Tethered to You (Alastor X OC)

Ch 41

Not a chapter illustration, but a new drawing I did. Not sure how I feel about it (I tried a new style) but figured I'd share anyway!

Ariels POV

I stood under an umbrella directly next to Alastor. The rain was pounding into the hellsoil, creating a damp and muddy afternoon.

I held onto Alastor's arm, my lip quivering as I watched the polished coffin slowly lower into the ground.

It's a strange thing, a funeral in hell.

You would figure after death, that's it. There's nothing more.

But there's one more stage...one more place...no one knows what it is, no one knows what's there...

We can only hope it's better...and not...darkness.

"Rest peacefully on your final journey, my friend..." Alastor said softly, causing me to look up at him. He was struggling, I know he was. His smile was barely there, tight and forced.

But I know she'd want him to have it...Alastor smiles when the rest of us aren't strong enough to...

My eyes found Bett's husband, he was holding their daughter. She was very cute, and looked just like her momma.

Her big, bright eyes were staring at the lowering coffin. She's too young to understand, but at the same time those black eyes held a knowing glint.

Normally, funerals are only for the rich and powerful in hell, funeral directors charged just ridiculous rates. Taking advantage of others' suffering.

That is, until the most powerful overlord in hell shows up at their business saying the funeral was happening whether they agreed or not.

Bett's husband trembled slightly as the coffin met the bottom of the grave softly. A shallow thud was heard, sounding more like a nuclear explosion. The rain beating down was an accurate representation of how we were all feeling.

It was just me, Alastor and her family. Her family being her husband and daughter. The funeral director cleared her throat quietly, detaching the coffin from the small crane.

She began to fill the hole and I shook my head, the tears finally spilling over before I shoved my face into Alastor's coat. Immediately he held my head comfortingly, placing a gentle kiss on my crown.

Once the hole was completely filled, Alastor walked over to the fresh grave, kneeling down. I've never seen him so careless with his clothing, but here he was.

Kneeling in the mud.

He pressed his hands together, then held them out over the head of the grave. There in the dirt formed a beautiful polished headstone.

He stood back up, and walked over to her husband.

I stayed by the grave.

Slowly I sank to my knees, placing my hand against the smooth stone. The umbrella rested against my shoulder, barely shielding me from the rain I was being pelted with.

But I didn't feel a thing.

My eyes were locked on the stone, my tears flowing freely.

Bettrice Gardenia Honest

Wife
Mother
Friend

Journey safely. We miss you.

My heart felt heavy. My palm slid down the headstone, staying in the middle as I trembled. My other hand clenched in my lap.