The doorbell to the Cranel household rang on Halloween night.
"I'll get it!" Seth shouted, walking to the door with a bowl of candy.
He opened it and saw Alfia standing at the door dressed as a witch.
"Oh, Alfia, I didn't take you for the trick-or-treating type. You even dressed up as yourself," Seth joked.
"Shut up and let me inside."
Seth moved, and Alfia walked through the door. She looked around the kitchen and saw Halloween decorations stew all over. Seth closed the door and set the bowl of candy back on the counter.
"Now, where is he, cop boy?" Alfia asked.
"On the couch watching TV, you witch."
Seth and Alfia glared at each other before Alfia walked to the couch and saw a two-year-old Bell sitting on the sofa dressed as a pumpkin. He looked angry as he was pouting, but his attention was glued to his cartoons. It was Blues Clues, after all.
Alfia scooped him up into her arms and held him in her arms.
"There you are. Are you excited for Halloween munchkins?" Alfia asked.
Bell shook his head. "Nuh-uh. I hate pumpkin."
"Oh, but you look so adorable."
"Hmm, I hate this costume."
"Oh well, can you wear it for me, please?"
Bell crossed his arms. "Hmm, fine."
"Wha- you little. We had to hold him down to put that costume on," Seth complained.
"Seems like you don't have charm, cop boy."
"Had enough charm to marry your sister and give you your nephew."
"Touché"
"Halloween over yet? I want out of costume."
"Not yet, Bell. But don't worry, Auntie brought you candy." Bell's eyes widened in joy. "But only after you eat your dinner first."
Bell pouted again. "Fine"
Alfia kissed his forehead and kept him in her arms.
"That's my little man."
Meteria then came downstairs dressed as a bat. Seth was dressed as Frankenstein.
"Oh, you two look so adorable. I just have to get a picture," Meteria cooed.
Meteria held up her phone, and Alfia smiled while Bell pouted more. Once she took the picture, she squealed at how adorable Bell and Alfia looked.
"Oh, I have to get this framed and post it everywhere. Oh, I need to send this to your Grandma as well."
Meteria continued rambling and rambling on with Bell still pouting.
"Ok, Meteria, I think that's enough. You can gush over the boy later," Seth chuckled.
"Oh, ok. But Seth, can you take Bell for a second? I need to talk with my sister," Meteria asked.
"Sure, no problem. Come here, buddy. Let's watch some Blue's clues. You know this show was on back in my day."
"Cause you're old."
"Wha- I'm not old. I'm 22."
"That's old dada"
Seth took Bell from Alfia's arms, and the two continued to bicker as Meteria walked away with Alfia. Once they were out of earshot from the two, Meteria shut the door to her study.
"So, are you out?" Meteria asked, back pressed against the door.
"I'm out. No more jobs. I'm going straight."
"Good. You shouldn't have gotten involved with those people in the first place. But since you kept up your end of the deal, I'll let you see Bell whenever you want now. But if you go back into that life, I'll take that privilege away," Meteria warned.
"I won't sis. I'm done with that life. You and Bell are my main priorities now. If I have to give up my old life to keep in contact with you, then that's what I'll do."
Meteria hugged Alfia, and she returned the embrace.
"I'm just glad you've given up that life. I'd be heartbroken if Seth had to arrest you." Meteria pulled back, and Alfia let go.
"Well, you'll also be glad to know I've gotten a job at F.E.A.S.T."
"Oh, Alfia, that's amazing. I'm so glad you're turning your life around."
"I am. But it's kinda scary."
"Don't worry, I'll support you every step of the way. Now, let's get back out there. You can't leave the boys alone for too long. Seth might try and teach Bell how to use a gun."
"He's like two."
"Seth says you gotta teach them young. That's how his dad taught him before he died."
Meteria opened the door to her study and walked out, Alifa right behind her.
"Alright, Bell, so right here's the safety. The red dot means it's off and ready to fire. Now, right here is your mag, not clip. You have 17 bullets in each mag for this weapon. Since the mags are small, so you could hold a lot of them."
Seth currently had his Glock 17 out, showing Bell the inner workings of the gun. It was unloaded, of course, as Seth wasn't gonna have a gun accident if he was around.
"Really. I turn my back for a minute, and this happens," Meteria growled.
"Don't move, Bell. The women can't see you if you don't move."
Bell tilted his head in confusion before pointing at Seth.
"Dada in trouble"
"That's right, Bell, he is. Now, why don't I get you some dinner while Mommy yells at Daddy?" Alfia said, scooping Bell up again.
"Ok"
Alfia proceeded to take Bell into the kitchen while Meteria grilled Seth.
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Bell walked into F.E.A.S.T. And headed to the kitchen. When he arrived, he saw Alfia peeling potatoes.
"Hey, Alifa," Bell said, setting his backpack down.
Alfia smiled, continuing to cut potatoes. "Hey, kid, take a seat. I should be done in 30 minutes."
Bell sat on a stool across from Alfia and watched her work. They were currently in a massive kitchen located in the back of the common room. The second floor had a balcony overlooking the common room where the offices and storage rooms were located.
Multiple bunk beds aligned the common room with a TV and board games set up so people wouldn't get bored.
"So, how was school today?" Alfia asked.
"It was good. Welf, Lili, and I blew something up in chemistry today."
"Did you do it on purpose or accident?"
"Accident. Lili mixed in the wrong chemical. Would've suffered some nasty burns if I didn't yank her back when I did."
Alfia smiled. "Well, look at you, Mr hero. Soon, the girls will be all over you."
"I didn't do it for that. Lili's my friend, and even if she weren't, I would've helped."
"And that's why the girls will flock to you. Your kindness and care for others is second to none."
"Hey, Bell TV's messing up again. Can you come take a look at it?" Someone asked.
"Yeah, sure, be right there."
Bell hopped off his stool and walked into the common room. He went over to the TV and started tinkering with it.
"So I heard your dad just made police lieutenant. You happy for him?"
"Yeah, he's been a sergeant forever. I think I was like seven when he last got promoted. Now they say in three years he can take his captain's exam and run the precinct."
"Well, good for him. I remember when he and Peter used to volunteer here. Tell that old man to come down here and say hi to his friend Otto."
Bell chuckled. "I'll tell him. There, that should fix it."
The TV then started working like normal again, and everyone cheered. Bell walked back into the kitchen, and Alfia was smiling at him.
"Like I said, heart of gold. Now let me chop up these vegetables, and then we'll go for ice cream."
"But what about dinner?"
Alifa put her finger to her lips. "I won't tell if you won't," she smiled.
Bell smiled as well. "Secrets safe with me"
"So, any girls you got your eye on?" Alfia asked.
Bell nervously rubbed the back of his head. "Oh well, no, not really. I mean, I'm in middle school. I don't really see the need for relationships right now."
"Well, there's nothing wrong with that. You know your parents didn't start dating til their first year of high school."
"Yeah, they're high school sweethearts and all lovely dovey. Feels weird watching them like that."
Alfia giggled. "Oh, imagine how I was. This no-good hoodlum was after my dear sister."
"But you like my dad now, don't you?"
"Yes, I hate to say, but he's grown on me. He's like an annoying parasite that way. But he makes my sister happy, so that's good enough for me."
"So what about your love life, Alfia? Any man catch your eye yet?"
"Nope, not yet. Why is Zald not enough uncles for you?"
"No, I never said that. But you've been single since before I was born. Wait, you don't like girls, do you?"
"What? No, I don't."
"Ok, but you know nothing's wrong with that, right?"
"Yes, I know, but I don't like girls, Bell."
"Alright then, how come you don't have a boyfriend then?"
"No man has caught my eye. Besides, I'm busy here and looking after you."
"Oh well, you don't have to use me as an excuse. Besides, you're still young; go out there and find a man. I want a cousin."
Alfia just chuckled before washing her hands. "Alright, Bell, I'll go on a few dates and let you know how they go. But in return, you have to stop bugging me about it. Deal"
"I get to ask how the dates went."
"Fine"
Bell let out a cheer of victory while Alfia just shook her head. After turning the faucet off and drying her hands, she turned around and felt a chill go down her spine.
Bell was sitting on his stool with his back turned to the common room. Behind him, standing at the entrance of F.E.A.S.T., was a man wearing a black suit with a white dress shirt underneath. His finger was in the shape of a gun, and it was pointed at the back of Bell's head.
Alfia understood the message he was sending. But she had to put on a show and not let Bell know she was scared.
"Alright, sweetie, you wait here while I go and grab my purse. After that, we'll go and get some ice cream and then head back to your house for dinner."
"OK, Alfia, I'll wait here. Hurry back"
"Don't worry, Bell, I will."
Alfia walked to the exit of the kitchen but stopped and turned around.
"Bell, you know I love you, right?"
"Yeah, I do."
"And you know nothing will ever change that, right?"
"I do"
"Good. I just wanted you to know that no matter what, I'll always love you."
"Alfia, you're being weird"
Alfia let out a sad giggle, but Bell didn't pick up on the sadness. "What I can't tell you I love you."
"I never said that, but you normally don't do it like this."
"You're right. Well, you wait here, and I'll be right back."
Alfia then left the kitchen and walked out the back door. She was fighting back tears as she imagined the utter heartbreak Bell was about to experience.
She arrived back at her apartment and, grabbed her bug-out bag, and sent a text to someone to clean her apartment out. She texted another number, telling them where to pick her up.
Ten minutes later, a limo was outside her apartment, as well as a moving truck. Alfia entered the limo, and it drove off as her apartment was being cleared.
"So I take it you're getting back in the game, Prowler," Ottar asked, sitting across from her.
"I am, but I have one demand."
"Name it, and I shall grant it."
"My sister and her family are off limits. You will provide protection for them against the Juggernauts and anyone that wants to harm them with my return."
Ottar smiled and nodded. "That can be arranged. Welcome back to the game. Prowler"
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Bell stood atop a roof on one of Orario's many skyscrapers. Night had fallen, and he had school tomorrow, but he couldn't sleep.
Peter was now letting him do solo patrols after surviving his fights against Alfia and Ottar at the same time.
Peter said if he survived against those two, then he was ready to be on his own.
Bell felt the night breeze brush against his suit as he looked out at the city. His father was still in a coma, and his mother had been acting strange lately.
She wasn't cold nor distant. But she was more worried about him. He felt like she'd put him on lockdown if he stubbed his toe.
He let out a sigh. The weight of the world felt like it was on his shoulders. So many things were happening he barely had time to process them before something else came along.
"I wonder if everything will go back to normal soon," Bell thought.
Before he could think of anything else, his spider-sense altered him of danger. Bell dodged out of the way and avoided a knife being impaled through his skull.
He looked to where it came from and heard a raspy chuckle.
"Heh heh heh, fast reflexes boy. But that's what makes the hunt so fun," A catman laughed.
He was medium height with black hair and eyes. His tail and ears were both black as well. He wore a black short-sleeved shirt with showed toned arms. He wore black shorts as well, which had multiple knives attached to them. On his right arm was a grappling hook, and there was nothing on his left.
"Who are you?" Bell asked, ready to fight.
The catman smirked and threw another knife.
"The Hunter"
Well, Bell's about to have another fight and with so much emotional turmoil. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed our little journey to the past. It kind of gives Alfia some backstory, oh and Ottar broke his end of the deal; it seems
Anyway later.