Alastor
- Vaggie... Hmm...What should I give to a lady who acts more like a man. Also she is tempered. – Alastor thinks. Buying a present to someone, especially whom you don't get on well with, is not easy. Alastor is wandering around town. The weather is cold and it is snowing quietly. This is the most peaceful time of the year in Hell too. All demons are running around to buy gifts to one another. Alastor passes a familiar shop.
- Rosie's shop? Well I don't think that Vaggie would like anything from here. – he thinks.
- Alastor? – a woman calls his name. Alastor turns around to face her.
- Oh, hello Rosie! How's the business going? – asks he.
- Good. – Rosie approaches him. It seems like she is a bit angry for some reason - You would know if you came around more often. – she scolds Alastor.
- You know, many corrupt people in the human world, many deals to make. – answers Alastor. Rosie crosses her arms in front of her.
- Uhumm sure. Why are you lying? – asks she.
- I don't know what you are talking about dear. – Alastor looks confused. What could she mean?
- Oh yes you do! – Rosie stamps - I see you around that Hotel all the time! – she says angrily.
- I help the Princess. You know that very well my dear. – answers Alastor looking Rosie in the eye.
- And that damned woman, Lucifer's sister. – says Rosie twittingly.
- I smell a bit of jealousy here. – says Alastor to himself - I'm sorry Rosie, but I have to go now. – and with that he opens a portal to the human word.
- No sir you stay right here! – Rosie stamps again yelling this time.
- Have a nice day dear! – Alastor waves to her and steps into the red portal.
- Alastor come back right here! – Rosie tries to catch his coat but she is too slow, the portal closes.
- That was close. – Alastor steps out of the portal in South Carolina - She has definitely lost her mind. – Rosie was always the jealous type even though nothing happened between Alastor and her. - I guess I can think here peacefully. – he is walking in the streets thinking - So what should I buy for Vaggie. Maybe something that she can use with the Princess? – he thinks as he passes a sex shop - No no no, that is Angel's style. –he passes some stores, but none has what he is looking for. Suddenly he stands in front of a gun store.
- Why haven't I thought of that? – he thinks - A weapon! Good afternoon! – Alastor enters the store.
- Hello dear si... Oh no, not you! – the shopkeeper stares at him, like he is seeing a ghost. Don't ask me, it's a long story.
- Don't worry pal – says Alastor - I'm not here for you.
- Are you? – asks the shopkeeper mistrustfully.
- Yes, I am certain about that. – Alastor steps closer to the counter - Or is there anything why you are afraid of me? – his smile widens.
- No, nothing. Of course not. – stammers the shopkeeper - You are always welcome in my shop! – he smiles back at Alastor.
- Great! – Alastor eases up.
- So how can I help you? – asks the shopkeeper carefully.
- There is a friend of mine who is obsessed with weapons. I want to buy her a gift! – Alastor takes a look around.
- The radiodemon... Giving gifts? – wonders the shopkeeper.
- Is there a problem with that? – asks Alastor.
- Of course not! – answers the shopkeeper like it is totally normal - What do you have in mind?
- Hmmmm I'm not exactly sure. That woman likes spears but I haven't seen any other weapon in her hands.
- Maybe she is interested in swords then. – the shopkeeper points toward a corner of the shop, which is full of special swords, all unique.
- That is too classy for her I guess. – says Alastor.
- What about this Beretta M486 shotgun? Take a look at this. – the shopkeeper picks up a gun from the counter and hands it to Alastor- The pipe length is 76 cm. Hand-made, with engraving. Look at this beautiful gold plated single selective trigger.
As Alastor touches the shotgun memories descend on him. He is standing in the middle of a forest all alone. It's snowing, everything is pure white and quiet. The only thing he can hear is his own heartbeat pounding in his chest like a drum. Danger is around him, the only thing he has is a Beretta shotgun. He looks down to his feet. His old brown boot is on him with that dark green pair of trousers he used to wear during the hunt. He touches his head. The deerstalker is on. Suddenly a distant howl can be heard. He quickly raises his shotgun, ready to shoot, but he doesn't know where to aim. He is short of breath. The forest is silent again. He hears a growl coming from a bush nearby. He aims at it, his finger is right on the trigger. He holds his breath and he is not blinking at all not to miss the target, which he can't see. A pair of fangs glint in the dark as a wolf slowly approaches him. Alastor's hand shakes for a second, but then he shoots. He hits the wolf's right leg, and the beast limps back into the dark.
Is it over? – he asks himself, but soon more howls give the answer. He is running deeper into the forest, all the trees look the same. Everything is black and white and the howls echo through the bushes. Where are they? They are nowhere and everywhere. Are they close? Some are 10 meters far, some lurk in the next bush. He reaches a fork in the road. Right or left? Is there even a good choice? Live or die? Or is it only death that awaits him? There is no time to think, he has to move quickly. He takes the left path. It gets darker and darker as he moves deeper and deeper. Rich vegetation is everywhere. Finally he reaches a small clear. It is indeed small. There is one single tree in the middle. He runs towards it and leans to it. The only certain thing in this hell of a forest. The growls are getting louder, and the wolves come out of their hideouts. The sharp fangs are blood thirsty. Alastor breathes heavily. The wolves circle around the tree. Alastor finally takes a deep breath. There is nowhere to run, this is the end of the road. He reloads his gun, and aims. I won't give up without a fight! – he shouts and he shoots. A wolf's head splashes as the bullet hits it. For a second all the wolves stay in one place, the silence is thick. Then a huge wolf, must be the alpha jumps at Alastor. He shoots once again, but this time, he misses. Red blood paints the pure white snow. He is watching the fangs entering his skin on his leg. He feels nothing, like it is just a dream. He drops his weapon. The alpha bites deeper and as Alastor is not moving at all, the other wolves join him. One bites his arm, another bites his hand. They are slowly tearing him up. Alastor is lying under the tree in the wolves embrace and the white forest turns into red.
- Huh! – Alastor buzzes his hand off the shotgun.
- Are you all right? – asks the shopkeeper.
- I…Of course I am! – answers Alastor – I've changed my mind. – he turns toward the corner with the sword – I take a sword instead.