Ariel's POV

It was Tuesday and I needed to grab some groceries. I left a note for Alastor, telling him I would be home around 5:30 in case he gets there before me.

I hummed softly, picking out different foods. I tried to think of any snacks Alastor may like.

Hm...

That jambalaya was really spicy...maybe he'll like something spicy?

I picked up a few different spicy snacks, and tossed them into my bag.

After that I was finished shopping and headed to checkout.

On my way there, I noticed a man across the store who met my eyes. I quickly looked away, embarrassed by the strange encounter.

It was even stranger I swear I saw the same man earlier...I shrugged it off and sat my items on the belt, checking out without another thought.

Since the store wasn't far from my apartment, I liked to walk.

The air felt nice, becoming brisk since it's the start of September.

I took a deep breath and sighed.

The soft orange hue of the sky was calming, and a gentle breeze made me feel comfortable.

That is, until something grabbed my arm, and yanked me into a dark alley way two blocks from my apartment.

I stumbled, and some of my grocery bags fell, the items either busting open or becoming soiled.

After I stood up straight, I looked around, frightened.

Part of me was hoping Alastor was playing a prank on me, but that part was extinguished when my eyes met...

The man from earlier...

Up close, I realized he was massive. He had to be at least 6'5, and looked like he weighed at least 300 pounds, mostly muscle.

He had a deep scar passing through his top and bottom lip, and one of his eyes was grey and lifeless.

He had a sneer that made my blood curdle, and his teeth looked rotten.

"I saw you at the store earlier dolly~ you ain't got no man witcha?"

I began to shake, my legs feeling weak as I stared up at him.

"A-actually I-I do, h-he's going to come looking for me—ah!"

He grabbed me by the hair, yanking my head back and causing me to drop my remaining groceries.

"Dontcha know it ain't polite to lie, baby?" He growled into my face, and tears pricked my eyes.

"P-please, I-I don't have any money, I-I just spent it all on my groceries, I—"

Another swift yank to my hair made me whimper and my mouth clamped shut.

"I don't wantcha money doll...you look like you have better things to offer," he said sickly, his ugly bear mitt beginning to travel up my waist as the other one held my hair firmly.

I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to convince myself I was under my blankets in bed, but then I felt a fire rise in my stomach.

I am not just going to let this happen to me.

With all my strength I pulled my leg back and slammed it up between the brutes legs.

He grunted, and his grip on my hair released, allowing me to stumble back.

His hands shot between his legs, and I quickly went to run, but my kick hadn't been hard enough to keep him down.

His hand wrapped around my arm, roughly slamming me against the brick wall.

"You bitch! I was gonna be nice witcha, but looks like you need ta learn a lesson," he growled, and I heard a click and my eyes shot open.

He was holding a gun to my head, and I whimpered and squeezed my eyes shut.

BANG!

......

...

My eyes slowly opened after no pain came. My ears were ringing slightly, but that's it.

My eyes widened when standing directly in front of me was...Alastor.

All I could see was his coat and the back of his head.

Yet, the man was looking up at him with a terrified expression. His hand holding the gun was shaking, and he seemingly forgot all about me.

"What the fuck!" He yelled, and pointed the gun at Alastor's head.

He pulled the trigger and I gasped, but Alastor's head only jerked back slightly.

I couldn't see his face, but the man had an expression of pure terror and my eyes widened when Alastor turned his head to the side.

I could partially see his face, his eyes were sunken and black, liquid was leaking from his mouth that looked like tar.

I pressed against the wall, my heart beating out of my chest.

Once again shock ran through my body when Alastor spit the bullet out, letting it clatter to the ground.

A low growl left his throat and he looked at me, his eyes briefly returning to normal.

The man was frozen in place, just staring at Alastor with trembling legs.

Next to Alastor this man looked tiny.

"Close your eyes, darling..."

He spoke softly, and I quickly squeezed my eyes shut, a few tears falling as I did so.

The man began to beg, but the low growl Alastor produced told me he wasn't having it.

In an instant the sound of tearing flesh and the smell of blood entered my senses.

I whimpered and put my hands over my eyes, a further protection between me and what's happening in front of me.

I curled up and pulled my knees to my chest, whispering to myself I was back home in my bed, covered up and sharing stories with Alastor.

As soon as it started it was over.

I felt myself get picked up gently, Alastor's arms wrapping under my legs and around my back. He made sure my face was pressed into his chest.

"You're alright..." he said just above a whisper, and there was a rush of air before he put me down. We were back in my apartment.

My legs wobbled like a new born fawns, and I looked up at him.

His eyes were soft as he looked down at me, and slowly he kneeled in front of me.

There was a ghost of a smile on his face, and he sighed softly. He ran his hand over my head, pushing my hair back and gently combing it out with his fingers.

"Are you alright?" He asked after a moment, and my bottom lip quivered.

My vision blurred as tears built up behind my eyes. I shook my head and he nodded slightly.

"I know...come here," he said gently, opening his arms.

This is the first time he's offered me any type of affection, and I broke down into heavy sobs, quickly falling into his arms.

He wrapped me up in a hug, and I felt us shift as he sat on the floor and pulled me into his lap.

My cries came heavy as I buried my face into the front of his surprisingly not blood soaked suit.

"You're ok..." he cooed, his hands running up and down my shoulders, "you're alright...he's gone..."

The gentle way he spoke was soothing, and then he began to hum softly.

We just sat, curled up with each other as he provided me comfort. I'll admit, this was out of character for him, but I wasn't complaining.

After I had finally calmed myself down, I kept my cheek pressed against his chest, feeling his heart beat.

It was slow and calm.

"T-thank you..." I said softly, and he hummed,

"It wasn't an issue...please, next time you find yourself in a situation such as that one, say my name," he said, sighing softly.

"I would've been there much sooner...I'm lucky I found you in time,"

He sounded as if he were beating himself up for finding me when he did.

"I'm ok..." I said, reassuring him, "he just scuffed me up a bit, nothing else..."

Alastor's arms squeezed me gently, and he rested his chin on my head, "good..."

And with that, we spent our evening talking with me in his lap, he never once pushed me off or even moved to get up.

It felt nice...

I felt safe.