You wake up the next morning surprised at how well you slept despite the new but rather strange surroundings. Luxury accommodations truly do not disappoint, even if they look like they could be haunted. You brush your teeth, get dressed, and have a Pop-Tart for breakfast since you haven't had time to do grocery shopping yet. Just as you look out the back window at the red sky and tall, ominous trees and consider your plans for the day, the doorbell rings. But not like a normal electronic doorbell. The deep "bong" noise sounds like someone stole the bell off an abandoned church.
You stare at the electronic speaker for a moment, then shake your head. Whoever built this place had some really unique tastes. At least the bed was good. Trotting to the door, you open it up to see your first guest.
"Good morning, Miss! Welcome to Hellbent. I hope you're not too tired from your move yesterday. I'm your orientation rep, I believe you were expecting me?" a strange character smiled from your doorway.
No, he really was strange. Tall and thin, he was dressed in a perfectly fitting black suit, along with gloves and sunglasses. However, what made it odder was that not only was he wearing a rather smart hat, he was also hiding under an umbrella. All black, of course. Which set off the only skin visible, his extremely pale face.
"Uh, hi..." your greeting trails off at the sight of him, but you don't want to be rude, so you invite him in. Only then does he step over the threshold.
"Liz Bathory, at your service," the man grinned as he stepped in, closing the umbrella. Grinned a little too widely. Were those...fangs? Liz removed his hat, sunglasses, and gloves as you closed the door, trying hard not to openly stare at his golden eyes and sharp window's peak with slicked-back black hair. He walked easily over to your dining table and laid out some files, then took a seat as you followed. "Now, I expect you have some questions, so why don't we start there?"
"...Liz?" Yeah, you said it. You weren't going to comment on a person's name, but something about what the chauffeur said yesterday...you asked before you could stop yourself. Thankfully, Liz didn't seem offended.
"Yeah, that often ends up being the first question," Liz giggled and replied. "I used to be a 5-foot-2 strawberry blond, if you can believe it. Surprising how well you can adapt."
"Wait...you mean it's true?? There's a portal to hell, so people here switch genders...and turn into demons??!" you sputter out in disbelief.
"Demons? Who told you that?" Liz asked, frowning.
"Uh, the chauffeur...a woman...I think her nametag said Lucy?" you answer, a little worried that you said too much.
"Lucy Fleur, seriously! She causes more trouble than she's worth," Liz grumbles to herself. "I'll deal with her later. Anyway, I should explain things more clearly," Liz turns her attention back to you. "The portal does exist, but so far there's no clear idea of where it connects to. That's why the company has a branch here, to study the portal and its effects. Also, people don't 'turn into demons.' It's more complicated than that."
"The energy the portal gives off can be considered like a type of radiation. It does not do any harm, as far as we know, but it does change every living creature it comes into contact with. However, for some reason, this energy only alters living creatures into forms that human religion and folklore associate with the underworld, or the land of the dead, or evil spirits, or even mythic monsters, that sort of thing. Also, for unknown reasons, certain religious rites and emblems will work in suppressing this energy. Are you with me so far?"
"Uh, sort of," you reply dazedly. "But what does that have to do with changing gender?"
"Well, that's another thing we're not sure about," Liz grins helplessly and shrugs. "But it happens, without fail. The company will help with all necessary adjustments, of course, in terms of clothing and personal care. They will also help with symptom suppression and any other requirements to leave when your contract is up. However, you'd be surprised how many people enjoy it here and decide to sign up to stay on longer. Any other questions?"
"So..." you decide to bite the bullet and ask. "What...are you?"
"A vampire," Liz responded matter-of-factly.