New feelings can be scary.

***Hope's POV***

Alastor and I went to the store together. Normally I would insist I could go on my own, but this is hell after all. Most likely it would a more dangerous than normal trip. No idea what could happen if I were alone. Beside that my powers aren't fully developed yet. So, the extra protection would be nice.

Nothing rather eventful happened on the way. The only eventful thing that happened was whenever we came across demons they ran away. We did chat a bit on the way, which was nice.

At the store was interesting to say the least. I kept getting stares from other demons. I don't understand why though.

Occasionally while getting something, I was vaguely aware that other demons were coming toward me. But they always walked away before getting to me. I suppose I find that weird because that never really happened when I was alive.

It could be because Alastor is acting like a guard dog around me. He keeps a bit of a distance but not nearly enough for anyone to try and hurt or kidnap me. Maybe that's what the demons that were approaching wanted to do. Who knows?

As I was almost done getting everything, I thought about asking Alastor if there was anything here he wanted.

"Hey Al?" I ask to get his attention.

He was glaring at another demon, but my voice brought his attention back to me.

"Yes, dear?" He asks in return.

"Is there something special you want for dinner? Since we are here might as well get the stuff to make it." I explain.

He thinks for a minute before giving me an answer.

"How about venison stew? That sounds good." He suggests.

"Ooooooh. I know a great recipe for that. Its one my mother taught me and its so simple. Let's go get the stuff!" I say excitedly.

I grab Alastor's hand and begin dragging him toward the meat section. Completely forgetting the fact Alastor doesn't like being touched without permission.

***Alastor's POV***

The moment I mentioned venison stew Hope's face lit up in a way I have never seen before. Before I could say anything, she grabs a hold of my hand and begins dragging me to the meat section of the store. My instinctual reaction was to pull my hand from her and give her a warning with radio dial eyes, but there something about her touch that I don't hate.

I don't know why but its almost like I don't want her to let go of my hand. Her hand feels so warm against my cold one. It's nice.

Nope. Stop it. I am not developing feelings for her. The most she will ever be is a friend. Nothing more. Just friendship. That's as far as this goes.

Once we reach the meat section she lets go of my hand. A very small part of me is missing the feeling of her touch.

Soon enough we are done in the store, and I have a couple of my shadow take food back to the hotel while we walk back. As we begin walking, I am still missing her touch. Just a bit.

I as subtlety as I can reach out and gently take her hand in mine. She doesn't say anything when I do. Instead, she shifts her hand into a better position for me to hold it. This is just to protect her. Nothing more.

I ask her about her childhood since she did mention her mother in the store. She says that they never had much while she was growing up. Despite her mother working they barely had enough to get by. They did because her father was a great hunter who would bring back something most of the time.

She tells me that between the ages of 8 to 10 her father taught her how to hunt and fish because she wanted to help her parents out. So, Hope is a huntress. Now that is very interesting.

As we get back, I release her hand and open the door for her. She walks in and I follow. She turns and thanks me for going with her. While she thanks me, she has a bright smile on her face. I say your welcome and she walks away to talk to Charlie before putting the food away.

After she leaves, I leave to head to my room. I enter and go to sit on my bed. I have to a few deep breaths because when she smiled at me like that my heart started beating so fast. I thought for a minute it might burst from my chest.

I don't know how I feel about this. One hand it feels nice. The other is scary that she has this affect on me in such a short amount of time.

I don't understand this at all. The nice feeling of the warmth of her hand in mine. The heart racing feeling I get from the genuine kindness of her smile. The soothing feeling from the tone of her soft and warm voice.

It's almost like everything about her is drawing me in. Is she some kind of witch or voodoo priestess? Has she placed a spell or curse on me? Oh, if she has, I swear I will.........do something. I don't know what yet.

Hope, what have you done to me?