The Devils Contract [[JHS]] ✔️

THIRTY-NINE

Hana sat at her desk finishing up the last of her school work when there was a knock at her door.

"Hana?" Her mum called through the door "Can I come in?"

"Yup!" Hana said, and the door opened "What's up?"

"Your dad and I have something for you"

Hana frowned "That's random, but ok"

Her dad chuckled and they both stepped into the room, holding a few bags. Hana's mum emptied the contents onto the bed and Hana shuffled over to them.

"What is all this?" Hana asked.

"Well, you know that we are very superstitious and have been able to see things that no regular human can see" Her mum said "We are giving these to you"

"Why?"

"Because you never know when you are going to need them" Her dad shrugged.

Hana picked up a black feather and ran it across her palm "This is a big feather. It must have been some bird you got it from"

"It was" Her mum said quietly "It was from a crow"

"Damn" Hana laughed "Big crow"

"Very" Her dad said "You must use the feather carefully. Before you were conceived, we used a black feather, not this one, but we used it to wish for something"

"Wish for what?"

"There is some candles in there and other things that might be useful for you" He said changing the subject. Hana didn't press him for an answer, but she kept the feather in her hand. In the pit of her stomach, she thought that this feather meant something for them. Because as she went to hand it back, they refused to touch it or even look at it.

"Rock salt?" Hana said picking up the bag "What's this for?"

Her dad smiled "To keep evil away"

"Right" Hana said slowly "You know I don't believe in any of that, right?"

"Yes, but like we have told you. You never know when you might need it"

"And why are you giving this to me now?" Hana frowned.

Her mum smiled and put her hand on Hana's cheeks "Because we are. We have no reason sweetie. Just take them and use them when you want or have to"

"We just want you to be protected if you need to be" Her dad said "You use the rock salt to keep things out. So, why not use it now?"

Hana sighed "Where?"

"Around the house" He laughed.

Hana lifted her eyebrows "Right. In the rain. The rain will just wash it away!"

"The salt is then absorbed into the ground" He sighed "It's an invisible barrier, but once a month you have to top it up. Whether it be raining or not. It has to be done or something could get through"

"Ok. You two are scaring me now"

"Promise us that you will use the rock salt Hana" Her mum said "Whether you believe us or not, promise us for our sakes"

Hana sighed "Alright! I promise I will use it and top it up monthly"

Her parents smiled at her and kissed her cheeks.

"We love you sweetie"

Pain seared through Hana's body as she attempted to move, like a branding iron burning at her skin. Her body tried to curl into the fetal position, but the pain refused her command. A soft, cry for help peeled their way from her broken lips and a warm hand was placed in hers.

"Mum?" She croaked.

"No" A deep voice said, a voice she recognised "It's Taehyung"

"T-Taehyung?" She said, trying to open her eyes. They felt glued shut and it hurt every time she tried "I'm in so much pain"

"It won't last for much longer" He said.

"Ugh" She said finally opening her eyes. They rolled to the side to see Taehyung sitting beside her, Yoongi asleep beside him "Did I die?"

He smiled sadly at her "Almost"

"I feel like death" She said, her throat sticking together.

"Hana" Taehyung said "You were talking in your sleep"

She looked away and stared at the ceiling "I dreamt about my parents. The day...the day before they were killed. They gave me a bag that would look after me"

"What was in it?"

Hana sighed "Everything that I used to protect me from being torn apart by demons"

"Well, it did work"

Hana looked over at Taehyung who was smiling at her "I suppose but...I had a black feather and they were scared of it. I still don't know why"

Taehyung shrugged "Who knows. You could always ask Hoseok"

"Hoseok?" Hana said, her heart starting to race.

"Yeah...do you not remember him?"

"Y-yeah" She said "Why...why isn't he here?"

Taehyung sighed and squeezed her hand "He has some stuff to deal with"

"Get me up" Hana said "I want to see him"

"Not going to happen" Taehyung said "You are almost healed and I was told to make sure you stayed in bed. I am not getting on Jimin's bad side again"

"But-"

"No. He is scarier than when you wake Yoongi up" Taehyung said "I thought he was so calm but he really isn't. I almost pooed myself when he attacked a demon trying to get to Hoseok"

Hana sighed "When can I get up? I want to see...never mind. I'll stay in bed"

Taehyung laughed "You want to see Hoseok. I get that, but I'm also not messing with Bee. She's crazy"

"I am not crazy" Bee said making them all jump. Taehyung screamed and woke up Yoongi, who started screaming.

"What the fuck is going on!" Yoongi said jumping to his feet "Taehyung! You bastard! Don't be screaming for no reason!"

"You are cute when you wake up" Bee said and Yoongi's eyes went wide before he turned to face Bee "Hello beautiful"

Yoongi went bright red in the face and sat back down, not responding to Bee. She rolled her eyes and looked over at Hana.

"Miss Hana" She said lowering her head "I've come to ask for forgiveness. I failed you as a guard and I am fully prepared for what you plan to do to me"

"What do you mean?" Hana asked, trying to move. But the burning pain shot through her body again "Ow"

"As a royal guard, it is my job to protect you" She said "But I failed. You were taken and then you were almost killed. I failed my king and I failed my future queen. There is only one punishment, and I am willing to accept it"

"Which is what exactly?"

Bee looked up at Hana "Death"