Aria's POV

The drive back seemed longer than the drive there. Maybe that's because I was actually awake this time.

I watched as the scenery passed by, a casual smile on my lips. This was fun...I can't believe I'll actually be in hell soon.

In hell...with Alastor.

My smile widened and a giddy feeling rose in my chest. Immediately following that, pain shot through my stomach and I had to bite back a whimper, my hands finding their way over my middle.

I applied pressure, trying to get the pain to calm. These painful bursts are getting more intense every day.

There was a pressure against my arm, and I looked down and saw Alastor fingers wrapped around my bicep. He pulled me over into him gently, wrapping me up in a secure side hug.

I lifted my legs and placed them overtop of of his, snuggling up to him.

"We're almost home, my dear," he whispered softly, then placed a kiss onto my crown.

I took a deep breath and sighed. Almost home...

About 25 minutes later, I had just started to doze off when Eliot perked up.

"Hey, Mrs. Ida is home!" He exclaimed and quickly I sat up, scooting back towards my window to look out.

Sure enough, as we passed the library, there she was. We seemed to pass by slowly, and I furrowed my brows as I noticed she wasn't alone.

There was a man with her, and he was large, wearing the robes of a priest.

I don't recognize him...did the town get a new priest while I wasn't paying attention? They seemed to be talking, but both of them stopped when we rolled by, turning to look at the car.

Directly at me.

Discomfort shot through my chest then, and I backed off from the window.

"That was really weird..." Eliot mumbled and I nodded.

"No shit," I murmured back, and then turned back to Alastor. He looked a tad bit concerned, but other than that he just looked on edge.

I touched his leg, and he snapped out of it and looked to me, widening his smile that had fallen to an uneasy grin.

I smiled back, squeezing his leg endearingly.

**

The road became bumpy as we pulled into my driveway. The gravel crunched beneath the tires, and soon my house came into view.

We rolled the a stop, and got out of the car.

Silently we all made our way towards my front door. There was a slight tension in the air, but I couldn't figure out why.

Once again, pain shot through my stomach, and I flinched. My steps faltered and my hand went over my stomach.

"Aria!" I heard Jake's voice, sounding very concerned. Then hands on my shoulders, steadying me. I looked over at him, and his deep blue eyes were worried.

"Are you alright? I thought I noticed it earlier but I wasn't sure...but you're really pale, Aria. Your eyes look tired, do you feel ok?" He asked me and I chuckled weakly, shrugging him off to open the front door.

"I'm ok," I started, "I think I may have a little cold, that's all," I lied smoothly and stepped into the house. Alastor was by my side in a second, his hand on my lower back.

The boys followed us in, and I turned and smiled at them.

"I'm gonna head to the bathroom really quick, but I'll be right back. You guys go get comfy," I said with a smile and trotted upstairs to my personal bathroom.

Each step was a hassle and my breathing was labored by the time I actually made it up.

I walked into my bathroom and shut the door. My eyes found my reflection and I nearly gasped.

My skin was very pale, and my eyes looked like I hadn't slept in weeks. The whites of my eyes looked to have...yellowed? Just barely, it was hardly noticeable.

What is happening to me...Why am I suddenly so sick?

Another coughing fit ran through me, and I held my stomach, my other hand going over my mouth as I coughed violently.

When I pulled my hand away from my mouth, my eyes widened at the blood spots that had splattered on my palm.

Well, that's not good...

Quickly, I washed my hands and wiped the blood off my lips. For good measure, I brushed my teeth.

After all of that was settled, I headed back downstairs. The boys were in the living room chatting, surprisingly getting along.

Eliot spotted me and smiled broadly, and I gave him a smile back.

"She returns!" He announced my entrance and the other two turned around. Both of them gave me the same exact warm smile. The look in their eyes was nearly identical.

I walked over to Alastor, rounding the couch and placing myself into his lap.

"There are like, so many other places you could sit," Eliot said, and I leaned back into my demon, shimmying slightly to try and get even closer to him.

"But this one is so comfy," I said and felt arms snake around my waist.

The room fell into chatter again and as we all talked, it set in slightly that this is the last time I'll ever do this with them.

There was a little pang of sadness in my heart. Hopefully...hopefully one day I'll see them again.

It's probably bad of me to wish for my friends' eternal damnation, but I'm going to miss them.

Far too quickly the night came to a close, and Jake stood up off the couch.

"Well, it's getting late. I should head home, and Eliot I gotta drop you back at mom's so we need to head out," he said smoothly, and another wave of sadness washed through me.

No, it can't be over yet...

But I shook it off. It'll be ok...they'll be ok without me.

Standing up off Alastor's lap, I smiled at them and started walking with them to the door.

We all stepped out onto the porch, and Jake turned towards me. I looked up at him, and he opened his mouth to say something. I didn't even let him get a word out before I snatched his shirt and pulled him into a hug.

He froze, but almost immediately wrapped me up and squeezed. He chuckled, the noise vibrating through his chest.

"What was that for?" He asked as I pulled away. My throat felt tight and I chuckled, fighting off the tears that threatened to show.

"No reason, just...take care of yourself," I said softly, "you deserve to be happy."

He smiled and pushed my hair back before ruffling it out, "will do, firefly...I'll be in the car, Eliot," he called before heading over to his vehicle.

I watched him go, and then turned towards Eliot.

He was talking with Alastor, a goofy smile on his face as his eyes shone. He's really taken a liking to Al.

What started off as a sort of face-off, has ended in a cute little relationship.

I think Al views him in a fond light, as well.

And my eyes widened as he confirmed that for me, interrupting Eliot by stepping forward and wrapping his arms around him.

I watched, slightly shocked at the action. Eliot's eyes were wide, and he slowly slipped his arms up around Alastor. Quickly he took advantage of this rare show of affection, a smile splitting his features before he squished his face into Al's shoulder.

Alastor had one hand against Eliot's head, the other arm wrapped around his back. It was a very endearing hug.

And I realized, then, that he's saying goodbye...

He gave him a soft squeeze, but spoke no words. They pulled apart, Alastor giving Eliot's hair a quick tussle.

Then he put his hands into his pockets, "I hope to see you again, my friend," he said gently, and Eliot turned towards me, heading in my direction.

He snorted softly, "well duh, you'll see me again," he said and shook his head, and I smiled sadly.

Oh, baby...

Quickly, I lifted my smile into something brighter as Eliot stood directly in front of me.

"Thanks for taking us on that trip, it was fun!" He said and I nodded.

"Not an issue, you know you're my favorite guy to party with," I said with a sly smile and nudged his side.

He giggled and I watched his nose scrunch and his eyes squint slightly. My eyebrows furrowed, a lump forming in my throat.

Flashes of him as a baby went through my head.

Us in the bath together...me teaching him how to read.

How to ride his bike...

The nights of babysitting that felt more like hangout sessions. Gossiping...Laughing.

The back of my eyes burned and I reached up and put my hands gently on either side of his face.

He's all grown up now...

My thumbs brushed over his cheeks, and he looked down at me with that cute smile.

"What are you doing?" He chuckled, putting one of his hands over mine, "you two are being weirdly affectionate," he said and I chuckled softly.

"I love you, Eli...come here," I said and pulled him down into a hug. He hugged me back with no hesitation and then picked me up off the ground.

"No, you come here," he said back playfully and I giggled, burying my face into his neck.

"I love you, too," he mumbled into my hair.

My brows furrowed and a few tears slipped from my eyes as I hugged him tightly.

I'm sorry...

Goodbye, Eliot...