Another song that reminds me of Mindy.

Fawn's POV

The soft sound of the fire crackling was soothing.

Alastor had me in his lap, gently combing his fingers through my hair.

His chest vibrated with the sound of him humming a quiet tune, and I let myself relax further against him.

"How are you feeling, my darling..." he spoke softly, and I snuggled into him a bit more.

"I feel fine...it just...spooked me a little, is all..." I muttered.

He hummed, "I know...I'm genuinely sorry that you had to see that, that was something not meant for eyes like yours..."

I shifted, looking up at him with a small smile, "eyes like mine?" I questioned, watching the shadows dance across his face from the fire.

He smiled back, leaning down to press his nose against mine, "innocent...gentle...kind..." he began to name attributes I'm guessing he sees in me.

I was flattered, but my eyes fell and I shook my head, "I wouldn't say that...remember, these eyes belong to a murderer..." I said sadly, and he scoffed.

I felt him lift my chin, and our eyes met once again. Up close, his eyes are...interesting. They're a very dark brown, but they have an auburn hue to them...then, surrounding his pupil they're a lighter brown that bleeds into the rest of his eye, creating a flower, almost.

"No, my dear..." he began just above a whisper, "these are the eyes of a murderer."

My heart fluttered slightly, and I felt my face get a bit warm under his intense stare.

"These are the eyes of a dangerous man..." he continued, caressing my cheek, "a hunter...a serial killer," he almost hissed, a dark look shadowing his features.

Yet, his featherlight touch against my skin gave way to how he really feels.

I brought my hand up to his face, pulling myself up a bit more onto his chest, "you're beautiful..." I whispered, inching closer to him.

The expression on his face shifted from sinister to surprised.

My lips brushed over his, and I shook my head, smiling as I let my eyelids fall shut.

"And I love you..."

He was the one to erase the space between us, pressing his lips to mine in a gentle, slow kiss.

We stayed that way, wrapped up with each other next to the fire. He tasted like wine, probably because we had some during dinner, and I couldn't get enough of it.

It felt nice to sit with him like this. When we're together like this, it's like no one else exists...nothing can hurt me when I'm in his arms.

My head fell against his chest and I watched the fire crackle and lick at the chimney walls. His fingers traced circles into my back, and I had my hand in his hair.

I twirled the strands casually, enjoying the sound of his heartbeat.

"Do you think they'll figure out who did it...?" I asked quietly, and he stiffened.

He was silent for a second, then he pulled me closer to him and pressed a kiss into the top of my head.

"No..." he whispered, "I don't..."

I frowned slightly, "and what if they keep doing it...and...and what if the police start poking around, do you think—"

"Shhhh..."

He shushed me softly, and then I felt his fingers against my face. I looked up at him, and he was smiling...a gentle smile.

"I don't want you worrying about that, or me, or anything...the police haven't been able to catch me for years, and nothing they find in that break room will lead them towards me. You have nothing to worry about...and if they ask you questions, just be honest with them, alright?"

My little frown turned up into a smile, and I gave a slight nod, "ok...I'm sorry..."

His brow creased and he chuckled, "nothing to be sorry for, sweetie...not a thing...now come on," he hooked his arm beneath my legs, and he's done this enough for me to know it's time for me to hang on.

My arms went up around his neck as he stood up with me in his arms.

"Let's get you to bed, and I'll—"

"Sleep with me..." I said softly, trailing my fingers up his neck and into the nape of his hair.

He blushed and paused at the bottom of the stairs to look down at me.

"But..." he started, yet couldn't seem to make it past my eyes.

"...ok," he finished quietly, and I smiled.

Then he began to go up the stairs, and I laid my head against his chest, letting my exhaustion pull my eyes shut.

**

I woke up to the sound of thunder rolling over the house.

When I opened my eyes, a lightning strike lit up the room, and the darkness outside told me it was still the middle of the night.

Alastor was asleep next to me, laying on his back. He had one arm loosely hooked around me, the other hand laid over his chest.

Another lighting strike lit up his features, and I smiled at how peaceful he looks. Reaching forward, I brushed some of the hair away from his eyes.

He was out cold...that's what he gets for staying up and going out late so much...

I sighed softly and carefully removed his arm from my waist, slipping away from him slowly as to not disturb him.

If only I could be so lucky.

"Darlin'...?"

I winced when I heard his groggy voice, but quickly recovered, "hey, babe..." I whispered, "the storm woke me up, I'm just gonna head downstairs for a second and get something to help me fall back asleep, ok?" I said.

His eyes weren't even open from what I could see, and he hummed before rolling over onto his side, "mm'kay, love...don't be long..." he mumbled, and I was prickled with surprise at his choice of words

Love...?

From the pattern of his breathing I could tell he'd already fallen back asleep, but my smile was stretched wide as I thought over that word.

I leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before slipping out of bed and quietly sliding out of the room.

Thunder rolled over the house again, making a couple paintings on the walls rattle.

The hallway was dark, and I wish I'd brought a lamp with me...but it's alright, I can see well enough.

My eyes wondered to the door I'm not allowed to open, and I eyed it warily, walking as far from it as I could.

Though, I could still hear little whispers calling to me sweetly.

I covered my ears, blocking them out, "la la la, I don't hear you, whatever you are..." I mumbled, passing the door quickly.

My feet pattered against the stairs as I made my way down, the storm outside whistling and howling.

Humming softly, I made my way to the kitchen to fix myself some chamomile tea. I don't particularly like tea, and neither does Al, but he keeps a few essential mixes on hand for such occasions as this one.

As I was boiling the water, I looked around, observing his house. I've grown used to these walls and the secrets they hide, but I've never really paid close attention to his actual decorations.

My wandering eyes stopped at a pair of mounted antlers above the front door.

"Hm..." I hummed quietly, "never noticed those before..." I mumbled, and just then the teapot whistled.

I gathered it off the stove, pouring the boiling water into my cup. Unlike a traditional teabag, Alastor keeps the actual herbs on hand and has taught me how to put them together to make certain things.

They sat inside their little strainer, and I watched their essence seep out into the hot water.

In a matter of minutes, my tea was ready, and I grabbed the mug. I watched the rain hit the kitchen window, blowing on the liquid before taking a sip.

Maybe I could go outside for a moment...sit on the porch and watch the rain while I drink this.

Yea, I think I'll do that. I loved watching the rain back home, and this is the first real storm we've had here.

I made my way over to the door, unlocking it and stepping out onto the wide porch. I sat down and looked out into the wooded area surrounding this mansion.

The trees were swishing in the wind, and every now and then the sky would light up with spiderwebs of electricity.

I let my eyes fall shut, taking in a deep breath. It always smells amazing when it rains, and after it rains. Whenever the sun rises and the rain stops, it's going to be a lovely time for a walk.

Moments of calm like this are special to me...moments where I'm not anxious, or having to be social.

It's nice.

"Fawn..."

My eyes widened when I heard a voice over the storm.

A feminine voice.

I quickly looked towards where the voice had come from, and when I saw the silhouette of a person standing on the porch steps, my blood ran cold.

"Who's there?" I called, and the person took a step closer. I could see it was a woman, just based on the outline of their body.

Then lightning lit up the sky...revealing to me the intruder.

"Mindy...?" I whispered, setting my cup aside.

Quickly I got up out of my chair and hurried over to her, my previous panic having been overtaken with a different worry.

She was soaking wet, and shivering slightly.

"My gosh, are you ok? What are you doing out here in the storm?" I asked her, and now that I was closer I could clearly see her.

Her hair was sticking to her face, and it was obvious she'd been out in this rain for a while now.

She met my eyes and had a dull look in hers. It looked like she had absolutely nothing behind her eyes anymore.

My heart ached, but I remembered what Al said about not getting her hopes up...so I kept the good news to myself.

"Uh...so sorry to have startled you, but I've just been a bit lost for a while now...I sort of stumbled across this house, thank goodness it's just you and Al and not some murderer," she chuckled.

I glanced to the side, but gave her a smile, "yep...just us, no murderers here!" I laughed as well.

She hugged herself and looked back towards the woods, "my car seems to have broken down a little off that way," she pointed over towards where the city is, "I've been looking for help...no shops are open," she explained.

My brows furrowed, "oh...what on earth are you doing out so late anyway?" I asked her.

Her eyes met mine again, and another flash of lightning lit up the side of her face.

For a moment her stare was like ice, those blue eyes looking straight into my soul. Then she looked down, "my uh...my mother is unwell, and needs medicine. She called me and told me she'd run out, and needed the backup medication I have for emergencies."

I nodded in understanding, "oh, well...alright, let me just go grab Al real quick—"

"No!"

I jumped slightly at her outburst, and she cleared her throat and shook her head, "I apologize...uh, I'd rather not see him right now...especially not with me looking like this," she chuckled, and I glanced from her to the door.

Her not wanting to see him is understandable, I suppose...but he'd know better than me how to help.

"Are you sure...? He would be happy to help..." I offered, to which she shook her head.

"It's quite alright...plus, you and I won't need him anyway. I'll show you what needs to be done," she said with a smile.

I felt a bit nervous going out to do this alone with her...I mean, what if we get lost, or hurt?

"I-I really think we should take Alastor..." I pressed, and saw her eye twitch just slightly before she grabbed my hand.

"Not necessary. Come on, you'll be back before he even knows you're gone."

Her voice had taken an edge to it, and I glanced down at where she was holding my hand. Her grip wasn't tight, or painful, so I didn't necessarily feel threatened...

She's probably just overwhelmed.

"Alright..." I finally relented.

Without another word, she pulled me out into the rain. I gasped slightly, and my bare feet hit the grass.

"W-wait, Mindy, I need to get dressed and get shoe—"

"No, no, I'll have you back before he even knows you're gone..." she repeated herself, not really making sense as a response to what I'd been saying.

Her grip on my hand tightened, and she was weaving me through the woods. The wind was whipping my now soaked hair around my face, and I used my free hand to try and push it away.

My feet hit the muddy forest floor, and Mindy only picked up her pace, nearly dragging me through the foliage.

"Mindy! Slow down, I can't see!" I yelled over the howling wind, but she didn't respond.

Finally, we broke through the thick woods into a clearing.

It was the same clearing I'd woken up in my first day here...the one by the creek. The rain had actually let up a little bit, but it was still going relatively hard.

She slowed to a stop, but kept a tight hold on my hand.

"Hey...t-the road is over that way..." I pointed towards the opposite direction and shivered slightly from the ice cold rain drops.

"Don't worry..." she said, her tone sounding a bit dampened.

Then she dropped my hand, and turned to face me. She was smiling widely, and her eyes that had been so dull before were now wide...she looked insane.

"I'll have you back before he even knows you're gone."