CHAPTER 6: ANGELS & DEMONS

“Chris.” Kurt immediately approached his friend. Chris stood and welcomed the newcomers. He could see his other classmates arriving one by one. Chris figured that they came here as soon as the class dismissal since they are still wearing their uniform.

It was his parents’ wake which is organized by Henry, just like what he promised. The same man that escorted him arrived to his house again, fetched him then brought him in the funeral parlor.

It’s been hours but he didn’t dare looking at his parents from the casket. He knew that he would cry again so he chose not to. He still had to accept visitors.

He haven’t seen the demon today, he assumes that Damien sees this event as boring. He is thankful too, because he wouldn’t have to deal with his daily dose of taunting.

“Our condolences, Chris. Our adviser also said that she will come later.” One of his classmates, their class president spoke. Chris smiled, it didn’t reach his eyes but he’s trying to be as accommodating as he can.

“Thank you for coming, I really appreciate it.” He answered. Kurt casually started helping Chris accommodate the other guests, his other classmates are helping too after they paid respect to the deceased.

Most people that attended are people from Fantasia. Chris tried asking them about his parents to test them but all of them said that they are part of their parents’ team in the company. Chris figured out that his parents also worked in the actual company, to perfectly hide their identity and for other employees not to suspect them.

Chris is not expecting any of their relatives to come. His mother is an only child like him and her parents, Chris’ grandparents, already died long before he was born. She’s not really close to her other relatives either. His father on the other hand was an orphan. He practically grew up in the orphanage and since no one adopted him, he left the orphanage when he turned 18 and then lived by all by himself.

Chris sighed. He realized that he’s really alone. It would’ve been easier to handle things if they have other relatives to help him but he understands his parents. Not everyone could have a decent relationship with their family, or have a family in the first place.

“I’ll just go catch some fresh air outside,” he excused himself when there are lesser people inside. Mostly, only his classmates are inside and some office staffs. Kurt nodded and patted his shoulder “no problem. Rest a bit. I’ll accommodate when other people come.”

Chris heaved a deep sigh as soon as he got out of the funeral parlor. The streets are busy, numerous people are walking past him, many are in a hurry. He felt like the most unfortunate person in the world yesterday, Chris thought that it’s the end of his life but is he really that unfortunate? How many people that are walking past him have good relationships with their parents? How many of them grew up in a loving home, or have a family in the first place.

He wanted to avenge his parents, but he realized that he shouldn’t see himself as unfortunate. His father used to tell him that he didn’t receive much love when he was a child. That he yearned for a family. So he promised himself that when he is given a chance to have his own family, he would love and do everything for them.

Chris grew up in a home full of love, he knows that his family loved and treasured him.

And their love for you is the one who killed them.

He heard a voice in the back of his head. He felt guilt creeping to him, he trembled at the thought. He shook his head and started walking, in hopes that it would ease his mind.

Chris suddenly saw a familiar face at the other side of the road. He’s not sure who the man is but he really looked familiar. The man piqued his curiosity so Chris crossed the road as soon as possible in fear that the man might leave.

Opposite of his thoughts, the man stood still like he was waiting for him, “Excuse me, you know me right?" Chris asked with uncertainty. It was weird to approach someone then ask them if they know you but Chris really felt that he knew the man. The man nodded and smiled. Chris could see sadness in the man’s eyes.

The man gently took Chris's left hand and checked his wrist. The man's grip tightened upon seeing Damien’s mark.

“I'm very sorry.” The man uttered. He can see the demon mark? But Damien said that humans can’t see his mark.

“Who are you? You’re very familiar to me but I can’t remember.” Chris said. He’s confused with what he is feeling. He felt so relieved seeing the man, he can’t explain it but he feels so safe with him around even though the man is practically a stranger to him.

The man is about to answer but is interrupted by a familiar loud voice, “Oh! If it isn't my old friend Xavier," Damien appeared out of the blue and then hang his arms to the man’s neck.

The man whom he called Xavier quickly gushed out and pushed the demon, "Don't you dare call me friend, you fiend." Xavier glared at the demon.

“You knew each other?” Chris blurted out. Damien didn’t answer and went in front of the man. He grinned, “Are you still angry about your first assignment?" The demon laughed, "Having deep resentment is bad for angels like you, don’t you know that?” Truth quickly unfolded through their conversation.

So he's an angel? Chris thought.

“How dare you taking another pure soul.” Xavier’s voice is full of repugnance.

The demon laughed again, as if everything that comes out of Xavier’s mouth is a mere joke, “You’re an idiot aren’t you? What else would I do then, I’m a demon. In case you forgot.” Damien continued taunting the angel.

“Wait…if you know this kid then you must be his guardian.” Damien is obviously amused.

Chris finally remembers the man, he was the one he thought as a kind looking man that appears when he was a child.

“I must say, you did a good job on him unlike your first assignment which ended pretty quickly. I think that’s my fastest record too. Anyway, it took me 5 years to take to this kid but I still won him over," Chris sensed pride in Damien's words. He suddenly felt small, like a toy being enjoyed for a while with the everyday fear of getting thrown out once he lost his purpose.

“If you’re my guardian then why did you leave?” Chris had to ask. He suddenly didn’t see him, which is why he believed that he’s a product of his playful imagination.

The angel couldn’t answer.

“These creatures are bound by the heaven. They have deadlines. So once a human child reached the age of thirteen, they would have to leave the child.” Damien answered while grinning at the angel.

“That is because the child can decide for themselves by that time. We're simply guardians.  Even though we wanted to protect humans, we can't do it forever. They have their own will, their own choices.” Xavier's gaze went to Chris' wrist. Chris felt his chest tightened. Xavier is right, he chose to have a deal with a demon and he has to live with it.

“Blah blah blah. What pure nonsense.” Damien dismissed, “Stop defending yourselves. Above all, you people are the most selfish. At least we do something for humans when we take something from them.”

“Do what? Corrupt their minds, make them slaves to their sins until they hate everyone and their selves?” The angel retaliated. Chris suddenly felt like he’s in the middle of an argument where he shouldn’t be involved.

“Free them.” Damien stressed, “It is not us that wanted whatever happened to them. It was their deepest desires, and we’re simply helping them get it. You know that it’s truth.”

Damien pointed the human, “This kid, he was heartbroken because his parents were killed and I’m currently helping him find the perpetrators and the kill them. Isn’t that very amazing?” Xavier didn’t answer the demon, he knows how cunning Damien is, he’s only saying it to twist Chris’ mind.

“The last day… before I departed as your guardian. I saw your mother gently kissing your forehead, she kept whispering I love you's and sorry. She muttered her wish for you to grow up as a kindhearted child.” Xavier stared right into his eyes, “I can't change anything nor meddle with your choices but I want you to remember your mother's wish.” The angel smiled and departed afterwards.

--

He can hear the angel’s words repeating in his head even after hours of receiving visitors. He’s starting to doubt his choices, would his parents really wanted him to take revenge? Would they be happy with what he is doing?

Is this all worth it?

“Chris, I’ll go home for a while to change. I’ll go back as fast as I can, okay? Don’t forget to eat.” Kurt reminded him for the nth time.

“Don’t worry about me, I’m fine. You should go home.” Kurt is not convinced but he really needs to go.

“Promise me that you would eat!” Kurt exclaimed again before he went out of the door. Chris simply nodded, he’s too tired to even say anything.

He looked around and realized that he is now alone in the receiving area, or so he thought.

“I’m hungry.” Damien materialized beside him then carelessly pulled him and embraced the human to feed. Chris immediately felt dizzy, he didn’t know if it is because of the demon feeding from him or because of Damien suddenly pulling him.

He immediately felt that familiar feeling, as if his thoughts are being controlled. Chris sees his parents crying, wailing on how unjust their death is. They are asking to be avenged. All the doubt he’s feeling about taking revenge is quickly washed away by wrath.

“You can never escape.” Damien's voice lingered in his mind.

He needed to finish what he started.

The demon detached himself from Chris after a moment. Chris grabbed the edge of the seat, the wave of emotions is making his head fuzzy. The demon isn’t reacting too, he had a hard time infiltrating Chris’ mind this time even though they had a contract.

Damn that angel. He’s going to ruin my plans.

The demon realized how much influence Xavier has left to his host. Damien needs to make sure that the angel wouldn’t go near Chris again.

“Excuse me. Is Mr. Chris Dillon around?” Chris immediately turned his head to the door’s direction. He saw a man entered.

“It’s me. Are you an acquaintance of my parents?” Chris responded as he tries to set aside the anger fueling inside him because of the demon. The man pulled out his badge and ID to show it to Chris.

“I’m from the police, Joaqin Carter.” The man introduced, “I’m here as part of my investigation to you parents’ death.” Chris is startled, he forgot about the police.

Damien suddenly stood, “You.” He called and studied the man up close.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Chris panicked, what is Damien up to?!

The demon grinned and stretched his hand to slightly turn Joaqin’s head to the side. Chris still has no idea of what was Damien doing until he clearly saw a crescent moon tattoo in the man’s neck. Chris’ eyes widened, is it what he think?

Is Joaqin also contracted to a demon?

Damien snickered, “So this is why I sense that demon nearby.”

Chris’ eyes widened for the second time, another man materialized behind Joaqin and embraced him from the back.

Joaqin’s face quickly tinted red.

Damien laughed out loud, “Always a fancy entrance. You never changed Linus.”