The Devil's Order ||ON HOLD||

Chapter 13

I didn't sleep last night.

I was too busy thinking about multiple ways this could go wrong? What if Frederick kills me instead? What if I get caught? What if I go to Jail? What if this all goes to shit?

I went to take my shower at five and dressed up for school even though school was in about two hours. I sat on my bed and put my glasses on.

The Oethcox was still inside my bag, I removed it and grasped it in my hand, staring at the intricate designs on the body of the box.

There were carvings of people bowing down to a woman who looked like a giant.

On the bottom of the box was a carving of a couple of people wearing hoods and knives on their hands.

What a weird cult, I thought. And I'm part of it.

I heard a knock on my door. "Chad? Are you up?" came Mom's voice.

"No!" I cry and throw the Oethcox into my bag.

Nonetheless, mom still opened the door. "I thought you said you weren't up?"

I shrug. "I knew you'd still open the door, even if I didn't reply."

She came over to my bed and sat down beside me. "We have to talk,"

I groan. "Mom it's almost six."

"And you're already dressed for school."

I sigh.

"I've been trying to call your phone," Mom said. "It's unreachable."

I remembered when my phone exploded last night. How was I going to explain myself?

"Um. . .," I start. "My phone was stolen."

Mom's eyes grew wide. "By who? Bullies?"

I shook my head and try to calm my mother. "I left it at Bernie's and when I came back it was gone."

Mom scoffed. "That phone cost a hundred and thirty dollars, Chad!"

"I know mom. I'm sorry."

"I guess I'll buy you another one," She said. "But it would be cheaper."

"Sure Mom," I say. "But I'm sure this isn't the reason why you came to see me."

"I wanted to talk about yesterday's events," Mom said. "Or should I say this morning's events?"

I groan. "I said I was sorry, and I would be kinder to Derek."

"I know." Mom said. "But I want to know where you went to last night."

I gulp, I knew I could never tell Mom what happened last night. "If you tell me," says Mom. "I'd get you an iPhone."

I hesitated.

"Come on Chad. . ." teased Mom. "An iPhone 12 would be great right?"

I sighed and pull out the Oethcox and drop it on mom's lap.

She stared in horror. "What the hell is this?"

"It's the reason why I was out last night," I answer.

I collect it from her and pull out the Oethcyte. Her eyes grew wider than car tires, "A knife? Chad, what's going on here?"

I drop the Oethcyte on the floor. "Mom," I hold her hands in mine. "I want you to understand that what I'm about to tell you might break your mind and your soul."

"Talk," Mom nodded.

I swallowed. "Dad was part of a demonic cult that was why you chased him out of our lives remember?"

Mom nodded, she was already sweating.

"When he joined the cult, he made a blood pact with the cult that tied our family to the cult. And it is a must that I join the cult when I reach the age of sixteen."

Mom's hand fell from mine. "Chad. . .dodon't tell me that. . ."

Tears welled up in my eyes. It hurts me to see Mom like this. "Yes Mom, I had to join the cult."

Mom fell to the ground crying and screaming. "Chad!! Why are you doing this to me?"

"Mom," I say and try to hold her but she throws my hand away."I have no choice, If I don't join they would kill me."

Mom doesn't listen, instead, she gets up and slaps me. "Fuck you!! Don't you see that I'm trying to protect you from your wretched father!! And now you want to become just like him!"

"Mom--"

The door swung open and Derek was standing there confused. "What's going on here Taylor?"

Mom rushed to him, pointing at me. "He's part of--a demonic cult. . ."

Derek looked at me, a horrified expression on his face. "Chad? Why?"

Mom continued to cry.

"It's okay Taylor, I've called the cops already," Derek said.

The sounds of police sirens drenched our voices.

"Chad Unger!!" A voice over a megaphone called. "You are under arrest!!"

Derek grabbed me by the scruff of my shirt and threw me outside of our house were two cops with emotionless faces were waiting for me.

They grabbed me and slammed my face on the body of a squad car. I could see Mom and Derek standing on the porch of our house. Mom's head was buried in Derek's shoulder and her body shook violently, Derek was patting her shoulder and shaking his head at me.

The cops and handcuffed me and threw me into the car.

"Chad?" Mom called. "Don't you want an iPhone 12?"

I snap out of my little imagination. "Uh, you can't afford it."

Mom laughed.

I scratched my head. "I was at Jason's."

"Doing what?"

"Watching movies and playing video games," I say.

"Okay," Mom stood up and went for the door. "I'd tell you to get ready for school, but you already have." With that, she left.

I sighed. I open my bag and stare at the Oethcox. This shit's gonna land me into real trouble.

I stood up and stare out the window, the town was already waking up. A van zoomed past the front of our house.

I took a deep breath.

What am I doing?