Juliette

I woke up suddenly to the feeling of our entire home rumbling, bits of dust and roof falling around us.

Sitting up, I gasped and looked around. Just then, Ava came stumbling into the room, crying and rushing towards me.

Quickly I picked her up, wondering what was going on when another rumble nearly knocked me off my feet.

Earthquake?! No... that doesn't happen, so then...

Suddenly our windows shattered and Ava screamed, hiding her face in my neck as I stared at the carnage outside with widened eyes.

Turf war.

My chest coiled with fear and I wondered why this was happening. I thought this area was supposed to be safe from turf wars?!

My heart began to beat faster as I quickly ran for the door. I just need to get out! I can save us, I just need to—

Another explosion caused the entire side of our apartment to cave in and fall away, revealing the absolute chaos that was happening outside.

Some humongous war machine was shooting cannon beams, and there were explosion going off everywhere.

My throat started to close and my eyes burned as I cradled Ava against my chest.

What do I do... what do I do!

If I get hurt, I can just regenerate, but if she gets hurt...

I started to tremble, the sound of her crying filling my head as I remembered the day I found her...

It was right after an extermination, four years ago now.

I had been out, wondering what would become of me in this hellbent afterlife. Sometimes I wondered if I should simply lay on the ground and let the angels have me...

Then, I heard a little cry as I passed an alleyway...

My ears pricked, and I had wondered down to see what it was, and the noise led me to a dumpster.

Looking into it, I gasped in horror when I saw an itty bitty infant imp, crying her poor little heart out.

Immediately I reached in, taking her into my hands and holding her close to my chest. She was so tiny I couldn't even cradle her.

Who would do such a thing? How could someone just dump such a sweet little creature like she was trash?

From that day forward, I became her mother... I vowed to protect her with my life.

Gritting my teeth, I felt my claws grow as any lights that weren't already out started to flicker.

With a yell, I slammed my fist against the wall and everything around us froze in place. Falling pieces of brick stayed in the air, and the rumbling stopped.

Immediately I felt drained. I don't use my powers, so even exerting them slightly causes me to feel weak.

But I didn't care.

I needed to make it out of here before my time ran out. I can get her to safety, I know I can.

I have lost every single person I have ever loved, but god dammit, not her too!

Despite my trembling hands, I held onto Ava and ran, feeling myself be drained more and more by the second.

We were nearly to the bottom level of the building when pieces of rock started to fall again, slowly breaking free of my hold.

It wasn't until we finally made it out that I let it go, sprinting away from the building as it started to crumble.

I hopped over debris and avoided explosions, focusing on getting as far away from this place as possible.

When the edges of my vision started to darken, I started to panic and ran faster.

I can make it! The grocery!

My feet pounded into the asphalt as I searched for shelter, going to the only other place I trusted.

But when I finally made it, I stopped in my tracks and just stared.

The grocery was destroyed, and up in flames.

Looking around me, everything was the same way.

My throat felt tight and my eyes burned, and I looked down at the crying baby in my arms... my baby.

Then suddenly my attention was ripped from her as the ground rumbled, and I turned around to see a car flying directly towards us. My eyes went wide and I turned my body so it was shielding Ava.

The last thing I remember is green sparks appearing around us and some sort of dark abyss opening beneath my feet before we were enveloped by pitch black.

~*~

My eyes began to open very slowly, a pounding in my head making me feel nauseous.

With a groan, I sat up and looked around.

Where am I? What happened?

My legs hardly cooperated with me as I forced myself to stand. Every part of my body was in pain, I felt like I'd been run over by a truck.

It was dark in the room I was in, and it was unfamiliar to me. This place is nicer than my apartment.

I have no idea where I am.

Fear struck through my chest when I realized there was something missing.

"Ava!"

I looked around quickly, stumbling and cringing as pain shot through my chest.

Fuck...

I hobbled to the door and threw it open, regaining myself and picking up speed, running down the hallway.

The walls were lined with doors, and it reminded me of...

... a hotel?

After that realization, I finally found the steps and practically flew down them.

Immediately I spotted Charlie and Alastor speaking quietly to each other, but my sudden appearance caused them to look my way.

I took a second to catch my breath, my eyes locking onto Alastor's for a second before I stormed over to him, completely ignoring Charlie.

"You son of a bitch, where is she, what'd you do with her!"

I screamed at him and started swinging, hitting his chest and trying to aim higher, but he caught my wrists and held me still.

He was trying to say something, but I wasn't listening. I was in a completely blind rage, wondering where my baby was and why she wasn't with me.

Then there were another pair of hands on me, and I spun around, ready to rock whoever was touching me across the face.

But I froze when my eyes met Charlie's, hers holding a deep concern. My breaths came quickly and I just looked at her for a second.

Neither of us said anything. Something about her was very calming... like just looking in her eyes was soothing.

That's when I heard the sound of giggling, and my heart leapt up to my throat as I quickly turned around and saw her sitting across the room with the spider demon.

He had a small pig and was letting her pet it, using his multiple arms to support both her and the pet in his lap.

I let out a sigh of relief and broke into a sprint, making it to them in record time before scooping Ava up into my arms.

"Oh my god, my baby, are you okay? I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry..."

I broke down into tears, kissing all over her face and hugging her close to me.

"Mommy's so sorry..."

I just took a moment to hold her, letting all of my worry melt away when I felt her little arms wrap around my neck.

She's safe... everything is ok...

After a moment with my child, I looked up and around the room. All eyes were on me, everyone remaining quiet.

Finally, I broke the silence.

"How did I get here? What happened?"

Charlie glanced at Alastor, and he merely stared at me, blinking once.

"Smiles brought ya here."

I turned to the spider... Angel, I believe she said his name was.

There's only really one person here that could be referred to as "smiles" and I furrowed my brow.

"What?"

"Yea. Said he found ya in the middle of a turf war, so he brought ya here."

I stared at Angel as my expression slowly relaxed, and I turned to look at Alastor.

Our eyes met once more, and for just a second...

For just a second...I saw my husband.

His eyes fell to the floor, and he turned away from us, holding his hands behind his back.

"Yes, well, I just happened to be on a stroll and saw our potential patron was in danger. It was only fitting to bring her here, seeing as her home was destroyed."

When he said that, my heart nearly stopped.

So... he has been watching me.

So then why... why... didn't he come to see me?

"Yea."

I spoke, my voice tight.

"I suppose it was only fitting."