Title Song: "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum
WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS BODY HORROR, CANNIBALISM, PTSD, AND PAST SEXUAL/PHYSICAL ABUSE!
And because those themes have become more intense, I've changed the rating to M.
Alastor teleported in front of Tina's bedroom door and pounded on it. "Tina? Tina, darling, are you alright in there?"
There was no answer. Lightning flashed and thunder crashed. He knocked harder.
"Come on, Tina, I know what thunder does to you! Open the door!"
He didn't care if the entire hotel woke up from either the storm or the ruckus he was making. He'd learned twenty years ago never to leave Tina alone during a thunderstorm. How the tables have turned since then.
The mighty roll of thunder woke Tina from her nightmare. She yelped as she sat up in bed. She panted, looking around. She was in the room Alastor had given her. In their mansion. In the bayou. In Hell.
She'd never thought she'd be so relieved to wake up in Hell.
Then Tina caught sight of her bed curtains. They were ripped to shreds. She looked down and saw that her sheets had long tears in them like claw marks. Her pillow was also destroyed. Feathers were everywhere.
Had she transformed while dreaming? That had never happened before, even during a nightmare.
The lightning and thunder came again. Tina gasped and threw her arms around herself. Then she cried out in pain. She slowly held her hands up. Her claws had come out.
At the next crash, her wings fanned out, its sharp edges slashing through the mattress.
"Shit," she muttered, getting out of bed before she could destroy anything else.
It was bad enough that thunderstorms brought back terrible memories. Now her body was reacting convulsively. But why now? She'd sat through Hell's thunderstorms before. Was it because of her training with Alastor?
CRASH!
When Tina next opened her eyes, her dressing table was flipped over, her mirror shattered. Claw marks were embedded into the wood. She stared down at her claws.
This was getting out of hand. Usually, during a thunderstorm, Tina would curl up, cover her ears and wait until it was all over. But if she kept spontaneously transforming, she might do something worse than tear up her bedroom.
She had to go find Alastor.
Wrapping a lavender shawl around her shoulders, Tina stepped out of the room and into the dark hallway. Lightning flashed and she shivered. She couldn't cover her ears as she needed her echolocation to find her way. So, she began singing the one song that could keep her calm in a storm like this:
"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…"
When the thunder came, her claws pierced through her shawl. At least she wasn't blacking out. She continued singing as she made her way to Alastor's room. She knocked on the door, but there was no answer.
"Al?" Tina opened the door a crack. "Alastor?"
Her sound waves detected the shape of a bed, but no body lying in it. The next lightning bolt confirmed it. Tina quickly shut the door.
"Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings," she sang quickly, pulling the shawl closer around her body. "These are a few of my favorite things."
Where could her husband be at this hour if not in bed? Then again, she had no idea what Alastor did at night, as they'd only been married for six months. Had he gone out on some late-night massacre? If that were the case, she'd be hearing about it on the radio. She was about to turn her ring three times, but then realized she'd left it on the nightstand.
Before Tina could take one step towards her bedroom, her sensitive ears picked up an agonizing wail. It was far away, but it was certainly loud at its source.
"Al?" Tina called. "Is that you?"
She kept one hand on the wall as she followed the scream. It didn't sound like Alastor. Of course, she'd never heard him scream. Tina hummed and looked around. The sound waves were bouncing off the walls, coming from one particular door at the end of the hall.
The door to the cellar. One of the two doors Alastor had expressly forbidden Tina from opening. The other led to his study, but she had a feeling he'd be more forgiving of her entering that one than the cellar. Serial killers and basements were never a good combination.
The cry came again. This time, she could make out words: "Stop, please!"
Definitely not Alastor's voice. But if someone was screaming in pain, no doubt the Radio Demon was nearby.
With a shaky hand, Tina knocked on the door. "Alastor? Alastor, you down there?"
If he was, he didn't seem to hear her. Her voice was weak compared to the noise of the storm and the screaming.
Tina looked down at the knob and reached for it. The lightning gave her pause.
What was she doing? She'd seen Beauty and the Beast, and how Belle had enraged the Beast after entering the forbidden West Wing. And the Radio Demon was not a being one wanted to piss off. If Tina were to break one of the few rules Alastor had given her, would she end up like Bluebeard's wife upon discovering a room full of dead bodies?
Then again, what exactly did Alastor have to hide? Tina already knew he was a murderer and cannibal. Would she really be surprised by a basement full of corpses?
CRASH!
The door was open. Tina didn't remember touching the knob. Before her was a wooden staircase going straight down. She gulped, supposing there was no turning back now.
Tina put a hand on the rail and crept down the steps. Maybe Alastor would hear her coming before she could see anything.
"Al?" Her voice was hoarse and trembling.
CRASH!
Tina found herself on the floor, her head and hips sore. She looked up the stairs. The rail was splintered halfway up. She must've crushed it and fallen down.
Seriously, how has Al not heard me yet?
There was another wail and Tina turned towards it. She immediately wished she hadn't.
Before her was an array of wooden shelves stocked with glass jars. Some of them held herbs and roots of some sort, labeled with names she was unfamiliar with. But the majority of them contained body parts. Hearts, intestines, lungs, brains, feet, hands, even full heads, all soaked in formaldehyde.
Tina covered her mouth to stop herself from vomiting. Of course, she'd expected something twisted and gruesome like this, but that hadn't made her any more prepared for it.
Another scream. It was coming from a steel door across the room. Right at the end of the aisle of preserved body parts.
Any sensible person would've hightailed it out of there. But Tina was more scared of the storm than the jarred organs. As disgusting as they were, it wasn't as if they would come alive and attack her. Besides, she had to find Alastor to help stop her from transforming.
Tina hummed softly to herself as she approached the steel door, doing her best to ignore her husband's macabre collection. What did he need to preserve all these body parts for, anyway? He was supposed to be a cannibal, not an organ harvester. Was he saving these for a rainy day? So to speak.
As she drew closer to the door, she heard a tearing of flesh, followed by another scream.
"Please, just kill me already!"
"What?" came Alastor's voice. "And end the fun too soon?"
Tina didn't like that sadistic tone. No doubt Alastor was torturing someone behind that door. This was her last chance to run. But the flashes and rumbles of the storm propelled her forward. Before she knew it, her hand was on the steel handle.
Tina closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and opened the door.
CRASH!
It wasn't just the storm this time. The door threw open. A pair of black hands with long, red claws grabbed Tina by the shoulders. She was forced to look up into a large pair of black, soulless eyes.
"What are you doing down here?!"
The voice was her husband's, but at the same time it wasn't. It was much deeper, like a wolf's growl. The usual radio static had gone from a volume of one to a hundred.
The arms that held her were long and wiry, like dangling tree branches. The creature above her was twice the height of Alastor, with antlers like jagged swords.
And his face. His face was the worst. It was as if someone had dislocated Alastor's jaw and stretched it, revealing a set of razor-sharp fangs held by gooey black gums, dripping with fresh blood. The inside of his mouth was so dark, she couldn't see his uvula. And the whole thing was big enough to swallow her whole.
So, this was what Alastor was like when he was truly pissed off.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"
His booming voice, accompanied by the thunder and static, echoed in her ears.
"I TOLD YOU NEVER TO COME HERE!" He gave her shoulders a hard shake. "SO WHY DID YOU DISOBEY ME?!"
CRASH!
In a flash, Tina no longer saw Alastor, but a white face looming over her. Its deadly blue eyes piercing into her soul. The hands were now more human, but equally strong. Her back was pressed against a desk.
"WELL?!" Alastor shook her again. "ANSWER ME!"
His lips were moving, but the ringing in Tina's ears overpowered his voice.
"HAVE YOU GONE DEAF?! I ASKED YOU A—"
"Don't," she managed to utter.
Alastor stilled, but did not lower his voice. "DON'T WHAT?"
"Hurt," Tina said, shutting her eyes, "me."
CRASH!
She yelped and opened her eyes, revealing them to be black. "Don't hurt me!"
She started shaking. Alastor loosened his grip, his claws retracting. Her own claws came out, her wings popping up. His eyes blinked back to normal.
She was transforming. Not to defend herself. He could see in that empty gaze of hers that her mind was somewhere else.
Another flash of lightning. Tina wrestled hysterically in Alastor's grasp.
"Don't hurt me! Don't hurt me!"
The static faded away and Alastor's form shrank. "I'm not going to—"
"Get off me!" She clawed at him. "I'm sorry! Don't hurt me!"
He released her and backed off. Tina gripped her head and shook it.
"Please don't hurt me," she muttered. "Please don't hurt me. Don't…hurt…"
Her eyes returned to normal, only to roll back as she crumpled to the floor. Alastor stared down at her, utterly bewildered.
What should he do now? Bluebeard had killed his wives after entering his forbidden closet. The Phantom of the Opera had taken Christine by the hair and locked her in her room for ripping off his mask. Tina had disobeyed a direct order from Alastor, so a punishment must be in order.
But he had no desire to kill her, as angry as he was. Why had she come down here anyway? Surely she must've heard the screams. Did she think he wouldn't catch her? What had been her plan?
The Radio Demon hadn't expected her to have a fit, much less faint. Tina was usually so bold and fearless. Then again, she'd never seen him in his demonic form before. Even her bravery had its limits.
The more Alastor looked at her vulnerable form, the more his anger melted away. No, he was not so cruel a husband as to harm his wife in a state like this. Especially in her nightwear. He blushed when he realized she wore no lingerie under her gown, but tried not to stare at that particular area. Besides, the gentleman in him wouldn't stand to leave an unconscious lady on the cold, hard floor.
Alastor turned back to the doorway, where his victim lay on an operating table. "Apologies for the interruption." He summoned his microphone. "But as you can see, an emergency has arisen. We'll have to continue this later."
His victim screamed as he was sucked back into the mic. Alastor snapped his fingers, putting away the mic and cleaning the blood off his clothing. Then he bent down and picked up his wife bridal-style. Her head fell onto his shoulder with a soft whimper. Her eyelids were fluttering. Was she dreaming? No doubt a nightmare after what she'd just experienced.
Alastor hadn't meant to frighten her. The past few minutes had led him to discover that he didn't quite like seeing that same fear he saw in everyone's faces in hers. One of the things that had drawn him to Tina was her fearlessness, a very rare trait he found in demons. He had hoped not to change it.
He watched her as he carried her up to her room. Her face was twisted with lines of distress. Her breathing was steady, though she squirmed as if uncomfortable. She felt so small and delicate in his arms. If he wanted to, he could crush her easily. He'd carried bodies before, some of them live, but never with such care.
When they came to Tina's room, Alastor was surprised to find it in shambles. He looked down at the bat and saw her claws were out again. Was this why she'd sought him out? Had she had a demonic episode of some sort?
He snapped his fingers, putting everything back together. Then he gently laid his wife on the bed. On her side, so as not to disturb her wings. He wondered if it hurt when she tossed and turned. She moaned and curled up into a ball as the thunder rolled outside. Without taking his gaze off her, Alastor pulled up an easy chair, sat down, and waited.
CRASH!
"Get off me!" Tina jolted up in bed.
"I'm not even touching you."
She looked over at Alastor. His eyes glowed in the darkness. Tina squeaked and pulled her sheets over her body. He couldn't help but chuckle at how ridiculously modest she was being. Even if she was underdressed, he would never try anything untoward.
"W-What are you doing in my room?" she stammered.
"You fainted." Alastor snapped his fingers to light a candle on her bedside table. "I had to be certain that all was well."
"Fainted?" She put a hand to her head. "I don't usually—"
"It happens to the best of us." He snapped his fingers again to summon a steaming teacup. "Here. Rosie tells me chamomile is ideal when calming one's nerves, though I don't care for it myself."
"Thanks."
Tina took the cup and sipped it. The storm had distanced itself, so the next round of thunder wasn't as loud, but it caused the cup to shake in her hands. Alastor remained silent until she finished the tea and set it on the bedside table.
"Feeling better?"
Tina nodded.
"Good. Now that you're awake and calm…"
The candle blew out. Static prickled Tina's ears as Alastor's glaring eyes glowed brighter.
"Perhaps you can explain to me," he said, his claws digging into the armrests of his seat, "what possessed you to enter the cellar after I specifically told you not to?"
The events leading up to Tina's passing out came rushing back to her. She looked down at her hands clutching the sheet. There was no talking her way out of this one.
"Are ya gonna punish me?"
The static quieted down and the candle relit. "Answer my question first."
He was clearly holding back. Tina was surprised he hadn't already punished her. Instead, he'd brought her to her room, given her soothing tea, and, by the looks of things, reassembled her destroyed furniture. Why was he acting so courteous after she'd broken one of his rules?
"You're right." She hung her head. "I shouldn't've gone down there. It was stupid. Ya've every right to punish me."
Alastor tilted his head. "You still haven't explained yourself."
Tina sighed. "What does it matter?"
He pressed his fingertips together. "I'd like to know why you were so adamant to risk suffering my wrath. I took you to be smarter than that."
So that was it. He wanted to hear her defense before passing judgment. Perhaps beg and plead for her life like whatever soul he had locked in the basement. But Tina wasn't going to grant him that pleasure. She would accept the consequences of her actions with her head held high.
"I was…lookin' for ya," she said simply. "I knocked, but ya didn't answer. I heard the…screams, so I knew I'd find ya down there."
Alastor's eyes were no longer glowing. "What was so important that you felt the need to disturb me at such a late hour?"
Tina bit her lip. "I—"
CRASH!
She screamed, changing into her demon form for but a second. Enough time to tear the sheet she was holding in two. Once her eyes were back to normal, she blinked down at her handiwork.
"I'm, uh…" She let go of the sheets. "I'm sorry, I…"
The thunder followed and Tina covered her ears. Her claws pierced her head, but she didn't dare move them. Alastor watched in bewilderment as she curled her knees up to her chest, rocked herself back and forth and sang in a murmur:
"Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels…"
Lightning flashed again and she whimpered. Alastor glanced out at the rain pattering against the windows, then back at her.
"Tina." He rose from the chair and sat on the edge of the bed. "Did you seek me out because you were frightened by the storm?"
She rested her head on her knees. "Told ya it was stupid."
"Not at all." He leaned back on his hands. "Had I known this would be an issue for you, I might not have left you to fend for yourself. Though might I inquire why your distress over the storm outweighed your natural survival instinct?"
At the next chorus of lightning and thunder, Tina's ears became furrier.
"Or should I say kicked them into overdrive?"
Her wings wrapped around her curled up body, forming a tiny leather ball.
"Come now, Tina, I'm not going to hurt you."
The wings parted slightly and she peered out at him. "Y-You're not?"
"Have I ever?" Alastor put a hand to his chest. "Other than what is permitted in our contract, of course."
"B-But I broke your rule. Aren't you mad?"
"I was," he said softly, "But I think scaring you into unconsciousness was punishment enough, don't you think? Now, come on out of there, darling." He carefully put his hands into the gap of her wings and parted them. "You have no reason to hide from me."
Although based on her behavior, he was starting to think she was more afraid of the storm than him. Nevertheless, Tina unfolded her wings, but continued to hold her knees to her chest.
"Remember Ethan?" she murmured.
Alastor gritted his teeth. "The man you killed after he took advantage of you?"
She nodded and jumped at the lightning. "When he…attacked me, it was durin' a storm like this."
She rubbed her sore head. "Even though I won that fight, I felt so…helpless in that moment. But at the same time, I…felt like I deserved it, cuz I'd let him and others do this to me so many damn times."
Tina covered her ears. "Every time that lightnin' strikes, I see his face. Every time I hear that thunder, I hear his skull crackin' under the paperweight. It's even worse now that I'm a bat! My ears are ringin' so much I can hardly hear anythin' or see where I'm goin' and—gah!"
When lightning struck again, her clawed hands nearly ripped her ears off. She pulled the claws away and stared at them.
"Has that happened before?" Alastor asked.
Tina shook her head. "It's like…my mind doesn't know where it is and my body reacts. Like it expects a fight, but…Ethan ain't here."
She hugged herself. "But…he is here. In Hell, I mean. I know he is. It's only a matter of time before he finds me."
She looked out the window, shivering. "He could…come in here at any time, and kill me in my sl—"
CRASH!
Tina's body lost control again, but not in an aggressive way. This time, she flung herself at Alastor, clinging to his shirt for stability. He flinched at her action, but allowed it.
When she realized what she had done, Tina was sure she was in for it now. But, once again, Alastor surprised her. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed her flush against his chest. She could no longer keep the tears from falling.
"Shh. It's alright, my pet," he whispered, stroking her head. "That awful beast can't hurt you anymore. Not while I'm here to protect you. Even if he gets past the traps and gators, I'll tear his limbs off and let him bleed out and watch while I rip out his heart and crush it like he crushed yours."
He paused a moment to imagine the glorious image. Then Tina's sobs snapped him out of it.
"Or is that too merciful?" he asked playfully.
That got a scoff of laughter out of her.
"There we go." Alastor settled his chin atop her head. "I like your laughter better than your tears, dear."
She sniffed. "I don't wanna be alone right now."
He held her tighter. "You won't be."
The storm was moving on, still within range. Tina whimpered as the thunder reached her ears, but did not violently transform. Alastor seemed to be enough to anchor her in the moment.
He'd only held her like this once before, shortly after her former agent had appeared in Hell. Another man who had taken advantage of her. It truly made Alastor sick. The only thing that prevented him from losing control was the delicate creature he currently guarded in his arms.
A sweet scent entered his nostrils. A blend of lavender and peaches. How had he never noticed this smell on her before? Alastor figured he must've, but had just not bothered with it.
Suddenly, Tina pulled away. "Sorry, I…didn't ask to hug ya, did I?"
"That's quite alright, dear." He gripped her arms to prevent her from departing entirely. "After all, I also held you without permission at least twice in the last hour."
"Yeah, but…" She looked down at his arms. "I know we said we'd never be…physically intimate, but…we still touch each other every now and then, don't we? I mean we're not…that is, this isn't…"
Tina sighed. "Is there a way we can modify that deal?"
"You tell me." Alastor shrugged. "It's your deal."
She tilted her head. "Whaddya mean?"
"You wrote the terms," he said, pointing, "and initiated the handshake. Therefore, you have the right to amend the terms, granted that I," he put his hand to his chest, "the party of the second part, agree to them."
"Oh. Okay." She scratched her head. "Well, I know we said we…wouldn't touch each other in private, but…I think it's okay. As long as it's somethin' we're both comfortable with and it doesn't hurt."
Alastor nodded. "So, normal, non-sensual, non-harmful touches are permitted?"
"Correct." Tina's eyes wandered. "What now?"
"Hold out your hand, and state the new terms." He wagged a finger. "And be specific, this time! The original deal allowed me plenty of leeway!"
She rolled her eyes and held out her hand. "Alastor, I give you permission to touch me in private, so long as it isn't anythin' sexual or harmful. In return, I will treat you with the same respect. But if one of us does somethin' the other doesn't like, the other is free to retaliate in whatever way they deem fit."
Alastor opened his mouth.
"But," she said, holding up a finger, "not anythin' more than what the offender did. For example, a touch for a touch, a slap for a slap. Not one punishment more. That detailed enough?"
Purple light emitted from Tina's hand. She gasped, looking down at it in surprise. Alastor's grin widened as he extended his own hand.
"Very thorough, my dear. Color me impressed."
His hand clasped with hers. Tina watched with her mouth agape as the purple light encircled both their wrists like a chain.
"Never seen it do that before," she muttered as the light faded away.
"Your handshake will become more powerful the more deals you make." He slid his hand out of her grasp. "So, now that the particulars are out of the way, am I permitted to do this?"
Alastor cupped her face in his hands, wiping her remaining tears away with his thumbs. Then he made a bold move of gently pressing his lips to her forehead. Not in a romantic way, but like a parent would show affection to a child. When Tina didn't object to this, Alastor assumed it was allowed.
"I take it you're not still angry then?" she asked meekly.
"At you?" He shook his head. "No, not anymore."
His eyes narrowed into a glowing scowl as he rested his hands on her shoulders. "I'm angry at that man for subjecting you to such helplessness. And to scar you for life. And to force you to associate something so traumatic with something so trivial. Tina, listen to me."
Alastor took her chin and tilted it upwards. "What he did to you was not your fault."
"But I let him—" Tina started to say.
"He manipulated you." Static surrounded his words. "He knew full well what he was doing, yet he did it anyway. But in the end, you took action and stopped him once and for all. You survived him, Tina. You should be proud of that."
She turned her face away. "Still hurts to think about it."
"I know, dear." He brought her head back to his chest and stroked her hair. "Believe me, I know."
For a moment, Alastor didn't sound like a radio. The voice that said those last two words sounded human, but also broken. Like he was trying to keep his emotions in check, but only half-succeeding.
Tina looked up at him. "Who hurt you?"
His arms tensed around her. It took a minute for him to answer.
"A man I once called Father," he said through his teeth. "Oh, but what he did to me was nothing compared to what he did to my mother."
Alastor tightened his hold on Tina, but not enough to harm her. She didn't press him for any further details.
"That is why," he whispered in her ear, "as cruel as I can be, ma chère, I will never disgrace you the way most men have." He sneered. "Men like that are animals, and deserve to be slaughtered as such."
"Is that why ya eat 'em?" Tina asked, not a trace of judgment in her voice.
"Hmm. I suppose it is. But do not worry, my pet." He kissed the top of her head. "I will not fail you like I did my mother. You are safe with me. Even if I acted so beastly towards you."
She shook her head. "I don't blame ya for gettin' mad."
"That's no excuse for frightening you." He sighed, threading his fingers through her hair. "You might think me a bit silly for this, but I never wanted you to see that side of me."
"Why? I mean keepin' pickled organs and a torture chamber in the basement is pretty messed up, but it's not like I didn't know ya were a murderin' psychopath."
"Even so, I would've liked to keep you in the dark about my…cellar projects a little longer." He paused in his stroking and rested his chin on her head. "I don't know if you've noticed, darling, but most other demons find me…intimidating. For good reason, of course. But every now and then I'd like to greet someone on the street and not have them run away or cower in fear.
"But you're different. The moment we met I could tell you were unafraid of me. And you knew full well who I was. I liked that about you. Being able to look into your eyes and not see an ounce of fear."
He winced in guilt. "Until tonight, that is. The way you looked at me in the cellar…I never wanted to see that."
Alastor flinched when he felt a warm, soft hand on his cheek.
"I'm not afraid of ya, Al," Tina muttered. "That form of yours was a lot to take in, sure. But…it was really more the thunder."
Her hand shook as it retracted from his face. "And…the way ya grabbed me. It made me think of…"
He took her hand and kissed the knuckles. "Forgive me, chère. I'm sorry. Truly, I am."
"And I'm sorry," she said, hanging her head, "for goin' into the basement. And ruinin' your…meetin'." She looked back up. "Hey, if you're here with me, does that mean he's still down there?"
"Oh, that sniveling worm can wait," Alastor said, taking her face again. "Right now, my lovely wife needs me."
"The storm's over, Al. Ya don't have to—"
"Ah-ah!" He put a finger to her lips. "I won't hear another word of it. I'm staying right here until you fall back asleep."
"What about you? Don't you need to sleep?"
"Bah!" He waved a hand. "I don't worry about silly little things like that."
Tina sighed. "That ain't healthy, Al."
"We're already dead, so I don't see the need." He brushed the hair out of her face. "But you're not like me, dear. I know rest is important to you. Let me see that you get all that you require."
She stared at him in wonder. In her experience, going against the wishes of a man she was involved with would lead to painful consequences. Of course, Tina's relationship with Alastor was nothing like the others, but she had been so sure he would be inclined to punish her. Yet her he was, reassuring her, vowing to shelter her through the night.
Her mother had told her that if Tina should ever find a man, it would be one who would care for her unconditionally, and never raise a hand towards her. Tina hadn't been so lucky in life. How ironic that she would finally find someone like that in Hell. Even if Alastor wasn't the romantic sort, he was the friend she needed now.
Tina closed her eyes and nuzzled her head into his chest. "You're a pretty good husband, ya know that?"
He chuckled as he patted her back. "It helps to have a pretty good wife."
Now, twenty years later, on another stormy night, Alastor was the one pounding on Tina's door, receiving no answer. He kept calling her name in desperation to be heard over the thunder. Tina's door did not open, but others on the floor did.
"What happening here?" Hildegard demanded.
"Any idea what time it is?" Proxy groaned, rubbing her eyes.
Carrie Canary poked her head out of the room across from Tina's, but didn't say anything. Alastor waved them all off.
"Back to your rooms, ladies! Nothing to see here!"
"Hey!" Hildegard stomped towards Alastor. "That is Miss Twinkle's room!"
The Radio Demon pushed the hefty hellhound's face back with his hand. "I really don't have time for this, you—"
A terrifying screech from inside Tina's room cut him off. He immediately went back to knocking.
"Tina, let me in this instant!"
"What's going on?" Niffty asked, skittering up to the small crowd. "Who's screaming?"
"It's Tina!" Alastor exclaimed. "She has a pathological fear of thunderstorms!" He tried the doorknob. "And she's locked her door!"
"That's r-right," Carrie stammered, still not coming fully out of her room. "Miss T-Twinkle always w-wants to be al-lone when it s-storms."
"You idiots!" He spun around. "Don't you know thunderstorms are when she wants to be alone the least?! Don't any of you care about her wellbeing?!"
There was a crash from Tina's room. The ladies all jumped.
"Course we do," Proxy said. "But she's batshit crazy right now."
"Exactly!" Alastor grabbed her shoulders. "She'll hurt herself if she doesn't calm down!"
The sound of glass breaking caused Hildegard to back up. "I not go in there. Miss Twinkle's orders."
Proxy pried Alastor's hands off her. "And we ain't suicidal. No offense, Carrie."
"None t-taken," Carrie said.
"Cowards." Alastor huffed, smoothing out his jacket. "Go hide in your little hidey-holes like mice. I'll handle this."
He went up to the door and put a glowing hand to the keyhole. The lock clicked within.
"Hey!" Hildegard raised a fist. "You no can unlock lady's door!"
Alastor closed his hand around the knob. "I just did."
"B-B-But Miss T-Twinkle—" Carrie stuttered.
The Radio Demon's head did a one-eighty as he growled at them, his eyes transforming into radio dials. Hildegard's ears fell flat against her skull with a puppy-dog whimper. Carrie ducked back into her room and shut the door.
Proxy held up her hands in surrender. "You do you, bro."
The racoon went to her room while Niffty gently pushed Hildegard away.
"Don't you worry," Niffty said. "Al will take good care of Mrs. Tina!"
Once the hallway was clear, Alastor turned back to the door and opened it. Screw rules of common courtesy, this was an emergency.
As expected, the room was a mess. The vanity was on the floor, the mirror in pieces. The bedsheets were torn apart. The wardrobe was in splinters.
Tina was fluttering about in a frenzied state. Lightning flashed and thunder rolled. The bat covered her ears with a screech.
Alastor shut the door. Her head jerked up at the new sound. Her black eyes were empty and lost. She screamed and swooped towards him. Alastor caught her by the shoulders. She thrashed about in his grasp, but he firmly held her.
"Tina," he said. "It's me, Al."
She clawed at his face. He dodged his head to the side.
"You're in your room. At the Hazbin Hotel. In Hell. You're not in New York. Ethan is not here."
At the mention of that name, Tina froze. Her black eyes focused on the man in front of her.
"You killed him. He can't hurt you anymore." Alastor pressed his forehead to hers. "I promised you, didn't I? That I'd always be here to protect you?"
A squeaky whimper came from Tina's throat. He felt her hands on his shoulders, the claws just grazing his skin. Then he began to sing the song his mother used to sing whenever he had a nightmare.
"Il était un petit navire,
Il était un petit navire,
Que n'avait ja-ja-jamais navigue,
Qui n'avait ja-ja-jamais navigue.
Ohé, ohé."
Alastor straightened up and gently cradled Tina's head to his chest. He stroked her hair and back as he continued to sing.
It was an old French nursery song about shipwrecked sailors who had gone without food for weeks. To settle their hunger, they drew straws amongst themselves to see which one of them would be eaten. The cabin boy drew the shortest straw, then while his shipmates debated over how to cook him, he prayed to the Virgin Mary that his life would be spared. Then a miracle happened. Fish leaped onto the boat and the boy wasn't eaten.
Only Alastor would pick a lullaby about cannibalism. Tina had made fun of him for that. He had to admit he'd always thought the ending was contrived, but he supposed his mother had chosen the song to inspire hope in his less than perfect childhood. Not to mention it sounded less sinister in French.
During the fourth chorus, Alastor felt Tina's form start to shrink in his arms. By the time the song was finished, she was weeping against his chest. She flinched at the next rumble of thunder and threw her arms around his neck.
"You shouldn't have to endure this alone, mon amour," Alastor whispered. "I told you. I'm right here, for whatever you might need me to be."
Tina sniffed. "So…tired…"
"I know, dear." He kissed the top of her head. "But the nightmare's over, and you can rest. You're safe now. With me."
His arms tightened around her. "Right where you belong."
The other songs used were "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music (obviously) and "Il était un petit navire," ("There Was a Tiny Ship") an old French children's song. My dad actually used to sing it to me at night, of course I didn't know what the words meant until much later. Since it's in French and references cannibalism, I thought it would be suitable for Alastor.