The Crimson Wood (AlastorXAngel)

The Guest

Angel walked towards the end of the room turning on the lights before he opened the door. Behind it stood Husk, Vaggie and Charlie all whispering in a circle.

"What are you guys doing, it's the middle of the night?" Angel rubbed his eyes.

The group looked to him like deers in headlights.

"Angel?!" Charlie called out.

"Yeah?" Angel raised a brow. "What's wrong with you?"

"Where the hell did you go?" Vaggie demanded.

"And where the fuck is my car?!" Husk stepped in.

Angel's face slowly shifted as he realized that what happened was not a dream.

"I.... I dont know." Angel said honestly.

"For fuck sakes Angel I thought you were clean?!" Vaggie snapped.

"I am clean!" The tall blond defended.

"Bullshit. Then why cant you just tell us what happened?" The silverette crossed her arms.

"I." Angel looked at the ground hesitating briefly. "I thought it was a dream." He answered.

Charlie moved closer taking Angel's hand gently. They looked into each others eyes as her gaze brought calmness to the boy.

"What kind of dream was it." She said gently.

"Well, y'see it was-" Angel was cut off by the sound of the bell at the counter of the hotel. "Wait. Is someone actually checking in here?"

"Vaggie can you go help our guest." Charlie asked.

Vaggie cursed slightly but then began to walk downstairs. Charlie grasped Angel's hands tighter trying to snap him back.

"You were saying?" She pushed on.

"I've been having some really bad nightmares, so after I had one I just wanted to get the fuck outta here. I stole Husk's car and I-"

Angel stopped again as a framiliar tingle ran down his back. He let go of Charlie's hands and began to numbingly walk towards the balcony to look into the lobby. Down below he saw a man with short brown hair, and a old fashioned tail coat. He looked young and stood out. Angel could feel his heart pounding against his chest as the memory of the man from the woods came back into his head.

"The crimson deer." He whispered.

"Angel?" Charlie came up behind him.

"I gotta go talk to that guy." Angel said numbly.

"What?! No no no. We had a deal Angel! You could stay here if you didn't do your... Business." Charlie reminded.

"Not about that." The boy said twirling around Charlie and heading for the stairs. He reached the first step but was stopped by a hand grabbing his silk shorts.

"Not so fast kiddo. You've got some questions to answer." Husk pulled him back.

"But I-"

"Hey, I dont wanna hear it. I just want to know, why you ran out in a panic, where you dissapeared to, and where my car is!" Husk reached into Angel's hair pulling something from it. He showed a twig to Angel then outstretched his pale slim arms to show him the dirt and scratches. "What the hell happened to you?"

Angel stared at his bruised body in awe, he hadn't even noticed how filthy and cut up he was. He let out a sigh before facing Husk.

"I drove your car until I couldn't drive anymore. I saw something in the forest off the highway so I went after it." Angel shrugged.

"You ran into the woods ALONE at night?!" Charlie called out. "You could have died!"

"Well I didn't!" Angel fought. "There was a guy there and he must have brought me back cause hes the last thing I remember, then I woke up here."

Charlie and Husk exchanged glances as they thought over what Angel was saying. The suited girl looked over the balcony to see Vaggie giving the man bellow a key and showing him to his room. She looked back at Angel letting out a soft breath. "Why do you need to talk to that man down there?" She said.

"I..... I think that's the guy." Angel said honestly.

"The guy from the woods?" Charlie's eyes widened.

Husk's face changed as he moved closer to Angel. His eyes narrowed making the slender blond worry.

"Don't go near that asshole." He said strictly.

"Why the hell not?" Angel became frustrated.

"He's a dangerous prick!" Husk bit. "You need to get some rest, you don't need his bullshit stressing you out."

"Do you know him?" Charlie stepped in.

"I guess you could say I've had the displeasure." He crossed his arms.

"Husk you have no idea who this guy is, he cant be bad." Angel fought. "He's just a strawberry pimp!"

"No Angel, he's dangerous." Vaggie's voice cut in. "His name is Alastor. He's been known to erase people from existence, he's a radio personality for a vintage station called SMCO1920. Which stands for Stock Market Crash of 1920. Because hes a sinister dickhead who thrives on peoples pain."

"You're being a little over dramatic." Angel raised a brow.

"No she's not." Husk fought. "You get near him and you'll end up on the back of a milk carton."

Angel rolled his eyes. "Look who you're talking to Husk. If he laid a finger on me it would be his mug you'd see on telephone poles!"

"Angel." Charlie spoke up again. "We cant stop you from talking to the radio demon. But tonight, go clean yourself up, and go get some rest. You can go after him in the morning." She said plainly.

"Charlie what the fuck are you saying?!" Husk yelled.

"We aren't his parents, this is Angel's choice. I trust that he can handle himself. Besides we are all going to be here with them." She finished.

Husk stayed quiet trying not to lash out. He threw his hands up as in to say whatever. "I'm going back to bed." He turned away leaving back to his room.

Angel bit his lip grabbing a hold of his arm as he began to get lost in thought. He knew they were just worried about him, but it was frustrating when he knew he could take care of himself! Or.... The memories of the woods flooded back and his head pounded. Maybe they were right, maybe years of being a mafia leaders son has made him cocky. Husk was usualy his comfort but he knew that he couldn't turn to him now. He felt out of place, it wasnt like him to overthink things the way he was.

"I'm also going to head to bed." Angel agreed. "Feel free to follow me if you dont believe me." He smirked.

"We trust you Angel." Charlie moved closer to Vaggie. "We'll see you in the morning." She then began to move Vaggie towards the stairs leaving Angel to find his own room.