"Where the heck am I?" Inez muttered, rubbing her temples as she slowly pushed herself up from the cold ground. The grass was damp beneath her, and she could feel small twigs and leaves clinging to the hem of her dress.
As she surveyed her surroundings, she noticed she was in a park, enveloped by towering trees that swayed gently in the wind. A few pedestrians wandered nearby, their laughter ringing out amidst the rustle of the leaves. Inez glanced down at herself, taking inventory of her unexpected situation. "So, I'm wearing this stunning red and black dress, complete with intricate lace details, a high collar, and long, ruffled sleeves," she thought, feeling the fabric's luxurious texture. "Perfect for a party, but not for whatever this is."
She noticed her black gloves were still in place, and the cute vintage black jacket draped over her shoulders felt like a comforting shield. "At least I have my boots," she thought with a glance at the stylish star-patterned footwear that completed her ensemble. Suddenly, a peculiar weight tugged at her memory; she felt the familiar presence of her knives hidden inside her calves and, oddly, what felt like a gun in a similarly discreet spot.
Inez reached for a curious item that had caught her eye—a spell book mottled with mysterious symbols—and a voodoo-looking staff topped with a dragon's head. "What's all this doing with me?" she wondered, her mind racing as she picked up the small, blank notebook. "And of course, it's blank," she added with a sigh, flipping through its empty pages as if expecting some forgotten information to reveal itself.
"Let's take a look at my wallet," she decided, tucking the notebook safely into her jacket pocket before pulling out her wallet with a quick flick of her wrist. Her eyes widened as she scanned the contents. "Alright, my name's Inez Bones, I'm 17, and apparently I'm some kind of demon, though it doesn't specify which one. I really wonder what kind I am," she mused, a mix of curiosity and anxiety fluttering in her stomach.
"To make things even stranger, I've got fifty grand in here," she said, her heart racing. "Super weird since it's just cash and not on any card. Better stash this away before anyone sees," she concluded, slipping the wallet back into her pocket with a quickness born of instinct.
"I didn't steal that cash," she assured herself, eyeing her exquisite dress once more. "I must've come from somewhere fancy. This dress is beautiful, and it definitely doesn't scream 'poor.'" She admired the way the rich fabric hugged her figure, the lace swirling around her like a spell, and for a moment, she felt a flicker of confidence amidst the rising chaos.
"Alright, I need to figure out where I am and what's going on," Inez resolved, taking a deep breath and setting off to explore the park. The soft crunch of leaves beneath her boots accompanied her as she walked, the sun filtering through the branches and warming her face.
After wandering for a while, she began to notice the oddities around her but still struggled to piece together her identity. "What's that brushing against my leg?" she asked herself, glancing down curiously.
"Oh, hey there, little buddy! What are you, a lost kitten?" Inez exclaimed as she scooped up a tiny, fluffy creature that looked like a ball of fur with big, curious eyes. "You've got to be the cutest little girl kitten I've ever seen!" she said, holding the kitten up to her face and seeing it blink back at her.
"What should I call you?" Inez pondered, grinning as she cradled the kitten gently. "How about Sushi? You look like a little sushi roll with that adorable coloring!" The kitten mewed in response as if to agree.
"Now, let's go figure out who I am," Inez declared, placing Sushi on her shoulder, where the kitten settled comfortably, peering at the world from her new perch.
As they trotted further into the park, Inez spotted a large sign looming ahead. "Alright, this sign says we're in Candy Park, Sushi," she read out loud, her eyes tracing the playful font of the words.
"So, what's our next move, Sushi? Maybe I should ask someone about my past and how I ended up here," Inez suggested, turning away from the whimsical sign and stepping onto the sidewalk that led out of the park.
After a while, they found a map.
"Finally, a map!" she exclaimed with newfound determination, spotting a dusty flyer nearby. She leaned closer to read it. "This place is called Sugar, and apparently, we're in the third ring of hell known as Gluttony," she said, a mix of disbelief and intrigue splashing through her thoughts.
"Now, let's make haste to this Hell Elevator, because I really don't think I belong in this ring," she said with conviction as she observed the odd characters around. "Have you seen how ridiculous these people are dressed? Plus, some have been throwing me dirty looks, like I'm some tragic mistake that shouldn't exist, born from two mismatched creatures," Inez added, the weight of their glares bearing down on her.
"Meow, meow meow," Sushi chirped in response, as if empathizing with her unease.
"You're right, Sushi, but it's still unnerving, you know?" Inez replied, trying to squeeze positivity from the little kitten's presence.
"Meow meow," Sushi replied, nuzzling her cheek.
"Alright, let's head toward the Hell Elevator station, which should be that towering building over there," Inez decided, pointing to the structure that loomed in the distance.
When they finally arrived at the Hell Elevator station, Inez couldn't help but notice the buzz of uneasy whispers swirling around her. Phrases like "I can't believe such a disgusting hybrid is here" and "It's something that should never have been born" reached her ears. One voice even sneered, "I bet it's a whore like its mother."
"That is the Hell Elevator to the rings of hell, huh? The Pride Ring," Inez realized, feeling her dark thoughts swirl as she held Sushi tightly. "Let's go, Sushi," she said, trying to hold her head high.
"Meow meow," responded Sushi, her little head bobbing with enthusiasm.
"Look, Sushi! A free Hell Elevator! Let's hurry over there before anyone else gets on," Inez urged, her instincts kicking in as she spotted the open compartment.
"Meow!" Sushi encouraged, and Inez ran as fast as she could, clutching Sushi safely in her right hand while balancing her things in her left. The urgency of the moment propelled her forward as they made their way into the mysterious depths of this hellish place.