Sweetheart

Chapter 17: The Spell

Alastor paced Ashley's bedroom. When Agni brought Ashley home with her covered in someone else's blood, Angel and Alastor had sent a volley of questions to Agni. He answered what he could. By the time he finished explaining, Vaggie had Ashley tucked in bed in clean clothes.

"She.....she turned into an exterminator?" Angel had to lean against Alastor to keep from falling. It was so much to take in. Their little girl was the offspring of what had nearly killed Alastor not so long ago.

"Yes. When the demon started choke me, she got mad and changed into an exterminator and killed the demon." Agni seemed as equally shocked as the other Hazbins.

"She killed someone?" It was Alastor's turn to lean against Angel. Ashley couldn't harm a fly, yet here he is being told she killed someone to protect this boy. "She killed someone." Alastor looked down at Ashley Kuu. He knew exactly what he had to do now. He walked around the room, brushing his hands against the wall, muttering to himself.

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Ashley woke to Angel's hug. "Spidey Dad?" Ashley's voice was groggy.

"Ashley! Oh thank God you're awake!" Angry pulled her in for another hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Ashley!" Agni appeared and squeezed her tightly. "You scared us so bad!"

"I'm sorry." Ashley murmured. She saw Alastor in the corner, seeming to avoid her eyes. "What's wrong, Dad? Are you mad at me?" Ashley remembered everything from the cove.

"What? No." The radio static was gone for Alastor's voice. We took three long strides and sat on the edge of the bed. He placed a loving hand on Ashley's cheek. "I'm just glad you're alright."

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After the sleep had worn off, Ashley got up and walked to the door.

"Darling wa-" but Alastor was to late. When Ashley Kuu's hand touched the door, there was a loud ZAP and Ashley pulled her hand back with a shriek of pain.

"Ashley!" Agni rushed over to look at her hand. Luckily, there was nothing but a slight burn. Ashley gazed at Alastor.

"You put a spell to keep me from opening the door." She pulled her hand away from Agni and turned to her parents. "You're afraid I'll kill someone else, aren't you? Aren't you!" They couldn't evade Ashley's gaze. Ashley had always been a smart girl. When they didn't answer, Ashley looked down, hurt. "My own family is scared of me." Agni tried to give her a comforting hug, but it seemed ineffective.

"We did it to protect you." Angel reached out to Ashley. Ashley smacked his hand away.

"BULLSHIT!!! YOU'RE PROTECTING YOURSELVES!!!" White flames flicked out of Ashley's mouth as she rages. A Halo giving off harsh light flickered in and out above her head. "YOU'RE PROTECTING ME!?!? THAT'S RICH COMING FROM A WHORE!!!" Angel flinched like he'd been burned. No one had called him a whore since he married Alastor. To hear his own daughter say it stung badly.

"Apologize, Ashley." Radio static filled Alastor's voice as he stood up.

"Make me you cold blooded cannibalistic murderer." Alastor stopped. Why was Ashley being so cruel? "Now get out of my room!" Ashley pointed to the door.

"You don't mean what you said, Ashley?" Angel was in tears.

"I mean every damn word, now get the hell out!" They both left With a word, Angel sobbing quietly. Agni and Ashley sat on the bed.

"You must be really mad." Agni put a hand on her shoulder. She started balling.

"I don't know why I said that! It just came out! I was so angry!" She buried her face in Agni's shoulder.

"What do we do now?" Agni looked at her.

"I need to escape, and I know how."