The trees were so tall that they touched the skies and their branches were so thick with leaves that it almost blocked the light of the sun as it was slowly setting over the horizon. All around there were only trees, grass, soil, and more trees. Not a sign of civilization in sight. Of course this was to be expected in matters of the woods. Very thick and deep woods. Woods that were so thick and deep that if anyone was to enter then they would barely be seen or heard by anyone outside of it.
In the center of the woods there stood a lovely little blue-eyed creature with fair hair tied in ribbons. She was looking to pick a bouquet of white lilies as they were her favorite flowers yet she had only been able to find two. She took a moment to glance at the sun to see how much time she had before she would have to go back inside. She was not allowed outside after dark and dusk had arrived much sooner than she had hoped.
"Lord I'm one, Lord I'm two, Lord I'm three, Lord I'm four, Lord I'm 500 miles from my home. 500 miles, 500 miles, 500 miles, 500 miles. Lord I'm five hundred miles from my home."
She sang her little song and continued her search for flowers but she had no inkling that at that moment she was being watched by something. Something that blended in almost too well with the dark shadows of the trees. Something with sharp teeth and claws. Something that kept it's eyes on her form for what felt like hours.
Then it started to move. Move as stealthy and silent as the shadows it was hiding itself in. It approached the girl without a making a single noise, closing in on her as a hungry wolf would do to a sheep who strayed from the flock. It's claws were just inches from her hair and it raised itself to tower over her. It was just about to strike when-
"Dirty Stalker!"
She stood up swiftly and shoved a handful of dirt into the face of the figure behind her. The fell back into the light and revealed itself to be a very odd looking thing. A grey skinned and messy red-haired creature with a head that bore antlers and the most peculiar eyes. The scleras were red like his hair but the irises were brown.
"Charlie." He scoffed as he brushed the dirt from his face. "Was that really necessary?"
"Al I warned you that if you tried to sneak up on me and scare me again then you would be sorry."
"But dirt in the face? That's a little juvenile don't you think?"
"I'm juvenile? You're the one who's always spying on me and stalking me. Trying to scare me. Shame on you."
"Where's your sense of humor?"
"I have a sense of humor. It's just not a creepy one like yours."
"Well I came out here looking for you for a reason. Trying to scare you was just something I did to get a laugh."
"Okay what do you want?"
"Solomon says it's time to go inside. It's almost dark."
"Aww, can't I have just a few more minutes?"
"He said now and he also says that if you refuse to come willingly than I have every right to carry you back."
"Oh fine." She sighed. "So much for getting my bouquet of white lilies."
"Charlie lilies aren't even in season right now. You're lucky that you found those two."
"I guess."
"Now let's get going. You know we both promised Solomon that we wouldn't be late for supper again."
"I know. I know."
It had been ten years since Solomon had decided to take Charlotte and Alastor in as his wards. When he first arrived at the Vatican a funeral was held in honor of Sister Magdalene and once that was settled he disclosed to them his choice to raise her son and orphaned girl. This however lead to complicated matters. Some of the members agreed with Solomon that the children had a right to live, to be cared for, and to have a home. Others argued that any spawn of Lucifer and/or Beelzebub could only bring more evil into the world and suggested that they be destroyed. Father Josef the head of the Vatican was dead locked but he finally reached a decision after one fanatic member was caught trying to smother both infants.
Charlie and Alastor would be allowed to live but if Solomon assumed guardianship of them than he would have to leave the Vatican. This was to avoid the church going into Chaos and to prevent any possible murder attempts on the children.
"I'm sorry Solomon." Father Josef had said to Solomon on the day he was to leave. "I know it's not fair and I would like for you to stay but the majority of the members here believe those children are a threat. If they stay then I fear they won't live long enough to reach adulthood."
"I understand." He replied. "I'm just grateful that you're allowing them to live."
"Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'"
"Too bad Father Brutus and the majority of the members didn't think about that verse. He was arrested right?"
"Not quite. If your wards were regular human children then yes but they're not. Therefore if public authorities get involved they may discover what the children are and you know how this day and age feels about the paranormal."
"So what are you going to do with him?"
"He'll be contained."
"For how long?"
"Until we find out if he's wicked or just crazy. If he's insane we can just send him to a facility without fear of him exposing our association with the paranormal. If he's just acting in sin he'll serve his time here. Either way he'll never again be a threat to your wards."
"Thank you Father Josef."
"My prayers are with you Solomon. May God guide you on the trials that lay ahead of you."
"Same to you Father. Before I go may I ask you something?"
"Certainly."
"Do you believe that I can actually raise these children to become good adults despite their heritage?"
"Well I'm not a father in the literal sense so I can't say for certain. But it is my belief that all children have the potential for goodness. Especially when raised in love. But a bit of advice for the future. When it comes to children you'll need a lot of patience and effort."
"I thought you said that you've never been a father in the literal sense."
"I haven't but I have been a teacher. Specifically yours and you were definitely a student that I needed to have patience with."
"Oh Father Josef I couldn't have been that bad."
"Need I remind you of the infamous prank you pulled sixteen years ago? When you used the leftover blood of a deer you hunted to make it look like our statues were bleeding? You caused panic throughout the entire Vatican. Everyone thought the apocalypse had come."
"I was twelve, on set of puberty and I wasn't allowed to chase girls so I had to find a different outlet for my hormones."
"You know sometimes I wish you did have biological child of your own. Then you'd know what kind of terror you put us all through. Mostly me though."
Solomon chuckled.
"Sorry Father. But admit it I was always your favorite student."
"Actually Magdalene was my favorite student but you were a close second."
"Fair enough."
"I'm going to miss that girl so much. And I'm going to miss you."
"Likewise. Be well and God bless Father Josef."
"Be well and God bless Solomon."
So in the end Solomon left and Husk went with him to serve him as form of probation. And despite leaving the Vatican, Solomon was determined to continue his work as an exorcist. He would still track down and eliminate paranormal beings of evil. But in memory of Magdalene, he would continue her work as well. He would try to rehabilitate those who could possibly succumb to goodness and he would offer shelter to the paranormal beings who had no place in the world like Charlie and Alastor.
Now money was not an issue for Solomon Karras. You see his family descended from Ancient Greece and he had inherited many things of value from his ancestors. Ancient pottery, paintings, statues, even gold, all items of value that was to be given to him once he matured. He sold everything and obtained enough income to first buy some property isolated from the town and at the edge of a deep wood. On that property he built his own private organization of dealing with the paranormal.
He hired highly skilled individuals to train within the organization and make them agents in helping him defend mankind from supernatural dangers. He ran background checks all of his recruits and made sure that they were trustworthy. Trustworthy enough not to reveal the location of the agency or the agency's cause or that Charlie and Alastor were the half human children of a fallen angel and demon. If proven trustworthy they were hired if not then they would not only be dismissed but have their memory wiped of the organization's existence.
The first recruit he found to be trustworthy was Blitzo Walker. A former agent of the FBI who's employment was terminated when it was discovered that he was having an affair with a suspect. When he questioned Blitzo about any information he learned from his previous employment he didn't say anything.
"I maybe a dick but I'm no rat." He said. "The FBI is good at finding people. If I talk I could be a dead man."
So Blitzo was a secret keeper til the end.
The next two he hired were Moxxie and Millie Hamilton. A married couple who started out as a modern day Bonnie and Clyde but their last raid cost them something very precious and they were desperate to atone for it. Solomon saw compassion within them so he considered them trustworthy. Also he didn't know any other people who can handle guns as well as them.
With a hidden location, a proper facility built, and trusted agents in his employment, Solomon's cause spread quite far. Many paranormal threats were removed and a home was established for Charlie, Alastor, and others. No they weren't the only paranormal children Solomon had taken into his care. Over time he took in two more.
The third child he gave shelter to was born from the spider demon clan and Solomon found him hiding in the sewers during his hunt for a giant cockroach. The boy had been abandoned in that sewer by his family because they blamed him for a tragic loss they suffered. Hearing this story how could Solomon not take him in? His name was Anthony but he preferred to be called Angel for that was a very special nickname given to him by the only member of his family who loved him til the end.
The fourth child was once apart of the moth demon clan, long time enemy of the spider demon clan and Solomon discovered her while visiting a local troll market where the starving girl attempted to steal his bagged lunch while he was distracted with his shopping. She had run away from home due to circumstances regarding her family. She never disclosed the reasons and Solomon never pressured her but he could tell she that had good reason to leave. Her name was Vagatha but like Angel and Charlie she preferred to be called by her nickname. Vaggie.
"So do you know what's for dinner tonight?" Charlie asked Alastor during the walk back home.
"Well Vaggie wanted enchiladas and Angel wanted lasagna, they got into a fight, and I ended picking tonight's menu because I didn't make a fuss."
"And because you probably used flattery on the cook again, didn't you?"
"Maybe." He grinned. "I simply said that the cook works so very hard to make such exquisite meals, A genius in culinary. Must you two pester him with your petty arguments?"
"Lucky that cook doesn't know you as well as I do. Let me guess, you requested that he make jambalaya?"
"Naturally. But I also requested that he those biscuits you love so much to go with the jambalaya."
"Really? Oh thank you Al. You're so sweet." She gave him a smile and batted her bright eyes at him which caused the boy to blush and look away.
"You're...You're welcome. Well we better hurry up! We can't be late!"
And off they went.