The Boy Next Door

Little devil

Alastor opened the front door to his home. Hearing his mother in the kitchen...talking? Was someone here? Alastor walked up the hall to see his mother standing alone in the room cooking. "Evening mama." He said quietly. She turned to him, wide smile on her face. "Welcome back Alastor! How was your day?" She asked. Alastor nodded, smile softening. "It was just swell. Do you need any help?" He asked. Elisabeth waved a hand dismissively. "No no! I have all the help I need." She said. Alastor cocked a brow at her answer. "What do you-" Alastor was cut off by the sight of his shadow appearing in the room, opening the cupboard and handing his mother the salt while she stood over the stove. Her casually taking it from it. "Thank you dear." She said happily as she tuned back to her work. Alastor stared wide eyed at them, the shadow waving at Alastor as it disappeared. "Mama..." he started. Elisabeth turned to look at him. "Such a charming little friend you have Alastor. Quite the jokester too." She said with a smirk, noticing her son's shocked expression. "Of course, I'm a little disappointed you chose to keep it a secret." Alastor quickly grabbed her shoulders, pulling her to face him. "It didn't hurt you did it?" He asked quickly. Elisabeth looked him up and down, shaking her head. "Of course not. It's been rather helpful today actually. Haven't you?" She said, glancing behind her where it was last standing. Alastor's grip on her tightened. Hanging his head with a sigh of relief. "Good, as long as your careful mama." He said breathlessly. She smiled, patting him on the head. "Well, you do whatever you like, I'll be here!" She said cheerfully. Alastor nodded, walking to his room and opening the door. He sat on his bed, glancing out the window. Getting a glimpse of Anthony leaving his house. Walking up the street until he was gone. Alastor smiled to himself, seeing the blonde generally just making him happy.

The next morning, molly woke up early as usual. Putting on a new dress, fixing her hair and putting a small amount of makeup on, she opened her bedroom door and walked into the hallway. Walking towards the stairs, she glanced at Anthony's door, taking a deep breath she knocked twice before opening it. Not waiting for an answer. "Tony are you-" molly was met with an empty room. His bed was still made, which was weird because he was the kind of person who made it in the evening. She gave the room a second glance before closing the door and walking downstairs. She checked the kitchen, lounge, basement, hallway. Every possible room. She stood in the downstairs hallway. Slicking her hair out of her face with one hand. "Tony?" She called out, not to loudly since her father and Lucio were most likely still sleeping. No answer. Molly walked to the front door, getting her coat and hat. Putting both on and stepping outside, no sign of him on the porch either. She glanced both ways on the street. No sign of him anywhere. She walked a few meters down the sidewalk, walking up the steps to Alastor's porch. Knocking a few times before stepping back.

Alastor had been getting ready, having the day off today. Hearing the knock on his door, he turned into the front hallway, walking to answer it. "Good morning molly!" He said, usual smile on his face. "Hey Alastor...Anthony didn't come by by any chance, did he?" Alastor thought for a moment. "No I haven't seen him since yesterday morning. Why?" Molly took a step back, bringing a hand to her chin. Nerves starting to rise. If he wasn't here, where was he? Glancing down the street once again, molly started to worry. She was so sure he had just been at Alastor's. "Molly, is everything alright?" He asked. Molly shook her head. "I couldn't find him this morning, I haven't seen him since last night, my pops and him...got into a bit of a fight. It was kinda my fault so-" molly shook her head, biting her tongue to keep herself from continuing. "I'm gonna go look around. If he comes here, tell him I want to apologize." She said briefly. Alastor nodded at her, getting his coat and pulling it on. "One moment miss molly, please wait here." He said, closing the door.

Alastor turned to face the entity. Which stood not far from him. "When mama wakes up, tell her that if Anthony comes by to tell him that molly wants to speak to him. Understand?" He asked. The shadow nodded once before vanishing. Alastor opened the door and stepped out. "I think I'll help you look if you don't mind. I saw him leave from my window the other night, I know which way he went." He stated. Molly nodded, thanking him for the help. As they walked, molly didn't give very much context as to why they were fighting, despite Alastor's efforts. Walking through the neighbourhood for about half an hour, they still hadn't spotted him, nor had anyone they asked seen him. Molly tugged at her hair, nerves only rising by the minute. "This is the worst time to loose him right now. With that killer on the loose! Alastor what if something's happened to him?!" She asked, starting to panic. Alastor took her shoulders, he knew that he didn't kill Anthony. So it was safe to say the killer didn't get him, but unfortunately the idea that he may have been in some form of danger was still on the table.