapped around something large.

Something went off, a gunshot I do believe.

Then...there was so much blood. I felt...lighter....

It felt as if I was....
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"Momma! It's time to open up the diner!"

"Mom! Tell Sugar that she needs to stop hogging the hairspray!"

"Mom! Tell Spice that he's acting like a total b.i.t.c-!"

"SHUT UP BOTH OF YOU! IT'S 6 A.M!"

Bleary eyes opened as a very tired woman rolled over in her bed. She saw the alarm clock reading 6:00 and sighed. Another happy day in hell it seemed.

Her usual ratty nest of a hair stuck out all over the place. Her glowing eyes peered outside the window at the red light of the pentagram hanging over the city. It was mornings like these that made her grateful that she at least had a place to stay. Her clawed fingers ran through her hair as she smacked her lips.

The sound of glass breaking interrupted her usual wake up as the sound of pounding footsteps were heard. Almost immediately did the door of her room slam open as the rest of the family barreled inside.

"Momma! Sugar and Spice broke one of your vases!"

Her youngest daughter, Twisty, was the only Imp in the house. The little girl worked as the waitress of the diner and helped with fixing anything minor. Her braided hair was her pride and joy as she would frequently switch the ribbons out for something pretty.

"You little minx! You tripped me! She tripped me Mom!"

Sugar, a sinner and one half of a duo of siblings that lived in the home. She was a former internet star that met a tragic death. Due to that, she had a camera lense between her breast and a screen on her back. She was the hostess and made the desserts.

"Let's not point fingers sis. We all know you can be a clumsy doofus."

Spice, a sinner and the other half of the sibling duo. He was the older brother and he too befell the same tragedy as his sister. Unlike her deformity, his eye sockets were empty and his eyes were on his hands. He worked as the bartender.

"Apologies, I tried to stop them Mother, but somehow they got passed me!"

The hellhound of the family and the diner's cook was Maximus or Max. He was the first to be adopted and the first to learn the family recipes. Fiercely loyal and made sure no one fought in their diner.

The bickering got louder and louder until the entire building shook, flickering the lights and making the ceiling crack. This paused all the arguing as they turned to the still groggy woman in the bed.

"You know damn well that wasn't me. That was your warning to stop the fussing and fighting and get to opening up for the day!"

They scrambled away from the doorframe as she rose from the bed. Going over to the mirror, she grabbed her brush and started to tame her hair.

"Good morning Hell. Good morning my children."

The house shook once again, making her smile.

"And good morning, Tom."

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To say the princess of hell was nervous was an understatement.

Charlie was walking the streets of pride, fretting over every little cue card in her hand. Today was the day she would go to her father and propose a grand idea that was years in the making. A place where sinners could be redeemed and gain access into heaven. It was a wild dream, but she knew she could make it happen. All she had to do was figure out the right words to say and get the approval she oh so desperate needed.

"Okay Charlie...you've got this! It's just your father, not like he's the king of everything in death. Just got to tell him my idea and....hopefully he'll listen this time!"

The poor princess never noticed she had wandered a bit far down the road before she bumped into a pole. Rubbing her now sore head, she looked up to see a sign that barely lit sign.

Dead End Diner

"Wait...since when did this place pop up? Also, I don't think I've ever seen a diner before!"

Charlie happily looked at the classic looking establishment. It was eerie, but had neon lights on around the building. It had a crimson and cream coloring with sleek red chairs, white tables, and what appeared to be checkered floors. She was curious about the aura that surrounded the place as well.

As she entered, she was greeted by the most unusual sight. At the front was a sinner demon with a camera lense between her breasts wearing tons of makeup, poofy hair, big hoop earrings, and wearing a red apron. When she was noticed, the girl squeaked and fixed herself.

"Welcome to the Dead End Diner, doll! Table for one?"

"Umm...yeah sure! I mean, I didn't know we had a diner here, but this is so cool!" Charlie exclaimed, allowing herself to be lead to the bar. "So...who owns this place? It's so..."

"Retro, I know. Our owner died in the 60s, so she wanted this place to feel as cozy as the period she came from." The girl laughs as she handed her a menu. "You'll meet her soon, she likes newbies that wander their way into the joint. My name's Sugar by the way. Enjoy your meal."

Charlie stared in awe as she watched the girl stroll away. She went back to the menu and saw so many different recipes that were vastly different from the ones she was used to. Drinks and food from different time periods, mostly some comfort foods as well. She didn't even know she was that hungry until she sat down.

"Oh my gosh, you look so beautiful! Didn't know that we were going to get a cutie like you in today."

Charlie looked up to see another sinner demon who spoke with a flamboyant tone and was wiping a glass. His horns were curled a bit in his poofy hair, a lilac top, and a red apron as well. His tail was currently laced around a broom as it swept behind the counter. Her eye sockets, Charlie noticed, had a spiders making webs inside them.

"Uh...you have a little... something in your-?"

"Oh those little guys? Ignore them, they love "bugging" me if you know what I mean." He gave a boisterous laugh. "All joking aside, I know they're arachnids. Trust me, some of these leggy sluts get pissy when you call them that. Anyways, my name is Spice and I make drinks. What are you in the mood for?"

"Oh no, I don't drink much alcohol."

"That's okay boo, I can make you something mild. Wanna milkshake? I'm so good at that."

Charlie nodded. "A milkshake would be nice!"

"Ooh! Let me surprise you then cause I make a mean mother drinking flavor I call Rainbow Riot. Hold on for a second~!"

Charlie laughed as she watched the demon take a bunch of different colored syrups, some ice cream, and a big glass from under the counter. He took the milk out the fridge, threw it in a silver shaker, and proceeded to stir in the syrups, ice cream, crushed ice, and sprinkles. Using his tail, he shook it fast as he got the glass decorated with the myriads of syrups and sprinkles. The contents were poured inside while he topped it off with a spray of whipped cream, more sprinkles, and a cherry on top.

"Ta da! A Rainbow Riot for a colorful gal like you!" He pushed the glass over to the smiling princess. "You're welcome, no thanks needed. However, if you post on Voxxstagram, be sure to tag me!"

Charlie took a sip and was immediately assaulted with all the sweetness she could handle. It felt as if her heart just jump started and did five marathons! Her eyes sparkled as she continued to drink it down like a thirsty woman. Spice only shook his head while wiping up the counter at her reaction.

"That. Was. Amazing! I didn't know so many flavors could blend that well and the sprinkles made it a million times better!"

"See? I told you it would be good. My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard." Spice said, flipping his hair.

"More like keep them away from your virgin ass." Sugar said from across the room.

"Bite me Sugar!" He replied with a sweet tone.

Charlie shook her head when she felt a tugging motion on her pants. She looked down to see a Imp girl with braided ponytails, bright red eyes, and stubby horns point at her now empty glass. Charlie handed her the glass as she gave her a toothy grin before leaving.

The princess felt a warm feeling wash over her as she looked around the diner. It felt like all her worries were being washed away about her meeting. Perhaps it was from the sugary substance she had drank, but she felt a sense of confidence rising within her.

"I take it you liked the drink miss?"

A motherly voice came from behind her as she turned to see a rather unusual woman standing there. She was tall, but not towering over her. A mane of curly black locks were in an afro and put together in a headband. She wore a nice red blouse with floral buttons, a big plaid skirt, and high heels. The most intimidating part about her were the pair of wings that were tucked away in the back. Her eyes were a soft blue glow as she gave her a smile.

She gave off the aura of a mother alright.

"Oh yes ma'am! I loved the milkshake and it was super tasty. Are you by chance the owner of this place?" Charlie asked, flustered a bit.

"Well...you could say that. The real owner still resides in this place, but he gave it to me." The woman waved her hands. "Oh where are my manners child? My name is Patricia, but everyone calls me "Momma". Well...everyone who gets to know me that is. What do they call you?"

Charlie was surprised, but kept it to herself. "My name's Charlie, nice to meet you!" She shook her hand politely. "You are...not who I expected to run a place like this."

"What did you expect? Some ten foot hulking monstrosity that eats the people who come in?" Momma laughed before stopping. "Cause that would be Tom. He does that. It's why we keep him fed."

"That's...good. Wouldn't want to eat your customers now, would we." Charlie chuckled awkwardly. "I never knew a diner like this existed down here."

"We are a local find. Not many people can find it on a map. Guess the diner wanted to be found by someone like you. Someone with a deep, seeded desire for something..."

Charlie looked away, knowing that it was true. Her eyes darted to where she left her cards, but saw them missing. She frantically looked around, only to discover them tied up in a ribbon in Momma's hands.

"You know, from experience, you should just speak from the heart. I'm sure your father will understand." Momma handed her the cards. "Don't ever let that sort of connection sever. The bond between parent and child is something very powerful. Not all of us get lucky enough to have that."

The silence was all Momma needed to know about the poor, struggling dear. Charlie sniffed a bit, tears going down her face as she nodded at her. The other workers smiled at this before doing frowns of their own.

Parents are supposed to be their children's protectors and guides after all.

"Yeah...I think so too. I think...it's going to be fine." Charlie looked up at the tall woman. "Can I ask you something silly?"

"Go ahead. I won't judge."

"If there was a chance that you could be redeemed, would you take it? Like, if someone gave you a second chance?"

A gasp so small came out of the mighty woman as the building shook a bit too. Her eyes lost its glow for a brief moment before illuminating once more.

"I've done some terrible things when I was alive, things I look back at with disgust. Sometimes I wonder...well...a lot of it is in the past now." She placed a hand on Charlie's shoulder. "I'm not sure I can ever be forgiven for what I did, but I know for a fact that you could do something for those who should. I see a spark in you Miss Charlie, someone like you could make a big difference down here. Of that means changing the minds of others, I say go for it."

The princess' smile grew even bigger as she hugged the big woman with glee. This surprised her at first before patting her back gently as she did so. The excitable girl raced to the door and swung it open with a dramatic flair.

"You'll see Momma! I'm going to make my dreams a reality! When it happens, I'll try my best to help you." She placed a hand over her heart. "That's a promise."

Momma smiled as she watched the girl leap back into the craziness of the city before the windows dulled. Sugar and Spice looked at each other before coming over to stand by her side.

"You know that girl didn't pay for her drink Mom. Can we let Tom hunt her down?" Sugar asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No need for that Sug. She'll be back for more another time. Then we start charging her for any other drinks we make." Spice said, winking. "How cute was she though. So full of life and optimism."

"Can't believe she's the so called princess of hell. I thought she'd be all fire and brimstone, not sunshine and rainbows." Sugar uploaded the footage of Charlie onto her hard drive and turned to the quiet woman. "What now Mom?"

Momma looked down at her two kids and just patted their heads. "All in due time children. After all, we have all eternity to get her to come back. Who knows, maybe her dreams might become reality one day?"

The flickering sign outside the diner turned off as the shadows made the building vanish from sight. The sound of creaking floorboards was the only thing that was heard.
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Next Time:
"Honey Biscuits and Gravy"- In which an old friend bugs Momma's jukebox and Twisty tries to make a new meal!