Smack!
The sound of the meter stick hitting the board echoed throughout the silent classroom as the class stared wide eyed at their educator. No student dare disobey him, seeing as every one that did, was never quite the same. Mr. Dark was short, and quite round, seeming almost to be a Santa Claus with short, greased back, black hair and a handlebar mustache. His voice is cracked most of the time, making him sound like a villain in one of those fairy-tales to every person he met. But yet, he also seemed to be one.
"Now, you little brats, just because we're two days away from finals, it doesn't mean you are to be a nuisance to me. Got it?" The class nodded rapidly, starting their assigned work quickly as possible as Mr. Dark sighed, sitting back in his chair and rubbing his temples in frustration. But of course, who could blame him? Nobody respected him before he was this cruel. Nobody except, her. No, he thinks, eyes widening as his mind wanders to the mysterious woman who came to him just months ago, she'll be summoned again, Mark, don't think of her. Don't do it.
As the class dwindled on, the students began to turn in their work, one by one, filling the room for brief moments of their walking with the clicks or squeaks of shoes against the tile flooring. Eventually though, a girl arose from her seat, making silent steps as she crept up to the desk. Mr. Dark's eyes snapped up, watching the girl intently as she placed her paper full of knowledge onto the stack of others, and the bell sounded, resulting in the end of school for the day, Maybe he thought, I should have traded her over to the sorceress. It would sure have guaranteed my safety.
The girl gathered her things, swinging her practically empty backpack over her shoulder before walking out of the wooden-walled classroom and into the hallway of Walt Academy, her caramel colored hair swishing back and forth against her lower back with every step. One more day. One more day until I'm free. The girl thought, swerving though out the crowd of students to her dinky locker in the very corner of the coldest part of the building. There, she took her coat out from behind the locked metal, and headed out of the torturous school.
As she walked down the street before her, she hummed to herself the theme to the current game she had been working on, for the ninth time, Kingdom Hearts. The game always seemed to capture her from her wandering mind, and open her to so many possibilities. So many new places, adventures, and solutions. Everything was finally okay. She finally felt like she belonged somewhere.
The fact of her not feeling the sense of belonging she needed was a common thought of her's. She was the only one at her school who had any idea what the game named Kingdom Hearts was, and really, the only one in general. She had searched the internet for a sequel, but there was not even a trace of the first one. Which, she found odd. The even odder part, though, was that the shop she had purchased the game from, was gone as well.
She could remember the night almost perfectly, the night she bought the game. For that night, she had started seeing things. Things no one else apparently saw. Maybe the game was a figment of her imagination as well. But, it seemed so real, as if there was really a King Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and... him. Even though she was only fifteen, she felt as if, she had fallen in love with this character. Maybe it was the way his kindness and pureness of heart could bring light into any size of darkness, or the way that he of course, had so much courage. But Sora, roamed her mind freely.
As she trudged up the snow covered sidewalk to her home, she sighed. It wasn't as if something would come out of nowhere and save her from this constant cycle, with its sense of constant caging of the teen. "I'm home, dad!" The teen called as she tossed her boots into the closet beside the door, and jogged up the stairs and into her room. As soon as she set foot into the room, cluttered with a mess, she had her eyes set on the game system. Tonight, she thought, grabbing the controller and lying on her bed, stomach down and elbows propping her up, I'll kill that cursed dragon.
"So, where to next?" The boy asked as he relaxed back into the seat of the ship, hands behind his head as he grinned to himself. The day had been productive, seeing as they had locked yet another keyhole. Donald let out a huff of breath, crossing his wings as he sat back into his seat.
"We're not going anywhere Sora until I can get a full night's sleep! For three weeks we've done nothing but locking keyholes, visiting the King and Merlin, and getting no sleep!" Sora rolled his eyes at the grumpy duck, shaking his head slightly. All he'd wanted to do lately was to go, and never stop. It was odd for him, especially since he should have been weak from a recent battle they endured.
"I agree with Donald, Sora! I'm ti- Gawsh!" Goofy cried, eyes widening at the map of the universe's darkness. Sora and Donald jumped from their seats, rushing over to the sight upon the map. There had been a new world placed upon it, and it's percentage of darkness was around ninety percent. Normally, when the trio were to arrive at a darkness filled world, it was usually somewhere around sixty percent, which threw them all for a loop. "It's some place called-Earth?" The mention of the world made them all shiver shiver, as if he held a connection to it, and suddenly, he felt a bit light-headed.
"That was weird... Did you feel that, too?" Sora muttered to his friends, and they both nodded in return.
"Maybe one more stop won't hurt... Just to see what that feeling was about." Donald replied quickly, clearing his throat, and moving away from the screen.
"Goofy, go ahead and set course for Earth. We'll do as much as we can." Goofy nodded, as Sora just sat back into his chair, closing his eyes and trying to think. The name was so familiar, but Mickey couldn't have told them about it. Sora knew he'd remember it. "How long until we get there?" He asked, barely popping one eye open, and looking into the window, a glimpse of space around them.
"Soon enough. But when we get there... We won't have much time." Goofy sounded concerned as he turned to talk to the boy, frowning deeply, but understanding the need to go.
"That's fine. But we're meant to be there. I think we all know that. Whatever that reason is, we'll find it."
Her hands clumped the lilac colored fabric, hurrying out of the crowded and bright room. Hips and arms bumped into her as she ran from the area, but everything seemed to become more and more crowded. Midnight blue eyes cast down the the white pointed shoes sliding on the black tile, and making her journey that much more challenging. The fabrics and decals of skirts fuller than necessary scratched at her exposed skin, leaving little scratches on her lightly tanned skin.
"Demi." Her name was spoken, and suddenly, the crowd parted. At the top of the stairs, now just a few feet from the young woman, stood a man in a strange, skin tight suit, with a helmet covering his features. His hand was outstretched towards her, beckoning her to rush up the thirty or so steps to take it.
Carefully, she took a few steps forward, as did he, and suddenly, he stood before her. "Who are you?" Out came her words, body pulling away from the polished black glass on his mask.
"I'm-an old friend." Demi accepted his offering of a hand, and quickly he pulled her back to the flooring. Into a dancing stance they went, and the man twirled her around, making them appear as if they'd been dancing together their whole life. He leaned in to the side of her face, and although unseen, frowned deeply. "I came to warn you." He muttered, eyes darting around behind her to the men with the blades under their coats that only he knew of.
"Warn me of wha-"
"Shh! Keep it down. They'll hear you." Demetria's face replicated nothing but sheer confusion and fear, but she swallowed down the whimper, and nodded subtly. "Everything in your life is going to change. Follow your heart, and you'll know what to believe. But don't let it deceive you, either. Many of your fears will be faced, whether you'd prefer to or not. Especially that of heartbreak. Alas, you must push through your feelings to achieve what is most important to you."
"Feelings? But I don't understand..." Demetria whispered, trying to move her lips as little as possible.
"In due time, you will. Now, I must ask you to run. Run until you cannot see this place, or any of the suitors dressed in fine clothing." He pushed her away, and it was then she noticed that the group of men had surrounded them, leaving nothing but a pathway up the stairs, and through the gates of what seemed to be a palace.
Quickly, Demetria began to hurry away from the man, but not before she turned to thank him. To her surprise, one of the princes that had been growing closer stood right behind her, and grabbed her into his arms, holding her still whilst another pulled a threatening blade from the inside of his coat. Without hesitation, he stabbed it above her heart, and dug out the shape of it, before reaching his hand into her bloodied and hollowed chest to try and retrieve the heart. Demetria screamed in pain as a dark smoke began to cover the ground, escaping from the missing part of her skin.
A true shriek escaped the girl, sitting up in her bed and clutching her hands over the area that had been carved out in the nightmare, only to realize a few moments later that she wasn't being held, and she wasn't heartless. A faint beating could be felt, which calmed her down a little more than she thought. But not enough to forget the boy's warnings. The hell did he mean by all that? She caught herself wondering, but stopped when her alarm began blaring beside her.
She unplugged the machine, gradually making herself stand from the bed, and walk towards her closet to pull out something for the ugly sweater contest they'd be having in Art that afternoon. Her mother, when she knew she'd have to leave soon, decided to let her daughter take possession of her clothing which had begun to make reappearances in culture. It wasn't as if she would need them in New York, anyways. Demi plucked an unpleasant one off the shelf, the cotton beard protruding from the bottom of the sweater in a shameful way.
When her clothes were on, she hurried to the bathroom to put her hair up in an untidy way and completed her quick morning routine, just so she could make sure breakfast was made for her father who always seemed to oversleep. Her glasses, needed for nothing more than to just sharpen the world around her, were slid on, and she smiled before heading downstairs. Her house, unlike the others on her block, was almost too bright in comparison to the color schemes of neutrals and warm colors, but boy, did it put you in a good mood.
Mr. Roberts had control of his alcohol intake, of course, but still surprised Demi when he changed shifts, and had new days off. Such as this particular Wednesday. Had the teen known her father would be home so early, and still so drunk from a party with his friends the night before, she'd have gone to a local coffee shop for her breakfast using the money from the treat jar. It was it's purpose, as they'd both come to know.
The teen slipped out the backdoor, leaving an Advil and glass of water on the counter for her father. Her backpack was practically weightless, for she knew that the only class they'd need anything for was her eighth hour class, World History with Mr. Dark, which she needed only a pen and notebook for. She snuggled into the fake fur of her mother's old coat, gripping the end of the sleeves, and wishing she'd have worn something a little warmer than leggings. Her phone began to ring in her pocket, and showed none other than her father's name on the screen. One more ring, and she allowed herself to answer.
"Dad? Is everything alright?" His breathing was heavy on the other end of the line, and for a moment, it was the only reply. Demi moved to ask again, but was interrupted.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?" She skidded to a stop, furrowing her brows and moving to scratch her head.
"It's a school day, dad. Tomorrow's the day I'm home." Another few ragged breaths rang out.
"Come home, now. I'm calling you in." Her eyes widened, and she began walking again, hoping to somehow further distance herself from him, as if would make more of a distance.
"No, dad, you can't. If you do, I'll have to take finals, and we both don't want that." She pushed open the door to the coffee shop, and stood at the back of the line. "If you want, you can take me out for lunch, but-"
"If you're not coming home right now, I'm coming to get you." Demi shook her head without thinking.
"Dad, no. Please. It's just one day. One day, and then I'm home for two weeks. Don't do thi-"
"Then come home and make me breakfast." She frowned deeply.
"No. I'll see you after school. Order a pizza or something. I love you dad, but I have to go. Goodbye." Away the phone was pulled from her ear, and sat in her pocket with the change as she ordered before being directed to sit down. To the back corner she went, keeping an eye on the door to the shop. There wasn't a doubt in her mind her dad knew where she was, and that he'd come to find her, take her home, giving her a truant in the process. Today was different and she fully accepted that. But not without fear of what was to come.
After a few minutes, her name was called, and she quickly retrieved her small coffee and oatmeal from a man in a blinding red apron. As she made her way towards the door, out came her name again, and brought her attention to her eighth hour instructor. "Demetria? Care to join me for a moment?" The girl, out of pure curiosity, nodded slowly, and moved to sit on the other side of her teacher. "Mind explaining the look of panic on your face?"
Demi sighed, shaking her head. "It's complicated, sir, no offence." He shrugged.
"None taken. You know it is my duty to ask, though." Demi nodded knowingly.
Since when have you ever taken interest in the well being of your students? Demi thought bitterly, hiding her thoughts with a small smile. It was then that a woman approached in an all black ensemble, with a black hat with well-defined edges to match. "All ready to go, dea- Oh, hello there, beastie. What might your name be?"
Demi's hand greeted the outstretched hand of the woman, and shook it. "I'm Demetria."
"Oh, are you one of Mark's students?" Demetria paused, never having learned the name of her educator before, but slowly nodding.
"Err, yes. His eighth hour. World History." Demi caught sight of a red Taurus pulling up to the shop, and quickly stood. "I've- I've got to go. I'll, uh, see you at school, sir. It was a pleasure to meet you Ms..." As she backed away, her backpack caught on the corner, and pulled the table a bit, knocking over the coffee cup the man had just moved his hands from.
"Oh child, here, let me help." The woman said, trying to sound kind, but her words still coming out quite low. She had hidden her voice well before, but the tiny slip gave her away, and she knew it. Demetria looked at her in awe, slightly flinching resemblance in voice and appearance the woman had to one of the most vile characters in Disney history. Realizing her cover was blown, and slowly started to back up, but not before Demetria spoke up.
"Have we met before?" She stuttered out, thoroughly overlooking at the woman with long, brown hair. Her skin was quite pale, too, and her eyes a stunning yellow. The woman panicked, clearing her throat lightly and shaking her head slightly. Putting her hand on Mark's shoulder, causing him to wince slightly. Demetria caught this, but didn't say anything, only raising an eyebrow at the woman before her.
"Oh, no dear, before today, I've never had the pleasure of meeting any of Mark's students. I'm Ma-rissa. Marissa Dark, Mark's wife." The woman replied, a lighter, and more cheery tone of voice coming from her stained plum lips. Demi, seeing her father slam the car door shut, began to back up, and cleared her throat.
"Once again, it's nice to meet you, but, uh, I've got to go. I had planned to meet with a friend of mine for a quick study session before school. Bye." She quickly hurried to the side door, exiting just as her father entered, and missing him by only a moment. Out her phone came, and she sent a text to what seemed to be her other half, asking if he could pick her up at the bus stop a few blocks away from school. He replied with a one letter response, and as she tucked the phone away, she heard her name being yelled from behind her.
Her body twisted to find a man, or thing, sprinting towards her, in an inhumane way. With skin that looked more and more burnt by the moment, and shining golden eyes, came a shell of what her father looked like only a moment beforehand. Demetria staggered a gasp, beginning to jog backwards, spinning around and putting her all into getting to the bus stop. She could hear him approaching faster and faster as they drew farther and farther away from the empty city, and more into the streets of sleeping residents. Track from the fall must have made some sort of impact, or maybe it was the adrenaline that kept her moving, but she could've cried when she saw the old blue minivan with the streak of red spray paint on the hood from their adventures last summer making fun of the art mural their school put together, but no one took seriously.
The window was always cracked on the car, and she coulldn't hear any music as he drove past, so she began to scream. "Max! Max, please!" The teen's head twisted around, eyes widening when he caught glimpse of the being chasing Demi closely. He reached up, pressing the button that opened the sliding door, and preparing to gun it. Demetria began to feel numb in the legs, but pushed herself to run on towards the opening, which soon, she met, and leaped inside. As soon as she was at least halfway in, Max hit the button on the door, and slammed his feet on the pedal, tires screeching for a moment, and leaving the beast outside behind them.
"Okay, mind explaining what the hell that was?" Demi huffed and puffed, pulling the backpack off her back, and climbing into the front seat beside him to take a swig of his coffee. Quickly, he pulled the drink from her hands, and sat it back in the cup holder. "And no. No. Mine. I'm not even sure this will work on me, and it's got three shots of espresso in it."
"Well, I accidentally left mine at Mel's when my dad showed up, so what do you-"
"Woah, woah, woah, wait. That was your dad? I mean, you're dad's kind of weird, but not- monster weird, ya know?" Demi shrugged dramatically, eyes wild with the craziness of her thoughts and the events going on at the moment.
"I don't even know what got into him! I mean, I know he's sometimes drunk, but it's controlled! Today he called me after leaving for school, and wanted me home. Next thing you know, he show's up at Mel's, and catches up to me like that." She began pulling her hair back again after yet another strand refused to stay. "Also, I saw Mr. Dark."
"Isn't he the sophomore teacher who always has a stick up his-"
"Yeah. Yeah, he is. President Mansex decided to act all weird and concerned around his wife." They pulled into the school lot, and Max shook his head, letting out a laugh.
"That's typical, Dem. What's the beast's wife like?" Demi shivered, shaking her head.
"I'm not even kidding when I say she's like the human incarnation of Maleficent. Jolie features and all. I about had a heart attack. It was surreal." They both gathered their things, and clammored out of the vehicle, meeting at the hood.
"Okay, you know what? You're coming home with me today, and you're going to use that guest room until we can get you moved away from him. Even if it means sending you to New York with your mom. Things are getting too weird around here, what with sorceresses and charcoal-skinned beasts." Demi nodded slowly, holding back from telling him about the beasts she had began to suspect were real, in some sort of sick way. But who would believe her? Max believed a lot of what she said, but that would even be a stretch.
Demi trudged up the steps, Max slinging an arm over her shoulder as he walked her along, and gaining a few joking wolf whistles from his pals who thought it hilarious that he had found himself in the position to become best friends with the sophomore. Past the daily couple of girls and couples of guys making out outside the classrooms they went, unfazed anymore by the PDA that was displayed constantly.
The warning bell sounded, and Demi and Max shared a grin as she slipped from under his arm and hurried into first hour English, where already, Mr. Sesser had began to argue with the students over whether they'd be watching the SpongeBob Squarepants movie or if they'd be hooking up his Wii so they could have a karaoke competition. As Demi settled into her assigned seat, right in front of his desk, he turned right to her.
"Demetria! It's half and half! Which do you want to do?" Surprised by her teacher's sudden attention towards her, she leaned back, noticing the entire class had gone silent in anticipation to her answer.
"Ah, uh..." She thought for a moment. "This is between SpongeBob and karaoke, right?" They nodded, and she grinned. "Oh, I've gotta see these people trying to sing." Half groaned, and the rest, including Mr. Sesser, cheered, immediately pulling up the game, and splitting into teams in which you'd expect to be pulled into in gym, rather than English 2.
"Demi, c'mon. Get over here and unleash the inner princess we all know you have!" A girl who looked like she jumped out of a Seventeen fashion article called out, gaining a chuckle from her friends. Demi snorted, shaking her head and holding up a hand before shaking it.
"Uh, yeah, no thanks. I don't sing."