The living survive the undead.

Chapter 2- Caleb

Everything was silent. Ryder snarled and rushed into his room. "What are you doing Caleb?" Ryder stood in the doorway. Caleb stilled, paralyzed by fear. "N-Nothing!" He stuttered. Ryder sauntered over and picked up the book Caleb had dropped. "If you would like to know more just ask. Don't go snooping around my hom- Well place of residence." Caleb visibly calmed down.

Ryder handed the three pillows and offered them his bed as it could easily fit three in. Caleb had refused but Ryder insisted. Robin and Dennie had fallen asleep while Caleb was still awake. Ryder was in the living room, a cigarette between his lips as he looked at the many Tv screens in front of him. "Ryder..." Caleb's voice was just above a whisper. Ryder took a deep drag on the cigarette, let go, turning around to face the door. "Yes Caleb." The blonde's voice was rough, almost like gravel. "Can I ask you some questions? I only ask now because Dennie and Robin aren't awake." Caleb entered, taking a seat next the demon hybrid. "Yes you may." Ryder's answers were short and sharp as his attention was fixed to the screens. "How many demons have you summoned?"

Ryder's throat grew dry. His voice stuck. "How... How did you know about that?" He finally spoke Caleb shifted in his seat "The markings," He motioned the yin and yang symbol on Ryder's neck and his green misshapen eye, "Two demons but you have summoned more before. Five I would say." Caleb's red eyes scanned over Ryder, his brown hair falling from behind his ear. "Yes. You are correct." Ryder said, turning his attention to the brunette. "Ryder... Can I see the two demons you have a contract with?" Caleb knew that this was a risky question to ask as he saw Ryder tense up. Ryder's breath grew heavier. "You can't see two. One is dead."

Caleb looked to the floor not knowing what to say. "I'm sorry for your l-!" Caleb was cut short as a hand grabbed his throat and pressed him into the sofa. Ryder's eyes glowed a vibrant red, his teeth growing sharper, breath heavy "You have no idea about this Caleb. No idea what I've had to deal with when I lost Yeiw." Ryder's voice straining and cracking as tear began to fall on Caleb's face. "I...I do Ryder... I've lost a demon too." The bird Hybrid's voice cutting out. Ryder shook his head, staring at the hand on Caleb's throat. He immediately sat up and got off of Caleb. Sitting up quickly, Caleb searched for his breath. "Sorry about that. When Yeiw died I was forced to take a part of his soul. Yeiw was a demon of-." Ryder was cut off. "Ryder it's okay. You don't have to explain anything to me." Caleb said putting an arm round the blonde's shoulders, "I've had a demon who died too. His name was Thirrin. Demon of Wealth. He was in a fight with a Demon called Marxihr." Ryder tensed up. "You know Marxihr?" Caleb questioned. Ryder nodded. "Anyway, Thirrin was in a fight with Marxihr. Thirrin had provoked Marxihr. Thirrin being a higher class demon has markings of royalty and relentlessly teased Marxihr about it. Marxihr had eventually had enough and slit Thirrin's throat. Clean decapitation and the burned his body so he wouldn't come back. I lost a demon. I had to absorb a part of his remaining soul." Caleb ended his story and left the room, patting Ryder on the shoulder as he passed him.

Leaving Ryder alone to think back on his past, the Tv screens still playing and flashing. Leaving Ryder to think about the damage he had caused families, the damage to mothers, fathers. Ryder began to cry, his shoulders shaking. Soft gasps left him as he ran his hands through his hair. Looking up at the Tv screen he realised the time was midnight. He grabbed the remote turning them all off. Lying his head against the cushions, violent images of his past flashed behind his eyelids. He knew he wasn't going to sleep tonight.