A Deal Worth A Lifetime [ Alastor x Reader ]

Chapter 30: What Lies Beneath

Sweeping the dust out of the door and off of the porch of the cottage. The sun sitting high in the sky, signalling noon. Peering out into the tall grass, Alastor nowhere in sight. Perhaps he caught something?

Heading back in and examining your progress on the cottage. You had already cleaned the loft, just finished sweeping the floor. Feet landing on the rug you smiled. Humming as you set the broom aside, rolling the carpet up so you could sweep beneath it too. The amount of dust underneath it made you wonder if he ever cleaned under the thing. A hollow sound under your feet as you stepped across the room, letting the carpet go once it hit the couch. Turning to grab your broom and finding a trap door.

Brushing the dust away with the broom, a grin coming to your face. Attempting to pull the door up from the floor, it remained stuck. Then you noticed the keyhole. A pout replacing your grin as you stood. Hands placed on your hips. There was something down there and you were determined to find out what. Hearing something fall, hitting the floor with a series of dull thuds. The sun reflecting off of whatever fell, catching your eye. Wandering over to the fireplace and finding a key.

Snatching it off of the floor and immediately trying it on the mysterious door. A satisfying click as the lock opened. Keeping your noises of excitement suppressed as you went to open it. Pausing and wondering if you should wait for Alastor. Now that you thought about it, he didn't like surprises so you'd be doing him a favour.

Letting the door fall open it hit the floor causing dust to fly around. Coughing at the sudden intrusion on your lungs while waving the dust from your face. The pitch-black space below you emitting an odd smell that made you shudder. Taking one of the candles from the counter and shuffling through its drawers for the box of matches. Lighting the candle and holding onto its brass carrier, finding yourself in front of the entry to the little secret you discovered.

Starting your way down into its dark clutches. Slowly making your way down the wooden rungs, one hand keeping you stable while the other held the candle. Feet touching a dirt-covered ground you smiled. Holding the candle out to try and see better, the small light flickering in the dark space until it blew out. A chill running up your spine, goosebumps lining your exposed flesh. Turning to leave only for the door to close harshly on you.

Sucking in a gasp. Fumbling the candle, relieved when you didn't drop it and the flame stayed lit. It was fine, you could just go back up and open it. Stepping further in, using the candlelight to guide you. Squinting your eyes as something appeared in front of you, maneuvering your light source higher. A rope on a hook leading down to whatever it was holding up. Crouching down and having your curiosity quelled. Scrambling back and falling on your behind.

The candle glowing brighter revealing the entire corpse to you, neck slit and oozing a slimy substance. Eyes trailing upwards and finding the midsection had been cut open meticulously, clean slices along the abdomen. Where were the organs?

A faint sound of bubbling caught your attention, eyes catching the glint of a metal basin beneath the corpse. Dark liquid rising from the inside. Standing on shaking legs and backing up to the ladder, missing the rung, reaching farther and not finding it. Your light starting to dim, watching as shadows swirled around the flame before completely snuffing it out.

An icy cold sensation running through you to your bones. Dropping the candle holder, it disappeared into a thick fog. Darting your gaze around finding you were in some odd grey forest. Seeing something moving behind the trees, your immediate reaction to run.