Prologue 1.5: So many small warning signs.

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Before he tried to kill me, my date with Alastor back in New Orleans that year of 1933 was actually a nice date...

"Alastor, darling. Pleasure to meet you." He introduced himself.

"(y/n)." I put my gloved hand in his, which he brought up and planted one small kiss before he moved his smile back up to me.

"(y/n). Lovely name." He complimented as he held his arm out. "Shall we? I have quite the evening planned for us tonight!" He seemed so excited and chipper.

I put my arm through his arm, holding onto him closely. "So, Alastor, what exactly do you have planned?" I questioned him. I had to look up at him, he was much taller than me. A tall, tan and handsome man.

"Your friend mentioned you were new to the city. I thought I'd show you some of my favorite places before taking you to dinner. Have you had jambalaya before?" He questioned, looking down at me with a delightful smile.

"I've only been here a few months. I've been working so hard that I haven't had much time to explore." I explained. "Also, to be honest, I've never tried jambalaya." I said with a slight laugh, a little embarrassed.

Alastor opened the car door for me. "Well, I'll be sure to show you the finest areas that New Orleans has to offer! Plus, the dinner reservation I have has a jambalaya with a kick that could nearly kill you!" He said with a laugh. I remember trying to figure out if that was a joke to mean it was spicy. That should've probably been one of my first clues.

I was still having a great time once we got to the restaurant. We talked about the history of the places we visited around the city. Alastor told me about his job as a radio host and how he loved the updated technology. He enjoyed being able to reach such a wide audience. Also, he wasn't wrong, the jambalaya absolutely had a kick!

"So, what brought you to New Orleans?" Alastor questioned.

I had to stifle the cough I felt trying to escape from the spice of the food. "A change of scenery. An interest in exploring a new place and starting new." I tried to be vague.

"Well, I think you chose a fine place." Alastor stirred his spoon a little before looking back up at me. "Any family in the area?" He questioned.

I shook my head. "Just me." Looking back at that moment, I should've noticed the hint of excitement in his eyes when I mentioned that I was alone. So many small warning signs.

"You sure are brave coming to a new city by yourself." Alastor complimented as he paid the bill. "If it's not too late. There's one more thing I'd love to show you. A rarity that only happens here in New Orleans." He stood up and held his hand out to me, helping me up like a proper gentleman.

"And what would that be?" I questioned.

"There's a flower that blooms in the woods just off the skirts of New Orleans. But it only blooms at night. It's absolutely beautiful and I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't show you the most beautiful parts that this city has to offer." He sounded so smooth, so genuine. I was such a sucker.

"That sounds wonderful." I remember agreeing. That grin he had. I thought it was happiness for a continuation of a successful first date. It was excitement for the next step to prepare his victim.

I remember walking with him pretty far into the foggy and muddy woods. I had a jacket, but it didn't seem to do the trick to keeping me very warm. I kept thinking that he would eventually give me his jacket, but he never did. Why would he at this point? In his mind I'd be dead soon. His rouse was almost done.

"They're just over here." Alastor answered my unannounced question. I looked around the area but couldn't find any beautiful flowers. I couldn't find a single flower!

I went to take another step, but my shoe stuck in the mud, which is when I noticed that the lace became untied. I figured if we were going to continue, I should tie it to avoid possibly tripping and dirtying any more of my clothing.

When I bent down to tie my shoe I remember hearing a strange noise above me, but I couldn't connect the sound right away. I've never heard it before. When I looked up, I noticed that Alastor had a large kitchen knife stuck in the tree trunk that I was just standing next to. With how far the knife was stuck in the trunk, there was no mistake that he used as much force as he could when he swung the weapon.

The look in his eyes... when I first saw him, he looked insane. A wide smile on his face like he finally accomplished what he had been working on all day. But that quickly went away when he realized he missed.

Our eyes locked. He still looked crazed, but he knew he screwed up. Truthfully, the moment probably only lasted a couple of seconds, but with the adrenaline it felt like everything was moving in slow motion.

I could feel my heartbeat in my ears. I could feel my chest moving up and down rapidly as my breathing increased. At first it seemed like all I did was watch Alastor try and pry the knife out of the tree. Why did I waste that time?

My first instinct was to run, but I was sure many people had done that before as well. I had an opportunity to fight back against my attacker and I needed to take it.

I remember using my leg strength to push my shoulder into his stomach and push him against the tree. The sound of the wind getting knocked out of him still echos in my ears, even after all of these years. He seemed dazed, which gave me time to run.

I had to get out of the woods, but the damn mud and my damn shoes were a horrible combination. Plus, when I looked, the shoes were leaving prints in the mud. He'd easily find me if I kept running like this.

I pulled the shoes off frantically, throwing them as far as I could into the wood before continuing. Without the small heel I was no longer leaving footprints.

I knew it took us a while to get into the woods, he would catch up to me easily. I couldn't outrun him in the stupid dress I was wearing. I had to hide it out until I knew it was safe.

I looked around and found a ditch not too far and made my way there. I remember huddling down, holding my knees and trying to calm my heart rate. I had tears in my eyes, thinking that this may be my final night alive. I may never get to write to my family. I may never make any meaningful connections with others. When you're faced with death, you always think of the things you wished you would've had time to do.

The first date I've had in some time, and he wanted to kill me.

I remember hearing his footsteps. He wasn't running, he was walking. I clenched my hands harder on my dress, praying to anyone who would listen to keep me alive tonight so I could report the monster. I was able to see him walk past once he was far enough. He still had the knife in his hand, and he was holding his rib. He looked injured. Good!

Once seconds turned into minutes, I knew I had a chance to make it back to town. I gathered my courage and began running again, trying to remember how to get back to town from where I was.

I remember the gunshot sound now. Though that day my brain didn't process what the sound was. I thought maybe a car backfiring, a rogue firework possibly, a falling tree, who knew! I had more important things on my mind.

The sense of accomplishment I felt once I safely made it back to town and busted through to the police station. The proof I would have to report Alastor as the New Orleans serial killer. Victory would taste so sweet.

But my victory was taken by a hunter and his hound dogs. How unfortunate. The monster tried to kill me! At least give me the satisfaction of bringing him to justice!

But now? Now that I'm in Hell with this monster? I just need to find a way to stay safe. I hope my deal with Husk will work out. He's a powerful overlord after all.

Even though it was literally the worst date I had ever been on, I would eat that jambalaya again.  

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