I thought that I could change your mind. Though my intentions were selfish, I truly believed that you were my friend. I never was good enough for you...and I never would be. I guess I never would have realized that if you hadn't

Blown my heart straight out of my chest.

***

Alastor's POV

Man, how did I ever sleep without Fawn before? Without her in bed with me, it's just cold and empty...

Since she went downstairs, I can't seem to fully fall back asleep. I'll drift off for a second, but then something snaps me back awake.

Like I can't fully relax without knowing she's here with me.

After a few more minutes of restless tossing and turning, I sigh and sit up with a grimace on my face.

"How long does it take to drink some tea, woman..." I grumbled, pushing the blankets off my legs to go check on her.

Hell, she's probably watching the rain. That girl gets distracted over the most minuscule things...but, oh, it makes her so lovable.

I used my palms to rub the sleep out of my eyes as I descended the stairs, taking in a deep breath that turned into a yawn as I slapped my hand against the wall looking for the light switch.

"Fawn?" I called tiredly, finally finding and turning on the light.

The living room lit up and there was no sign of her.

My eyes narrowed, my attention slowly getting sharper as I looked across the room for any indication she'd been there.

None.

Okay...maybe she's in the kitchen.

Walking a bit further, I rounded the corner to the kitchen and noticed the light was already on.

Oh, good, she is—

Not...in here...

The empty kitchen was a concerning sight, and suddenly the house felt eerily quiet.

"Fawn..." I said slowly, taking cautious steps into the kitchen, "answer me, baby, where are you..."

My words began to sound worried, and my fists clenched and unclenched at my sides.

Don't lose your head, Alastor...she's in this house of yours somewhere...she has to be.

"Darling...honey, this isn't funny, don't hide from me..." I chuckled warily, searching through my halls and the empty rooms.

Each time I entered one without a sign of her, my throat felt tighter.

I checked the spare room, my office, the rec room, my other living room...she is not here.

Finally, my eyes widened and I wove through the halls to find a door I keep thoroughly locked.

My cellar.

When I got to it, the door was still locked tight, but my anxiety was telling me to just check...just to make sure.

So, swiftly I got the keys and unlocked each padlock, letting them fall to the floor.

"If you are down here, you naughty girl, I will punish you...this is a room not meant for such sweet eyes, no no no," I chuckled, speaking under my breath to myself as I tried to lighten the situation.

If she's somehow gotten down here, she must be scared...I've gotta help her out, she must be scared...

The last lock fell to the floor with a thud and I threw the door open. The stench of rotting flesh wafted up the stairs, but I didn't even flinch.

It's quite a comforting fragrance, I think.

Quickly I descended to the dark, damp, dungeon-esque room.

"Fawn, my darling love, come on out now sweetheart...this is no place to play games at, come on back to bed, my dear," I called in a singsong voice, my hands shaking at my sides.

Despite me trying to convince myself that she's down here, my heart was pounding in my chest.

She has to be here...it's the only place left...

Yet, when I turned the light on, all I saw was my "operating table" and the empty chains along the walls.

My, I haven't had a prisoner down here in months. I kind of miss the screaming...

Focus.

My eyes snapped from corner to corner, and I walked through swiftly, checking each area thoroughly.

"Fawn," my voice was hard now, "please, stop this...come out, please, I'm begging you..."

My breathing came rough and I was slowly losing my patience. Where is she.

Where is she.

Where is she.

I lifted my foot and kicked the metal table, sending it across the room before it fell and sent several scalpels clattering to the floor.

My teeth were grit and I quickly sprinted back up the stairs, nearly falling in the process.

"Fawn! FAWN!" I called out, finally letting my composure crack, "where the hell are you, answer me right now, FAWN!"

I ran around the house, checking and rechecking every room. The living room was where I ended up at, pacing worriedly when a loud thunderclap rumbled over the house, making it shake slightly.

Then, very softly, there was the quietest creek.

I froze in place, my eyes going to my front door.

Opened...just barely, as if it hadn't been shut correctly. The wind caused it to open just a bit more, and I made my way over.

Is she outside?!

Jesus Christ, I swear if she's sitting on this god damn porch, I'm going to—

I burst outside, barely containing my worried anger, "Fawn, fucking hell, what are you—"

Lighting cracked across the sky as I stared at where she should be sitting.

Yet, all that's there is a slight indent in the cushions...and on the little porch table, a forgotten cup of tea.

Oh, that did it.

I growled, my teeth gritting so hard I thought they'd break.

She's gone. She's gone, and something tells me it's not because she left.

And whoever took her better pray. It won't help them, but at least it'd be amusing to watch their eyes full with fear when they realize their god doesn't even want to save their slimy soul.

I slammed my front door open and it almost fell off the hinges. My vision kept fading in and out, and each time it was clear I was in a different place in my house.

Getting closer to the room that will tell me exactly where she is.

It was a blur as I got the keys and undid the locks to my voodoo room. I was moving as fast as physically possible, and my heart was in my throat.

My Fawn...

Tears clouded my vision...angry, hot tears.

Fuck, how could I be so stupid. I should've been up with her, how could I be so stupid.

The door slammed open and I rushed into the room, not sparing a greeting prayer.

I haphazardly snatched my knife and grabbed a random bowl. It clattered onto the table before I sliced my palm, probably way deeper than I actually needed to.

"Help me!" I called out, squeezing my blood into the bowl. It poured in large rivulets down my palm and arm, some dripping onto me and my clothing.

"HELP ME!" I cried out again, and finally my candles burst to life.

The room became chilled and darkened.

My shadow rose from the floor slowly, looking at me through narrowed eyes and with a sly smile on his face.

I was shaking, my entire body quivering from anger and pure fear.

"Find her," I growled at the creature, shoving the blood towards him.

Thunder rolled over the house, a lightning strike lighting up the room.

It looked at the blood, then tilted its head and pushed it back towards me.

No...

No?!

I stood up quickly, slamming my hands on the table, "NO?! what do you mean no go fucking find her you useless I̸̢̡̭̭͚͖̥͎̫̹̞̲͈̦͇̟̦̽͆̈́̓̏̕͝͝Ḑ̶̩̰͇̱̦͕̪̲̳̳̘̗̙̉̀ͅḮ̴̡͍͔͇̞̎̽̋̈́͑O̵̢͖̥̹͖̘̻͎̻̩̜̓̌͊̎͂̉͒̈̔̾̄̚̚̕̕T̸̪̠̮͕̤̩͔͌̌̉̓!"

My voice distorted and a low, angry, animalistic growl tore through my throat. It felt odd and surprised me, but I was hardly able to focus on that strange event while Fawn is currently missing.

The shadow stared at me for a moment, looking a bit surprised itself.

My breaths quivered, and my arms shook slightly as I looked forward at the dark creature.

"Please..." I whimpered, letting my head drop, "please, just find her..."

It chittered, and then pointed a shadowy finger towards my wall that I keep my deals locked away in.

I looked at the glass case filled with vials of blood, and hurried over to it.

"You want a soul? Which one?" I asked fumbling with the keys.

Incoherent whispers surrounded me, sounding like a bunch of people speaking at once.

My eyes widened, "you want three? You want three people to just drop dead tonight, you don't think that will be suspicious?" I hissed, turning to face it.

It shrugged, smiling smugly at me.

I growled and tore the case open, grabbing three random vials before closing and locking the case again.

"Fine, whatever, here," I said impatiently, putting them on the table along with my blood sacrifice.

It slammed its palm down onto the small glass containers, and then drew in a deep inhale as the souls I had trapped inside soaked into its body.

The electric blue that radiated from inside its eyes and mouth got brighter, and it let out a satisfied hiss.

With the wave of its hand it brought up an image, showing me my Fawn.

My eyes widened when I saw she was being led by someone through the woods, and then they broke through into a clearing.

By the creek...ok, not too far, but not close either. What the hell, who is she...

The person turned around, and the room went still.

Her icy blue stare was easy enough to recognize, even in the brief flashes of lightning that revealed it to me.

Mindy.

"What the fuck!" I growled, and quickly stormed out of the room, slamming the door and barely remembering to lock it back.

I knew it. I fucking knew it, and I should've acted on it. I should've killed her.

Rushing to my room, I threw my closet open and grabbed my rifle. The sleek metal felt cold and familiar in my hands.

Slowly, a smile rose to my face and my bloodlust surged.

I didn't bother to change clothing, there's no time. Who knows what Melinda brought to hurt her with, hell, she could've already shot her and I'm too late!

As fast as I could manage I was out the door and in the pouring rain. My clothing became soaked quickly, but if anything, it only fueled my anger.

How dare she lure her away.

How dare she bring her out into this pouring mess.

How dare she.

Trees and foliage passed me in a blur, twigs and branches hitting my exposed arms and legs. Nothing mattered to me except finding Fawn.

And exterminating the pest.

I was so beyond angry, I was beyond furious. Frankly, the fact that I was this upset was scaring me.

"Fawn!" I called out, hoping she may be able to hear me over the rain, "Fawn!"

Nothing.

"Shit," I hissed under my breath and picked up my pace.

Not far...I'm not far from the creek, that's where they are, fuck, I hope that's where they still are...

A few minutes later and I broke through the thicket into the clearing I was shown.

What I saw struck fear through my heart unlike anything I'd ever experienced.

Mindy was on top of Fawn, clearly choking her. Fawn seemed to be stilled beneath her...unmoving.

Without thinking I got onto one knee, loaded my gun, and aimed.

Then, I pulled the trigger.

I watched her body jolt when she got hit straight through the chest. To be honest, I was surprised she even stayed upright.

When I realized I'd hit her, and she released Fawn, I was up and on my way over to them. Red was clouding my vision, rough breaths leaving my lungs as I focused on not losing my shit completely.

Once I reached them, I grabbed Mindy by the hair and tore her away from Fawn.

She squealed loudly, and as angry as I was...and much as I wanted to kill this woman right now...

The noise made my chest hurt.

My only focus, however, was getting her away from the person I love. I drug her across the clearing, making sure to bring her a fair distance away.

She was trying desperately to have me release her hair, so I gave her what she wanted.

Roughly, I shoved her to the ground onto her back, staring down at her. The wind whipped around us, howling and moaning.

Rain pelted my back, dripping down my nose and off my face...I just stared down at her, baring my teeth in a threatening smile.

Lighting flashed across the sky, revealing to me her wide eyed, terrified expression.

I'd be scared if I were her, too.

Staring into the face of the last person I'd ever see.

Everything else around us was blocked out and shut away. It was just her and I.

"You wretched harlot," I seethed, "to think I wanted to give you a second chance!"

My tone was riddled with hurt, pain, and pure anger.

Why did you do this...why...I don't want to kill you...I'd have done it long before now if that were the case.

Why'd you have to force my hand.

I watched as she tried to push herself up, very weakly. Her arms shook, and I could see the pain she was in as blood poured out of her mouth.

The smile I was wearing faded, little by little, leaving me to stare at the pitiful sight expressionless.

Goodbye...

My foot met her chest and I shoved her to the ground, pinning her there before I lined up my rifle with the center of her forehead.

Still her eyes stayed on me...so terrified...

I grit my teeth and cocked the gun, my finger pressing hard on the trigger without actually pulling it.

The longer I looked at her, the harder this was.

When I finally pulled the trigger, I couldn't look her in the eyes.

I turned my head, feeling the kickback of the blast against my body before she went limp.

All the tension left her body under the weight of my foot, and I brought it away from her. Slowly, I faced what I'd done.

The rain let up, allowing some morning sun to spill across the scene.

My expression stayed...blank. Staring down at this woman...this woman that I have worked with for years.

Someone I considered a friend at one point in time...but she let jealously corrupt her soul.

I'm sorry it had to be like this...

Suddenly, something touched me and I nearly turned my gun on them, but my senses caught up with me quicker than my actions.

My Fawn stood there, staring at me with furrowed brows. After all that, and she's the one looking concerned for me...

I threw my rifle aside, collecting her into my arms carefully and hugging her tight.

She's absolutely covered in mud and blood, but I couldn't care less.

"Oh darling, are you alright...I'm so sorry, I should've been up with you, I'm so sorry...please forgive me..." I begged her for forgiveness, peppering her forehead with kisses before I held her at arms length to get a full scope of her condition.

No outward injuries...that's good. She seems...relatively alright.

"She didn't hurt you, did she? Did she have a weapon?" I checked, concern dripping off my tongue.

She shook her head, "no..."

Her voice was hoarse and I watched as she winced after speaking. My eyes flicked down to her neck, seeing it was already bruising badly.

I tsk'd, "oh my sweet girl...come on, let's go home..."

The only thing on my mind was tending to her at home, I need to get her home where she's safe...

Yet, she had other plans. She resisted, and I looked down at her confusedly.

"What about Mindy..." she croaked, trying to look at the corpse. My brow twitched and I tugged her a bit harder, not too hard, but enough to where I hoped my message got across.

"The forest can have her," I said roughly, "come on, now."

"No...we can't just leave her there, bury her..." she protested further, to which I scoffed.

Is she serious?

Again I pulled her along, "she just tried to kill you, Fawn."

At this she stayed silent, but kept resisting my hold. Trying to wrench out of my grip, and attempting to go to the dead body.

I sighed roughly, my frustration boiling over before I rolled my eyes and turned to snap at her.

"Fawn, for Christ's sake, just—!"

It didn't take me long to realize my mistake. My angry scolding caught in my throat the moment I could clearly see her face.

Covered in blood, dirt, and dried tear tracks.

But now I think there's about to be fresh tear tracks...

The water swimming in her eyes threatened to spill over, and I felt guilty instantly. She glanced at the body and back to me.

"Bury her..." she whimpered, sniffling slightly before those tears began falling down her face in rivers.

Ah, shit...

Quickly I pulled her into my chest, shushing her softly, "Come here...I'm sorry...I'm sorry, baby, I didn't mean to yell..." I whispered, pressing a kiss into the top of her head as I rocked her back and forth.

God, I'm a monster...

Her sobbing was loud and I could tell she'd been holding it back for a while. She clung to me desperately, grasping at my wet clothing like I would disappear if she couldn't hold on tight enough.

I just whispered apologies, trying to calm her before she triggered a panic attack or something similar...but apologies didn't seem to be working.

On a whim, I did the only thing I could think of to get her to quiet...

Softly, I started to sing a French lullaby. This one, my mother sang to me almost every night before bed.

It took a minute, but thankfully she began to calm down and her cries turned to soft whimpers.

You'll be ok my love...

"There we go..." I whispered, "you're alright, I've got you...you're going to be just fine..." I did my best to comfort her, providing her reassurance.

She hiccuped softly and hugged me tighter, to which I responded by holding her closer. If she could, I think she'd fuse with me in this moment.

Once she'd fully calmed down, I pulled her off of me so I could look at her flushed face. Using my thumbs, I wiped away the tears and any dirt I could manage to remove.

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to raise my voice, I was just scared...I'm sorry..." I muttered as I cleaned her, and she sniffled and giggled weakly.

Her hands met my wrists, holding me loosely.

"It's ok..." she said, looking up into my eyes. I couldn't look away...I could see my entire future in her eyes...

Forever with her...

"I was scared, too," she said with a smile that warmed my heart. I smiled in return, although weakly, and nodded.

"I know you were...if you want me to bury her, I will bury her," I affirmed, watching her eyes light up.

"Thank you...she deserves that much...I don't think she knew what she was doing. When I looked into her eyes I..." she paused and shook her head, "that wasn't Mindy...I didn't truly see her until you shot her. I think it brought her back to reality..." she mumbled sadly.

My smile lessened and I looked down. That didn't make this any easier...knowing she wasn't truly herself, and that I've been there before...

I sighed, "I know how that feels..." I mumbled, barely even coherent to myself.

I wish someone had stopped me...

Maybe she'd still he alive if someone had...

However, looking down at Fawn, I couldn't help but feel pure happiness...relief.

Simply overjoyed that I made it to her in time.