He didn't know what to think. She… let them go? It was Vanessa. The one who killed him and the whole kingdom. Did that not ring any bells to Hat Kid? At all? Sure the looking human part was a surprise, but this place was weird.
It was weird. And it did something to the kiddo, he just knew it.
She kept on saying how this wasn't him! That that wasn't her! That same stuff that… Vanessa was saying.
Rage filled his dead heart. Snatcher was sure Vanessa was somehow behind it. Get Hat Kid to like her, become human, and then she would do the same thing to him! Him!
Snatcher would never love Vanessa again.
But he signed a contract. A very clever contract that Hat Kid made. He was quite impressed with it. Especially considering the circumstances. Really, the kid could become a lawyer too if she wanted.
Rubbing his nonexistent chin, he idly wondered if he should give her his old law books as his fiery died down.
His purple spectral body twisted and turned in the air, moving closer to the sleeping form of the child.
His child.
His daughter.
She may not have known it at the time, but making that contract basically ensured that she was in his care. Snatcher was a father now.
Snatcher was a father now.
Realization hit him as he slowly sunk down to the ground. His whole body shrunk and he paid no mind how his body reacted to look more… human.
No, his mind was on more pressing matters.
He didn't know how to be a father, not really. Yes he had told Hat Kid he wanted to be one, to be her's, but saying and doing were two different things.
He could hurt her. Physically, emotionally, and she could hate him forever. He could be bad and she could punch, and scream, and cry, and would want to run away.
~~She could go back to her birth parents, and they could be so much better than he could ever dream to be. She could die under his care and leave to go to the world after this one.~~
He would have to find the proper things a growing girl would need. He needed a-a-a proper house with a proper bedroom, a proper kitchen, a proper bathroom, and all the proper rooms a house needs.
But he was just a college student. How would he be able to accomplish this?
Luke ran his hand through his hair. Oh this was hard. This was really hard. Yes his job was meant to help pay off his schooling, but what about Haley? He would have to pay for her own schooling, and any medical bills should she get sick.
Maybe he should ask Mike for help? They've only known each other for so long, but Mike became something like a brother to Luke. He could help him and the three of them could go out to fun places! Like-like a family! Mike could be the Uncle! Their first stop could be that amusement park both Haley and Mike were eyeing.
A small smile appeared on his face. Standing up, he walked over to his, and man was he going to love saying it a whole lot, daughter. She was sound asleep, but a frown quickly grabbed a hold of Luke.
It looked like she was having a nightmare. Her face was scrunched up, her body curled into a ball. It nearly broke his heart to see her like that. Quietly padding closer, Luke gently laid a hand on her head.
Ever so slowly did he let his thumb rub circles on her temple. Not long after he began to comb his fingers through her hair. He was nearly caught in some knots a few times yet managed to evade them before any could even think of pulling from Haley's head and tearing out.
It took a bit, but Haley's breathing began to even out. Her face smoothed until she looked every bit peaceful she should've been. A smile soon reappeared on Luke's face at the sight.
So peaceful. So wonderful. She was his daughter now.
In that sweet moment, Luke wanted to plant a kiss on her forehead. But he did not. Yes they were father and daughter now, but it was too new for them. Was Haley ready for familial affection yet?
Was he?
Reluctantly, Luke took his hand away. He turned to leave her alone when he realized something.
This was not his apartment.
Where… was he?
Rubbing his head he faintly thought that something like this happened before… and Haley was crying? Why?
Searching the room, he saw a piece of paper illuminated by moonlight on top of a dresser… complete with a broken mirror.
Curious, Luke crept close to the paper to see… a contract?
Looking it over he saw that it was in Haley's handwriting, albeit shaky… and its contents did not bode well to Luke.
A flash of gold made his head zip up, to see what that gold was.
And he saw Snatcher? No it was The Prince. But he looked like Snatcher? Wait no.
It… looked like him… but like a Snatcher costume… one where Snatcher was imitating The Prince… and yet the clothes looked like something he would wear. The hoodie and the T-shirt were plain that was for sure.
But something was… off about it… the way it would move with him… the way the gaping mouth clacked shut. It was… it was almost as if… it was him.
But that was impossible!
It was impossible… impossible… impossible for what? His hand went to his head and his many mirrored doubles did the same. Their clothes shifting, morphing as they did so.
How was that possible? Was that the impossible? Impossible… impossible… for his clothes to shift?
Of course his clothes could shift! If Snatcher could make himself look like Hat Kid then he sure could shift his clothes any time he wanted to!
Taking his hand away from his head, the ghost turned his head this way and that, taking a good long look at his reflection. Well, it was certainly unexpected, but not impossible. He didn't remember the last time he accidentally shifted to his human form.
At least the stupid crown was gone.
Taking another glance at Hat Kid's contract, he silently huffed.
Sure he wouldn't hurt Vanessa and her newest lackey, but that didn't mean she wouldn't send other people to them. After all, the abandoned cabin, house, whatever, in the woods was comprised. He'd have to find a new place to keep his kiddo safe from that witch.
Maybe with some magic, and a few souls to fuel him, Snatcher could make such a place.
As a temporary base of operations of course. He still had to find a way back to his forest.
Their forest.
Hat Kid lived with him now.
His signature wide, fanged, smile split on his face. Oh, when Hat Kid got back to normal, she would love staying in the forest. After all the brat, and he said this lovingly of course, saw it as her playground the moment she dropped down from her spaceship.
But maybe first he should stop looking like his old self.