Learning to Love

Chapter 5

I woke up with a groan, my body sore, and my head pounding. I went to sit up, a hand on my shoulder gently pressing me down again.

"You need to stay in bed angel" I opened my eyes seeing charlie sitting beside my bed, vaggie, and Alastor behind her. "You had a really bad fall..." I groaned softly rubbing my forehead, finding a cloth tied around my head "it's a good thing Alastor heard you fall and was able to get you up here so quickly." I looked at Alastor. So he had been there... it wasn't just my imagination...

"The fuck were ya doing out here smiles?" I muttered, "why would ya be around to find me?" Alastor laughed softly

"Oh dear, I just happened to be going on one of my rounds to check up on the hotel. And I happened to hear you take a nasty tumble. It was a good thing though. You hit your head quite hard." His signature smile widened slightly. Why did I get the feeling that he was lying to me... at least that he wasn't being totally honest. Why would he have any other reason to be around me? It wasn't like he liked me. In fact, I was pretty sure he hated me. If someone said that he sent his shadow to trip me I wouldn't be surprised.

"Whateva. I'm tired, an' id like to go to my room now. Is that allowed?" I started to sit up, groaning at the pain in my head. This would be so much easier if I wasn't still drunk.

"H angel I'm not sure that's such a good idea..." I rolled my eyes touching the cloth tied to my head. Not too much blood. I started to stand my legs just a little shaky. Damn it, I could feel some bruises forming on my hips and knees. I really did fall down the stairs pretty hard...

"Thanks, toots, but I've had worse. This is hell after all" I have a light-hearted laugh, hoping no one would question where I had been hurt like this. Too many incidents that I could tell... "I'm jus' gonna head up to bed and sleep it off" I started back towards the stairs, stumbling slightly. I would be fine. I just couldn't get cocky at the top this time. I placed a hand on the railing looking up the stairs with a sigh. There was a hum that made me turn to find Alastor standing just barely a foot behind me, that psychotic smile plastered on his face "whatcha want smiles?" He laughed softly, a laugh track filling the air around him

"I am merely making sure you make it to your room this time dear. Can't have patrons falling and getting themselves hurt twice in the same night" I squinted at him. What was his end goal?

"Alright Smiles, what's ya plan? Ya said yaself that the only reason you're here is fa' ya own entertainment. Why act like ya care? Isn't my pain entertainin' or some shit to ya?" Before he could answer I started up the stairs. I didn't expect him to answer me.

"I assure you, it is much more entertaining to see you try to get better before you fall— ahem, I mean, fail." I rolled my eyes at him

"No, ya ment fall" I heard that soft radio chuckle following behind me

"Perhaps I did. It did just seem to fall off the tongue perfectly. You don't seem like the kind to be too upset about jokes like such anyhow" I laughed softly

"Nah, I'm used ta bein' a joke to everyone" I smiled slightly seeing that I had reached the top of the stairs. I glanced behind me, surprised at the silence I had been met with. "S'wrong smiles? Ya were just laughin' a second ago"

"Sorry dear, just heard something I didn't think was so funny" he gave me his signature smile "well, it seems that you have reached your room safe and sound. Get some rest, tomorrow is a whole new day!" He turned on his heels walking down the hall going to his room. I sighed softly watching him go. What did he hear?it was just the two of us...

I shook my head opening my door. I was drunk. I must have missed something. I collapsed Into my bed, smiling when Nugs cuddled into my side. I didn't want to think about the pain I would feel tomorrow. I just wanted to sleep.