Chloe sighed. “Well, Paimon’s underlings tend to be pretty persistent in their activities. I’m not sure what you’ve gotten yourself into, but I doubt they’re just going to let you walk away.”

She then finally healed his face. Nick felt the delicate flesh grow and stitch back together. He was fairly sure this was the first wound he’d gotten that had resulted in such a loss of flesh and it was strange to feel it all growing back.

“Not that it's my problem, but you’re not going to be able to hide what’s happened from the Vampire. You have to hope they don’t just mummify you on the spot, healing can only do so much.”

Nick thanked her for the heal and walked out, processing everything he’d just heard. His plan to try and work out what Paimon wanted from him and potentially negotiate felt rather silly now. Of course, he was completely outmatched by her power, he didn’t have a choice in the matter. She could simply make Paige flood his system with that gunk, maybe even enough that he didn’t have control over himself anymore. Perhaps Painmon had her own techniques or skills she could employ to control him. The more he thought about it the more boned he was feeling. His skill was awesome, but how much could it really help him in this situation?

Nick said goodbye to Sandy and left the Unvoided Hall, remembering that he had to go back to the Hogs. He was already last, he hadn’t felt much need to rush back but he should get back eventually. He made his way across the plaza and entered the lavish building and found the same small child behind the receptionist's desk.

“Hey lil dude, I’m running a bit late where is everyone?”

The child looked up at him, Nick saw bags beneath their eyes. “Most of them just went to bed. I was told to show you how to clean the toilets.”

The kid then hopped down off their chair and walked out from behind the desk. He then beckoned Nick to follow him. Nick was a little puzzled by the situation, this child didn’t look more than ten years old. He followed along anyway, the child led him to a storage cupboard, where he pulled out a bucket, various cleaning tools, and some liquid soap. Wordlessly the child led Nick to another room, this one a bathroom on the first floor.

“There are six bathrooms here you have to clean. One down here on the first floor for guests. The other five are on the second floor, for the Hogs to use. Some Hogs have their own bathrooms but they’re in charge of keeping those clean. You’re expected to clean them once a day for the next week. Simple enough?”

Nick nodded and the child handed the bucket to him. “Good. You’ll find hot water taps in each bathroom, the water can reach boiling temperatures. Please keep the brushes and rags as sterile as you can.”

The child then turned and walked back off towards the reception, before stopping and turning back around. “Once you’re done here, come find me and I’ll show you the bathrooms on the second floor.”

Then Nick was alone, cleaning utensils in hand. “Huh,” Nick said to himself.

What a strange child, what the heck were they doing here in the Hall of the Hogs? Nick was mighty curious but he chalked it up to the weirdness of the Hogs in general. Looking at the wider picture, it was not that unexpected for them to have such a weird arrangement for a receptionist. Nick then rolled up his sleeves and got to work. He had some toilets to clean. He ventured into the bathroom and found them already fairly clean, he only had to do a light bit of work and they were looking brand new. Sheesh, if it was going to be this easy then it wasn’t going to be much of a chore at all. With a bit of confidence, Nick strolled back out to the reception desk.

The child said nothing and led Nick up the stairs, giving him a small tour of the floor. It was almost entirely rooms and suites that belonged to the Hogs. There were a couple of lounges and a games room around the place but other than that it was just the five toilets. Once again, Nick was left to clean. Nick entered into the first of the bathrooms and was pleasantly surprised. He had been worried that the Hogs were absolute slobs and he’d find a cesspool of abhorrent horrors, instead he found a relatively clean bathroom. There were a few stains here and there, but nothing too outlandish. Nick quickly made his way through each of the bathrooms, making them look spick and span.

Satisfied with a job well done, Nick went back downstairs and put all of the equipment back in the cupboard. He went back to the receptionist's desk, he had some questions for the kid that had been brewing in his mind as he cleaned.

“So, what’s your name?”

“Bell.”

“Nice to meet ya Bell. I’m Nick.”

“Nice to meet you too. Did you finish cleaning? You’re much quicker than I am.” Bell said with a sigh.

Bell looked incredibly tired, the poor kid looked like he was almost always on the verge of passing out. Nick was amazed that he hadn’t discovered him crashed out behind the desk so far.

“So, how did you end up working here at the Hall of the Hogs?”

“My mum traded me for a class gem.”

Nick’s eyes widened in alarm. “Sorry? What happened?”

Bell sighed. “My mum wanted to level up. The Hog’s trade loot for other items, my mum only had me.”

Nick didn’t know what to say. Was this some sort of slavery? Was Bell being held here against his will? Nick wasn’t sure that he could rescue the child, any of the Hogs could easily find and overpower him. Nick’s mind was whirling with plans and possibilities. His own mind went to his situation with Tony, he didn’t want a kid being stuck alone in a similar situation.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Are you okay?” Nick asked, he needed to at least triage any immediate issues he could.

“Yeah? Just a bit tired. Nothing a little sleep won’t fix.” Bell yawned. “Maybe a lot of sleep.”

“How is it working here?” Nick pressed.

“It’s not too bad. Easier work than back on the farm. The Hogs are very loud though.”

“Do you ever want to go back home?”

“No. It’s much nicer here. The people are weird but I get treated pretty well.”

“Hmm, well make sure to get some sleep Bell.”

Nick left the hall. It seemed like Bell didn’t have any problems or serious complaints, the boy seemed pretty alright with everything. Nick realised he’d made another leap in reasoning, he didn’t actually understand the situation right now and he’d need more information to make any conclusions. Bell seemed safe and comfortable, although very tired. Nick would make sure to ask Kim a bit more about the situation before he made any drastic conclusions or accusations. Once again Nick realised he just never had enough information or knowledge to be making the right calls.

Nick needed information, he needed knowledge. With his new plan and goal, he needed to best equip himself to achieve it. No more blundering around. The first step was to face the music. He needed to meet Paimon. It might not go well for him but he needed the slightest bit of information, just an inkling of her intentions and he could plan around it. No matter what else he tried, he needed to remember that Paimon was looming over him at all times, she’d said as such. So Nick headed back towards the hall Paige had led him to, he hadn’t really heard but he thought it was called something like Paimon Hall, which wasn’t very creative in Nick’s opinion.

Nick walked into the hall and realised he didn’t remember where to go. He remembered being dragged around the building and up some stairs, but he had no clue what stairs they could have been. As he looked around he realised that the place was very foreboding in appearance. There was almost no natural light flowing into the building, so even though it was around midday, it was very dark inside. The building was lit with atmospheric candles placed around, casting long and sinister-looking shadows around the place. Nick knew this was purposely done, as crystals that emitted light were used in the other buildings he’d been into. Paimon’s faction was just being overly dramatic.

Nick was proved right when a tall woman emerged from the shadows, her slender legs taking slow, measured steps towards him. She wore a tight, dark dress with a long slit that ran up one of her legs. Her skin was just as pale as Paige’s, but it was contrasted with the deep red lipstick and dark eyeliner she wore. Her eyes were the same pale yellow as Paige’s but there was something magnetic about them, Nick felt himself being pulled into them. She had dark hair that was cut into a sharp shoulder-length style.

“Well.” She purred. “What do we have here? Are you lost, young man?”

Nick gulped, her voice flowed like honey into his ears. He knew what was going on though and wasn’t going to fall for it again. Nick sprinted towards the nearest wall and threw himself into it, the sharp joint of pain cleared his mind. Nick rubbed his shoulder, he really needed to work out a better method than his current one. He turned back to the woman and she looked dumbfounded. Her allure had suddenly vanished, and while she was still an attractive woman, the magnetism had dissipated. Nice, he’d succeed.

“Why did you do that?” The woman questioned, looking genuinely confused.

Nick grinned at the woman. “Staying on my toes.”

That did not ease the woman’s confusion at all, not that Nick was concerned about it. While it wasn’t the prettiest of tactics, it certainly worked like a treat. Other than his currently pained shoulder that was. Then a familiar giggle could be heard and a short woman in a gothic dress emerged from a different shadow.

“Fallen that far Paiton?” Paige said, still giggling. “Welcome back Nick.”

“Hey Paige, we’ve got to talk. In private.” Nick cut to the chase.

“Miss me that much?” Paige purred.

Nick frowned, these two women were exactly the same, weren’t they? Nick took deep breaths and did his best to keep his mind clear and focused. He had a goal, something to focus on. Paige realised that her allure had little effect and frowned. This caused the tall woman, Paiton, to laugh.

Paige didn’t respond and just turned around and waltzed off down one of the shadowy hallways. Nick quickly followed along, not wanting to be left alone with the predatory tall woman any longer. Nick did his best to remember the route, it was fairly straightforward. After a short walk, they came to a staircase and Paige headed up. At the top of the staircase was the grand set of doors that led to her room, which Paige unlocked. Nick was once again subject to the grandiose suite, it was very posh feeling. Paige walked over to her bed and plopped herself down on it then patted the spot next to her.

Nick took another deep breath and tried to stay focused. He needed to stay clear-headed right now and not fall for Paige’s charms. He was lucky, right now he saw her for what she really was. A creepy short woman, with pale skin and eerie eyes. He focused on that and kept reminding himself that she wasn’t the beautiful lady that she was compelling him to perceive. Nick sat himself down a distance away from her, his back pressed into one of the bedposts.

“Why the distance Nick? What’s wrong?” Paige’s eyes then pierced through him, making him shudder. “Did you get healed on the way back?”

“I did. I messed my face up on the 50th floor, I got a heal at the Unvoided Hall.” Nick explained.

Paige ran her tongue along her lips slowly. “I guess we have some work to do then.”

Paige then started moving towards him, her eyes locked on his neck. Nick felt like a small rabbit being cornered by a wolf, his heart threatening to burst from his chest.

“Hold up! We have to talk!” Nick yelped.

Paige didn’t stop moving toward him, she got her lips right up against his ear. “There will be plenty of time to talk when we’re done.”

Her words sent shivers down his spine. Under any other circumstances, he’d have willingly gone with the flow. It surely would be a fun time for him, it certainly had been the last time. Why was he resisting now? Nick’s thoughts began to drift. Nick then slammed the back of his head into the bedpost, the pain clearing his mind. The feeling of weakness that he had felt as Paige assaulted him in the Unvoided Hall closet flooded his mind, and he didn’t want to go through that again. Nick tried to push Paige away from him but like every time before he felt like he was trying to push against a block of steel.

Nick then threw himself off the bed and tried to get some distance. He then felt something push against his back and he was sent tumbling to the ground. He tried to scramble back up to his feet, he flipped over onto his backside and watched as Paige stalked towards him. Paige got closer and closer, eventually pressing Nick’s back to the floor with a foot on his chest.

“How about we talk this one out?” Nick said with a weak smile.

Paige just flashed a grin that showed off her canines.

Nick gulped.