What Once Was

Chapter 1: Death is Just The Beginning

The smell of booze and firework powder hung in the air of New Orleans streets. Joyful screams of children echoed around. The festivities continued, and celebrated Independence day.

Halfway between the city of New Orleans and the houses of the wealthy people, a concrete arch bridge connected both lands. In between these lands, everything seemed peaceful, the river flowed by, adding melody to nature's sounds.The wrought iron Victorian street lights illuminated the bridge's path and you could see a male figure hunched down, holding a small female. Blood stains stained the bridge, and even some of the lights.

Alastor's heart dropped as he knelt in a puddle of blood while his tears ran endlessly as he stared at the small female whose porcelain skin was scratched and bruised. His shaking palms tried to stop the blood flow from her small chest. His burgundy suit turning darker by the second.

"Please.. please just.. hang in there my dear.." Alastor said. The blonde female's eyes fluttered ever so slightly. Her soft hands reached out for Alastor's face filled with panic.

"Someone please! Please help me! Please!" His screams pleased only added to the background noise. But no one could hear his screams due to the partying from the city.

Alastor had no idea what had happened. He had had another blackout and as soon as he came back to reality, he was only a few feet away from her, his hands, and white collar shirt were stained with blood.  Her short  curly blonde hair was ruffled up, and her coral silk chiffon dress was tattered and smudged with blood and dirt stains. Her cloche hat laid next to her, completely stained with her blood. Had this been his fault? He tried remembering but everything was so fuzzy and his headache only got worse. He threw his glasses away in order to have a better vision of Charlie.

"Don't worry.. I'll .. be fine.." She coughed as she softly spoke. Alastor took off his burgundy vest and wrapped it around her.

"Please my darling.. just be quiet and save your energy." Alastor pleaded to her as brushed her bangs from her face. Charlie drew a faint smile as her eyes got heavier, and harder to keep open

-If only she had listened to him, and been aware of the signs.- Charlie thought to herself. The signs were all there, yet she was so naïve, and refused to believe that he would ever harm her.

"You know.. you.. you... were worth all the trouble... I love you Al.. always." Charlie told him as she brushed her hand over his, and took in every detail of him. She coughed up blood and her body felt weaker by the second.

She refused to believe that the encounter she just had right now wasn't the real him.  Fighting what she had witnessed and what she believed, she slowly started losing consciousness. Ignoring the pleads from her lover , she slowly closed her eyes more and more. She was confident she would see him again, but didn't know exactly when. Only time would tell. And with that last thought, she kept her charming smile, and stopped fighting for consciousness.

Alastor devastated from this held onto to her lifeless body and could no longer control his frustration and let out screams and tears.

A few moments of silence happened until Alastor's own shadow gained life and danced in the pavement. His yellow eyes and grin shined as it danced until it was right in front of him , and stood up. Alastor didn't immediately notice until he saw his familiar self.  Shaken by this, Alastor held Charlie's body closer to him. Over years, he had become accustomed to his dark self, and now it was the finally time to confront himself.

"My oh my, I certainly did outdone myself with her if I do say so myself." He said as he chuckled to himself as he admired Charlie's lifeless body.