Damien's eyes snapped open. He lay for a moment, staring up at the ceiling before slowly sitting up and letting out a long yawn, stretching his arms above his head.
"Did I sleep with my clothes on?" he mumbled, glancing down at his outfit. He shrugged, lifted a shoulder, and sniffed cautiously, wrinkling his nose before quickly turning his head away.
Rising to his feet, he looked over at Jiwon, who was sprawled across his bed, snoring loudly in a position that looked painfully uncomfortable. Damien sighed and made his way toward the bathroom, pushing the door open.
The space was small but functional. He paused in front of the mirror, studying his reflection for a few seconds before picking up a toothbrush Soren had bought. He raised an eyebrow, thinking, 'This looks clean.'
He grabbed a tube of toothpaste and read the brand aloud under his breath. "Mustybæls… weird name." He pushed a dab onto the brush and scrubbed for a solid two minutes before rinsing.
Stripping down completely, he examined himself in the mirror, lips tugging slightly as his eyes scanned his body. Then he turned and stepped into the shower, twisting the knobs until the water slowly heated. The steam rose, curling around his feet and fogging the mirror. After washing off, he stepped out and grabbed a bottle of lotion, muttering, "What is up with these names?" as he read the label.
Applying the lotion, he glanced back at Jiwon, who was still asleep, before moving to his bed. He kneeled and rifled through a box of clothes, muttering, "Not doing much today."
He slid on a pair of boxers, then dark gray baggy jeans, followed by a slightly oversized black t-shirt. Black socks, black sneakers, and finally a thin gold chain around his neck completed the outfit. Running his fingers through his curly hair, he sighed. "When we get home, I'm definitely getting a fade."
Hands in his pockets, he opened the door and stepped into the hallway. Heads turned as other students shamelessly watched him pass. Damien ignored them, descending the stairs to the first floor. He drew in a deep breath, sprinted across the floor, and exited the building. The morning sun warmed his skin as he started walking, a calm breeze ruffling his hair.
Stopping briefly to study some signs, he continued toward the park. At a small wooden gate, he paused to take in the scenery. Green pastures stretched as far as he could see, dotted with tall trees swaying gently in the wind. He narrowed his eyes. "How in the world does this shitty ass school have this?"
"It's because the headmaster likes parks," a familiar voice said. Damien turned to see Anna walking beside him.
"Anna," he said.
She nodded. "Pretty sure that's my name."
"Hm?" she intoned.
"What?" Damien asked.
"So… we're in a 'fuck it' fit?" she tilted her head, eyes meeting his.
Damien let out a tired sigh. "I was too tired to put together an actual outfit."
"But how about yesterday?" she pressed.
"Eh," Damien shrugged. "I'm literally friends with guys who look like supermodels. I can't be throwing random fits around them."
"So… because it's me, you don't want to try?" Anna raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"Never mind. Just saying what was on my mind."
Damien narrowed his eyes, studying Anna. "Anna… what did you want to talk to me about?" His tone landed unintentionally cold.
Anna stood her ground, meeting his gaze. "Well, aren't you a bit rude? Anyway, I just wanted to talk to you about yesterday."
"I'm very sorry about how I acted," she continued, "but my feelings are real. I do like you… and I was hoping that you liked me too."
"Ann—"
Damien's skin prickled. For a second, his hair stood on end, and his eyes flashed. His Wi almost activated before he forced it back, forcing himself to stare down at Anna.
Her eyes looked sweet, but something in Damien screamed danger.
FIGHT. FIGHT. FIGHT. FIGHT.
His heartbeat spiked. He stepped back, muttering, "What are you?"
"DAMIEN!"
He turned and saw the other three, all dressed in similar outfits but in different colors. He looked back at Anna. "I have to go."
He stepped backward, then another step, before turning and walking past the wooden gate toward the others.
"Wow. That's a first."
The voice came from behind a tree, it was amused. The green-eyed demon leaned against it, arms crossed over his chestm His lips tugged into a smirk. "First time someone resisted your charm and called you out, huh, Lilith?"
"Shut up," Anna snapped, crossing her arms under her chest. "I can get him. Just wait."
"Alright~ I'll be waiting." The demon's chuckle carried as he disappeared into the wind.
Back with Damien.
The four walked together and Soren looked over towards Damien, who looked deep in thought as Soren raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
"Anna," Damien said.
"What now?" Renji exhaled.
"She triggered my response the one I have been getting near death."
The three abruptly stopped as Damien stopped a few steps ahead of them.
"What do you mean?" Jiwon asked, tilting his head.
"Exactly what I said. I was about to attack her... but I restrained myself at the last second."
Renji sighed. "Next time, listen to me."
"That's a bit insensitive, Renji," Jiwon said as he looked over towards Renji.
"Oh, shut up. I warned him yesterday. You pushed for this. Now look where we are." Renji clenched his jaw. "That girl is now classified as a threat. Who knows why—or who she's with."
Jiwon's lips twitched in near disbelief. "Can't you say that nicer?"
"I've stated as nicely as possible that I don't like her. Sorry if I sound harsh. But now… we're deeper in shit because no one listened."
"Renji," Soren began.
"Oh, shut the fuck up. You're the oldest. I'm the youngest. And somehow I can read the flags faster than you?" He exhaled sharply. "You know what? Fine. I won't blame anyone. But I'm not dying because of some some random girl."
"Damien probably has a target on his ba—"
"Are you all having a quarrel?" A voice cut through, bringing a familiar oppressive pressure. All four turned to see the green-eyed demon.
The demon's gaze landed on Damien. "You didn't answer my question from yesterday."
"Why should he?" Renji stepped forward, Soren glared at him while Jiwon observed carefully.
"Oh, I don't know… it doesn't make sense. You killed outside the Blood Festival and weren't called by the headmaster. You killed one of my minor demons and look at you. Not a scratch. Not a mark. So…"
The demon disappeared and reappeared directly in front of Damien. "How did you do it?"
Silence stretched for a bit before all their hairs except Damien's began to stand. The demon slowly began to grin as Damien's eyes flickered off into a glowing deep crimson. "Should I show you?" His voice landed cold and filled with malice.
The demon shook his head. "Never mind. I understand now. But… don't show me yet. I don't want your head. Besides… someone promised me your hea—"
"Is it that girl?" Jiwon asked. The demon exhaled with amusement.
"Well… looks like you've figured it out. Don't worry. I won't kill you… yet. But prepare for the Blood Festival, it's my " He placed a hand on Damien's shoulder as the widest most devilish grin began to spread across his face. "Favorite festival." He then vanished without a trace.
Silence fell in the air before,
Soren sighed as he slid his hands into his pockets. "Alright… we're in a horrible state. The Blood Festival is in…"
"Four months," Renji answered before oren looked over towards him and raised an eyebrow.
"I memorized the calendar," Renji added.
"Show-off," Jiwon muttered, crossing his arms. "So… we're going to be fighting even more?"
"Yeah," Soren said.
Damien's eyes flickered off as he muttered. "I'm sorry."
Renji waved it off. "It's fine. We've got something bigger, most likely a gang, from what we heard yesterday."
"I can help with that," a female voice said. The four turned to see the girl from the dark psychology class, flanked by two muscular men.
"Were you just… there the entire time?" Jiwon asked, as he hesitantly pointed a finger and narrowed his eyes.
One of the men whispered to her, "Ma'am… how did he know?"
Her eyes twitched as she glared at the man who straightened immediately.
She cleared her throat, looking back towards the four m. "My name is Mary Escargot," she said. "And I can be of help."
"Doesn't your name mean—" Jiwon started.
"Jiwon, don't finish that sentence," Renji cut him off.
Soren cleared his throat. "Why should we trust you?"
"Because it would benefit you." She answered with hesitation.
Silence stretched across the group.
(Who is Mary Escargot? What can she help with? What is going on? Who is Anna? Who is that demon?)
(Find out in the next chapter)