After the finale (Angelhusk)

Chains

I had already been awake for a few hours, in fact I had almost never slept last night.As much as I would like it with all my heart, I don't know if things between me and Angel can work and the thought of making things even worse distresses me.I can't stay in my bed feeling sorry for myself all day; I get up and dress quickly and then go to the counter.

"Good morning Husk" - Charlie and Vaggie say in chorus, more serene than usual... well it doesn't surprise me after what I heard yesterday

"Good morning" – I reply

"Husker my friend!" - Alastor turns to me with his usual radio voice - "I wanted to have a word with you"

I look at him, that sadistic shit makes me shiver

"What do you want?"

"My friend, it's been a long time since the two of us have talked, I've heard some rumors.." - fuck, I'm screwed - "Valentino told me that Angel Dust has been very strange lately"

I try not to let him sense my fear, he would be too pleased

"I wanted to know if you knew anything about it" – he continues

"Why should I?"- I say in my usual gruff voice

"Well, you and our effeminate friend seem pretty close, I thought you could get some information out of him."

"Even if so, what do you care about?"

"Husker haha, think about it, the Vs are on my tail, especially Vox; what I need is to gain their trust, or at least that of the purple moth, the others will follow accordingly"

"So you're selling out Angel to save your ass?!"- I raise my voice

"How perceptive you are my dear furry friend" - he smiles at me - "And you will help me"

"What makes you think I'll do that?"- I say defiantly

"AHAHHAH" - he drags me to him with his chains - "don't forget that you belong to me, I won't repeat it to you again, remember that I will have no scruples about tearing your soul to pieces as a warning to all these damned fools who underestimate my power!"

I'm shaking, I'm scared, more for Angel than for me.

"All Clear Husker?"

"..everything is clear" – I reply in a faint voice

"Wonderful! It's always a pleasure doing business with you" - he tells me, letting me go and walking away

I head towards the bathroom, I'm still shocked. I look in the mirror, but I don't recognize what I see, my heartbeat gets faster and faster, I have a lump in my throat, my eyes full of tears. I can't breathe, I put my hand to my throat, untying my bow tie; it's as if my legs can no longer support me, I collapse to the ground. I remain there, still on the cold floor, for some time; I can't let others see me in these conditions, I have to calm down.

I just can't... what will I say to Alastor? If Valentino found out what was happening between me and Angel he would become furious and who knows what he would do to him. I can't do this to him and I can't even avoid him, he wants answers. I'm shaking, I feel my airways closing, as if someone was tightening a chain around my neck, that fucking chain that limits my freedom.