Of Demons and Fallen Stars

Chapter 7: An Invitation

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When trouble smiles at your face, just smile right back.

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What I saw that evening unsettled me the whole night. I was not able to get much sleep thinking of what it could mean. The dead demon has been killed before it was burned, that much I could tell from its charred remains. Whoever might have killed that demon have the same idea that I have. I only hope whoever it might be had the same intentions.

I have made it my responsibility to eliminate demons that could really harm humans. Or at least quell them before they could do more damage. Jean made me realize just how cruel they could be, although not all of them. And from what I have learned, they don't even belong in this realm. I think of it as population control.

The question was who else could be killing them? There's a huge possibility that it was someone from school. I wanted to find out, wanted to meet, whoever it was.

The next day in school I had my guard up. I walked uncomfortably, the extra item in my bag leaving me on edge. It was a good thing that I was now wearing the school uniform so that I do not stand out as much as before. The truth is, I was not able to stop myself from carrying a couple of daggers. They were part of my aunt's collection and has become my weapon of choice although not my expertise. It was an ongoing process: decent aim but no real fighting experience. I brought it just in case. Not very optimistic of me, I know.

I know it will not be easy to try and find someone who does not want to be found. But what I did not expect was that he wanted to be found.

A demon was waiting for me in front of my classroom. It's a good thing not everybody could see it or it would have aroused a panic. Only one word was needed to sum up its appearance: hideous.

The demon has black shiny skin, like he had been dipped in machine oil. He had an antenna moving atop his head full of boils and which reached only up to my navel. His eyes were nothing but large empty holes. I almost expected to see its brain, if it had one, showing through the holes but there was only blackness, like a permanent impermeable shadow. I wondered briefly if it could see. But then it approached me, blocking my way into the classroom, and then gave me a slight bow.

Silently, it gestured for me to follow it. I was torn between ignoring it, or doing what it wanted. The empty holes it has for eyes was starting to creep me out. I finally decided to follow it. The demon led me to one of the more deserted hallways, looking back and forth as if to check that no one was around, and simply handed me a note which I warily took.

Come back by midnight, Room 009 was written in a messy scrawl.

"Wait," I called to the demon which has already turned to silently leave. It turned to look up at me. "Who is it?"

Another empty hole opened on its face, something which could probably pass for a mouth in the demon realm, but no words came out, only a rattling hiss. I do not speak demon so I   have to dismiss it and wait for midnight.

I watched it go and contemplated whether I should follow it back to its master. Then decided against it. I feel as if whoever it might be, I would only be able to meet him in his own terms.

I went into class and took my seat in front of the sleeping kid which I should probably get used to. I was just hoping he does not drool. It's a pity the teachers seem to ignore the fact that he was always sleeping through class.

I sighed. I was not a patient person and midnight was still a long time away. But at least, whoever it was, saved me the trouble of looking for him. Or her.