Daughter of the Devil - r. peters // 2

𝟷𝟶. 𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚔𝚜

Reggie sits with his knees pulled to his chest, staring out at the sun rising slowly on the water.

Charlie sits beside him, their shoulders brushing against each other as he hums. "So, you and Calypso were... Friends? Until your band was tricked?"

"And Callie was the one that tricked us." Reggie mumbles. "She... She told her father— Caleb— that he should put the stamp on us. She was trying to avoid punishment that day, but... She didn't expect to... To like us, I guess."

"So... Was it really Calypso's fault? Or was it Caleb's?"

"God, you sound like the guys." Reggie huffs bitterly. "It was both of them. They were working together-"

"I think it sounds like she was scared, maybe?" The man's voice isn't harsh, it's firm, gentle. "I mean, you said she would get punished a lot, right?"

"Yeah..." Reggie mumbles softly. "One... One day, she showed up at the garage after our first night there, and... She was shaking, and she... She had a mark on her neck, I remember."

Charlie simply hums. "Ah. I see. So... You think she was-"

"Yes, I do." He cuts in, not letting him finish. He didn't want to hear it from his mouth, not from Charlie. "I think... Caleb hurt her bad that day."

Charlie takes a breath. "But you're still mad that... That she was the one who had him stamp you?"

"I mean, how could I not be?" He shrugs. "Sure, she... She was hurt, but... She could have told us that... That she was the one who did it, she-"

"Yes, I get that. But..." Charlie shakes his head. "She hasn't been good lately." He takes a breath. "I don't think he ever forgave her for it."

Reggie looked at his hands. "Part of me does forgive her. I mean, he punished her daily, made her feel worthless, scared... Who was I to blame her for protecting herself?" He sighs, shaking his head. "But... I trusted her, and... She just broke it."

Charlie's silent for a few seconds, as if thinking. "I understand why you're upset about it..." He murmurs. "But... She saved you guys..." He paused. "You're just mad that she lied, right?"

Reggie nods. "Exactly."

"But... She saved you."

"I know she saved us." Reggie says, before sighing. "I don't do well with liars. I... Last time I was lied to, I got hurt bad."

Charlie hums. "That makes sense." He looks at the younger boy. "Hey. Have you considered... Talking to Calypso about all this?"

"I can't. I can't get caught there, or-"

"Or what? Scared Caleb's gonna find you?" The man chuckles sarcastically. "Trust me, you go on that roof, he won't be able to touch you."

Reggie takes a breath. "I'll think about it."

Charlie smiles, lightly touching the bassist's hand. "Do so. Then talk to her."

Something in Reggie's chest squeezes at the casual touch that Charlie gave him. Was he?... No, no, he was just being kind...

Charlie sighs suddenly, removing his hand, before pushing himself off of the ground. "Well, I have to go. Duty calls. But hey." He places a hand on Reggie's shoulder. "I'll tell her I saw you today, hm?"

Reggie huffs softly, but nods.

Charlie simply smiles, before poofing away.

Reggie didn't have a heartbeat anymore, but he was sure that if he did, it would be racing.

///

Caleb scurries away from the group of people, shortly after punishing Callie again. He huffs out what could only be heard as a sob, the door to his office opening and shutting, so that he's blocked from anyone, even Callie, getting inside. Not now, not now...

He scrubs at his lips harshly, almost angrily, still feeling her lips on his.

It was sickening.

He heaves for the third time that night, and there wasn't any stopping the purple liquid escaping his throat, as he gags and retches until he can't anymore.

Closing his eyes tightly, wiping roughly at the tears that have squeezed themselves out of his eyes, hearing the bubbling again, along with a sigh.

"You need to be more careful, darling."

Caleb opens his eyes with a glare, directing it at the man in front of him. "Be careful." Caleb scoffs, standing up straighter, meeting the man's gaze head-on. "You're trying to get closer to Callie, I know it. I can sense it."

A dark chuckle, then a deceivingly gentle hand on his face, to which he jerks away. "Perhaps I am. But she doesn't know that. All she has perceived so far... Is that you-"

"I know what she's perceived so far!" Caleb snaps, before taking a sharp breath as the man grabs at his jaw, gripping tight.

"Tone, darling. Wouldn't want you to get in trouble, hm?"

Caleb grits his teeth. "Stay away from Callie."

"She doesn't know anything, Caleb. As far as she knows, you're just being all the more of an asshole than usual. I mean, you fuckin' kissed her, after all!"

Caleb growls. "You kissed her."

"Hm, no, pretty sure you kissed her, love." The man says smugly, humming softly.

"I'll kill you myself." Caleb snarls softly.

"Oh, darling." He hums. "How can one kill the devil?"

That was all that was heard before he breathes back into Caleb, taking over his body once more, finally gaining control back of the man that fell for his trick all those years ago.