Alastor

Over the next week or so, if I wasn't at work I was at Juliette's home.

I kept the place clean, and fixed the broken latch on the window shudder.

Occasionally I would gather groceries, and I would keep Juliette's mind occupied when she wasn't with her mother and father.

We would cook together, and some nights she'd fall asleep in my arms on the couch while I read a story out loud by the light of the fireplace.

I offered as much peace as I was able... my mind focused on her and her alone.

To be here with her during this time, I was honored, yet saddened all the same. It was difficult to see her go through so much pain.

Some days were worse than others.

It wasn't very long until the worst day of all arrived.

After my shift I headed to Juliette's house, and as I approached I could see a small figure sitting outside on the steps.

As I drew closer I could hear the sound of crying, and my steps quickened until I was practically running to her.

No...

Not while I wasn't here...

She didn't even look up as I approached her, sobbing into the fabric of an old dress that was clutched in her hands.

I recognized it as the dancing dress she'd worn the night we went out the first time.

Silently I sat next to her, and pulled her close to me. She shifted into my arms without protest, her body feeling as if she wasn't even controlling herself.

Her cries were heavy, and heart-wrenching.

I'd never heard such a sound come from anyone, let alone my little sunshine waitress.

She turned and wrapped her arms around me, crawling into my lap as she continued to wail. Heartbreak was dripping from the sound, the air around us drenched with her sorrow.

I didn't need to say anything. I knew.

So, I let her cry. I let her cry the same way I had cried.

Except she isn't alone. I will not let her be alone, the way I had been alone.

I haven't cried since that day, but hearing her soul shattering screams was breaking my heart bit by bit. I had to swallow the lump in my throat as I rocked her back and forth.

You're not alone... I'm here.

I'll always be here.

~*~

Later that evening, I went with Juliette and her father to the land behind their home.

She stayed close to me, but her features were hollow, the shine in her eyes completely gone.

Her father had carefully wrapped Marie in a clean sheet of canvas, and was carrying her as if she were sleeping.

Even with all the death I've caused, I had a hard time looking at the outline of her body.

I helped Benjamin dig a hole and Juliette sat with her mother.

I would look over occasionally, and see her touching the canvas as if she were petting someone's head.

By the time the hole was deep enough, the sun was hanging low in the sky.

Her father once again took Marie up in his arms and laid her as gently as he could into her final resting place.

He had wanted her underneath a large oak tree that was adorned with a single swing.

No words were spoken after the hole had been filled, the three of us simply standing and paying our respects. Juliette leaned against me, and I kept my arm around her shoulders, cradling her head against my chest.

Then we all headed back to the house.

The silence was almost overwhelming. Her father, Benjamin, was hardly even a shell of the man I first met.

It was as if this had been the final weight upon his back that broke him completely, that strong look in his eye faded into something dull.

I accompanied Juliette into the kitchen and watched as she mindlessly gathered ingredients and started to put them together.

I wasn't going to question her, and simply helped where I was needed, putting water on to boil and chopping vegetables.

Once the simple soup was ready, she prepared four bowls, setting the table with them.

We all sat at the table to eat, the stale silence creeping into every single crevice and infecting the entire room with a damp feeling of despair.

It was then I realized just how important Marie had been, not only to Juliette but just as a piece of this family.

Memories of conversations at the dinner table ran through my head, reminding me that she had always been the one to start them all. Benjamin had followed her lead, despite putting off a display as if he were in charge.

Now we ate in silence, and the empty place where Marie once sat was adorned with a bowl that remained untouched.

As painful a tragedy as one could ever experience... at least I'm able to experience it with her.

Looking over at Juliette, she looked up and met my eyes. I gave her a soft smile.

Despite the clear anguish in her eyes, she smiled back.

~*~

I continued to check on Juliette and her father.

I could see that she was doing the best she could to stay strong. I was proud of her for keeping a smile on her face even when it seemed impossible.

Things were slowly settling back into a feeling of normalcy. Most days, I could find her in the garden.

She would sit on the swing under the gazebo and just look off into the woods. Most days, I'd have to come get her and bring her inside before it got too dark.

Days faded into months, and the nights became chilly.

It was slow, but she started to get better.

That is, until the day I walked back to the garden to see her sitting in her usual place, but I could see something in her hands.

When I got a good look at her face, it was like all the progress we'd made had been destroyed. She was just staring blankly into the distance, the wind blowing through her hair and obstructing her face occasionally.

I walked over to her and sat by her side.

"Juliette...?"

I started softly, and touched her leg gently before my eyes fell on what was in her hands.

Carefully, I removed it from her fingers, and read the words written on it.

Dear Flower,
There's so much you have shown me throughout my life. The day you were born was the best day out of them all aside from the day I married your mother.
You are a beautiful, strong, and outstanding young woman. Any man would be proud to call you their daughter, and somehow I am lucky enough to carry that title.
The day your mother took her last breath, I felt my soul die as well.
I hate being a burden on your life, holding you down and chaining you to these walls with my inept ability of coping with our loss.
For this, I am sorry.
That's why I'm choosing to relieve you of this burden.
It was an absolute honor to raise you, my darling flower.
You will do great things.

Love, Daddy.

I felt my blood run cold as I read the letter.

No...

He didn't.

Looking back up at Juliette, I could see the redness around her eyes and the old tear tracks on her face.

I had no idea how to even address her. I don't think there's anything I could say, I'd been rendered speechless.

"He's not in the house."

Her voice was damp, and emotionless.

"I woke up this morning, and found that letter on the kitchen table. He wasn't anywhere in the house. I've been waiting here..."

Her eyes never left the tree line, and I could hear in her voice that she knew he wasn't coming back.

Quietly, I put the note aside before offering her my hand.

She finally looked away from the forest, and to my open hand. She slipped her palm into mine and I watched as a tear slipped past her lashes and down her cheek.

The hopelessness in her eyes was so... unfamiliar. She didn't look herself.

But how could she. Losing one parent is hard enough, but now she's lost both.

I wanted to be angry with her father. Furious that he'd do such a thing to her so soon after the loss of Marie.

However, I couldn't bring myself to be bitter. After my mother passed, I fell into my own dark
pit of despair as well. I never went as far as attempting to take my own life, but the thought passed my mind briefly at times.

"What am I going to do, Alastor... why has this happened to me... have I made God so angry with me that I deserve this?"

She looked up at me and it was as if she reached into my chest and ripped my heart out with that one simple gaze.

I rubbed her knuckles and brought my other hand up to her face, cradling her cheek in my palm.

She leaned into my hand and her eyes closed, a sad sigh leaving her body.

"Darling... you don't deserve any of this pain. I don't know much about God, but I can promise you that you've done nothing wrong... this world is cold and cruel to those who least deserve it... it's unfair..."

Her brows furrowed and she opened her eyes. I wish I could relieve this pain from her heart.

"Alastor... can you promise me something? Please?"

"Anything, ma chérie..."

She hesitated slightly and then moved closer to me, taking part of my suit up in her grasp.

"Stay with me... please. Please, don't leave me...please..."

I watched tears well up in her eyes before her head dropped against my chest and she started to weep softly.

"Please...please..."

I brought my hand to the back of her head and gently ran my fingers through her hair.

A soft frown set into my lips and I allowed my features to relax before pressing my lips against the top of her head, closing my eyes.

"I'm not going anywhere, Juliette...from the bottom of my heart, I can promise you that."