The Demon and the Child

Nightmares and Weird Feelings

Virgil rubbed his eyes before he could nod off in the library, he was plagued with nightmares the night before and didn't get any good sleep.

The first dream was about the car crash, but this time he could see the winged figure much more clearly. It was an angel, Virgil knew that with no doubt, somehow he knew it wasn't just a human with wings. It was a holy being.

He couldn't remember that many dreams after, he does recall a dream where Roman was fighting off some angels, he had that same red and black sword from the other dream. What was startling was the black horns and tail he had, as well as his red eyes, but Virgil knew he was trying to protect him.

That was the last dream he had before he gave up on trying to sleep. It was around five at the time, and he just decided to go on his phone.

All of his dreams had something to do with angels or demons. Some dreams he died, others he managed to escape the threats, or he just woke up before anything serious happened.

It was just really weird that they were all religious, considering Virgil himself isn't. And it was annoying, like really annoying.

"Hey- woah what happened to you?" Roman asked, sitting down on the sofa.

"I didn't sleep well last night," Virgil replied with a yawn.

"Clearly. You're not wearing any makeup, are you?"

"That would be the dark circles, I didn't have the energy to do my makeup."

"You should have stayed home, it looks like you're about to pass out."

"I'll be fine, I'll go back to sleep when I get back home."

"Well, would you like me to at least do your makeup for you?"

"Sure, why not?"

Roman pulled out black eyeshadow and put a hand under Virgil's chin to steady him.

Virgil kept his eyes closed, not having the energy to keep them open really. He let himself rest in Roman's palm, it was warm and soft.

"Okay, maybe you should take a quick nap before class starts?" Roman suggested.

"No time," Virgil mumbled.

"I am so close to calling you uncle to take you home. How much sleep did you get last night?"

"I dunno, maybe a few hours? Not consecutively, too many nightmares."

"About what?"

"Angels and demons, you had a sword, I was killed in some of them. It was weird."

Roman pulled the makeup brush back. "That's... concerning."

"I's just some dreams," Virgil slurred.

"Well I seriously think you need to go home. I'm calling Patton. How did he even let you go to school like this?"

"He went to work early, I took the bus. I'll be fine, you don't need to bother him."

"You are not staying here like this, you're going home."

Virgil pulled away from Roman's hand. "But I have detention today."

"It'll be fine, but you need to go home." Roman dialed Patton's number and waited for him to answer.

Virgil gave up on protesting and leaned his head against Roman's shoulder.

"Hey Roman," he heard Patton greet.

"Sorry to call you while you're at work, but Virgil didn't get a lot of sleep last night and I don't think he'll be able to make it through the first period. He's seriously about to pass out. I can take him home, I have time, I just wanted to let you know."

"Okay, thank you for letting me know. Tell him to try to get some sleep and not to worry about school. I'll call him out sick, thanks Roman."

"It's no problem, don't worry about him. I'll see you later, bye."

Patton said bye and Roman hung up before turning back to Virgil, who was already dozing off.

"Hold on Virge, we have to get you to the car before you start napping."

"Mhmm," Virgil nodded, standing up with Roman's help.

He rubbed his eyes again and opened them as Roman held his hand, leading him out of the library.

They were heading to the front door when they heard someone call, "Oh, Virgil!"

Virgil turned and saw Ethan coming towards them. He greeted, "Hey Ethan, what are you doing here?"

"I'm going to this school starting today, what a coincidence!"

"Well, welcome I guess. This is my friend Roman, Roman this is Ethan. I met him yesterday."

"Nice to meet you, but we have to get going," Roman said, suddenly very anxious. "Virgil's not feeling well so he's heading back home."

"Oh, I'm sorry. But it's nice to meet you, I hope I'll see you guys around!"

"Yeah, bye." Roman turned around and started walking away.

"See ya, Ethan," Virgil told him, following Roman.

Roman really wanted to leave now, he couldn't put his finger on it but Ethan seemed familiar. A dangerous familiar. And he didn't want Virgil around him, even if he can't remember why.

He brought Virgil back outside and to his car. The second Virgil was strapped in, he leaned back and started dozing off again.

Roman tapped the steering wheel nervously as he started to drive away. It was dangerous here now, more so than usual. The demon will have to be more careful, more vigilant. He wasn't going to let Virgil down again.

But first, he needed to get him home and to bed.

~~~

Roman paced around nervously in the living room. He didn't want to go back to school, there really was no point since his job is to protect Virgil, not get full A's. But mostly, he just really didn't want to go back there.

He's been anxious since he met Ethan, it was driving him crazy not knowing why he felt dangerous. He seemed human, maybe he had a cross or holy water on him? Yeah, that was probably it, humans like to wear crosses around their necks for some reason.

It didn't really matter, he just had to keep Ethan away from Virgil and it will be fine.

Roman turned when he heard Virgil come downstairs. Speak of the devil, well not really, and it's Lucifer's son.

Virgil frowned slightly when he saw Roman. He asked, "What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to make sure you'll be okay, so I'm playing hooky," Roman replied.

"You didn't have to, I'm fine." He did look much better.

"I wanted to. Did you have any nightmares?"

"Not really, actually. It was nice. I just hope I don't miss too much work."

"I'll help you catch up on anything you need help with. I'm sure we'll be fine. We should get something to eat though, it's lunch time."

"Any time between breakfast and dinner can be lunch."

"Okay smarty pants, just find something to eat. Then we can just spend the day together if you're up to it."

"That sounds nice. Skipping school to just hang out with you. Just this once though."

"Hey, I don't want to get in the way of your education unless it's for your own safety."

"What are you, my guardian?"

"And if I am?"

"Then I guess I scored a cute one." Virgil flicked Roman's nose.

"Ow! Wait did you call me cute?"

Virgil laughed, "Am I wrong?"

Roman smiled. "No you are not, my dear. Now let's get some food in you."