At the Brink of Insanity

Chapter 10: Encounter with the Devil

"May I go to the toilette, professor?" Quietly asked Iris. If she really didn't have to go, she wouldn't have even asked. But when she thought about it more, maybe a bit of fresh air wouldn't hurt.

"Just make sure not to take long. Since I'm stopping the lecture until you come back, it wouldn't be fair if you left us hanging here." Chuckled Beelzebub. He really enjoyed these hanging puns he made every now and then, especially since Greg was still hanging from the ceiling and the kids looked more depressed every single time he'd make a new one.

Iris nodded her head, got up from her seat and went to the school bathroom. Washing her hands as she finished, she looked at herself in the mirror. She had bangs under her eyes, there was no smile on her face and her eyes lost the spark they had before. At least her hair looked nice, she thought to herself. 

Deciding it was time to get back to classroom, the girl splashed her face with cold water before she left, in hope her eyes would fully open. She was aware of the fact someone was going to die today. She just didn't know who. Walking towards the classroom, more on autopilot than on her own, her hoodie was yanked and Iris quickly turned around, just to find the same black haired man she saw on top of the building leaning onto one of the lockers, his hands crossed. There was no mistaking it, that was the Devil himself.

"I don't think the two of us ever got the chance to talk, have we?" Said the Devil.

The girl was awestruck. She could tell he was beautiful from the first time they crossed paths, but she was at the loss of words when he was standing in front of her. As much as she was amazed by his appearance, she was equally scared. He could kill her right there, in the middle of the school hallway, and no one would know a thing. The thoughts of running away played in her mind, but she already figured he'd catch up to her in no time. Or teleport himself, she wasn't sure if he could do that too. 

"What happened? Cat got your tongue?" Smirked Lucifer. 

Iris, still unable to talk, nodded her head, unable to look him in the eyes. The Deceiver was quite pleased with her reaction. She was afraid of him, just as he expected her to be; she was aware a mightier being was standing right in front of her and was judging her. But, there was still something that bothered him. She was able to see him. Something ordinary mortals couldn't even fathom if he didn't let them. And she did it by her own free will. 

Placing his finger under her jaw, he slowly raised her head, until their eyes met. There was something familiar in her eyes, but the image of when or where he saw such eyes didn't cross his mind. He knew for a fact he hadn't seen her before she enrolled into this school. The more the two of them looked at each other the more her blue eyes became brighter. That's when Lucifer thought of her parents.

"Tell me, who are your parents, little one?" Iris backed away from Satan a few steps. Her lips started trembling, her heart racing and head spinning. She suddenly felt ill and expected to fall unconscious right in front of him. He was asking for her parents. 'What do they have to do with all of this?' Iris thought to herself. 

"What...what do...you...want..with my...parents?" She barely stuttered, still feeling dizzy. Lucifer didn't move an inch, he eyed her carefully. A few schemes have already passed through his brain, schemes which he decided to put in motion. 

"I don't really care about your parents. I'm more interested in you, actually." He said huskily, lazily taking a step towards her. 

Iris didn't move, she couldn't. Not from the fear. No, there was something more keeping her in place. It was temptation and excitement. For the first time in her life she didn't feel like a bystander. She was, together with her nine remaining friends, in the center of attention. Her boring life has finally started moving. Something new and crazy was happening, even though it came in form of the ruler of darkness.

"You don't understand, do you? Little one, there are only three explanations why you're the only one who can see me. Either you're a daughter of a demon, an angel, or both." The girl was listening, absorbing the information he was giving her, and even though she was still scared and dizzy, she decided she'd hear him out till the end.

"So, who are you placing your bet on?" Lucifer said with a smile on his face, but Iris could tell there was mockery in his tone and that beautiful smile. Sudden anger went through her body, and without much thinking she decided to speak.

"My parents are normal humans. And I'm normal just as everyone else. As far as I know, you could be, no, I bet you are; toying with me, for your own entertainment. You want to see how long will it take for a weak girl like me to break! Well, guess what, Your Unholiness! I'm not a porcelain doll and I won't break that easily! And we'll find a way to stop you! If you want to kill me, you can do it right now because I really don't care anymore!" She was panting at the end of her speech, her cheeks red from anger and a slight fever she had. 

Lucifer's rich and dark laughter echoed through the school, making Iris feel trapped. 

"You say you'll stop me? How in the name of me do you kids plan to do that?" The Devil mocked.

"We'll find a way. We're not stupid as you think we are." Iris defended, her lips still trembling. A grin plastered itself on Lucifer's face.

"Fine, have it your way. I tried to make a nice deal with you here, but you're obviously too stubborn, so listen carefully. Annie Reiss dies next. Good luck in stopping me. Wait, you don't need luck, you need a freaking miracle." With those final words, Lucifer disappeared, leaving an ill Iris running back to her classroom.

Without any knocking, Iris slammed the doors to her classroom. Everyone's eyes were on her, except Beelzebub's. This was their chance to break the chain. This was their chance to get more time. 

"The Devil said Annie is dying next!" She said without hesitation, nor happy nor sad, but she knew this new information would be helpful. Everyone knew that. Annie wasn't that surprised, but the class was aware what they had to do next.

"Yes!" Suddenly yelled Beelzebub. The kids' attention was now on him. "Now I know who I should bet on! Finally! The victory will be mine!" He said laughing.

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Hello guys! 

Its really been a long time. I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I'd like to hear your thoughts about it and if you find some mistypes, please tell me :)

Don't expect a soon update, even at winter holidays, my mind is still in school subjects :(

Hope you're having plenty of fun at your holidays,

Hugh