CHAPTER 2: THE DEMON'S NAME

Two days have passed. Chris is already bothered because he can't contact both his parents. He’s been trying to message them but he got no response after his mother said that they have an emergency meeting so they will come home late. It’s not the first time that it happened, but he’s feeling odd this time. He has to make sure that they are okay.

“You look so scared. They always do this, aren’t you used to it yet?” The demon taunted him like it always does but there’s something about the demon’s tone today that worries Chris more. He didn’t stop dialing his mother’s number but all he receives are system generated response.

He sighed and sat back on his bed after getting tired of pacing back and forth.

“Maybe they are in an important meeting? But they usually call or text when they can’t go home…” Chris immediately picked up his phone after he heard a message notification.

The demon laughed at Chris’ upset face, the one who texted is Kurt.

“Hey, I’m coming over. Help me with the Physics assignment, I bear tribute.” Chris scratched his head. He really thought it was his parents.

He replied, “That better be good or I’ll sending you home.” Chris is obviously joking. He knows that Kurt would barge in if he doesn’t agree anyway. Chris heard the demon clicked its tongue.

“That kid is coming over again…” it murmured before disappearing. Chris doesn’t know why it always leaves when Kurt is around. He wouldn’t see the demon anyway, only Chris could see the demon.

“I’m almost there.” Kurt replied after five minutes. Chris went downstairs to wait for Kurt.

Kurt smiled widely while showing the box of pizza and chicken he brought. Chris couldn’t help but chuckle, he really knows how to make him smile.

“Come in already before I change my mind.” Kurt dashed his way inside the house like a child excited to enter an amusement park.

“Let’s play on your Playstation, the loser will clean up.” Kurt offered, still wearing his goofy smile. Chris grinned, “I thought we’re supposed to do the physics assignment?”

Kurt’s eyes widened, “you mean you haven’t done it yet? I was hoping I could copy your homework…” he mumbled the last words.

“I couldn’t. I was busy trying to contact my parents.” Chris said as he stares at his phone, still waiting for any of his parents’ reply.

“Why, did something happen?” Kurt asked. Kurt wanted to smack himself for being insensitive. There he was talking about playing, he didn’t even notice Chris’ worried face.

 “I have no idea. They usually contact me when they can’t go home…” Chris answered. Kurt tapped Chris’ shoulder, “maybe they simply forgot because they are busy. Try not to worry too much, okay?” Kurt tried to console Chris.

“Let’s just do the assignment, so we could play later.” Chris dismissed the topic, maybe Kurt is right that he is just overthinking.

Kurt’s smile is back after hearing the word play, “The loser will clean up, deal?” he repeated his challenge.

“Fine, before you beat me let’s do the homework first.”

--

“What, how could I lose again?!” Chris laughed, Kurt’s reactions whenever he loses never fails to make him laugh.

"I told you, you'll never beat me into this. Make sure to tidy everything later." Chris ate the last slice of pizza while Kurt is still trying to move on the fact that he lost for the nth time. Kurt is about to ask for another round but his phone rang before he could speak. He immediately picks up the phone after seeing that it's his mom.

"I'm in Chris' home. I asked him to help me with homework." Kurt answered, phone on one hand and the other is busy cleaning the table. Chris is still busy eating his pizza. He picked up his phone to see if his mother replied to his messages but there's still no response, nor his father. He sighed and put back his phone on his pocket.

"He's so lucky..." Chris mumbled as he watches Kurt talk to his mom over the phone.

"Hey, my mom asked me to go home early today..." Kurt couldn't continue his sentence. “I'll clean up. Go home already.” Chris answered casually.

"I’ll make it up to you next time.” Kurt said as he picks up his things.

“Bye!” Kurt waved his hand without looking back.

The house is quiet once again. Chris smiled, but it doesn't reach his eyes. He realized that ever since they moved to their new house, it's only lively when Kurt is around. Chris has other friends too but only Kurt would bother talking to him all day especially with his personality.

"Hmm, you looked sad." Chris is already used with the demon appearing announced so he wasn't surprised anymore.

"Maybe I am." he answered while wiping the table. The demon didn't respond so Chris focused on cleaning. He was about to throw out the trash when his phone rang. He immediately took his phone out, expecting that it will be his mother but an unknown number is calling.

He felt odd once again, he answered the call and waited for the other line to speak, "Hello, is this the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dillon?" Chris felt his heart skip a beat.

"Yes, this is Chris Dillon. May I know who’s speaking?” He asked the woman on the other line.

Silence.

The long pause made Chris more anxious than he already is, "This is from St. Michael Hospital. I'm very sorry, your parents got into an incident. According to the report, their car was hijacked. Your father is already dead upon arriving the hospital your mother fought hard but she died an hour after she was brought to the hospital..." Chris blanked out after hearing the news. He couldn't understand the woman's words anymore. He dropped the call, he didn't mean to but everything is hard to absorb.

Tears started trickling down his face, his whole body felt numb. All he could do is focus on one emotion; anger. He felt intense rage for the first time. All he could think of is avenging his parents.

Chris heard a familiar laugh, the demon is laughing beside him.

Finally!

The demon watched with anticipation, it watched how a pure soul collapsed and succumbed by pure hate. Divine white is quickly tinted by black. The demon felt its mouth water because of the unhinged soul's scent.

"Are you going to kill me?" Chris asked. His voice is already broken from crying. He is aware that it is the only reason why the demon never left him, because it wanted to feed on him. The demon remained quiet, still enticed with the scent of the newly corrupted soul.

"You said demons can make contract with humans, for the price of their soul." Chris spoke again.

"And?" the demon responded this time. It definitely likes the direction of their conversation. Chris wiped away his tears. The pain he should be feeling is overpowered by his desire for revenge, "I want my revenge, I’ll do the contract. I don't care if you take my soul."

"The rules are simple," The demon started, "I will be on your side, fulfilling your wishes until you served your revenge. In exchange, I will feed on your soul, until nothing is left."

Chris didn't budge, "Like I said, I don't care. I have to find the people behind my parents' death. They will pay. They will pay for everything."

Chris flinched as he suddenly felt intense pain on his left wrist. He checked his wrist and an image started to etch on his skin. It felt like his skin is being seared, it continued for over a minute but Chris bore the pain. The pain stopped as soon as the image is completed.

Image of a crown.

"The contract has been completed." The demon gladly announced.

Chris stared at the demon, "State your name demon." The demon laughed, completely delighted and amused with what is happening.

“My name is Damien.”