It all started one friday night, when dad came back from the bar, his usual hangout, breathless and shaken. Since he got fired from work he's been, pretty useless. Mum became the new breadwinner of the family but still focus on finding dad a new job.

“Yay! Dad’s back!” Zinnia, my little sister, whooped, spilling cereal all over her booster seat. Her silky, short black hair bounced across her face.

Dad locked the wooden door set in its iron frame. He stood there for a moment, panting, his gaze flicking between us. Then he rushed around the house, shutting every window. Fear was written all over his face like he was afraid of something, something big.

"What's up dad? Gotten into trouble?" Fred, my elder brother scoffed as he had a sip of mums homemade banana smoothie.

Dad came over to the table after making sure every door and window was shut. He was panting, his torn clothes soaked with sweat. His messy bluish-black hair framed his face as sweat dripped down.

“We need to leave,” he said, his fist slamming against the table.

"Watch it Zande, the kids are trying to have a proper meal" Abby, mum said as she dished out a bowl of rice for Fred and I.

"I need to tell you guys something, something unbelievable " he said trying to remain calm as he paced around biting his fingers, he was nervous.

"That can wait till after dinner" mum said gesturing for him to sit.

“No, it’s important,” Dad insisted, staring straight into her hazel eyes. Her dark-blue hair, tied in a messy bun, danced across her face as she shot him the non-negotiation look.

"Mum!" I chimmed in, curious as to what dad has to say "let's hear him out. Something tells me he won't stop until he gets it out."

Abby signed taking her seat beside Zinnia. She turned looking at Zande, Dad, with the 'you've got five minutes' eyes.

Dad took a deep breath as he also sat down beside mum looking at us with all seriousness, as if every word he's about to say has a meaning.

"Remember when I told you guys about demons?" He began clutching a little picture in his hand like he was trying to hide it and at the same time show us.

"What's this about?" Mum roared looking at Zinnia, she did not seems to be paying attention as she was peacefully playing with her cereals

"It's about the truth," dad blurted "they're real"

We paused for a moment, even Zinnia as we looked at him, then brusted out laughing.

"Yeah dad, demons do exist, I mean why else would a man kill his fellow man in cold blood" I mocked

"I'm mean actual demons, Lucifer minions" he said as we once held our breath again, Zinnia whimmered in fear.

"Okay, that's enough, you're scaring the kids" mum cut in but dad wasn't done yet

"Look, I don't have time to tell you all the full story but we exist"

"We?" I frozed "What do you mean we?"

He looked at us again, he voice trembling as he spoke "I'm a demon" he said turning to face mum "so are the kids, except Zinnia and you of course"

The table feel eerie quiet as we all looked at him in disbelief, mum already feeling worked up then Fred broke the silence with a clap

"Wow, good one dad"

I scoffed, " Mum, dad seriously needs to get a job, the alcohol is getting into his head, now he thinks he's a demon"

Mum signed, "okay, that's enough"

"I'm dead serious guys. We have to leave before they finds us"

"Who are they" Zinnia asked with her tiny voice as she had been listening wholeheartedly to dad's bullshit

"Yes, Zande, who are they" mum asked sarcastically, folding her hands

"Whoa, this is getting dramatic," Ferd chimmed in standing up packing his dessert "I'll be in bed if you guys need me"

He stood up, his hands filled with bun. He turned to go to his room before dad's voice cut through like a sharp  spear.

"Fine!" He signed in defeat "I'll prove it."

Fred halted and turned toward Dad. Seeing how serious he looked, Fred pulled out his phone to record whatever Dad was about to do, planning to tease him about it later.

Mum and I exchanged puzzled looks, then focused on the old man with deep concern. I noticed the strands of grey in the midst of his once-rigid black beard, and how his midnight-black eyes were dulled with exhaustion. I had always known Dad as a workaholic, defined by his bright smile, neat obsessions, and perfectly shaved beard. But ever since he was fired, I had begun to notice how old he truly was.

In that moment, I pitied him… a lot.

For a split second, the house grew eerily quiet. Mum dragged Zinnia closer, her arm trembling as she pressed her against her side and stood next to me at one corner. Dad stood alone at the center of the room, shoulders heaving as he drew in a shaky breath. I could tell it wasn'teasy for him. 

After a while, he closed his eyes, humming a strange, unfamiliar tune. When his eyes snapped open, my stomach dropped. His midnight-black eyes has turned blood red, veins bursting and snaking outward, splitting his skin as they spread across his face like living cracks. I stumbled back, my heart hammering so hard it hurt, but it wasn’t over.

His body convulsed. 

Muscle swelled beneath his skin, thickening, tearing through flesh as if his bones were expanding. His arms bulged grotesquely, veins standing out like cords ready to snap. His skin bleached from human warmth to a dead, stone-grey, hardening as it spread. Then he collapsed, slamming into the floor, clawing at himself, screaming through clenched teeth as though something inside him was trying to rip its way out.

And then it did.

A wet, ripping sound split the room. Blood sprayed as his back tore open, skin and muscle peeling apart while massive black wings forced themselves free. I gagged. The smell of iron flooded the air. His ears stretched, cartilage cracking as they lengthened into sharp points. Two thick horns burst through his forehead, splitting skin and bone, blood running down his face in dark streams.

I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe.

He raised his head and looked at us.

His eyes, God, his eyes. Thin red irises floated inside a pit-black sclera. And there were three of them now, two familiar, one opened above the bridge of his nose, blinking wetly as it focused on us.

“Does this prove what I was saying?” he growled.

The voice wasn’t his anymore. It scraped and echoed, layered with something ancient and cruel. It vibrated through my bones, and I felt it rattle my soul.

No one screamed, we couldn’t.

Fred was frozen, his phone still raised, fingers locked mid-record. His mouth hung open, his face drained of all color, eyes glassy and unblinking.

The house swallowed us in silence again, thick, suffocating, until Dad spoke once more.

“I know you’re terrified,” he said, softer now but no less monstrous. “And I’m sorry. I should’ve told you sooner. I’ll explain everything once we get out of here, once you’re safe.”

There was a sudden thud, Mum hit the floor.

I lunged toward her, my knees slamming hard against the ground as I grabbed her shoulders. Her body was heavy, cold was already creeping into her skin. I pressed my fingers to her neck, desperate, praying, begging for something, anything.

But Nothing, my chest collapsed in on itself.

“No… no, no, no...” My voice broke into sobs. Tears blurred my vision as I shook her, screaming her name, refusing to believe what my hands already knew.

I looked up at him, at that thing wearing my father’s face and screamed until my throat burned,

“She’s dead!”

Dad, no, the monster collapsed to his knees. A thick, black liquid poured from his eyes, steaming as it hit the floor, filling the room with a bitter, burning stench. His massive shoulders shook as he sobbed.

“Oh, Abby…” he wept, reaching out, desperate to hold her then Zinnia screamed.

I felt the terror rip through her voice, raw and unfiltered.

“Monster!”

Dad froze.

He stared at his precious baby, the little girl who used to wait by the door every evening, clutching her stick-figure drawings, bouncing on her toes until he came home. The one he’d lift into the air, tossing her up and catching her while she laughed, before proudly sticking her artwork onto the fridge. Their bond had been untouchable, stronger than anything, stronger even than Mum.

And now she was staring at him like he was something straight out of her nightmares.

Tears flooded her eyes. Fear carved itself into her face.

“Zinnia… Zinny baby,” Dad whispered, his voice cracking. “It’s me. It’s still me. Dad.”

She screamed again and buried her face in Mum’s corpse.

Something inside Dad broke. He stared at us like a man watching his entire world crumble to dust. The family he had protected, loved, sacrificed everything for gone. Shattered in seconds.

Then, the dining room wall exploded.

Plaster and debris rained down as Dad was shot from behind. An electrified bullet slammed into his back, sending him crashing face-first into the floor with a deafening bang. His body convulsed violently, wings twitching as electricity tore through him.

That’s when they came.

Not soldiers, at least, not the kind I expected.

A group of armed women stormed in, their faces cold, their eyes empty. They wielded strange, unfamiliar weapons that hummed with deadly intent. Without hesitation, they surrounded Dad’s body and they butchered him.

They cut into his flesh like he was livestock. They tore out his organs, heart, lungs, kidneys, ripped his horns from his skull, snapped off his claws, pried out his teeth. Black blood splattered the floor as they peeled back his hardened skin piece by piece.

I watched, frozen, as they split his chest open. A small yellowish wisp slipped from his ruined body, glowing faintly as it tried to escape. One of the women reacted instantly, trapping it inside an airtight glass jar. The lid snapped shut with a soft click.

That was it, that was all that was left of my father.

My stomach twisted violently. I didn’t know whether to scream, cry, or feel relief that it was finally over. My mind was breaking, until another thought crashed into me like a blade.

Dad said we were demons too, I and Fred. If they found us… would they do the same?

Panic surged through me. I scanned the room for Fred but he was gone.

I slipped away quietly, my heart pounding so loud I was sure they’d hear it but then I stopped. I forgot Zinnia.

Guilt slammed into me. I turned back, ready to risk everything to take her with me but it was already too late.

One of the armed women was holding her, murmuring softly, trying to calm her as others carried Mum’s lifeless body away. Zinnia clung to her, sobbing.

I stood there, shaking. I wanted to go back for her. God, I wanted to. But it was too dangerous. Dad had said she was human, If that was true… then maybe she’d survive this world.

I turned away, tears burning my eyes as I ran. Wherever I was going, I prayed desperately that someday, somehow, we’d meet again.

It's another bright day, the beginning of the second semester. I was standing at the entrance of Northveil State University. I couldn't believe the holidays were already over.

It's my first year at this school, and I was still trying to fit in. Last semester had been a bit rough to begin with, and I was still trying to settle.

I hardly knew anyone here; it had been really hard to mingle, but I managed. At least I had my best friend with me, Jacana Cliff.

Jaca and I had been friends since the eighth grade, inseparable, people might say.

I stared at the grey-coated iron gates that concealed another city within Northveil.

"Hey, bitch, what are you doing?” Jaca bumped into me, her pink designer purse swinging as she leaned in. Her silky blonde hair, tied into a high ponytail, bounced behind her, and her eyes rolled as she took in my expression.

“I can’t believe I’m back here,” I muttered, my stomach twisting with reluctance. Just thinking about stepping into the halls of Northveil State made my chest tighten. I’d hated school ever since elementary. Mum would sweet-talk me or find some sneaky way to bribe me into going, but nothing ever made it feel easier.

Jaca let out a short laugh, shaking her head, and grabbed my arm, dragging me forward. “It’s a school, Paige, not a pool party,” she teased, her voice full of mock patience.

Yikes. Pool parties. Just the thought made my skin crawl. Ever since the news about that girl who drowned at one went viral, I’d avoided them like the plague. Even if Vana somehow managed to trick me into attending, I stayed as far away from the water as possible, clutching my towel like a shield.

School was still the same, Tall brick and glass buildings towered over the walkways, their windows glinting in the morning sun. Each department had its own style, some with sleek, modern façades, others with old stone exteriors covered in ivy that climbed toward the rooftops.

In the heart of the campus stood the Doplin Fountain, a massive stone structure whose water shimmered like liquid silver in the sunlight. Students lounged on its edges, tossing coins or chatting in small groups, while pigeons darted between the sprays, sending sparkling droplets into the air.

The walkways were lined with neatly trimmed hedges and flowering trees, their petals drifting lazily across the paths. Benches dotted the lawns, offering quiet spots to study or disappear when you didn’t want to be found. Lamp posts stretched along the streets, their soft yellow glow hinting at the school’s charm once evening fell.

The campus was bustling with students hurrying to classes, some heading towards their hostels and I couldn't help but sense being followed.

Either ways, Vana and I stepped into our hostel, the familiar smell of polished wood and faint laundry detergent greeting us. The hallway buzzed with chatter and the occasional slam of a locker door, but as we turned into our room, a calm settled over us.

Our room was modest but cozy, two twin beds pushed against opposite walls, each covered in mismatched blankets that hinted at our individual tastes. Posters of bands, abstract art, and a few motivational quotes decorated the walls, creating a patchwork of our personalities. Between the beds, a small desk was littered with textbooks, notebooks and other accessories.

Jaca dropped her backpack by her bed with a sigh and flopped down onto the mattress. “Another semester,” she muttered, staring at the ceiling.

I chuckled, tossing my bag onto the floor. “Yeah… and I’m already regretting my schedule.”

She rolled her eyes but smiled, the kind of look that reminded me why we’d been inseparable since eighth grade. For a moment, the stress of fitting in, of navigating the endless social maze of Northveil, melted away. In here, it was just us, two friends against the world.

The window overlooked the courtyard, where students hurried between classes, their voices carrying faintly through the cool morning air. Sunlight streamed in, casting golden patterns across our room, illuminating the small chaos of our shared space. It wasn’t much, but it was ours and for now, that was enough.

"Oh, it's so good to be back" Jaca moaned as she collasped on her bed stretching her body "so, peige, what's your new semester resolute"

"To pass English test" I signed as I sat down on my bed unzipping my bags "Mrs. Chleo is on to me"

"Hmm... okay, for me, I want to find a new boyfriend" she smirked

"Seriously Jaca, what about Dave?" I asked

“Well, that’s his loss,” she smirked, already arranging her side of the room. When she was done, she went to grab some snacks for us. “Be right back,” she winked before heading out.

Her footsteps faded as she disappeared down the hallway, leaving it to return to its usual quiet, broken only by distant background noises. I continued arranging my corner in silence, placing everything exactly where it belonged.

Then I heard footsteps again, slow, heavy, deliberate. They sounded close, too close, as if whoever it was was approaching my room with caution.

At first, I thought it was Jaca, but the hostel canteen was much farther away, and it was usually crowded. She wouldn’t be back this soon.

So… who was that?

I quickly grabbed the bat beside Jaca’s bed and crept toward the door on tiptoe. Pressing my back against the wall, I clutched the bat tightly to my chest, holding my breath as the footsteps drew closer. Without warning, without even checking who it was, I swung.

The bat connected with the head of a blond-haired guy.

“Ouch!” he yelled as he fell to the ground, clutching the side of his head where the bat had hit.

“Who are you? And why are you spying on me?” I demanded, raising the bat again, ready to strike.

“Since when did you know how to wield a weapon?” he asked, slowly getting back to his feet, still rubbing his head. My grip on the bat tightened.

At this point, I was confused. He spoke so casually, like we’d met before but I was pretty sure I’d remember meeting a cute blonde guy with emerald eyes and pale skin, the kind most girls would die for.

“Do I know you?”

He scoffed, like I’d said something ridiculous.

“Yes, Peige,” he said. “It’s me. Mum.”

...

I couldn't help laughing, like seriously, what the fuck...

"Look," he began "I know what you might be thinking..."

"Mum? Seriously?" I blurted out laughing "you think you're my mother? You sure you're okay?"

"Peige!"

"Look here pretty boy, that's so... adorable but I don't have a mum. My mum isn't some nineteen year old dude" I scoffed looking at him ridiculously from head to toe, it was hilarious "you here for Jaca, you could tell me to put in good words for you instead of... this"

“What? No, listen. I know this might sound weird, but it’s me. Abby,” he said seriously.

He took a seat in the chair near the reading table and continued, his voice steady despite the weight of his words. “When I died, after what happened five years ago, I woke up in this body. And it’s been… annoyingly hard.”

"So you're telling me my mum reincarnated?" I mocked. "Because that's a thing?"

He nodded, staring at me with his emerald eyes. The kind that looked like they’d seen too much too soon. His face was youthful but defined, with a clean jawline that hadn’t fully hardened yet, faint shadows under his eyes, and lips naturally flushed pink. A few strands of blond hair fell messily over his forehead, giving him the unmistakable look of someone barely out of his teens.

That only made it worse. How was I supposed to believe this? This was… this was crazy.

"“Maybe I hit you too hard or something,” I muttered, looking away.

“Peige, I’m serious. I’m Abby… your mum.”

Mum? My chest tightened with annoyance. Of all the things.

“Mum? Really?” I scoffed, tossing the bat back into its place. “Okay… what happened five years ago… Mr. Abby?”

“My husband… he went crazy,” he said, voice heavy, as if the memory still haunted him. “He… turned into a monster.”

“Someone told you that,” I said, doubt heavy in my voice. No. I couldn’t believe it. No… it wasn’t true.

I wanted so badly to believe him. I hated the way she had left us, so sudden, without warning. Even if every part of me screamed that this was ridiculous, I wanted to pretend it could be true. But there was only one way to know for sure.

“Fine,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “If you’re really her… tell me something only my real mum would know.”

He sighed, running a hand through his messy blond hair. “Do you remember that Thanksgiving when you told me about that boy you liked… what was his name again… ah, yes, Dian? I was so happy you finally told me. You even told me about the kiss… and boy, we had the talk.”

A slow smile spread across my face. I couldn’t believe it. “Mum… is it really you?”

...

"How is this possible" I asked still finding it hard to believe, he may have mums memory but not the looks

"I wonder though myself " he said "but the good thing is that I'm here now, and we can get our family back"

My smile broke off hearing that, I couldn't help but notice the wild smile displayed across his face. So I looked away, arms crossed, leaning beside the wall

"What's wrong" he asked when he noticed the shift in the atmosphere.

"Well, when you passed on, the government found us," I swallowed hard "they killed dad, Fred's missing and Zinnia... she's with the authorities. I ran, I had to"

"No" he sighed, hands on his head like he's guilty of something "why did they take her? Why didn't you tag her along? For all I know she could be dead by now!"

"I ran because dad said I was a demon too, I didn't want to be butchered like he was when they they found out it's ture and as for Zinnia, she's fine okay, she's now the CEO of the Bossa Nova company" I snapped " they really did her a favour"

"Wow! And Fred?"

"I don't know, he just... disappeared, I guess"

"You guess! Seriously peige!"

"Oh I'm sorry mum, but how's their where about my fault?" I snapped, really snapped because he was really getting on my nerves.

"Well..."

I bet he couldn't think of what else to say again, he just sat down there staring at the floor.

I drew a spare seat out from a tight Conner and sat opposite him still amazed by what I once considered a myth

"Well, what I can't understand is how you reincarnated"

He sighed staring at me with those emerald eyes I would have fallen for under different circumstances

"I don't know, I just woke up in this body and it's been super hard to get adjusted to" he then leaned in to a whisper, "did you know they have a long thing in between their legs"

I laughed, hard, wiping tears from my eyes "It's called a dick mum" I rolled my eyes "seriously, how were we even born?"

"I know what it is Peige, I just can't believe I have one"

"Really, I wonder what it's like to be a boy" I teased.

Just then Jaca strolled in with the packed lunch in her hands

"Wow, it's nice to see you mingling with other humans" she teased taking off her earpods when she saw... him

"Ha ha, very funny" I rolled my eyes.

His face lit up when he saw her, "Jacana cliff, wow, you have changed." He said "last I saw you, you were still a Varmint"

"I'm sorry, do I know you?" She asked a bit confused because... Well why not. I had to step in.

"Erm... Jaca, this is krin, a family friend" I smiled awkwardly

"Krin?" They both asked surprised, mum, more than ever. I pinched him so he can make it more believable

"Yes!" He said sideeyeing me "it is I, peige do talk about you alot"

We both smiled at her awkwardly, hoping our little lie would sell.

"Hi Krin" she extended her hand over to shake him. She put aside the lunch she had gotten and grabbed my hands dragging me outside the room, she seems so excited

"I want you to meet someone"

She dragged me out of the room, practically buzzing with excitement. “There’s someone I want you to meet,” she said as we ran down the stairs, past the hallway that separated the female dorm from the male one.

Krin trailed behind us, finally stopping where we did, completely out of breath. “Okay,” he sighed, hands on his knees, “tell me this is important.”

“Look!” She pointed.

Standing across the hallway was a very handsome guy with silky black hair. His loose curls bounced around his oval-shaped face, giving him an effortlessly cute look.

He glanced up and our eyes met.

For a brief second, the hallway seemed to freeze. It felt like it was just the two of us. Golden sparkles shimmered around him, like something straight out of a fairy-tale intro.

Then he smiled.

At me?

He started walking toward us, and panic hit instantly.

“He saw me,” I whispered, grabbing Jaca’s hand. “He saw me. Why is he coming this way?”

Jaca smirked. “Don’t you know who that is, Peige?”

I stared at her, like the answer was written on her face. She laughed, rolling her eyes.

“Are you kidding me? That’s Dian, your all-time crush,” she giggled. “How could you forget his face?”

Dian?

Wow. He had changed a lot. No wonder I didn’t recognize him.

“What?!” Krin snapped. “Don’t tell me we ran all the way down here just to see… him?”

Dian stopped right in front of us. Up close, he was taller than I remembered. His curls framed his face perfectly, and his blue eyes shimmered when he smiled.

“Hey Peige” he said, waving nervously at me. He's voice, those deep angelic voice I'd always admire were still the same “nice seeing you again”

My brain short-circuited, as always, “Yes... no... wait, yes,” I blurted. “I mean... hi.”

Jaca coughed beside me, clearly holding in laughter. Krin just crossed his arms, unimpressed.

“I wasn’t sure it was you at first,” Dian continued. “You look… different. In a good way.”

Heat rushed to my face. I nodded too quickly. “You too. I mean, you don’t look bad. Not that you ever did. I mean...”

I stopped. Closed my eyes. Why am I like this?

Dian laughed, a quiet, warm sound that made me smile. But before he could say anything, a girl appeared from behind him, slipping her hands into his.

She was average in height, fair-complexioned, with fiery red eyes and long, Goldilocks curls that bounced as she moved.

Seeing them together made my stomach twitch. Maybe she’s his sister, I told myself. I clung to the thought until she squealed

“There you are!” Her voice was high and excited, like a mouse that had just found an entire plate of cheese. “Let’s go, babe.”

Babe?

What the f**k

“Erm… who’s Goldie?” Jaca asked, looking just as stunned as I felt.

“Oh,” Dian said casually, “this is Tasha, my girlfriend.”

Girlfriend.

He waved, already turning away with her. “See you later.”

I stood frozen as they disappeared down the hall.

“I did not see that coming,” Jaca muttered, turning to me.

I didn’t answer. My black eyes stayed locked on Dian and Tasha as they headed toward the cafeteria.

“You okay, Peige?” Krin asked, clearly sensing something was wrong.

Still, I said nothing until Jaca rested a hand on my shoulder.

“Hey,” she said gently, then brightened. “Since we’re already down here, we might as well grab some milkshakes. What do you say?”

I sighed. “Yeah… I could really use a milkshake.”

We sat at an empty table after ordering. Krin and I sat opposite each other while Jaca drifted off to catch up with some high school friends.

Dian’s table was only two away. I tried not to stare but failed.

They laughed together, talked. She leaned in close then she wiped whipped cream off his face like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I sucked loudly on my straw, frustration bubbling inside me.

That guy belongs to me, he's my trophy boy. My all-time crush. Didn’t he know I’d liked him my whole life?

Their laughter echoed, and jealousy twisted hard in my chest. I squeezed my bottle tighter and tighter, I swear I could just snap the life off those ruby red eyes.

“Careful,” a voice said calmly. “She’s a demon.”

I snapped back to reality. Milkshake had spilled everywhere. Krin was tapping my arm like he’d been trying to get my attention for ages.

A guy sat beside him, casually holding a plate of meatloaf. He looked… strange, white hair slicked back, grey eyes that matched his hair, sharp jawline almost too perfect. He wore an oversized black hoodie, expensive blue jeans, and spotless Nike canvas shoes that were so hard to miss and the way he sat, comfortable like we were his buddies.

“A-a demon?” I sputtered.

He smirked, casually taking the cup from my hand and drinking what was left of my milkshake.

“I was gonna drink that,” I muttered, sulking like a child.

“Wow. Cool,” Krin said dryly. “This is a trick to get a table, isn’t it?”

The guy raised both hands halfway, like a criminal caught in the act. “Okay, you got me. The café’s packed today. Thought you guys wouldn’t mind.” He winked. “I’m Vic, by the way.”

“Vic?” I asked, tilting my head. “As in Victor? Or Vincent?”

“Nope,” he said simply. “Just Vic.”

“O…kay,” I replied. “I’m Peige. And this is Krin.”

“Hey, guys nice to meet ya.” He waved casually, shoving meatloaf into his mouth like he hadn’t eaten in days.

I sighed. Total nut job.

"So what do you mean by ‘she’s a demon’?” Krin asked, staring at Vic suspiciously.

“Is she really that awful?” I added, glancing at Tasha. There was nothing obviously wrong with her, those ruby-red eyes, smooth cheeks. Or maybe that was exactly what was wrong.

Vic looked up at us and scoffed, like we were completely insane. “Are you kidding me? I mean an actual demon. She escaped Hell a few years ago.” He leaned in and lowered his voice. “Trust me, you don’t want to get on her bad side.”

I gasped. “And you know this… why?”

He leaned back against the plastic chair, sipping my milkshake like it belonged to him. “I mean… isn’t it obvious?”

Krin and I shot him a what-the-hell look. He sighed.

“I’m a demon too,” he said plainly. “I can tell.” Then, almost casually, he added, “Oh and by the way, I know he’s reincarnated.”

I froze. Krin and I glanced at each other, stunned.

“How did you...” Krin started, but Vic was already standing.

“Alright, strangers,” he said, slipping his hands into his pockets. “I’ll leave you two to it. Nice knowing ya.” He waved and walked toward the exit.

Who was that guy?

“Did that just happen?” Krin asked, still in disbelief.

“Yeah,” I replied slowly. “And if he just told me that… then he knows who I am. Or rather... what I am.”

Krin swallowed. “So there are others out there. If what he said is true and not some sick joke then demons actually exist.”

I already knew that, dad had told me. Proven it.

Still… I’d tried so hard not to believe that I am one of them.

A sharp tap on the table snapped me back to reality. Jaca stood there, snapping her fingers and wearing a teasing, lovey-dovey smile.

“Oh my God,” she gasped. “Was that Vic?”

I wasn’t even surprised. “You know Vic?”

“Yeah! Straight-A third-year student. Some people say he’s the cutest nerd on campus.”

I rolled my eyes. “Some people… or you?”

She giggled. “You must be exhausted from all this Dian drama. Come on, let’s rest. Classes start tomorrow.”

She dragged me out of the cafeteria.

That night, I lay on my bed in my cozy deep-blue pajamas, staring at the ceiling. Images of Dian’s perfect face floated in my mind, those blue eyes, those curls, until they blurred and faded, replaced by Goldie.

Why? Why her?

My phone rang. I assumed it was Krin, probably calling to complain about how uncomfortable the male dorm would be. We’d already talked it through since he was in a guy’s body, he had to stay there.

I let it ring twice before reaching for it.

Unknown caller.

I glanced at Jaca. She was fast asleep, that's unlike her to stay in the room, she usually spend the night at some guys place.

“Hello?” I answered, trying to sound calm. “Who’s this?”

“Hey, sweetheart,” the voice said smoothly. “It’s Vic.”

My heart skipped.

Vic? How did he get my number?

“Hey Vic, how did you get my number?” I asked, sitting upright.

He chuckled. “Is that really your first question? You should be happy I got it.”

“Ha-ha,” I muttered. “I’m just surprised.”

“Your friend gave it to me. Thought I’d say hi.”

I shot Jaca a glare. “That was… thoughtful of her.”

“So,” Vic said, “I guess I’ll be seeing you tomorrow.”

“Yeah. Goodnight.”

We hung up. I plugged my phone in to charge. A few minutes later, a text came in from Krin. He said he was spending the night at a hotel. He couldn’t handle sharing a room with guys. Guess he still wasn’t used to the body.

I stared at the ceiling again, how was any of this even possible?