They were singing.
Charlie was happy and relieved that the extermination was finally over, that their ambitions and (sort of) life could continue together. Her father, Lucifer, helped to rebuild her hotel (and her dream). Husk, Angel, Cherri, Niffty, all pitching in, in their own way, to work towards an uncertain but bright future. Vaggie, her wonderful girlfriend, always at her side, and always supportive.
Sir Pentious was gone but he would never be forgotten, his sacrifice as meaningful as the progress he had made in his friendships with the others. To Charlie, his loss would only fuel her fire towards redeeming others. As would the loss of Dazzle.
And last but not least… there was Alastor. A curious figure in her mind. Someone she willingly accepted, desperate and grateful for the help he provided, even if it was in jest. It was no matter if he didn't truly believe in the possibility of her dream, he was still a part of this hotel and his disappearance as well was in a way, devastating.
Though Charlie felt in her heart of hearts that he couldn't be gone. He was the Radio Demon, a figure of legend and horror. Someone she always thought was invincible, scarily powerful beyond understanding, and just could not be defeated.
So when he didn't return, and Adam had triumphantly faced them in the end, Charlie still feared the worst. That Alastor was banished to eternal oblivion and that none of them would ever see him again.
Would it be a loss for Hell? Probably not. He did terrorize and destroy others more than he inspired and lifted up. And he could be kind of an asshole, getting under everyones' skin for his own amusement. He was pompous, condescending, sarcastic…
Husk and her father, especially, did not feel his profound loss the way Charlie did. In fact, they seemed relieved, overjoyed perhaps. Husk would tug at his neck, feeling for something that he could not see, and have a look of utter consternation. He told her once, as they were rebuilding: "I can still sense the bastard, and knowing my luck, he'll be back better than ever."
Even Vaggie merely shrugged, comforting Charlie as she mourned their two friends. Tears streamed down her cheeks in one of her more emotional hours, wailing over Sir Pentious and his gallant display of bravery and sacrifice.
But when she spoke of Alastor, she found she had little she could say when Vaggie was around. She felt like she couldn't express herself concerning the Radio Demon and was wary of what Vaggie might think had she heard her.
In the privacy of her thoughts she missed his candor, his old-timey wit, his cooking, him singing and dancing along with her. They were incredibly different in several significant ways, but at the same time she felt comfort in his staunch presence. Like a brick wall she could lean on for her troubles. He had a power that she felt herself lacking, and he gave her that strength by proxy.
But now he was gone and she felt herself floundering again.
Wiping away more quiet tears, Charlie exited her newly built room, and put an extra bright smile on her face. She joined Vaggie and the others, bringing them close in her arms, and belted out a larger than life song. As someone might say, 'the show must go on!' and she felt it in doses.
She did her best to be positive. There was so much good happening! The hotel was nearly ready to reopen, her joy was returning to baseline, and there was an exciting future ahead. Still, tears pricked at the corners of her eyes and her grin faltered, once more remembering her failures, her loss… But she shook it all away by force, knowing she had to be strong for the others, if not strong for those who–
"-Doing it with a smile~!'
Like an apparition, Alastor appeared in his customary black haze. Grinning his typical toothy smile, he joined in, mid-song, always one for theatrics.
Charlie could do nothing but react on instinct and flung her arms around the Radio Demon, despite his dislike of being touched. That was too bad for him, as her happiness at his return sprung out of her like new music, the previous song already forgotten.
"Alastor!" She called, eyes bleary with tears.
"My, aren't you happy to see me, my charming demon belle! I wasn't expecting such a reception…" he mused, looking over at the several grumpy faces, some relieved faces, and others amused. The only one particulary beaming at him was Charlie. Turning his red gaze back to her, his grin sharpened.
"We were so worried about you, you've been gone FOR-EV-ER!" Charlie said, her arms still wrapped around Alastor's wiry frame. His smile only faltered marginally as she tightened her hold.
"Speak for yourself," Husk mumbled, already pawing at his throat in disappointment.
Lucifer just glared, eyes erupting in flame watching his dear daughter absolutely clinging to the demon.
"So you show up right as the work is all done, huh?" Angel said, but with a grin, "'bout time too, girly here wouldn't stop cryin' about you!"
Charlie ignored him or just wasn't listening, her eyes shut tight, but the Radio Demon reacted with curiosity at the comment. He peered down at the woman still attached to him and raised an eyebrow. There were remnants of tear tracks down her red cheeks.
Both Vaggie and Lucifer attempted to pry Charlie's claws off of Alastor. "Okay, hon, let the guy breathe…"
"Or better yet, stop breathing," grunted Lucifer.
Alastor brushed a claw over the princess's yellow locks in acknowledgement as she slowly released her hold. Lucifer nearly had a conniption at the sight.
"Where were you? What happened? Are you okay?" She launched into a series of tumbling questions, "You missed SO much, we have a new hotel now, and a new layout and–"
"You missed me stabbing the bad boy!" said Niffty, crawling up and across Alastor's shoulders.
Alastor let out a sensible but strained chuckle, static ringing in all their ears. "All in good time, dears. Now then," he stepped forward from the group, "which way is my new room?"
"Oh brother, can you believe this guy?" Lucifer nudged Husk who only rolled his eyes.
"Of course!" said Charlie, "we weren't exactly sure when, or even if you'd be back but your room is in the exact place it was before, let me show–"
"That won't be necessary, darling." He then vanished in a swirl of black.
"-you." Charlie finished, staring at the spot that he just occupied. She fought to maintain her smile. Alastor was back and that's all that mattered… even though he disappeared on her mere seconds later.
Vaggie began to rub calming circles on her back.
"You'd think almost dying would somehow make him less of a prick," said Husk. He stumbled back over towards his brand new bar. "I need a drink…"
"Did he seem okay to you?" asked Charlie, new concern blossoming over her face. "He didn't seem as…" she made exploding motions with her hands.
"Seemed like a piece of shit to me," said her father.
"Don't worry about him, Charlie," began Vaggie, leading her girlfriend by the elbow, "He's tough but he's got his own demons… no pun intended."
The group followed Husk and he began pouring drinks for the lot of them.
"We all took a beatin'. I'm sure losing to that Adam dick beat him up real good right here," Angel pointed at his chest, "in his soul." He laughed, swinging his legs up on a stool, "and I don't mean that literally!"
"His hold on me all but vanished at one point. I wouldn't be surprised if he was pushed to his damn limit," Husk said between sips of booze.
Charlie looked up at the new staircase, as if she could see the Radio Demon through the walls. For a moment, seeing him back was a surprise, but not because he was alive, but because he even came back to them at all.
The Princess of Hell wanted to do her best to impress him, to prove to him that this endeavor was worth it. To show him that souls CAN be redeemed and to make him never want to leave again!
Charlie shook her head of the thought, reminding herself that he can leave whenever he wants to… but still!
She downed her drink in a single gulp and with a fiery blaze of her eyes she stood and addressed her company.
"All right folks! We have another long, but fun, day of fixing up the hotel tomorrow and then we'll be having a brand new grand opening! Isn't that suuuuper exciting?!" She flashed a fanged grin and two thumbs up. "Now that the Extermination clock doesn't seem to be counting down, there might be some new changes around Hell, and I want to be ready for when the next batch of sinners are looking forward towards redemption!" She pointed at the sky. Heavensward, as it were.
She was met with tired nods and light applause. They finished their drinks and began parting ways. Lucifer took his leave back to his palace with promises to return.
After everyone left, Vaggie joined her, suddenly speaking in a serious tone. "I know you're excited, but I don't know what's coming." She led Charlie to the staircase and they sat for a moment. "Heaven and the other Exorcist angels can't be happy about what happened at the hotel. I just want you to be prepared in case…"
"In case what, Vaggie?"
"...In case the hotel can't operate the same way it used to. We have a target on our backs now. And with Adam dead…"
"What do you mean, 'used to'? We barely got it off the ground to begin with! And with Sir Pentious gone," Charlie's voice wavered, "and Alastor barely back, we took one step forward, two steps back!"
"Hon…"
"No! We rebuilt this hotel with a purpose and I will be damned if we don't do everything we can to continue moving forward. I have to keep moving forward. Because the second I stop and think for even a minute, I start to…" Charlie looked down in shame, eyes downcast, "I start to lose hope."
Vaggie sighed, placing a delicate hand on her shoulder. "I just don't want you to be disappointed."
"My disappointment can't matter, Vaggie. What matters is that we keep trying. Obviously we got to them a little. And the Extermination seems to be on hold. That has to be good, right?"
The former angel shook her head in response. "I don't know. It's only been a few weeks with no sign or news from anyone. Who knows what they're plotting up there. All I know is it can't be good."
The blonde half-angel stood, lifting her companion. Her ruby eyes re-lit with renewed vigor. "Heaven can come for us again and again and I will be ready to fight them every time."
Vaggie smiled, filled with an enormous pride. "I know, and I'll be right by your side when that happens."
The pair hugged and said their goodnights, Charlie saying she was going to check on some things around the hotel before going to bed…
But what she was really doing was sneaking up to Alastor's room, positive that he had found it and settled in with little issue. She wanted to check on him, sensing somewhat that he lacked a little of his usual flair. Others might assume he was just being a self-centered prick, but Charlie knew better…
…
She cleared her throat and knocked at his door. The shine of the wood already glowing with his signature magic.
"I'm in no mood for company, dear," came a call from inside, he immediately knew it was her. The voice was Alastor's but it seemed subdued, somber even. Nothing like his usual lilt.
"Hi Al, sorry to bother you, I just wanted to see how you were doing!" Charlie wrung her hands, somewhat embarrassed about the whole ordeal. She was hoping he'd just open the door so they could speak face to face, but his distant voice wasn't promising.
"I'm doing positively swell. Return on the morrow and we can discuss everything you'd like–" His voice broke off, as if suddenly silenced.
"Alastor?" Charlie asked, pressing her ear to the door. "Are you okay?"
"Peachy! But I'd feel even better if you'd leave me be for now," his voice grated sharply.
Charlie's head fell, this conversation not going as she hoped, disappointment gnawing at her insides. What was she expecting? She wasn't sure, but it definitely wasn't this, talking to him through a chunk of wood.
"Okay…" she began to turn away, "but just know we're so happy to have you back! We couldn't do any of this without you and it just wouldn't be the same either way and…" she hesitated, "I missed you," she finished lamely.
No reply came and Charlie was right about to start moping when the door creaked open just a hair.
A blood-red eye shone through the crack, and the peek of a grin. It looked like Alastor but it was barely standing, the figure pressing its face against the door trim, like it needed the help to keep upright.
"Goodn-ght, Ch-rlie," it spoke, the static at an all time high, like a radio without a signal.
The demoness froze. There came a smell, wafting from the room as well. It smelled of rot and putrid meat. It smelled sickly. A chill entered her bloodstream.
This wasn't Alastor at all.
She immediately pushed forward, ramming her shoulder into Alastor's bedroom door, swinging it off its hinges. Her eyes pulsed gold, looking around the room for the figure, but it had evaporated in a puff of blackened mist.
Her eyes swiveled around the room, landing on a figure in Alastor's bed. It was him, this time. His signature smile was present but forced, his hands twisted in pain at his chest. He glared at her, dials shifting instead of his pupils, and an ominous black cloud floated around him, radiating fear, anger, and hate.
"I Thought I Told You To LEAVE!" he screamed, and the unholy figure from earlier re-manifested. It was a shadow, trying its best to mimic its host, flesh and all. Charlie shrieked in terror at its visage. Blood dripped from its eyes and mouth, skin sagged at the joints and the clothes layered unnaturally on the crooked bones of its skeleton.
The shadow came towards her, a bloody appendage that resembled his arm pointing in her direction. It marched, lurching along, dripping ooze and all manner of viscera and guts. Charlie has seen her share of horror in all her life, being born in Helll, but she'd never seen something like this. So brutal in its configuration, so painful looking. Filled with suffering.
His disgusting doppelganger propelled itself towards her, wrapping a wet limb of flesh around her throat and squeezing. She was paralyzed, unable to move as the noose tightened. It pressed on her windpipe and her vision teetered on the edge of consciousness. She was looking right into its bright, glowing, unseeing eyes. It smiled.
The Alastor on the bed began to shout unintelligibly, his mouth a sewed up version of itself, spraying green mist and bile. He yelled in an unseen agony, like he was being torn apart, like his soul was being ripped to shreds. Suddenly he rolled his red eyes back, and his chest burst open in a bright stream of yellow light. His back arched and he screamed until the light enveloped his entire body and he disappeared in a flash of brilliant white.
His shadow mimic disintegrated in a pile of mush, and all was silent.
…
"Alastor!" Charlie awoke in tears, shaking. Her limbs were stiff and tight, like she'd been tensing all night, and a cold sweat enveloped her entire body. She looked around at herself, in her bed, the light of outside streaming in through the window, and she realized where she was. She sobbed quietly and hugged her knees.
'A nightmare,' she thought with relief. But relief didn't come. She could still feel the cold chill, the fear, the smell of death. The vision of Alastor screaming at her in the most unholy way possible burned itself in her thoughts and she began to shake again. 'It's not real,' she told herself.
"Hey, what's the matter?" Vaggie entered. "I heard a shout."
Charlie's leaking eyes gave it all away and Vaggie immediately went to her.
"I had a dream," she started, "Alastor…" But not knowing how to describe what she saw, she stopped herself.
"Alastor?" Her gray companion questioned, "you dreamt about him?"
Charlie only nodded, words escaping her for the moment, an unusual sight for Vaggie to see
"Well, it was just a dream, babe, you'll forget about it in no time!" Vaggie attempted to be cheerful, covering for her girlfriend's lack thereof, but not succeeding. "We've got a big day today. We're starting plans on the grand opening ceremony, remember?"
The princess nodded again, and hugged her knees closer. Images continued to flash in her mind, not seeming like they were going away anytime soon. But she reassured Vaggie with a forced smile.
"Yes," she croaked out, throat dry, "just a dream…"
…..
Dressed in her hotel uniform, hands folded in front of herself, Charlie stood at attention. Uncharacteristically quiet, she watched her fellow hotel patrons exchange morning pleasantries as they slowly gathered in the lobby and got breakfast. She felt strange after the events of last night. She didn't even remember going to bed. Did she actually ever knock on Alastor's bedroom door?
Speaking of the devil, the deer demon himself appeared in a swirl of pitch. His ever-present smile adorned his face, looking no worse for wear.
She side-eyed him, worried at any moment he would double over into blackened muck or split at the sides into a screaming maw.
But by any rights, he looked normal. As normal as he always did, and Charlie began to suspect she had imagined anything weird about him at all yesterday.
Noticing her staring, Alastor turned and leaned over, grinning a wide curly smile. "See something you like, dearest?"
Charlie leapt out of her skin at the acknowledgement, his voice sounding nothing like the horrifying screeching of last night, but still hearing it in the back of her mind.
She rubbed her head, trying to rid herself of the imagery, but she couldn't stop the fear that tingled through her limbs. She shook, involuntarily, and forced a smile.
"Nothing at all!" she burst out, not realizing what he had said.
His smile twisted in amusement and he reached out with a clawed hand, as if to touch her.
The image of the mangled body re-emerged in Charlie's vision and she sprung back from his hand.
The red demon's eyes widened, and then narrowed as he finally looked closer. "You're trembling," he stated in as serious a tone as his radio voice allowed.
She chuckled nervously, eyeing the room, looking for an excuse for her strange reaction but finding none, she merely took another step back. "Ooh, you know how it is," she said, awkward.
"I do not. Enlighten me, dear. What has you in such a state?" Alastor asked, curiosity piqued.
Charlie has never been scared of him before, even at his more demonic moments. And she found that she couldn't justify it now. She's seen worse, much worse! Why couldn't she stop the fear that wracked her to her very core?
She swallowed, "there must be a draft in here somewhere!" She couldn't explain it. How do you tell someone that you're scared of them because of a dream?
Alastor merely harrumphed. "Ah yes, the cool winds of this hotel are quite fierce." He leaned again towards her eye-contact-avoiding face, twisting his neck in all manners to try and catch her line of sight, "I'll get an answer from you yet," he promised.
The blonde demoness wouldn't lock eyes with him, refusing to make the vision real. It had all felt so real, looked real, smelled real. She still wasn't sure.
"Alastor," she began, a quaver to her voice, "did I knock on your door last night?"
"Making late-night calls, Char? Don't tell Vagina!" Angel Dust interrupted before Alastor could reply. He sauntered past the pair and plopped himself on the lobby couch, plate of food in hand.
The deer demon rolled his eyes but replied to the now blustering Charlie, "I don't recall being blessed with your company last night."
Charlie's cheeks reddened further, not prepared for the insinuations of her peers. "I thought I went to check on you, but…" she trailed off, not sure if she should tell him, or if it even mattered. "Nevermind," she finished, waving her hands as if to wash it all away.
But Alastor wouldn't let her off the hook so easily, as he was wont to do.
"Well don't stop there, dear! I'm just getting interested. But what?"
"But nothing," she grimaced, "forget it!"
"Aww dollface, now I want to know too, did you visit freaky-face's room?" chimed in Angel, leaning his head back over the armrest. "What happened next?"
He was getting too excited, for all the wrong reasons. Charlie was embarrassed enough as it is but now she was starting to get pissed. It was not a fun story, and she didn't want to tell it! They continued to goad her until she finally burst.
"There's nothing to tell! I had a dream and that's it!" Her cheeks were aflame and she huffed out a cloud of angry smoke.
"You dreamt of me?" Alastor crooned.
"A dream about Smiley here? I guess anything can happen in a dream." Angel was caught between being amused and being concerned. He briefly imagined what a dream like that could entail and recoiled in horror. "More like a nightmare, eh toots?" He laughed. "Now I gotta know what happened."
Charlie rolled her eyes in annoyance, rubbing her heated face to calm its burning.
The red demon leaned towards her again, a smile splitting his face. He enjoyed tormenting the Princess of Hell far too much. "Did I bite?" He asked in a deadly whisper.
"No, but I was choked," Charlie replied, far too seriously.
Angel spit out his food. "Nothing like a wet dream to keep the night interesting, huh? Sometimes it's better than the real thing!"
Alastor mumbled something that sounded like 'cretin' and returned his attention back to Charlie.
But she was already clear across the lobby, opting for no further embarrassment.
He teleported directly in front of her and she squeaked in surprise, nearly falling back on her butt. "Had enough?" He asked.
"Enough of both of you!" she retorted, not even sparing him a glance, afraid she'll see the melting vision of her dream.
But not being one to acknowledge personal space, Alastor craned his neck and moved until she was forced to look at him.
And as she feared, she saw it. The piercing glare, the scream of agony, the wretched bile-filled spectre of her nightmare.
She shrunk back in terror and this time she really did fall, scooting away from him until her back hit the lobby wall. Her eyes widened and her hands shook uncontrollably. She was no longer seeing Alastor in front of her, but a blackened enigma, a figure of pure rage and evil.
The red demon's smile immediately lessened. He's never garnered such a response from anyone in this hotel, let alone Charlie, the perpetually positive princess.
In confusion, he reached towards her, as any and all humor drained from his voice. "What's the matter, darling–?"
Charlie cowered further. "Stay away!" she yelled through tears.
This caught the attention of the rest of the hotel, hearing pure distress in her voice.
"Hey! What the hell are you doin' to Char!" called Angel. He raced over to them but was beaten by Vaggie, brandishing her weapon.
"Back the fuck up, you creep," she said, voice laced with venom. "What did you do?"
Alastor stepped back, unsure of himself for once. "I actually didn't do anything… this time!" He defended. "We were just talking about Charlie dear's dream."
"What's all the fuss?" asked Husk. He spotted Charlie shivering in the corner and bent to look at her. "Boy, I've seen this look. What'd that grimy bastard do this time?"
"I assure you, nothing happened," Alastor sneered.
Vaggie pressed her spear point further, nearly poking the deer demon's chest. "First Charlie wakes up from a nightmare about you and now this? What're you doing to her, you bag of crap?"
He did not take kindly to this and his eyes narrowed. "I would lower your weapon if I were you, dear." His voice grainy with static.
Vaggie felt a tug at her skirt and whirled around to see Charlie coming-to. She wouldn't make eye-contact with him but she pointed at the stunned Radio Demon. "He's r-right, you guys, Alastor didn't do anything. It's just me," she exhaled, trying to compose herself.
"Are you sure? He's not making you say that, is he?" questioned the former soldier.
"I've always admired your faith in me, Vagatha," sighed Alastor.
The girl in question glared at him before turning back to Charlie. She dropped her weapon and helped the princess to her feet.
"He did nothing wrong! I just thought I saw something that wasn't there and it scared me. Please don't give him a hard time, we just got him back!" Charlie pleaded.
"What you said isn't any less scary," said Husk. "Something that wasn't there? Sounds like some shadow bullshit," he indicated Alastor.
"It's not like that–" she began, trying to calm the energy in the room.
"You said she had a nightmare," Alastor addressed Vaggie, "what, pray-tell, did she see in this nightmare?"
"She didn't tell me, but all I know is that you were starring in it and now look at her!"
"She said she got choked," Angel interjected which prompted the others to glare at him. "What? That's what she said!"
"Vaggie, seriously!" Charlie gripped her girlfriend's hands, trying to grab her attention away from scowling at the red demon. "You are reaaaally blowing things out of proportion here. I'm not some quivering child–"
"Well you were a minute ago!" Vaggie retorted.
"And now, I'm not," Charlie smiled, almost fully returning to her usual chipper self. "Like nothing happened!"
"Why won't you look at him then?" challenged Vaggie. The group looked at the blonde then, expectantly.
Charlie's eyes shifted, and she laughed like a deranged person. "I'm not avoiding looking at Alastor." She glanced at his shoes. "See?"
"That doesn't count," said Vaggie.
"But I am looking at him!"
"Look him in the eyes!"
The couple began to bicker back and forth until Alastor interrupted them with a screech of feedback.
"If the poor dear can't bear the sight of me, we can't fault her for that. Leave her alone and I shall do the same."
"Is that a deal?" mocked Husker.
"Careful chum," he warned. With that, Alastor turned on his feet and vanished in his trademark shade.
"Al!" called Charlie, with real concern in her voice. "What did you guys do that for?"
"He'll live," said Vaggie.
…
The Radio Demon reappeared in his room, no longer enjoying the little game they were playing.
Questions circled in his mind. Too many with not enough answers. He would have to get them out of the princess sometime. And furthermore, he had just recovered from his near miss with death. It would not do to be turned out already.
He huffed, exasperated, feeling put-off by the whole situation. He usually reveled in being feared but not like that, and not from her.
And the way she looked… petrified beyond understanding. Like glimpsing a horror without explanation. Inconceivable, and utterly without reason.
His shadow suddenly manifested before him, a frown marring its gray-blue features. It ran its smokey tendrils over Alastor's chest, poking him until he understood its meaning.
The Radio Demon stripped off his coat, folding it over a chair. He then unbuttoned his undershirt, with more slow and deliberate movements than he would ever usually bother with. This wasn't just a snap-of-his-fingers situation anymore.
As his hands traveled lower, more of his alabaster skin appeared, as well as a black spot that grew and grew until it was fully revealed. It undulated and pulsed, like a living organism, but it was embedded in his chest, right where Adam had struck him.
Yes, he had healed, but there left a mark. A mark that continued to move and spread across his skin like a living shadow.
AN: Hey everyone! This story has been a total labor of love that I've been working on for quite a while now. I'm so excited to finally share something I started for FUN that grew into an absolute BEAST! I've never quite written something like this so I hope you all enjoy the ride! Be prepared for a lot of romance, mystery, and poetry! Haha
Comments are very welcome, I look forward to your thoughts and please visit me on my tumblr (username: Waffawa) where I frequently post my Charlastor fanart :) Thanks for reading!