I know this seems like a chapter illustration, it's not. It's just an idea I had.

Closeup since transferring art destroys quality. I forgot her freckles, don't sue me.

Aria's POV

A loud clap of thunder woke me up, my body jolting slightly.

My lips parted as a small gasp forced air into my lungs. My heart was beating slightly faster than normal, and I put my hand to my chest to try and slow it down.

I shifted slightly in bed, the sound of rain pelting the window becoming a soothing background noise.

Alastor laid next to me as usual, his lips parted slightly. His chest rose and fell evenly, gentle breaths indicating that the thunder hadn't disturbed him at all.

That's no surprise, I've always been more sensitive to storms.

I smiled as I looked at him, admiring his features.

Just as I started to move, aiming to settle my body against his, movement caught my eye.

I looked over to the door, and saw it creaking open just barely. The darkness of the hallway gave me no view of who may be entering.

Then my eyes fell lower when I realized there was no one there, and they widened when I saw the same two bright white eyes from yesterday staring back at me.

The little creature stayed halfway out in the hall, and I just stared at it.

I feel like I should be scared, but unlike with Xander, I feel no evil from this creature. It reminded me of a cat, almost.

The little ears on top of its head twitched, and it retreated back out into the hallway.

I sent a quick glance to Alastor.

He's still out cold.

Slowly I slid my legs out from under the covers, getting out of bed to follow this creature. My steps were soft as I made my way to the cracked door, and I pushed it open, stepping out into the dim hallway.

"Psst!" I hushed my voice, calling to the little thing.

Then I saw it at the end of the hallway. It stared at me for a moment before dipping into the stairwell.

Quickly I jogged down the hallway, turning into the stairway and looking over the railing. The small shadow stared up at me from the flight of stairs below.

"Hey, you!" I whispered down at it.

It scurried down the stairs.

"Hey!" I called again, and hurried down the stairs, "stop that, come here!" I whisper shouted.

I followed it all the way to the lobby, where it zipped across the floor, following the shadows cast on the ground.

I had to take a breather, putting my hands on my knees and pointing towards where it was now seated all the way across the room.

"You-! You better stop!" I said, my voice wavering as I caught my breath after running down four flights of stairs.

After I could properly breathe again, I started approaching it. It huddled in the corner, seemingly scared of me.

When I finally got to it, I knelt down to get a better look. It's kinda cute...

The little thing was shaking, it's ears lowered as it stared up at me. I gave it a small smile and held my finger out, offering it to smell.

"Hey, what's wrong? Did you get lost? What are you?" I spoke gently to the small shadow. It churred, and I giggled.

I copied the noise it made and it's ears perked up. It crawled forward and sniffed my finger, then further up my hand to my wrist. It's bright white eyes looked up at me and I took that as a cue.

I lifted my hand and pet it's head gently, watching as it practically melted into the touch.

"Aw...aren't you cute...maybe Alastor will let me keep you," I said quietly, watching as the creature's happily squinted eyes opened slightly.

But the happy expression on its face fell, it's ears lowering as it suddenly backed away from me.

Confused, I reached out, "hey, it's alright, what's wrong?" I asked, but it only looked on in what seemed to be terror before quickly hopping into a shadow on the floor and disappearing.

I slowly stood up, furrowing my brows.

"That was weird..." I mumbled, but then there was a voice behind me that made my eyes widen.

"Love bug?"

I got a full body chill, my throat immediately feeling as if it were going to close. The air felt thin, and I couldn't seem to breathe properly.

Blinking, I slowly turned to face the person.

My heart beat hard against my chest, the moment my eyes found them they widened further and I could only stare.

"M-mama?" I finally managed to choke out.

She was standing across the room from me, a warm smile on her face. I couldn't believe it, she looks just the same!

No part of my brain was able to register the fact that she should be a demon, all I could see was the fact that my mother was standing ten feet away from me.

I felt nailed to the floor, but when she opened her arms I nearly broke into a sprint to get to her.

I didn't even notice the fact that she seemed shimmery.

Like a mirage.

My arms wrapped around her and I buried my face into her shoulder, crying happily as I squeezed her tightly.

"Mama! I'm so happy, I— where have you been I..." I sobbed softly, "oh I missed you..." I whispered, and felt her hands rub my back gently.

"I missed you, too, dear," she said.

She even smelled the same as I remember.

Then I noticed the feeling of her nails on my back changed. Her hold tightened, and she chuckled.

The noise distorted, and my eyes opened wide, my smile falling.

"Truly, what a beautiful sentiment..." she said, but her voice changed halfway through the sentence.

Changed to one that I recognize.

No...

My body started trembling, my fists balling at the back of his coat. I kept my face pressed into his chest, not wanting to look up and see the person I was hugging.

I knew I was going to have to face it, though, and slowly I pulled away and looked up. I sucked in my bottom lip, tears burning my eyes.

The smiling man staring back at me tilted his head.

"My, I didn't know you felt that way about me~" he purred sweetly, "how nice~"

Please, let this be a nightmare...please let me wake up.

His hand on my back slid up into my hair and he took a fistful of it, making me whimper before I opened my mouth to scream.

This is real.

He yanked my head back, making me gasp before he firmly put his hand over my mouth.

"Shhhhhhhh, shut up," he whispered, getting close to my face, "be quiet."

I shook, whimpering before I screamed into his hand, sobbing heavily. Tears rolled down my cheeks and I screamed and cried out.

The noises were muffled, and I knew no one could hear me.

He pouted, mocking me, and then laughed. His claws dug into my cheeks, and I could feel blood dripping down the sides of my face.

"Alastor!" I tried to scream his name, "Alastor!"

It was no use. It barely made it past his hand, let alone up to the fourth floor. Xander tsk'd and shook his head.

"He's not coming. No one is. Now let's take a little trip, you and I," his smile widened and he yanked me up and held my back against his chest, keeping his hand over my mouth.

"Say goodbye, love bug," he cackled and then snapped his fingers.

The lobby faded away and we were gone before I could even try to escape.

Alastor's POV

Thunder rumbled outside the window, and I squeezed my eyes shut in retaliation to being woken up.

I sighed, rolling over onto my side.

If the thunder woke me up, it probably woke Aria up to. Without opening my eyes I reached over to her spot.

"Aria, baby..." I mumbled tiredly, but when my hand met a cold bed instead of warm skin, my eyes snapped open.

Now I'm wide awake.

"Aria?" I said, louder now. I shot up and looked to her side of the bed.

The covers were messy and it was empty.

Panic struck my chest, but I quickly looked to the bathroom. Maybe she—

No, no the lights are out.

"Aria?" I called, even louder now, my heart beating faster. I was searching the room, just hoping she was somewhere in here.

Then my eyes settled on the open door leading to the hallway.

My breath hitched, and my body teleported to the hallway before my brain could even process what happened.

I looked around frantically, searching the hall for any sign of her. I didn't even bother to put on a shirt, stumbling down the hall in pajama pants as I searched for her.

Before I freaked out any more, I stopped at Angel's room, banging on the door and leaning into the doorway, using my arms as support.

I banged again, harder. The wood nearly gave way beneath my fist and the door opened, revealing a disheveled Angel Dust.

He was scowling, but upon seeing the state that I was currently in his eyes widened.

"Smiles? What's wrong? Why are you...shirtless?" He questioned, cocking an eyebrow and I waved it off.

"Shut up, where is Aria," I asked him quickly, my voice sounding panicked. The look on his face shifted to worry.

"What do ya mean where's Aria, she should be wit you...?"

Fuck.

The look on my face after he said that must've told him all he needed to know, because he paled and looked like his heart dropped into his butt.

"Al, tell me she ain't gone..." He said weakly, and I slammed my fist into the doorframe frustratedly before teleporting down the hallway.

I sniffed the air, and found her scent on the stairs.

The stairs?

What were you doing, my love...

I didn't even bother walking, teleporting towards where her scent led. It took me to the lobby, and I followed it. It got stronger and stronger, and I only got more distressed.

The stronger the smell, the closer the person, but where the fuck is she.

Frantically I looked around, but she was no where to be seen. Then another smell hit me like a slap to the face.

"Motherfucker..." I breathed out quietly, my eyes widening as the scent of dark magic began mixing with hers.

It muddied her scent, and I could no longer follow it.

I turned in circles, trying to pin her scent down but it was lost.

All I could pick up was the scent of dark magic.

"Aria!" I called out, "where are you, my love!" My voice cracked slightly, and my hands started shaking.

This can't be happening.

How could I let this happen.

Just then Angel and everyone else flooded the lobby, surrounding me.

"Alastor what's wrong?"

"Alastor, where's Aria?"

"What's going on?"

"Alastor!"

My eyes shut and I threw my hands into my hair, "I don't know!" I yelled and all the voices quieted.

My breaths came heavy, growls leaving my throat with each one. Static rose in the air, and all of my friends took a step back away from me.

My shadow slipped around me, standing directly in front of me. At his sides appeared several other shadow creatures similar to him, and they all looked at me.

I looked back, my voice coming out as a distorted growl.

"jwenn li."

Find her.