Everyone piled into Lucifer's limo and headed to Husk's Jackpot Hotel.
Everyone dressed up for the occasion, except for Niffty and Lucifer who came in what they were wearing. Vaggie was wearing a purple cocktail dress. Charlie was in a pink suit. Cherri wore a short and sleeveless pink and black punk dress. Angel was in a pink formal suit and a hat. Husk wore his overlord suit. Terra wore a vintage red halter dress and black pearls.
Along the way, everyone tried to talk to get more acquainted and calm their nerves about Alastor.
Terra tried searching for some liquor to pre-game and was shocked to discover there was no liquor in the car.
"What do you mean there's no liquor in here?" asked Terra incredulously. "Don't you guys keep any drinks in here?"
"Told you," Angel said, nodding at Vaggie and Charlie. "And you two thought I was weird for mentioning it."
"We don't really keep liquor in the limo," Charlie said. "But we do have water or soda if you want it."
Terra sighed, "I suppose that'll do for now. Please give me some water."
Charlie opened a mini-fridge and picked out some water. She got up to hand it to Terra, but…
"Don't get up," Terra said, holding out her hand. "I can get it."
Terra gestured a finger towards herself. The water bottle instantly glowed in red and flew towards her slowly until she could grab it.
"How did you do that?" asked Vaggie. "I thought your powers were related to the earth."
"They are," explained Terra. "I can control the earth and any element or gem that comes from it. Plastic is made from the earth so I can control it. Many periodic table elements come from the earth, so there is so much around here that I can control. It took me a while to figure out how to use my magic to control it all, but it has many uses."
"You have come such a long way from when I first met you," Angel gushed. "I'm so proud."
"Well, I've had great support over the years," Terra said, pulling a vape pen out of her dress pocket. "You can take a hit if you want. I have more than enough to share."
"Wait, what's in the pen?" Vaggie asked.
"CBD," Terra answered. "I smoke it for anxiety. Is that a problem?"
"Yeah, are you going to be judgmental now?" asked Cherri.
"No," Charlie interjected. "Medical uses are fine, as long as you aren't trying to get high. That is something we had to watch with Angel."
"So, should I dump the rest of my stash?" asked Terra.
"Uh…." Pondered Charlie. "Weed isn't addictive, so I'll have to think about it."
"So," Lucifer interjected. "How did you two meet?"
Terra smiled at Angel and said, "It all started on the night I came to be in hell. When I first fell, Angel was the first person I met."
"I still worked with the mob my family was a part of," Angel explained. "I was on a roof in the mafia district overlooking the city. The night was quiet. Then I heard her screaming."
"I hadn't learned how to use my wings or anything," explained Terra. "I was terrified. All I knew was that I was falling and hit something."
"I turned around and saw this girl," added Angel. "She was wearing a black dress. She had these large wings and big red eyes. She looked so scared. I was supposed to tell her to move along, but I figured I'd be a bit gentle about it."
"I wasn't as gentle," Terra chuckled. "I looked up. I saw this pink spider monster approaching like a creature from a horror movie. I started feeling around for anything that I could use. Then my hand started glowing red. It was so bizarre. I'll never forget it. It glowed red and then a brick from on the other side of the roof glowed with it. Before I knew it, the brick flew towards me. I was amazed. I couldn't believe it, but I got so scared that I didn't question it and threw it at Angel."
"Of course, I was all like, 'Hey, honey! What the hell did you do that for?!'" Angel added. "Then she looks at me like a freaking dear in the headlights with her mouth hanging open and says, 'You can talk?'"
The whole car started laughing. All the other residents laughed and expressed their disbelief.
"I swear to God! That's what she said to me," Angel explained once it subsided.
"I didn't know what Angel was," Terra giggled. "He looked like something out of Nosferatu, Frankenstein, The Mummy, or The Wolf Man, except he was real. I didn't realize I was in Hell yet. Angel had to set me straight."
"Normally, I would've told her to piss off and move along like I was supposed to, but she looked so scared and kept going on about how she needed to get back to her girlfriend," Angel remembered. "That made me pause. I didn't know anyone else like me. I knew I had to help. So, I stopped her and asked her if she had a girlfriend."
"Good Lord, did I panic!" continued Terra. "I said, 'I meant friend. My friend is in trouble!'
"But Angel was like, 'No, you mean girlfriend.'
"I panicked and admitted that it was true. I begged him not to call the cops on me. I didn't know I was in hell yet. But I'll never forget it.
"Angel looked at me warmly and said, 'First, the cops don't care in hell. Second, even if they did, I wouldn't do that to you. I'd be a hypocrite because I'd be hurting someone who's just like me.'
"'Wait, you like boys and girls?' I asked.
"He replied, 'Nah, only boys.'
"Then, the second part of what he said hit me and I started crying, 'Wait! I'm in hell?!'"
"Oh, man," Angel said with a sigh. "That was a tough talk. I had to explain a bunch of things to her. Hell, the Exorcists, Overlords, everything. She was crying the whole time. I had to calm her down so that my other 'family' members wouldn't hear her. Once I did, Terra finally told me what happened to her. It was heartbreaking."
"I just remember being so sad and angry," remembered Terra. "It was so unfair. All I did was save my girlfriend from a monster who wanted to hurt her. I didn't deserve to be separated from her like that. I felt so hopeless, but Angel helped me feel better. Do you remember what you said?"
Angel thought for a second, "Vaguely. What did I say?"
Terra chuckled and said, "You asked me how many times I stabbed him."
Angel snorted, "I did?"
"Yeah," Terra answered. "You asked me how many times I stabbed the guy. I told you that I had to have stabbed him at least a dozen times. Then you told me that that was more than enough to kill a man. Roy would be coming down here with me in no time. My actions weren't for nothing. You forgot about it, but it gave me hope again."
Angel smiled and put his hand on her shoulder. "Anytime, kid."
Vaggie interjected, "So, how did you survive? My life would've lost all purpose if it weren't for Charlie. You must have been so heartbroken."
"Oh, I was," said Terra. "I still am. Yet I knew I had to survive if I had any hope of living long enough to see Louise or anyone else again, but I didn't know what to do. I was a college student studying geology. I had had jobs to help out my parents, but I spent most of my time studying. Thankfully, Angel helped me feel better about that too."
"Oh, yeah," Angel said. "I remember that. You were so frightened. I gave you the best advice I had at the time."
"Which was?" Husk asked.
"To survive by becoming a femme fatale," answered Terra. "I know. At first, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Me? A femme fatale? I was an egghead."
"But you were and still are a beauty," explained Angel. "Even I could see that then as a gay man. I told you that you looked like you could be the leading lady with Humphrey Bogart or some other sexy detective type. Being a woman of color would only make you more alluring to these assholes."
"I was still highly skeptical," recalled Terra. "I told Angel that I had never been an actress. I didn't know how to play a part like that. But then Angel told me something mind-blowing. He said that I already knew how to play a part because I already knew how to pretend that I wasn't a gay woman, that I wasn't bothered by the stupid sexist men I went to school with, and that I wasn't mixed race."
"That's not all," reminded Angel. "I also told you that if you were smart enough to get into college as young as you were then you were smart enough to pull something like this off."
"Awwww, Angie! I didn't know you were such a big softie back then," Cherri teased playfully.
"I had to hide it, but I got to let it out sometimes," shrugged Angel.
Terra smiled and said, "Angel also gave me another more valuable piece of advice. He told me to work on my earth powers. When I got strong enough, I could use my skills to fight off other demons and become a mercenary, a kingpin, or even an overlord if I wanted."
"So, that's how you became the earth witch?" Charlie asked.
"Well, eventually," shrugged Terra. "But I had to survive that first night first. With all that encouragement from Angel, I got up to go before his family noticed him or me. We promised to write and all that. But then, I heard it. The voice of that pig that threw me out the window. I heard Roy call my name. 'Teresa! Teresa, you fucking harpy! Where the hell are you hiding?!' My blood ran cold."
"Wait, why did he call you a harpy?" asked Lucifer.
"Oh, that was the last insult he gave me before throwing me out the window," explained Terra. "The guy was obsessed with Greek mythology and gave us these cringeworthy nicknames. Louis was Medusa because she gave him icy cold glares whenever he showed up. Roy called me a harpy because I always tried to fight or scare him away whenever I saw him."
"That's funny," Niffty chuckled. "I enjoy scaring people too, especially the bugs."
"We know," Husk said with an eyeroll.
"Anyhow," Terra continued. "Roy came out of the shadows, screaming my name. I'll never forget it. He was this warthog man with spikes coming out of his back. He looked nothing like the guy I saw before. I knew it was him only because I recognized his voice. He was horrifying. I hid myself at the sight of him. Angel, of course, was a gentleman.
"'Don't worry, Ter,' he said. 'I'll get the brute for you.'
"But I stopped Angel before he could leap off the building. I don't know whether it was the desire for vengeance or me finding some newfound courage, but I wanted to fight the man myself. So, he let me."
"I stayed in the shadows the whole time," Angel said. "I wouldn't leave her without back up."
"You are the best dude to party with for a reason," praised Cherri.
"So, while Angel was hiding in the shadows, I figured out how to use my wings and just managed to fly down to meet Roy," continued Terra. "God, he was even more hideous up close."
"Oh, she isn't kidding," Angel chimed in. "I like to think that I'm not too picky, but even I wouldn't fuck that guy."
"The guy was scary," Terra agreed. "But I wouldn't back down. I landed in front of Roy and told him I was the one he was looking for, but now that we were both dead and Louise was out of his reach, I wasn't afraid of his ass anymore. Now, that made the pig mad. He huffed and puffed and threw out his chest. You know all the things that men do when they're butthurt. I just rolled my eyes and tried walking away, but the guy wasn't through. He screamed. He swung at me. He wanted to fight, but I didn't back down. I warned him that I had strength he didn't. I was going to fight. But of course, the pig didn't listen. He came forward and took a swing, but I flew into the air and dodged him. Then, I held up my hands and focused my magic on pulling out the bricks of a building nearby. It worked, but a little bit too well. I magically pulled off a few walls worth of bricks onto Roy's dumbass and buried the man completely. I didn't know how to control myself back then."
"But watching it was fucking fantastic!" exclaimed Angel excitedly. "Oh, God! The bricks came off the wall and crashed on top of the bastard like a tidal wave. It was great."
"It was funny at the time," Terra chuckled. "But it wasn't funny what happened afterwards. Angel's brother and the rest of his so-called family showed up."
"Yep, that egotistical ass," Angel said with an eyeroll.
"Your big brother got to boss you around, huh?" asked Husk.
"Oh, my God. Yes. Dad put Arackniss in charge, and you'd think he was an overlord," Angel complained. "That prick was so obnoxious, especially back then. I came out to congratulate Terra and give her advice on where to look for housing when that short dick strode out of the shadow like he was the fucking shit and asked Terra who she was and what she was doing there like she was some kind of threat. I tried to calm down the situation, but Arackniss insisted on throwing his weight around. I eventually convinced him that she wasn't a threat, but that wasn't enough. Arackniss went up to Terra, put his arm around her, and asked her to spend the night with him so they could talk. What a douche."
"I knew the dick wanted me to cave in like some frightened kitten, but I remembered what Angel said," continued Terra. "I knew then that I could play the part of a femme fatale to charm these pricks into getting whatever I wanted without ever giving them a damn thing.
"I spread my wings to get Arackniss to let go, but then I held his face and said, 'Oh, honey. You're so eager, but I only just got here and I can't stand a man who's too forward...'
"I then turned around and noticed the other groups of man spiders with Angel visibly panicking among them. Arackniss had an attitude and said that I could go out with one of the guys instead so that I could make up for the mess I would cause if I didn't go out with him. Those dicks all started gesturing for me suggestively. I knew I was in a jam but didn't lose my cool.
"I looked back at Arackniss in a huff and said, 'Fine, if that's how you're going to be, I'll make my choice. I choose the pink one.' And I pointed at Angel."
Angel laughed out loud, remembering, "Oh, ho! You guys should have seen Arackniss's face. It was hilarious! My brother was so pissed, but he went along with it. The prick had no idea back then that I was gay, so he told us to have a good night and said he'd give us a ride home."
"I was so nervous," Terra recalled. "I was so nervous that all those men would see right through me, but they didn't. I pulled it off. I fooled them. I couldn't believe it. I was so worried."
"I wasn't," Angel said. "I knew you'd have it under control the whole time."
"Oh, Angel, you flatter me," Terra gushed. "I was scared out of my mind. I wasn't used to playing the part like I am now. I got lucky that time. So, after that, Arackniss drove Angel and me to his condo and dropped us off. Before he left, the prick gave Angel this disgusting smile and told him to 'investigate me thoroughly'. It made me cringe so hard. Then when he thought I wasn't listening, his brother said if it turned out I was on the level and if my company was 'to his liking' that he could keep me around. Apparently, Angel 'needed' a lady of his own. It was the most sexist shit I ever heard."
"God, don't I know it," Angel agreed. "It was all I could do to play along until the tool finally left. I apologized to Terra so many times that night. I even offered to give her money to sleep somewhere else, but she was fine with it. I agreed to let her sleep in my bed while I took the couch."
"You were a perfect gentleman," Terra complimented. "Considering the day I had, I appreciated the company and the accommodations. That condo was the swankiest place I had ever stayed at."
"It was one of the only good parts about being in the mob," Angel shrugged. "I never lacked a place to crash. We spent the night drinking, talking, and listening to the radio. We talked about our lives and how we ended up here. I was very lonely in those days, so it was nice to have a friend finally."
"It was a good evening," agreed Terra. "I almost felt all my worries melt away until the jazz station we listened to was interrupted with a special announcement. The radio host said his name was Alastor, and my blood ran cold. I paused the conversation and turned up the radio. The host mentioned his past life as the Crescent City Killer, and I knew it had to be my biological father."
"Terra looked scared, so I asked her what was wrong," continued Angel. "Then she told her story about her serial killer bio dad. I knew nothing about Alastor then and never thought we'd cross paths, so I didn't make the connection until now. But I told her I'd keep her identity a secret."
"And nobody knew, at least for the first few months," continued Terra. "I pretended to be Angel's live-in girlfriend. While he rested during the day, I would go out to the Doomsday District and work on magic. Then we'd hang out at night when he didn't have to do any of his mafia work. Gradually, my magic got stronger. I started advertising myself as a mercenary when I felt like my magic got strong enough. That was when I met Carmella Carmine."
"Oh, did she seek you out?" asked Vaggie.
"Not exactly," Terra answered. "I was flying around and putting up flyers wherever I could see when I spotted her door. Angel had mentioned her, so I thought I could advertise my services on her door. I flew down and taped a poster. I thought that was that. But then, I heard the metal door open and felt a strong arm pull me inside just before the door slammed shut. I wasn't as good at detecting motion in the ground then so I didn't feel them sneaking up on me.
"Anyway, the door slammed shut and I immediately saw Carmella, Zestial, and her two daughters waiting on the other side, so I started making spikes poke out of the metal and demanded to know what I was doing in there. But they were all so calm.
"Zestial said, 'Tis she, Carmella. I can tell by the eyes.'
"Then Carmella was like, 'The resemblance is undeniable.'
"I was confused as hell so I demanded to know what they were talking about.
"So, Carmella said, 'Put away the spikes. You are not strong enough to survive a fight with us. You can trust me on this.'
"Then I asked why I was there.
"Carmella cut right to it. 'We have seen you and the destruction your magic causes in the doomsday and mafia districts. We also know who your father is. We don't know what you and he are planning, little girl…'
"But then I interrupted her, 'We aren't planning anything. I've never met him. He doesn't even know I'm here.'
"That took Carmella back. 'What do you mean?'
"Then, I told them the story. I told them what my Mom had said, that Alastor was only a monster that I had the misfortune of being related to. He pretended to be a good person. He made my mother think he loved her. He used her and had me to keep her attached to him. He wouldn't back off even when she married a better man, my stepfather, who has been my daddy my whole life. He hid the fact that he was a murderer who killed even when he was supposed to be watching me. God only knows what else his plans were. On top of everything else we had to hide, my family had to hide the fact that I was his child so that I wouldn't be ostracized. He died when I was two months old, so I didn't have any memories of him anyway.
"After I explained everything, Carmella, her daughters, and Zestial realized that I wasn't a threat. We talked some more, and Carmella offered me a job. I would deliver weapons and be a mercenary for her without ever being under contract.
"A few days later, I moved in with Zestial. I always wanted to move into a castle, and he had one with modern amenities. I will never forget seeing it for the first time. It blew my mind. It was incredible. I have spent many hours exploring it. It is so cool. Zestial has always been great company. He's so ancient and wise. I can listen to him talk for hours without getting bored. He also lets me update him with more modern knowledge. For instance, he has let me teach him how to use a smartphone, tell him about Egyptology, and repeat detective stories I grew up hearing on the radio."
"I used to love those," Angel added.
"I know," said Terra. "We used to listen to them back at your condo. Remember? Did you know that they have old episodes on audiobooks now?"
"No kidding?" asked Angel. "You'll have to show me when we get back. Those shows were my favorites in life and death."
"My parents listened to that stuff as kids," Cherri pointed out. "You two are so old."
"Yep, we're both about 100 years old, sugar tits," Angel replied, gesturing to himself and Terra.
"I didn't own a television set until I went to college and moved in with my girlfriend," added Terra. "Before that, I preferred the radio."
"That's one thing you and your daddy have in common," quipped Lucifer.
"Yeah, just about the only thing," remarked Husk.
"Alastor is my biological father, but he is not my daddy," Terra asserted. "My daddy was Beau. He did everything for me and my mother. He lied about our races to get me into good programs with public schools. He ensured I had access to books written by black and white authors. He lied about his race to white folk to protect us from anti-miscegenation laws. He helped us find a family with the rest of the Creole community since Mama was an orphan. He kept Mama's past a secret from all except those we trust to protect her. He raised me and told nobody about Alastor. It didn't matter. He completely loved me as his own. I was his daughter, and he was my daddy. He gave Mama, me, and Chloe a happy life. I hope I can see him again."
"I know you will," Husk assured pulling Terra in closer so she could lean on his shoulder. "Don't you worry about it, main queen. You've always been too good for this dump. I knew that from the first time I met you. You'll be out of here before you know it. Now, advance the spark for a nice dim and prepare to have a ball. You've earned it."
"What?" Charlie asked, looking at Vaggie and everyone else.
"Awww," Terra gushed, giving Husk a peck on the cheek. "You've always been hip to the jive, hep cat."
"Oh, ho, so we're speaking jive now?" Angel teased. "It's been a while since I've been able to sound off with someone who else who was hip to it."
"So, you understand us?" Husk asked, raising an impressed eyebrow.
"Yeah, man!" Angel replied emphatically. "I used to spend so much time in the clubs back in Harlem. I am very wise to the jive."
"And I thought you were an off the cob ofay," teased Terra.
"Hey," retorted Angel. "I ain't off the cob. Hell, depending on who you ask, Italians may not even be white."
"So, you do understand us?" Terra smiled in relief. "Cut me some slack, Angel. I was just kidding. You know I think you're too much."
"Awww," Angel replied. "Right back at you."
"I'm sorry," Vaggie interrupted. "What are you saying?"
"We're speaking jive," Terra explained. "It was the slang used by the cool cats back in Harlem during the Jazz Age and beyond. It eventually spread to all the communities of color. I heard it in my community in New Orleans. Husk heard it back in his family's club in Las Vegas. It was everywhere back in the day. Only some words from it are in use now, so Husk and I would use it almost like a code. It works unless you're with demons from our time."
"It was useful when we wanted to talk about more unruly clients without the motherfuckers overhearing us," Husk added.
"Wait, how did you two meet?" asked Charlie.
Terra and Husk looked at each other and grinned.
"Now, that is an interesting story," Husk began.
"We'll have to tell it inside," Terra reminded Husk. "We're here."
"So, we are," Husk said, looking out the window as the limo stopped. "Let's go."
Husk opened the door and presented the club. Everyone climbed outside of the limo to get a better look.
Neon lights covered the outside. Demons were crowded outside the door. The outside was impeccably kept up. The building was decorated in black and gold. Despite Husk's words, it was obvious that this club was still a popular place.
Everyone's mouths were hanging open. Only Terra and Husk didn't lose their composure.
"Woah," Charlie said with her eyes growing wide.
"So many bright lights," Niffty muttered excitedly. "So many bad boys."
"Now, this is swanky," Cherri said.
"Yeah, Whiskers, you've been holding out on us," Angel added.
"Wait, I thought you said this place wasn't popular, Husk," Vaggie protested.
"Yeah, this doesn't look unpopular to me," Lucifer backed her up.
"You should've seen this place back when Husk was an overlord," said Terra. "It was much more crowded."
"But they have a point," Charlie argued gently. "This place isn't exactly empty. Maybe we should go somewhere else."
"You don't need to worry," Husk assured. "I may be considered a has been, but I still have my power, especially in my casinos. Here, I am in charge even if the Radio Demon owns my soul. This is my business. And Terra and Niffty can both tell you, no one fucks with me or my House and gets away with it. Especially not both at the same time. So, relax. You're the VIP's. Tonight's on me. So, shall we?"
Husk offered his arm to Terra who proudly took it. The two then headed to the casino where the bouncers ushered everyone aside and immediately opened the door.
"Hey there, Jimmy!" Terra greeted the red bull demon warmly.
"How've you been, Jim?" greeted Husk.
"Terra, Mr. Husk, hey!" greeted the bouncer. "It's been a while since you two been out. Are you still at that hotel, Mr. Husk? Or did you know who finally let you go? We've been running the place fine, but we miss you. We all watched you fight the angels on the TV. You kicked so much ass! And Terra, are you going to start working with us again?"
"To answer your questions in order, I still work at the hotel, and I've decided to stay a while," Husk explained, looking at the others behind him. "Let's just say I enjoy the company. You know who is still around, but my new friends make it worthwhile. Doesn't mean I don't miss my work here. If I don't see everyone tonight, you'll have to tell them to appreciate the compliments."
"I've joined the hotel too," added Terra. "Since I heard that Heaven's willing to accept sinners, I've joined too."
"I wish you luck," wished Jimmy before noticing the others behind them and whispering. "Oh, my God. The king and the princess are here. Everyone else from the battle is here too. This ain't an ordinary night. What do you want us to do?"
"Perceptive as always," Husk said with a smile. "Tell the staff I want everyone in my party to receive the excellent service we are known for, real high class, the most VIP service we got on the house, but we aren't seeking extra attention if you get my drift. No press. No celebrity seekers. Anyone who wants to do shit like that gets kicked out, no questions asked. If there's anyone you can't handle, you find me. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," Jimmy said, pulling out his walkie-talkie. "I'll tell everyone else now."
"Looks like you run a classy joint, Husky," complimented Angel.
"Thank you," Husk smiled, looking back. "My guys run a high-class place. You'll all be taken care of here."
"Hell yeah! Tonight's gonna be bitchin'!" cheered Cherri as she hooked her arm onto Angel's.
"I do admit that this place looks nice," Lucifer admitted, looking at Charlie and Vaggie on either arm. "Will I need to worry about anyone's safety here?"
"I can vouch for the security, your highness," Terra assured. "Husk doesn't cut any corners."
"Oh, well, in that case, let's fuckin' party!" Lucifer cried, pumping his fist into the air.
"Hell yeah, Dad!" yelled Charlie excitedly.
"Simmer down, hon," chided Vaggie playfully.
"Make me," Charlie retorted while booping her girlfriend's nose.
Husk turned towards the door and said, "If we're ready to go, let's—"
"Wait, boss," Jimmy interrupted and pointed in Angel's direction. "Is she safe?"
Husk and everyone else turned around to see Niffty cackling wildly on Angel's shoulder while he and Cherri watched on, visibly disturbed.
Husk sighed deeply. "We'll keep her under control."
"In that case, come right in," Jimmy said, happily opening the door.
"Alright, everyone, follow me," Husk instructed.
Everyone entered the casino, beaming with excitement.
Unfortunately for them, back in his radio broadcast wing, Alastor had been listening through the spell he placed on the black pearls that he had slipped into his Teresa's belongings.
The Radio Demon felt many emotions running through his head.
First, Alastor was shocked. His own friends had been keeping his daughter's whereabouts a secret from him. Angel might be excused since he didn't know him for most of his afterlife. The others might be trying to make peace. But Husk?
Husk had known Alastor for decades. His loyalty was obligatory. He knew he wasn't supposed to keep secrets from him. Husk knew what kind of punishment he was risking, but he had still kept Teresa hidden for all this time. Why? This whole betrayal didn't make sense. Alastor certainly wasn't going to stand for it.
Second, Alastor felt angry at Teresa's so-called father Beau. A monstrous stalker was pursuing Teresa and her girlfriend but what did he do? Nothing! If Alastor had been there, the stalker would have been promptly killed. Instead, his poor daughter was murdered while defending herself and her girlfriend from a brute. Alastor should have been there. His daughter should have lived far beyond the age of 20. She was far too young. She barely got to live.
Which brought Alastor to his third emotion. He felt sad that Teresa had chosen to hide herself for this long. She saw him as a monster, a boogeyman who she needed to fear. She had been raised to believe this for her entire life. She feared him and that was the last thing that Alastor ever wanted for her. Teresa was his child, not an enemy or one of those other disrespectful wretches who needed to be. He wanted to be in her life as her papa, and he would be one way or another.
Alastor smiled. It was time for him to finally reunite with his daughter.
"Don't worry, Teresa," Alastor said out loud. "Papa is coming. You won't be alone anymore."
The Radio Demon turned into his shadow form and began speeding his way towards Husk's Casino.