Idk if this posted properly last chapter, but here's a drawing.

Alastor

I'm starting to worry.

Every day this week I've stopped by the diner, and she hasn't been there. I would speak briefly with the owner, but that didn't answer any of my questions.

All the old woman would tell me is that she was needed at her home, and she'd return soon.

This didn't satisfy me. I didn't like not knowing if she was alright, it made something tug at my heart that I couldn't shake.

Today marks the seventh day that I haven't seen her at work or otherwise.

"Alasta, dalrin', what's on ya mind? Ya just sittin' there poutin'."

I looked over at Mimzy. I'd come to her club for a quick drink before she opened as to not deal with the crowd.

Sighing, I swirled the amber liquid in my glass.

"Juliette... she's been absent from work all week and it's bothering me..."

Mimzy leaned towards me and rested her chin in her hand, smirking at me.

"Oh my, Alasta, you fancy this girl? In all the time I known you, you've neva gave two shits about anything that ain't ya work."

I glared at her and threw back my whisky, feeling it burn my throat as it went down.

She just laughed and leaned back away from me, cocking her head to the side with a snort.

"Let alone fancyin' any old broad that gives you a pretty smile. Do you think she may be in trouble or sumthin'?"

Looking at the eccentric woman I released a sigh and dropped my head into my hand, shaking it in exasperation.

"I don't know. I don't think so? But, that's not here nor there. What I'm worried about is why she hasn't sent word or left a message or..."

My words fell off and I tapped my finger against the counter. Mimzy's smile had grown a bit softer and she seemed to realize something.

"Oh... you really do care about her, don't you?"

My lips pursed together in a thin smile that was barely keeping up at the edges, my eyes downcast.

I felt like a fool.

She's probably fine and I'm being dramatic for no reason, stressing over nothing at all like a dimwitted adolescent.

"Do you know where she lives?"

I looked up and tilted my head.

"Yes?"

"Why not go pay ha' a visit then? Just check up on her."

I lowered my eyes in thought and my finger continued to tap against the counter.

Showing up uninvited to someone's home is...not very polite.

However, I feel as if I'm welcome enough in her household that a simple visit wouldn't be regarded as rude.

My smile widened and I smacked the counter, making Mimzy almost jump out of her skin.

"Wonderful idea Mimzy!"

With that, I put down a few bills to pay for my drink, and took my leave.

The moment she saw the money, Mimzy forgot all about my ails and gathered it up, starting to count as she waved absentmindedly at me.

"Good luck, suga'!"

~*~

I arrived at her home and stepped up onto the porch, hearing the old wood creak beneath my shoe soles.

Despite me reminding myself there's nothing to worry over, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

There was a thinness to the air that made me anxious, and I took a quick glance around the area.

The porch was dirty... covered in leaves and dust.

One of the shudders was squeaking, swaying back and forth in the wind due to a broken latch.

My brows furrowed as I observed the dirt and disrepair. Every time I've been to this house, everything has been spic and span, but now it's like things aren't being properly cared for.

Slowly I stepped up and knocked on the door.

Normally I only had to wait seconds, but I stood there staring at the closed door for what felt like hours, though it was probably only minutes.

Then I heard shuffling and finally the locks getting undone before the door opened to reveal...

Juliette.

Her appearance was worn, and her hair looked unbrushed. She also seemed hollow, like she'd lost some weight.

When she saw me, her eyes rounded and she looked almost instantly like she was barely holding herself together.

Even so, she smiled.

"Well, hello. I wasn't expecting you to come see me."

I tilted my head and tried to look into her house.

"I was just wanting to check on you, dear... it's been a week and you haven't been at the diner, I-"

My words caught in my throat when I looked back at her and her eyes were welling with tears, her bottom lip caught between her teeth as she desperately held onto whatever thread of composure she had left.

My expression softened and I just opened my arms silently, letting her fall into me and unravel.

Her little body shook with sobs, and I held her, the smile on my face slowly disappearing.

I knew something was wrong.

I knew it.

I pet her hair comfortingly, the sounds of her crying making my chest feel tight.

"Oh, dear... what's the matter?"

My voice was soft and gentle as I carefully pulled her back to look at her closely.

She looked up at me with the most pitiful blotchy expression, tears and snot running down her face as she hiccuped and sniffled.

"M-ma-mama..."

That was all she could manage to stutter out through quick breaths, choking slightly on her own snot before unraveling into sobs once more.

She must have been bottling all of this up for quite some time.

I tsked and pulled out a handkerchief, leading her back inside before shutting the door behind us.

After getting her situated on the couch, she curled up against me and continued to cry softly. I held her and let her get it out of her system, occasionally wiping her face to rid it of any fluids.

A few minutes later she had calmed down, and was just silently laid against me, shivering slightly from the aftershock of her outburst. I wouldn't be surprised if she made herself feel ill.

"Now then, what was all that about...?"

She didn't move, or look up at me, but her fingers gripped the front of my suit slightly.

"M-mama... she's sick. Earlier this week I came home and she was... she wasn't herself. It's only been getting worse...I'm too scared to leave the house..."

She started to tremble again, her words choking up.

"I'm so scared I'll leave and when I come back she'll be dead..."

My eyes widened slightly.

Oh.

She's sick sick.

There was a brief flash of guilt as I recalled the first dinner I had over here. Marie had sat with me, and I could tell something was off...

It seems my gut feeling was correct once again.

The thought pained me, thinking of that warm and kind woman suffering... she doesn't deserve it.

Why is it always the people who deserve it least receive the most pain?

My fingers trailed down Juliette's back, and I looked around briefly.

"And your father...?"

She was silent for a moment, and then sighed.

"He's upstairs... he hasn't left her side, not once. He doesn't bathe, or sleep, and I have to force him to eat. We're almost out of soup, and I'm so worried to leave for groceries..."

My eyes trailed to the stairs, and I looked up into the still area, watching dust particles float leisurely through the soft lamplight.

Taking in a short breath, I sighed through my nose and then pulled her closer to me to where she was nearly seated in my lap.

She tensed for a second before practically melting against me, putting her face in my neck to hide from the cruel world around her.

I allowed her that comfort. That peace.

Had I known what she was going through, I'd have been here much sooner. After all, I know all too well what it's like.

To watch the decline of someone you love more than anything in the world.

It's not fair.

It's not fucking fair.

My teeth grit and I had to take a moment to calm myself, refusing to let my own emotions stress the woman in my arms anymore than she already is.

"What all do you need, dear?"

"...w-what?"

"From the store, what do you need? Write me up a list and I'll retrieve them for you. Don't worry about money either."

She looked up at me for the first time and I watched as stray tears trickled down her face.

"Al...y-you don't need—"

I cut her off with a short kiss against her lips, reminding her why I'm here.

For her.

"My dear... please, make me a list."

My voice was quiet, nearly begging her to let me do this for her. It's the very least I could do.

She looked up at me, those big green eyes full of so much emotion. No one has ever looked at me in such a way before...

"Ok..."

She finally complied, and slowly pulled herself away from me. My hands followed her, allowing her to get up, but yearning to pull her back to me.

Once the list was written up, she handed it to me and I walked with her back to the door.

With a smile, I dipped down and pressed a gentle kiss against her forehead, leaving her to look up at me with that same expression from earlier.

"I'll return shortly. In the mean time, go be with them. They both need you here."

Reaching out I gave her a final pat on the head, sliding my hand down to cup her cheek. I felt her lean into my palm and my heart pulsed through my entire chest.

She gave me a weak smile and waved as I walked away, then shut the door once more.

Time to go grocery shopping.