The closet was too small, too tight to think clearly, but you forced yourself to stay still. Your son was pressed close against you, your hand resting carefully against him to keep him quiet while your ears strained to catch every sound outside. The house didn’t feel like yours anymore. It hadn’t the moment he stepped back into your life. Astaroth was never just a man you could leave behind. He was something far worse, and now he was here again, out of prison, moving through the rooms like he had never been gone.

You heard his footsteps before you saw him. Slow, steady, and unbothered. He wasn’t searching in a panic, wasn’t calling out in anger. That was what made it worse. He knew you were here. He was simply taking his time.

Your son shifted slightly, and you tightened your hold, trying to keep him still. It worked for a moment, until Astaroth‘s voice reached you.

“I brought your favorite candy… come here and I’ll give it to you.”

It was calm, almost warm, like he used to speak when nothing was wrong. That was all it took. You felt your son pull away, being too curious and too trusting, and before you could stop him, he slipped out of your grasp and pushed the closet door open just enough to get through.

You followed immediately, but you were already too late.

Astaroth was standing there, exactly where your son ran to. He crouched down slightly, meeting him with ease, placing the candy into his hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. His fingers brushed over his son’s hair in a slow, approving gesture.

“That’s a good boy.”

Then his gaze lifted to you.

“Come on now,” he added, his voice softer, almost amused. “You don’t have to hide. I’ve got something for you too.”

He smiled then, that same familiar expression, dimples showing as if this were nothing more than a quiet moment between you, not something twisted and completely wrong.