Once Alastor entered the bedroom, the very first thing he did was carefully look around to ensure that Vaggie could not see him, then for extra measure he snapped his fingers which caused the curtains to be pulled down by themselves. After that he closed his eyes and snapped his fingers again. There was a quick whoosh sound and the next time he opened his eyes, Charlie's clothes had been replaced by her nightgown.
He carried her over to the bed and carefully laid her on to the mattress, easing her head on to the pillow and gently covering her with the blanket. Through it all she did not stir once, and as soon as she was settled in, he turned out the lights and discreetly left the bedroom without making a sound.
"What do you think you're doing?"
He had just closed the bedroom door when he was ambushed by Vaggie.
"I beg your pardon?" Alastor said to her.
"What were you doing in Charlie's room?"
"The poor dear had fallen asleep in the library, I merely decided to be a gentleman and carry her to her quarters."
"She fell asleep?" Vaggie said in a skeptical tone.
"Why so surprised? It is very late you know and Charlotte has been working all day."
"Yes but I've never known Charlie to sleep real easy when a friend of hers could be in trouble."
"I'm afraid I do not follow."
"Are you aware that our friend Angel still hasn't come back?"
"Oh that. Well as a matter of fact I am aware of that which is why I have graciously instructed Husker to go out and search for him. Worry not Miss Gonzales, he will be found and brought back here in the same condition he was in when he left."
But Vaggie still wasn't convinced.
"I'm still going to call the police just to be on the safe side."
"Very well. Do as you wish."
Vaggie paid close attention to Alastor's body language, trying to find any sign of apprehension or panic from when she mentioned getting the police involved.
"So you're okay with me calling the cops?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't I be? If you truly fear that something terrible may have befallen your friend than you should alert the authorities. Better safe than sorry."
She studied his body language one last time. Still not one sign of fear. He was completely calm and collected. She then started toward the door to Charlie's room.
"Miss Gonzales, Charlotte is asleep at the moment. I insist you not disturb her." He said.
"I'm not going to wake her." She said. "I'm just going to make sure that she's alright."
"My, my, aren't you the paranoid one." He chuckled. "I give you my word that I wouldn't dare harm one golden hair on Charlotte's pretty head. But if giving her a quick check will ease your worries, be my guest. Just don't disturb her."
He turned his back to her.
"Goodnight Miss Gonzales."
And off he went down the hallway. Once he was out of sight, Vaggie carefully opened the bedroom door a crack and glanced over at Charlie. She was sleeping peacefully in bed, not harmed in the least.
Afterward Vaggie did try to call the police but her phone was unable to reach any signal.
"Must be that ghastly wind that's blowing so hard tonight." Rosie said taking note of Vaggie's situation. "It's already knocked over a telephone pole so none of our landlines are working either."
"Well isn't that convenient." Vaggie said.
"I think you mean inconvenient." She giggled.
"By the way, why didn't you go back for Angel? You said you would."
"I assumed that he would call when he was ready to come back. Though I am terribly sorry for making such a ridiculous assumption. But don't you worry dear, you'll have your beau back safe and sound."
"My beau?"
"Oh silly me! You probably don't understand South Slang. What I mean is your sweetheart, your boyfriend."
"Boyfriend!" Vaggie practically shrieked with a blood red face.
"Yes. I sensed that perhaps the two of you were sweet on each other but judging by your reaction, I was mistaken. My deepest apologies for having offended you."
"Damn right, you've offended me! As if I would have any attraction to that condescending, thoughtless, and unfaithful pervert!"
"Heavens you have a short temper." Rosie observed. "Best work on that."
Vaggie glared at her and was ready to speak again but Rosie was already half down the steps. Vaggie then decided her rant wasn't worth it and called it a night. However she remained on guard.
The morning sun as it slowly rose over the horizon was by far the most gorgeous sight she could have ever witnessed. It called to her. It called her to draw near the creek of the marsh, lift up her skirt, and dip her toes into the water.
She the closed her eyes and began to slowly inhale. She could hear the wind in the trees and the sweet songs of the starlings. She could smell the perfume of the magnolias, the lilies, and the lotuses. Opening her eyes again, she continued to behold the sun's beauty and the beauty of a heron hiding among the rushes.
"Father's most expensive paintings are nothing compared to this." She thought. "If only he would take the time to experience this place for himself."
She loved it here. It was so calm, so peaceful, and so full of natural beauty. Surely she would never find anything like this up North where her father was insisting she go to. He said it was because up North she would have much better opportunities due to the much grander universities that were being built and the large amount of successful and single business men she could meet. But she was no fool, she knew the real reason why he was trying to send her there.
"You shouldn't be out here my dear." She didn't need to turn around to see who it was that had spoken to her. She would know his golden voice anywhere.
"I've done no wrong." She replied, not tearing her eyes away from the sunrise. "You just happen to live where the most beautiful view is."
She heard the sound of water splash as he too placed his feet into the creek and slowly crept behind her. His arms slid over hers and he gently held her hands in his.
"No." He disagreed. "If I lived where the most beautiful view was, then I would be living in your father's house where I could see you every day."
She sighed happily and leaned against him.
"Why do you still come here?" He asked her. "You know I'm no good for you. Your father said so."
"My father is not God. He does not know all. He is not perfect and can make mistakes. And he has made a mistake in his view of you."
"It doesn't matter. Soon he'll put you on a train up North and that will be the last you'll see of me."
"If he really loved me then he wouldn't do this. I'll never be happy in those big cities. Away from the birds, and the trees and the flowers, and the rivers and marshes. This is my home. This is where I am most happy but still he wants to send me somewhere else just out of spite."
His arms moved to embrace her upper body.
"My belle." He sighed into her ear lovingly. "My most lovely belle, I would do anything to keep you here where your smile would never fade. How I wish that I had never spoken to your father of my true feelings. Then he would let you stay."
"No." She turned around to return his embrace and bury her face into his neck. "No there is no sin in speaking of our love. He cannot keep us apart. I'll find someway to remain here with you."
"How can you be so certain?" He slowly caressed the back of her hair.
"When my mother was on her deathbed, she spoke of how love is the only everlasting force on earth. She said if the love between two people is true then they cannot be separated forever. That somehow, someway, they'll come back to each other. So should my father succeed in his cruel plan to tear us apart, I shall simply come back to you the best way I can."
"And I shall look for you my darling." He vowed. "I'll search the ends of the earth if I have to and I swear that my heart shall have no other except you."
She started to lift her head from his shoulder, so she could look into his eyes. But…
That's when Charlie woke up. For a moment she was very disoriented and confused about where she was and what had happened previously. Her mind was so terribly foggy and she could barely recall anything after her last conversation with Vaggie.
"What was that?" She thought. "What did I see?"
But no answer came.