Can you all please let me know if you can see the picture, my Wattpad is tweaking.

Juliette

In the following weeks after Alastor and I danced together, he continued to frequent the diner. He was somehow much more talkative, and an incredibly hyper man.

He pestered me in my every free moment and made me laugh even more.

Though, a dark cloud had seemed to fall over our town... murders became more frequent and more violent. The police put out a curfew and advised people to lock their doors at night and during the day.

It was actually beginning to weigh on my mind quite a lot, and I hadn't even noticed until Alastor beamed me in the forehead with a crumpled piece of paper and snapped me out of my daze.

"Ow!"

I rubbed my forehead and glared at him, while he only gave me a cheeky smile in return.

"What happened, dear?"

I rolled up a newspaper and approached him quickly.

"Oh, I'll show you what happened you little pest!"

His eyes widened and he backed up against the wall of his booth, holding his hands out to protect himself against the several smacks I gave him.

After I'd gotten my revenge I groaned and slumped into the seat across from him, looking out the window with a forlorn gaze.

"What's the matter, my darling...?"

He actually seemed sincere in asking and when I looked at him, he looked concerned.

"You haven't been smiling as much lately... has something happened?"

I looked at him a moment and then sighed, crossing my arms in a makeshift hug around myself.

"No... well, I suppose, but... it's just the murders... I'm so worried, because they're happening so frequently, and it... I'm just worried... about you, and about daddy... you're both out late sometimes, and I hate thinking about—"

Alastor reached over and held his hand out to me. I took it and let my eyes fall to my lap, a tear slipping off my lashes and down my face.

"I'm sorry... I just can't lose anyone else..."

"Juliette, look at me..."

I looked up and he squeezed my hand lightly, his eyes both intense and soft. It was rare he had serious moments like this.

"There is nothing to worry about... I promise... I can take care of myself, and your father is strong as an ox. Any murderer would pee his own pants before messing with him, I swear it."

Part of me was wondering how he could be so sure, but the reassurance felt nice. I gave him a small smile.

"Thank you, Alastor... just be careful, for me, okay?"

He nodded.

"I promise."

~*~

The rest of my shift felt slow and boring after Alastor left.

When it was finally time for me to leave, I couldn't wait to grab my stuff and be on my way home.

I double checked that everything was clean and ready to be set back up tomorrow, all the tables were polished and the floors were shined to perfection.

Lastly, I turned out the lights and left. The sun hung low in the sky and made beautiful reflections on the buildings.

However, it was only when I was just about to take the path through the woods to get to my house that I remembered I was supposed to lock up the store.

"Shit..."

I cursed under my breath and looked back the way I came. It was at least a 20 minute walk and the sun was nearly set... but Ms. Melinda trusted me with the keys and I told her I'd lock the store...

With a groan I turned around and started the way back towards the store, trying to be as quick as I could.

But when I got there, it seems that luck wasn't on my side because it was already practically dark, only the tiniest bit of sunlight left until that too slipped beyond the horizon.

Quickly, I locked up the shop, my hands shaking slightly as I looked around myself and checked my surroundings.

No women have been murdered yet, but that doesn't mean I want to be the first...

My only thought now was getting home, and my feet couldn't seem to carry me quick enough down the sidewalk. Unfortunately this part of town was dead during the night, so there were no people around to give me a bit of comfort that I wasn't all alone.

Then I let out a small scream when something snatched me and yanked me into an alleyway, making me stumble on my feet as I tried not to roll an ankle.

After gathering my balance, I looked up and around with wide, terrified eyes.

There was a figure in front of me and I swung my purse at him.

"S-stay back! Get away!"

"Whoah there, relax..."

I stopped and my brows furrowed as I lowered my arms, squinting at the figure that approached me with his hands up in surrender.

"...Gabriel?"

There was a dim alley light that gave me just enough illumination to make out his features.

"Yes ma'am. I could hardly believe you were out so late, I just had to stop you."

Something still didn't feel quite right. Gabriel couldn't be the murderer... no, that's not possible, I've known him my whole life.

That's when I smelled the alcohol as he grew closer to me. Instinctively I stepped away and my back hit the wall.

"Y'know, I don't know why you waste all your time with that old radio prick. I see you out with him all the time, and it's irritating."

"What are you talking about..."

"Do you think I'm stupid, Jules?!"

I flinched when his voice suddenly raised and he threw the bottle in his hand on the ground, shattering it.

My hands shook, and I felt frozen.

"I-I don't..."

"I was actually happy when I heard your husband died, you know that? I knew I could give you a better life than any other bachelor, but of course you just had to start fucking the next man who gave you an ounce of attention."

Tears pricked my eyes and I felt a lump in my throat. This was so sudden, I didn't even know Gabriel felt that way towards me... though looking back, it made sense.

I only ever saw him as a friend, so I never picked up on the signs.

"Gabriel, why would you say something so horrible to me, it's not like that—"

Pain exploded in my face and jaw when he slapped me out of nowhere, nearly knocking me over. I probably would've fallen if he hadn't grabbed me and held me up.

"Shut up. You're so much prettier when you keep your mouth closed. I don't want to hear what excuses a whore makes up."

His slurred insults hurt and I wondered when he'd started to resent me so much.

"You should just let me show you how good I can make you feel... I'm sure I'll be better than that idiot you're obsessed with."

He started trying to unbutton my dress and I tried to get him off of me, struggling since I'm so much weaker than him. My legs flailed and I tried to scream but he covered my mouth.

"Don't be like that, let's have some fun, hm? Just you and—"

He didn't finish his sentence and his eyes went wide before he let out a sound that was almost like a choke.

Suddenly he was yanked away from me and he stumbled. My eyes followed him as he fell to his knees and tried to get up, half crawling half limping away.

Then, I noticed another silhouette in the alley way standing a few feet away from me. I was frozen in place, shaking and trying not to sob.

The other man walked over to Gabriel and reached down, grabbing him by the hair and lifting his head up before he pulled out what looked like a knife and...

My hands when over my mouth to stifle the small scream I let out when blood started pouring from Gabriel's neck onto the concrete. The killer let go of his hair and his head hit the concrete with a sick thud.

Then the new figure looked at me.

I squeaked and took a step back until I realized I recognize those features... the light casted shadows and flickered, making me doubt what I was seeing.

But there was no mistaking... I'd know that smile even if I was blind in one eye.

"Alastor..."

My voice came out small, and he just stared at me like he'd been paralyzed. Then, he started towards me.

I was frightened, and my breathes came out short and trembling, but I didn't run. I don't know if I was struck motionless by fear, or what was happening to me.

My back remained against the damp alley wall, and when he got closer there was no denying that it was him. He was wearing a simple red button up, sleeves rolled up and black leather gloves adorning his hands.

The knife remained in his grip, but he didn't raise it or say anything threatening. He just...walked over to me calmly.

When he was finally in front of me, I looked up at him. He caged me against the wall with his arms, the metal of his bloodied knife scraping against the concrete next to my head.

I kept eye contact with him, and I'd never seen such a look in his eyes.

He looked worried, and sad.

"Why didn't you run..."

His voice was low, and quieter than I'd ever heard it.

"Why did you stay, and watch... and look at me. You weren't supposed to look at me...I didn't know..."

He sighed and hung his head, looming over me. He smelled like blood and cologne. Unlike Gabriel, there wasn't a hint of alcohol on his person.

"I-I just... I don't know... I was scared..."

"Aren't you still?"

"Yes..."

He looked at me and took a deep breath. I heard his fingers drum against the wall.

"Are you hurt, did he hurt you?"

I shook my head.

"H-he hit me, but... he didn't cut me or anything like that..."

I had no idea what to think. How to feel.

On one hand, Alastor just saved my life. On the other, Alastor is...

"Is it you... killing all those people?"

My heart broke a little asking that question, because I already knew the answer. Tears threatened to fall down my face again.

He nodded.

"Why..."

He sighed and pulled away from me, giving me the option to run if I chose to.

"Because these streets are filthy and I enjoy cleaning them up."

That answer did make me think... every person that had been killed was someone I could distinctly remember being a sour apple. People that this town was probably better off without.

Although, murder probably wasn't the best answer to an issue like that.

After a moment of silence, the wind blowing gently around us, I looked at my feet.

"Are you...going to kill me, too?"

I didn't know why I was still standing there. Maybe I am just a dumb girl after all.

"I am not. I'd be lying if I said it hadn't crossed my mind when you recognized me, but I don't think I can."

So, not even the threat of me being able to turn him in tomorrow morning is enough to make him bury that knife in my chest...

"I'm not going to give you away..."

He let out a soft chuckle and put the knife he was holding back into its sheath on his hip.

"Why not?"

"I don't know..."

Our eyes locked and, for a moment, it was quiet. I remembered that night on the dance floor, and thought about every time he'd sat with me and listened to my rants and dealt with my attitudes.

Maybe I'm delusional, or maybe I'm just stupid... perhaps I'm crazy. Am I crazy?

"I'd like to thank you... for saving me..."

He watched me silently and then took a step closer, and I took one as well to match.

Hesitantly, I reached up towards his face. He watched my hands and then looked back to me, confusion in his eyes.

I don't know what I'm doing. I've definitely lost my mind.

My hands landed on either side of his face and I pulled myself up onto my toes and kissed him.

He froze. His entire body suddenly felt like it was made of stone and my eyes were closed but I'm almost certain his were wide open.

His lips were firm and he seemed awkward, like he didn't know how to react.

Finally, after a few moments he relaxed slightly and kissed me back.

Well, he tried to at least.

His lips softened, but it was still a bit awkward, like he'd never kissed anyone before.

I pulled away and smiled at him, and he looked at me with the strangest look in his eye. It was surprise and something else I couldn't place.

Without giving him a chance to say anything, I turned and waved to him.

"I'll see you tomorrow morning!"

Then I trotted off down the sidewalk and quickly back to my house.

Daddy is gonna kill me for being so late.