Chapter Seven

Maybe I am naive to fully trust demons don’t have evil things up their sleeves. I told Pops straightforwardly that I am not interested n all these hell things. The kings can have anyone they want up on their throne for hell’s sake. But that doesn’t seem to be enough.

Demons are greedy, prideful, and treacherous. 

“Are you okay, Zari?” Frey asked me as I slumped at my desk. “Oh, you look horrid, sis.” 

“I failed to sleep properly last night.” I said, without lifting my head.

“Why? You just came back from,” she leaned in closer and whispered in my ear. “Down there, right?”

I laughed and sat properly to look at her. She looked worried but I smiled at her. 

“I’m fine, Frey. It's just these kings want me to go on this weird journey to prove I’m worthy. I might be good as dead before I even prove anything.” I explained. She then took her seat beside mine.

“Well, they can’t force you if you don’t want to.” She said to console me. 

“Well, those are not really nice kings and demon is an understatement for them. I guess we’ll just wait and see if Pops can do something.”  I sighed as the bell rang and our next teacher came in.

“Alright class, for today we will talk about demons.” Mr. Gregory, our Math teacher said in front.

You can hear a lot of puzzled reactions. Mr. Gregory is a fun teacher. He makes Math a little bit easier. But why are we going to talk about demons in math class?

“What  do you mean, Mr. Gregory?” One of my classmates asked.

“Oh, because we have our friendly demon classmate here. Right, Zaria?” A collective gasp from my classmates shook my core. A thick black smoke crawled on our floor, and the windows showed darkness outside our room.

All of them looked at me. Their eyes were black and no expressions were on their faces. Black horns slowly protrude from their heads and the smell of sulfur filled the air. I looked at Frey beside but her chair is empty.

“Looking for your best friend?” I looked at the front and saw Mr. Gregory holding expressionless Frey by her neck. Mr. Gregory has wings with black feathers. His nails look like claws and his teeth are sharp with fangs. I stood up in a panic. But the moment I stood up and ready to lunge at him, my body froze half movement.

“Frey!” I shouted. 

“Oh, don’t worry my dear future queen. We will take very good care of your besty here. Meanwhile, you should focus on your journey down to hell. We will meet you at the center.” Mr. Gregory, or whoever demon this creature is, said as he slide his filthy fingers down Frey’s cheek.

“Let Frey go, you demon!” I shouted as I try to wriggle my body to move. “Frey! Wake up!” 

“Wake up! Frey! Wake up!” I keep shouting. But they vanished in black smoke.

“Frey!” My head bolted up from my desk. I can see Mr. Gregory writing the quadratic expression on the board and stopping to look at me. My classmates’ normal eyes are on me as well. The black smoke on the floor is gone and the sun is shining brightly outside.

“I’m afraid Frey is absent today, Zaria. Is everything alright?” normal Mr. Gregory said.

I look at Frey’s seat beside me and it is empty. Panic crept inside me. I looked behind me at Seth. he raised his hand to get Mr. Gregory’s attention.

“I think I will take her to the clinic, Mr. Gregory.” He said.

“Yes. Thank you, Seth. Take a good rest, Zaria.” Mr. Gregory said.

Seth took my bag and assisted me in walking. That is no ordinary dream. I can feel my energy was used and faint evil energy is lingering somewhere near. Seth lead me outside the school building near the back gate.

“What happened?” He asked. “You look pale as shit.”

“I think the kings got Frey. I need to go to her house now.” I said.

Seth looked confused and a big question mark is written on his face. But he helped me jump over the fence and made our way to Frey’s house.

“What do you mean? Why would they take Frey? She’s just a human.” Seth said as we walk hurriedly.

“That’s why. She is human and she’s my best friend. She’s weak and they know I will do anything they want if it means my human best friend is in danger.” What a nice dirty trick.

“But what do they want? Did they say anything in your dream?” Seth asked.

“They want me to take the journey down to the center of hell. They said they will meet me there.” I said.

I rang the doorbell of Frey’s house. Her mother answered it.

“Zari, Seth, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be in school? Is  Frey with you?” Shit. So it means Frey’s not here.

“Uh, yes Mrs. Garcia. Actually, Frey is in school. She told me to grab something in her room because she forgot about it and she can’t go here because she is stuck on a project.” I reasoned out.

“Oh, that girl is always so clumsy. Can you grab that for me? I am skiing in the kitchen.” Mrs. Garcia opened the door wide for me and Seth to come in.

“Sure no problem. We’ll be quick since we still need to help her. Thanks, Mrs. Garcia.” Seth and I hurriedly went upstairs to Frey’s room. 

Right as we entered, thick evil energy welcomed us, making both of us dizzy.

“Damn, this one is strong.” Seth murmured as he steadied himself upright.

I walked to Frey’s bed and saw a black envelope on top of it. 

“Looking forward to meeting you, My Future Queen of Hell. -Belial"