Here's Chapter 8. I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: Beelzebub belongs to Ryuuhei Tamura, not me.

Chapter 8- Threat

"The bodies have been identified as the bodies of Nojima Kumi, Saionji Tadashi, and Fukuda Kaori," an officer says. "They'll be taken to the labs for an autopsy."

Dad looks at the three of us curiously. "How did the three of you find this?" he asks.

"Well-" I start, but Izuma cuts us off.

"We were on our way home from school when we noticed the barrels, and we got a bit curious," he explains. "Neither of us thought we'd find these bodies in there."

Right now, there are several police officers, all of them investigating the area for anything else. Shortly after finding those three corpses, I had called Dad, telling him about this. Sure enough, he and the other officers were very quick in arriving. However, Dad is quite curious about how we found it. In fact, I'm starting to wonder if I should tell him about the ghost of Shibuya Airi, and how we're trying to help her rest in peace. Will he believe us?

As I thought, Dad looks somewhat disbelieving. "I'm a bit unsure as to how you really found this, but I'll get to that later," he says.

"Yumi?" Right then, we see Hecadoth and Quetzalcoatl approaching us.

"Hecadoth. Quetzalcoatl," I say in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"We were actually going to meet you," Hecadoth tells me. "What's going on?"

"Ah, well…" I trail off. Lowering my voice so that he and Quetzalcoatl can hear, I tell them, "We found something that is in relation with Shibuya Airi."

"What is it?" Hecadoth asks, looking surprised.

Before I can say anything else, Dad turns to me. "How about you and Hecadoth go home for now?" he suggests. "I'll finish up here and be home soon." He then turns to Shizuka and Izuma. "The both of you should go home."

Shizuka nods. "Yeah, Tora will be here soon," she says.

"See you soon, Dad," I tell him as Hecadoth and I start walking home.

On the walk home, Hecadoth turns to me. "Tell me, what is it that you found?" he asks.

As I recall the sight of those bodies in the barrels of concrete, I feel my stomach churning in dread. "We found three bodies in three barrels of concrete," I tell him. "Even more, they are three people who knew Shibuya Airi, who were killed a few years after her death."

Hecadoth looks very serious at this. "Wait… what do you mean by that?"

"I have the newspaper of one of them," I say. "Basically, these three people were found dead, but their murders were arranged to look like suicides. However, someone stole their bodies, put them in these barrels of concrete, and disposed of them in the river."

"I see," Hecadoth muses. "When we get home, you can tell me a bit more."

Upon arriving home and greeting Mom, I make my way to the table in the kitchen to get started on my homework for the evening. Hecadoth also sits at the table, this time with a book in his hands, specifically, Ring. Together, the both of us sit in a comfortable silence as he reads and I do my homework.

However, I find my mind wandering to other matters. I can't help but think about the three corpses that we found today. None of us got a chance to see just how they were murdered. The circumstances of their deaths are extremely suspicious as well. All three of them have appeared to have committed suicide. And according to the report on Nojima Kumi's death, police investigation in her home have led to them finding a journal in which she had written, 'avenge Shibuya Airi. Must find her killer'.

I highly doubt that this is a coincidence. The person who killed her had the intent to shut her up. Which means that it must be Shibuya Airi's murderer who is behind this. For some reason, I find myself gripping my pencil harder as the thought crosses my mind, and I glare down at my homework. The fucking bastard… he's nothing but a coward. Killing people to shut them up? Disgusting. I truly hate cowards, but not as much as pedophiles, abusive parents, and rapists. They deserve a humiliating death, one that exposes them for the coward they are.

"Yumi, are you okay?" Hecadoth's voice brings me back to reality. "You're damaging the paper."

I look down and notice my writing suddenly looking a hell of a lot more angry and hard. "Oops…" I laugh nervously. "I was just distracted by something."

"What is it?" he asks.

I sigh. "The person who murdered Shibuya Airi is a coward," I tell him. "A miserable, fucking coward who's only going after people who are trying to bring them to justice. They deserve a humiliating death, and they can rot in hell."

Hecadoth smiles wryly. "I couldn't agree more," he tells me. "In addition to rapists and abusers, I fucking hate cowards. I've seen so many in battle, ones who sell out their comrades for their own lives, and it always disgusts me."

"But this guy is someone who murdered an innocent high school girl," I say sadly. "A girl who had dreams of going to university, finding a job, travelling the world, maybe finding the love of her life and marrying them, probably having a family, and basically living her life to its fullest. And it was cut short so brutally by some son of a bitch."

Hecadoth nods. "You know, when you say it like that, it does become a lot sadder," he notices. "By the way, are you almost done with your homework? When you're done, can we talk about those people you found in the barrels?"

I nod. "I'm done," I say, putting my pencil down.

As I pull the newspaper out from my bag, Hecadoth tells me something. "I just got a message from Quetzalcoatl a few minutes ago," he says. "He told me that he's going to have a look at the three bodies to try and find the cause of death. He's disguised himself as an investigative journalist."

"That so? But will they allow him into the morgue?" I ask.

Hecadoth smirks. "You shouldn't underestimate Quetzalcoatl," he says. "He has his way of making things happen for him."

A bead of sweat rolls down my head as I laugh nervously. "Don't tell me he's gonna hypnotize them…" I mumble to myself.

I show him the newspaper. "Here," I say. "This is Nojima Kumi, the landlady of Shibuya Airi. She died in December 2003, almost twelve years ago. She was found hanging in her home. However…" I turn the pages to find the full story. "During an investigation of her house, police apparently found a journal where she had been writing about avenging Shibuya Airi."

"Really?" Hecadoth looks surprised at this.

I nod. "However, at some point, she started writing about how she was being stalked," I add. "This unknown person was sending her death threats and breaking into her home, and she was forced to move out. Even then, this person tracked her down, somehow killed her, and then hanged her body to make it look like she committed suicide." I rest my hand on my chin. "They thought that she had gone crazy."

"I see," Hecadoth muses. "You know, that reminds me of that urban legend we had read. Wasn't there something about how people who see the Demon of the Third Floor would go crazy until they committed suicide?"

I turn my head to look at him in surprise. "You know, you're right," I tell him, astonished. "I almost forgot about that!"

"But something is still off," Hecadoth says. Suddenly, I hear a tone from what sounds like a Demon World communication device.

Hecadoth reaches into his pocket and pulls out his device. "It's Quetzalcoatl," he tells me, taking the call. "Yes?"

An expression of bemusement and surprise crosses his face at whatever the harlequin demon is saying. "That so, huh? Okay. Yeah, let's tell them next time we meet up. Yeah, it is quite strange. Got it. Thank you, Quetzalcoatl."

Hanging up, he turns his attention back to me. "Quetzalcoatl just had a look at those three corpses," he tells me. "He's found something quite peculiar on them. All of them were killed in a similar manner. They were killed by an extremely thin laceration across their chests, deep enough to kill them without spilling too much blood, but invisible to the human eye. In the Demon World, they call this a 'bloodless death'."

My eyes widen in shock as I take in this information. "What kind of weapon can do something like that?" I ask. "That's physically impossible."

"With a Human World weapon, yes, it's impossible," Hecadoth agrees. "However, there is a weapon in the Demon World that is capable of doing such a thing. It's a flammard made from the poisonous fangs of the King Hydra."

I stare at him in surprise. "Seriously?" I ask.

He nods. "So then, if these lacerations were caused by that flammard, which is only available in the Demon World, how was this person able to get their hands on one?"

As the realization hits me, I bring my hand to my chin in thought. "So then, the murderer must've been contracted to a demon of some sort!" I realize.

"That, or the murderer themselves is a demon," Hecadoth suggests. "But why would a demon put this much effort into covering up a crime?"

Before either of us can say anything else, we suddenly hear the sound of glass shattering from the kitchen, as well as Mom's startled gasp and the sound of her summoning her rapier. I frantically turn to the kitchen.

"Mom!" I gasp, shooting up from my chair. Hecadoth follows me, holding his spear at the ready in case there's an intruder.

We both run to the kitchen to make sure Mom's okay. Fortunately she seems to be okay, but in the middle of glass shards on the floor is a large rock, much to our surprise.

"Mom, are you alright?" I ask urgently.

She lowers her rapier before nodding. "I'm fine," she says.

"What the hell was that?" Hecadoth asks, picking up the rock. He raises his eyebrow. "What the…"

"What is it?" Mom asks him.

Hecadoth removes a folded letter that was attached to the rock, and hands it to me. "It's for you," he tells me.

Curiously, I open it up, only for my eyes to widen in shock as I read the message.

Some things in this world are better off unknown, Konketsuji. And that includes what you are doing right now. If you are smart, you will stop what you are doing, or else you shall feel humiliation and pain like nothing else. And I am very much capable of making you suffer a fate worse than death itself. Be warned.

I feel my heart pounding against my chest in anxiety as I slowly set the letter down, my hands trembling slightly. "This is an outright death threat," I whisper.

At that moment, we hear the front door opening and Dad enters the house, coming into the kitchen. "What's going on?" he asks.

"Yumi just received a death threat," Hecadoth tells him, pointing to the letter.

Shocked, Dad picks up the letter and reads through it, his eyes widening in astonishment. Mom also looks through it in horror. "Yumi… what does this person mean?" she asks me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. "What are you doing that's warranting a death threat?"

I tense up at her question. It's quite clear that this person is talking about how I'm investigating the death of Shibuya Airi, but how will Mom and Dad react?

As if knowing what I'm thinking, Hecadoth gives me a look that asks me if I'd like to tell them. I nod, knowing better than to try and hide it anymore. Sighing, I look them both in the eye.

"Look, you're probably going to think that I'm crazy or whatever, but… please, listen," I plead with them.

"Of course," Dad says. "What's going on?"

"You see…" I bite my lower lip. "Recently, I've been seeing a ghost. And it's not just any ghost. It's the ghost of Shibuya Airi."

Mom and Dad look at me in shock. "Really?" Mom asks, her voice laced with surprise.

I nod. "It's not just me. Oga, Hilda, Furuichi, Shizuka, and Izuma, they've all seen her," I add. "We've also been trying to find her murderer and avenge her so that she can rest in peace. It's because her ghost has the demonic aura, and we think that if we can avenge her, then she'll be at peace."

Dad turns to look at Hecadoth. "Is this true?" he asks.

Hecadoth nods. "I haven't seen the ghost myself, but yes, we are trying to put her ghost to rest," he confirms. "We've been finding important clues to try and solve her murder. Quetzalcoatl and I have been helping them out in this."

"I'm sorry for getting myself involved," I apologize. "I didn't want to hurt anyone, I just-"

"Yumi." To my surprise, both Mom and Dad are looking at me with understanding eyes.

Mom is the first one to speak. "You know, I'm quite impressed that you're doing this," she tells me, smiling gently. "I do wish you'd told me earlier, but what you're doing is very brave. Despite the possible consequences and dangers on your life, you're still doing what is right."

Dad nods, giving me a smile. "She's right, Yumi," he tells me. "To be honest, my own investigations haven't been going anywhere right now. In addition, I might be getting some threats soon. But I'd like to hear what you've found out so far." He gives me a kiss on my forehead. "You really make me a proud father."

I smile slightly. "Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad."

Despite their reassurance, the fear in my gut has grown considerably larger after seeing this death threat towards me. However, it's not just for me, that's for sure. Oga, Hilda, Furuichi, Shizuka, and Izuma could've gotten some death threats as well. However, who could be sending them?

Right now, as I sit on my bed, reading through the threat over and over again while Hecadoth takes a bath, I feel the unease and fear slowly growing stronger. But I can't let this get to me. Otherwise this stalker will win. I have to show that I'm stronger than them, that I'm not afraid of them.

The door opens and I look up to see Hecadoth walking in shirtless, pants hanging low, and a towel around his neck. Once again, I can't help but blush as I avert my eyes. "H-How was your bath?" I ask, trying my best not to stammer.

"Felt nice," he says, sitting down next to me. I feel his hand gently touching my face before I'm turned to look at him.

"You're worried," he says. It's not a question, just a simple observation.

I sigh. "Yeah… I don't want anyone getting hurt."

He moves closer to me. "Don't worry too much," he reassures me. "Anyone who tries to hurt any of us will pay dearly, you can be sure of it."

I nod. I glance up and that's when I notice how close we are. We're quite close to each other, Hecadoth's forehead almost pressing against mine, and the atmosphere around us doesn't help. It's already night, only my bedside lamp is on, and Hecadoth is shirtless. It's very intimate and almost sensual.

Hecadoth moves my hair away from my face, running his fingers through my hair. I feel my heart beating faster again, but not out of fear. His eyes are looking into mine, silently asking for permission. I nod, slowly lowering my eyelids as he moves in closer, our lips inches apart now. And then, I feel his lips capturing mine in a heated kiss before he twists his fingers in my hair, and I lose myself in the kiss.

No matter how many times he kisses me like this, it never fails to make my knees weak and my heart pound faster. I inhale his fresh, clean scent from his bath and move closer to him, pressing my body against his. He wraps his arms around my body, holding me close to him, and my face heats up at the intimacy. We pull away and I can see the fondness in his eyes as he gently kisses my cheek.

I turn to look back at him, blushing lightly before I gently brush my lips against the tattoo on the left side of his face. "Hecadoth…" I whisper.

"Yumi…" he whispers my name in a low, seductive voice. This sends shivers down my spine and before I realize, I want more.

Right then, I close the distance between us again, kissing him passionately. He kisses me back in the same manner before deepening it. I feel myself being pushed down onto my bed, our lips still connected. We kiss some more before Hecadoth pulls away, moving his lips down my neck. I let out a slight gasp as he kisses and nips my neck in a sensual manner, his teeth lightly grazing my sensitive spot. On instinct, I run my fingers over his muscles, closing my eyes and turning my head to the side to give him better access.

"Mmm…" I hum in pleasure as his tongue slowly strokes my neck.

Right then, he bites down on my neck, and it brings me back to reality. "H-Hecadoth…" I place my hands on his shoulders. "E-Enough, please…"

As if realizing what he's doing, Hecadoth stops and pulls away, looking somewhat embarrassed. "I… I'm sorry, Yumi," he apologizes. "I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."

I shake my head. "I'm fine, it's just…" I trail off. "I want to go to sleep now."

"Sure." He presses his lips against mine in a sweeter kiss before kissing the top of my head. "Good night, Yumi."

"Good night, Hecadoth."

For the rest of the time in which I'm trying to fall asleep, I can't help but recall the way he kissed me. However, I try and brush these thoughts aside. I can't afford to let myself get distracted like this. My life is probably in danger right now, and I need to focus on how to protect myself.