Chapter one: Go to Hell
'Only one more semester' David Rees thought to himself trying to complete his homework before the bell for lunch break rings. 'Then I can kiss this place goodbye'
English class never was his favorite, He liked some of the books they were assigned to read though. Right now the class was working on book reports for a literary work of their choosing. David had chosen Michael Chriton's Jurassic Park.
David has medium-long blonde hair, green eyes, and a very fair complexion. his clothes being mostly well-worn tees and whatever kind of pants he owned regardless of condition. today it was a white button up shirt and a pair of somewhat new blue jeans.
Readjusting his headphones, he stares down at his nearly complete paper. It was at that time that he started to hear the thorn in his side that was Quint picking on yet another student. It seems that today he was focusing his attention on the new transfer student whose name he really didn't bother to learn. All he knew was that the new kid was way ahead of the field so to speak when it comes to academics. Two years ahead to be exact. Unfortunately, he also looks the part.
"So did that book come with a pocket protector?"
"n-no. why would it?"
David turned to see the new kid holding what appeared to be a copy of Dune. post it notes were sticking out of the book in an organized fashion and certain sections were highlighted. quint was leaning over his shoulder making snide comments every so often and the teacher was nowhere in sight. all the other students were either purposefully avoiding the display or were watching it unfold. David did his best to tune them out and get back to his work.
Which worked until quint decided to take it a step further by grabbing the new kid's book, "you mind if I take a look"
Quint held the book above the new kid's head and started reading the notes with an exaggerated posh accent and rather loudly until David couldn't take it anymore.
"Don't you have your own report to be working on," David said closing his book with an audible thud. "Last I recall you haven't even started."
He instantly regretted opening his mouth when Quint turned to him, a sly smile on his lips. Quint walked up to his desk and without breaking eye contact picked up his book as well. "Look who has finally decided to acknowledge my existence and help his fellow man. been a while since we talked hasn't it. So, what's David the bastard been up to lately. Obviously not gonna be celebrating fath- "
David clenched his fist and feeling a little more than aggravated knowing what was coming next. but it didn't. luckily the door opened and Mr. Stevens came back in causing his source of anger to drop the copy of dune on David's desk and scurry back to where he came.
David passed the book back up to the new kid and class resumed. he could already feel the daggers in his back and sure enough turning revealed Quint's beady eyes. The bully held up David's book with grubby hands and mouthed, "don't you have a report to be working on?"
later as David was in the cafeteria waiting in line, he felt someone tap his shoulder. it was none other than the new kid looking back nervously through his square framed glasses.
"Thanks for helping me back there. I don't kno-"
"don't mention it" David said turning back to the line and picking out his food. the new kid seemed to be copying his tray exactly, but he pretended not to notice.
"The names Mason by the way." Mason jumped in front of him walking backwards, "hey wait didn't that guy take your book for the report?"
David shrugged, "I already know the book cover to cover. Was just refreshing my memory is all"
"But that's theft!" mason exclaimed nearly tripping over his own two feet.
"It is, but I know he'll be around again before the day is over. He's got a new target," David replied, "and he never lets me off that easy"
upon exiting the line David weaved between the tables until coming to a stop at one whose three occupants looked like they frequented the hot topic a bit too much. they greeted him and he noticed mason had vanished to an empty table in the back. "Mason! you gonna join us or not?"
in response mason grinned from ear to ear as he came over and sat down. The other three looked mason up and down and back at David. Seeing this as his cue he started introducing the closest he had to all honesty the only thing they had in common was some shared musical tastes. The only person he did hang out with outside of school was Chelsea and that was only one time to help her with a group project.
"It happened again didn't it?" he looked up to see Chelsea staring back with concern.
"What are you talking about?" David quickly shoveled some mashed potatoes in his mouth to avoid her interrogation.
"Dude come on you have got to tell that freak off. Why is he so obsessed with the fact that you don't have a father?" Chelsea flipped her hair out of her eyes and turned to mason, "Were you also being picked on? That why David brought you here?"
Mason nodded meekly and gazed down at the table. With a scoff Chelsea gathered her things and got up." Im going to give that brute a piece of my mind."
David started to follow suit to stop her but before he could the bell rang and a crowd was already forming at the exits. David groaned, time for next period. This is where he would be parting ways with mason who had his next classes on the opposite side of the building. He was now alone walking to his next class, dreading what was to come.
The other shoe finally dropped when david was walking through the halls leaving school for the day. Most of the other students were already on the bus so no one else was around. Heading over to a vending machine he put in three quarters and made his selection. He saw a figure standing in the corner of his eye so he turned to it.
It was quint, but something was off. No sneer, no snickering, no nothing. His face was stoic and seemed to be made of stone. He took a couple of steps towards David within an arm's length. When he finally did start to speak it didn't match the voice of a high school bully. It sounded more like someone David wouldn't ever want to meet in a dark alley, "Listen carefully bastard child. You have two months to prepare yourself. After that time is up and you reach your eighteenth year, I will hunt you down and erase your pitiful hide from existence. God as my witness. Do you understand."
David just looked back blankly. He couldn't believe that quint would say something so goddamn dumb and cringeworthy. He turned back to the machine for his soda trying to think of a response, "Look man I honestly don't know how to respond to that quint but I'm starting to think you need psychiatric help."
Turning back he found himself alone again. David cracked the monster energy in his hand and took a long sip. "I fucking hate this place"
Back from a lousy day at school David unlocked his front door and stepped into the small unlit apartment. As usual his mother wasn't home yet. Probably another late night at work.
Without bothering to turn on the lights he made his way into his room. It was rather plain to be honest as he never really had anything to decorate with. there was a window overlooking an alley and the furniture comprised of his computer desk, a bed, and one small bookshelf. Upon which rested a collection of various vinyl records his mom would approve of, a turntable, and numerous sci-fi collectibles.
he was rather fond of his record player. it was a Christmas gift from his mother. Normally she got him whatever she could afford that David would be interested in, mainly Star Wars and other nerdy things. she had said that since he was graduating high school in a semester, he should get something a bit more grown up. He was just happy that she could be home for the holiday.
Although here lately his mother was never home. And with that thought in mind he went over to the bed and pulled a suitcase from under it. He put the code in and opened it revealing records and a couple mp3 players his "friends" had lent to him, mostly metal music and one certain cd from Chelsea that he'd never in a million years listen too. He wasn't too into emo music. he looked through the records until he came to an album with what appeared to be a demonic boars head on an ace of spades symbol. Taking the record out of the sleeve he carefully placed it on the machine lowered the volume and moved the needle into position.
"Time go get these assignments over with" he huffed digging a stack of rather thick looking packets from his backpack and dropping them on his noticed a red envelope off to the corner placed under a stuffed animal he'd never seen before. he picked it up taking a closer look. it was like a goat with fur the shade of coal and jeweled ruby eyes. setting the goat down he turned his attention to the letter.
To my dear nephew. now even more suspicious he started opening the letter. pulling out its contents he noticed it was handwritten in gold lettering and the handwriting seemed way too good for modern convention.
Dear nephew,
It is with great pleasure that I inform you that I have finally convinced your guardian to let you visit us for the holidays next year. Your cousin just can't wait to meet you. Already making a full itinerary as I write this. This will be our first having extended family over, so we are trying to get everything ready for your arrival. my informant tells me your really into "rock and roll", so I'll keep that in mind. Until then i wish you luck with your studies and we will send for you when it is time. - your uncle Lu
P.s the goats name is Mendes.
"Guardian?" David scoffed and threw the letter into the trash bin under the desk. "And that's why you don't mail things without putting the proper addresses on them. Sorry Mendes but it seems you won't be reaching your destination anytime soon. last I checked my mother was an only child and my father was never in the picture, so I highly doubt this letter was for me"
setting to work on the packets he worked diligently until there was only one left. he rubbed his eyes and tried to power through it but promptly fell asleep 15 minutes later.
David was woken up from his unintentional nap by what sounded like every dog on the street barking up a storm. he also noted that the record from earlier had finished but was still spinning. letting out a groan he checked his phone for the time, 4 am, morning. getting up he decided to check on the record player. upon reaching the bookshelf the dogs quieted down and even weirder shit started to happen. the lights flickered a bit and then a red glow came from the window. he could also hear voices.
They seemed to be bickering about something trivial until one of them said something about "doing the job for that creepy asshole" and "the client wants him alive" inching closer to the window he peered through the blinds at the alleyway. whoever was there before was no longer present and a glowing red pentagram greeted his eyes three stories below.
"What in the hell" David rushed out of his room and through the apartment building. he quickly found the alley access door and threw it open.
in the alley it was deathly silent. no breeze either. it was as if the space around him was frozen in time. the only thing that gave any indication of life was the crimson symbol in front of him pulsing with light every so often. bringing out his barely functioning flip phone and started dialing 911.
suddenly a loud crash from behind made him nearly jump out of his skin. he assumed what he considered a defensive stance. he felt stupid as his eyes meet with a raccoon staring back at him from a freshly toppled trash can. looking around he had a brief second to realize where he was standing before the outer circle of the pentagram caught fire and surrounded him.
"Oh shi-" he felt a pang of panic and before he could finish there was a flash of light. all that was left was the phone on the ground still dialing.
a few minutes passed and three strange little red creatures ran into the alley. the tallest of the three approached where the portal should have been.
"well, you know the drill" turning around the imp known as Blitz straightened his neck tie, "as soon as the portal re opens we gotta find who ever crossed it and throw them back out on their ass."
the other male imp sighed "That's only if Loona doesn't decide to kill them first."
The female imp was about to speak when suddenly what sounded like multiple bursts of thunder rang out in the night sky above. They looked up to find not clouds but two beings with white wings hurling at the ground straight towards them. The first one cracked the concrete upon impact and stood to reveal a tall figure wearing what appeared to be a black trench coat to conceal a sword in its scabbard. Its led mask displayed a look of burning hatred. The second one landed behind them cutting off the only way out of the alley. They both drew the swords at their hips and started advancing.
"oh, great we couldn't find the target and now there's more of these fucks to worry about" Blitz sighed drawing his flintlock. "The client said he'd be in this apartment building but all were finding are exterminators!"
moxxie also drew his handgun and leveled it at the new threat, "well sir it seems stealth is no longer an option. perhaps after we eliminate these aggressors we can do a more thorough search of the apartment. only Satan knows when Loona will actually do her job for once."
Millie giggled, "maybe if we're lucky he's the one that activated the portal."
"psh, yeah right mills if that happens remind me to buy a lotto ticket when we get back"
