My Demon Volume 3

My Demon

Volume 3

A Serial Project

by S.A. Hunter

© 2016 S.A. Hunter

This work gathers the previously published episodes 8-10 of the serial My Demon.

License Notes:

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people unless permitted by purchase agreement. If you would like to give this book to another person, please download an additional copy for each person.

This is a work of fiction. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Cover design by S.A. Hunter

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Other works by S.A. Hunter

Unicorn Bait

Dragon Prey

~The Scary Mary Series~

Scary Mary

Stalking Shadows

Broken Spirits

Strange Girl

Wednesday, Day 17

I had an awful headache when I woke up the next morning. I shuffled into the kitchen with only a grunt of greeting for my parents. I'd avoided looking in a mirror, but I must have looked pretty bad because Mom felt my forehead.

Well, you don't have a fever. How do you feel?

My head hurts, I muttered.

I knew better than to ask to stay home. One of Mom's sayings was if you can ask to stay home then you must not be that sick. It was like if you were hungry but didn't want to eat something, then you must not be that hungry. The only way I was staying home from school was if Mom suggested it. Mom frowned and looked at me harder. I let all of the misery I felt show on my face.

Have you taken anything?

Not yet.

It is a headache or sinus pressure?

I shrugged. Maybe a bit of both?

I didn't know if I'd willed myself sick, but I wasn't acting. I did not feel well.

She sighed and reached for the phone. Eat something and I'll call the office to let them know you're sick.

Thanks, Mom.

Do you need me to turn in anything for you? Dad asked.

I shook my head in answer and dolefully ate three bites of my breakfast before giving up. I wasn't hungry. When I went back to my room, I took off my slept in school uniform and put on pajamas. Once I was done, I climbed back into bed and burrowed into the sheets.

Hey, sweetheart, your mom wants you to take these, Dad said, touching my shoulder. I rolled over and took the proffered aspirin and glass of water. I tossed the pills in my mouth and drank.

Thanks.

Get some rest and don't worry about whatever has got you upset.

I didn't know what to say. I nodded mutely and lay back down. A little while later, I heard Mom and Dad call out farewells. I didn't respond. I went back to sleep.

When I woke up again, my head didn't hurt anymore. I sat up and listened to the apartment. It sounded like I was still alone. I looked at my alarm clock and saw it was just after ten o'clock. I got up and used the bathroom. I got a granola bar from the kitchen and wandered into the living room. I flopped onto the sofa and turned on the television. I curled up and watched morning talk shows until lunch time. I was beginning to feel a bit restless and a little embarrassed. I was being a coward by skipping class, but I told myself that it was okay to occasionally take a mental health day. And after everything I'd been through, I deserved the break.

I made myself some soup for lunch. I ate it in silence at the kitchen table. Once I was done, I put the bowl in the sink and went back to my room. It was time to survey the fallout. I turned on my phone. One missed call and three texts. The call was from Noah, but I'd known that. The texts were all from him as well.

*I didn't post those photos.*

*I took them down.*

*Sarah, I'm sorry.*

I deleted the texts. The fact that Damien hadn't tried to contact me was a bad sign. How upset was he? Had he seen the photos? Of course he had. The whole reason those photos were posted was for Damien to see them.

Angela hadn't tried to contact me either. I wondered what she thought of all this. She had to know that the photos meant nothing, but what about my outburst yesterday? She wouldn't have approved. She didn't believe in hitting others. She would be disappointed with me.

I sent her another text to see if she'd respond.

*Hey, I stayed home sick today. What's the situation with Damien?*

I looked at the clock again. It was a quarter after twelve. I could still go to my afternoon classes. I shouldn't skip two days in a row of Earth Sciences. And I was finally caught up with Algebra. I didn't want to slip behind again. And what would I do if I stayed home? I didn't want to sit and watch the clock. I took a shower and got dressed. I gathered my textbooks and headed out.

In the lobby, I found Jenkins and Harlow. I gave them a rueful smile. Hey, I thought I'd go to fourth and fifth period today.

Are you feeling better? Jenkins asked.

Mom and Dad had probably told them that I was sick. I nodded. Yeah, I feel better now.

We went straight to Prof. Bolkis's class. I sat down and pulled out my school materials. I didn't worry about whether Damien would show or not. I was there to keep up with class and if he did show, it wasn't like we'd be able to talk or anything.

As the room filled and Damien didn't show, I wondered if he'd stayed home sick today as well.

Class started without Damien. I paid attention to everything Prof. Bolkis said, but the empty chair beside me kept distracting me. What was he up to? Was he okay? I was worried and I knew it was my fault. I was the reason he wasn't there.

When it was time for Earth Sciences, I went to class and sat at my usual lab table, but I didn't get too comfortable. If Damien didn't show again, I would have to work with Hank and Joshua. And that's what I had to do. Working on the lab with the two boys was as pleasant as before, though Joshua insisted on a detailed list of all the items I had on the tray that I dumped on Damien.

When the bell rang to end class, I said good bye to the boys and headed to the administrative wing. I needed to speak to Dean Crowe. He'd know what was up with Damien and maybe give me some advice on how to smooth things over with him.

Mrs. Wolt was already announcing my arrival to Dean Crowe as I approached her desk. She pointed at the door without a word. She looked particularly stern today. I began to worry that I was in trouble. Most students would get into trouble for dumping their trays onto someone else. The two exceptions were, of course, Damien and me. But maybe I'd lost my special status.

As I approached the door, it swung silently open on its own. I peeked into the office and looked down the long room to Dean Crowe. He sat waiting for me, elbows on desk, hands folded together. I swallowed nervously and walked toward him.

I really had gotten too comfortable here. I'd assumed that I was safe. I'd forgotten that I was only allowed to go to Noble. It wasn't my right.

When I came to the dean's desk, I stopped and waited silently. He unfolded a hand to indicate that I could sit. I perched on the chair.

Hello, Sarah, he said.

His voice was cold. There was no hint of joviality in his eyes. I twisted my hands in my lap and swallowed uncomfortably. Hello, Dean Crowe.

You're here about Damien, I presume?

I nodded. You heard about what happened in the cafeteria?

He nodded.

I shouldn't have done that. I know that I'm at fault and I want to apologize, but Damien won't let me. He's changed the code to his suite and he didn't come to class today.

He tried to withdraw yesterday.

My eyes widened. He what?

His mother forbade it, which means he will attempt to be expelled instead. Security is on high alert.

I'd gone cold. If Damien left, the Wests would stop funding Noble. If Damien left, I would be blamed. If Damien left, no one would watch out for him. If Damien left, I'd be alone. Let me talk to him, I begged.

If he doesn't wish to see you then there isn't much I can do.

I swallowed. What can we do?

Dean Crowe shook his head. I don't know, Sarah.

I had to do something. This was my mess. I had to clean it up. I rose from the chair. I'll talk to him.

Dean Crowe sighed. Sarah, we did our best. I'm sorry for pulling you into this mad scheme. It was doomed from the beginning.

Damien isn't going anywhere. I'll keep him from doing anything rash.

The dean quirked an eyebrow. Shall I double your security detail?

I shook my head. No, dismiss them actually. I need to talk to him alone.

I think that would be the height of folly.

He might be right, but I couldn't have Jenkins and Harlow following me. They would interfere. Please, Dean Crowe. I need to take care of this by myself.

He sighed. I'll tell Capt. Timmons to dismiss the security detail for now.

Thanks. I rose. A plan was forming, though I had no idea if it would succeed.

Sarah, be careful.

I gave him a half smile. Oh, it's too late for that.

Dean Crowe opened his mouth, but I turned and left before he could respond.

When I exited, Jenkins and Harlow were both talking into their communicators. They did not look happy. I stopped before them. They lowered their hands and stared at me. I bowed at the waist. Thank you for all of your help.

Sarah, whatever you're planning, don't, Jenkins said.

I lifted my head and gave them a dry smile. I'll see you around.

The guards stood there a moment longer. I worried they'd disobey orders and continue to shadow me. But finally they reluctantly turned and left. I waited a little longer to give them time to clear out. I caught Mrs. Wolt watching me. I gave her a silent nod. She just stared back, but she didn't look quite as displeased with me.

When I left the administrative office, I headed to the boiler room. Damien had told me himself, maintenance had access to every location on campus. And the boiler room doubled as the maintenance office. And as a daughter of a maintenance worker, my card allowed me access.

I just hoped Red and my dad were busy elsewhere on campus. I swiped my card and tip-toed down the stairs. I sighed in relief when I found the space empty. The boiler room was always ten degrees warmer than the rest of the building. It was a very utilitarian space. The walls were bare cinder block with pipes crisscrossing overhead. I knew where the master card was. Dad's and Red's cards allowed them access to anywhere on grounds, but they kept a spare just in case. I'd been sent to retrieve it on a couple of occasions. It was in a tall filing cabinet at the back of the room. The cabinet was locked, but the key for it hung from a hidden bolt on a nearby pipe. I retrieved it and slid the top drawer open all the way. I reached into the back and felt for the master card hidden there.

I knew I was betraying the trust Red and my dad had placed in me but at the very least, the future of Noble was at stake. I was at the door about to make my escape when it opened. Red jumped in surprise. I was also startled and had to grab the railing to keep my balance.

Sarah, what in blazes are you doin' in here?

I was looking for Dad, I lied.

Red scrunched his eyebrows. I think he's servicing one of the mowers.

I nodded, and slipped by him. Thanks, I'll go check there.

Let me check, he said. He unclipped his radio.

I quickly shook my head. No, it's okay. It's not a big deal.

Red's eyes narrowed in suspicion. You sure?

I nodded as I backed away. Yeah, thanks.

Red continued to watch me. I could feel his eyes still on me even after I turned and headed to the courtyard. I had to move fast now before Dad came looking for me.

When I reached the West Dorm's lobby, I called the elevator, I opened the maintenance box and swiped the master card. All of the buttons lit up indicating the override was in effect. I pressed five. The elevator rose. I hugged myself as nerves set in. How would Damien react to me barging into his suite? Maybe I should've brought Angela with me. But it was too late now to go get her. The elevator bell dinged and the doors slid open.

I peaked into the room. It was a mess. The sofa cushions were thrown everywhere. The television's plasma screen was destroyed. Shards of dishes littered the floor. I stepped in cautiously. I tried to picture Damien smashing the television or breaking the dishes, and my imagination balked. I didn't want to picture it because I didn't want to think about what his face would've looked like; The hurt and anger that would've shown on it.

Quietly, I began putting the room back to rights. I picked up the sofa cushions and put them back where they belonged. I took a waste paper basket and picked up the largest broken pieces of the dishes. I'd crouched down to grab a broken glass when I rose and almost dropped the waste paper basket. Damien stood in his bedroom's doorway watching me.

Hey, I said, cradling the small trashcan before me.

He was dressed in a t-shirt and jeans. His hair was an unruly mess. His face was blank as he looked at me. He looked a little pale.

Silently, he turned and went into the kitchenette. He reached up into the overhead cabinet and pulled down the single glass left there. He filled it at the faucet and took a sip. I watched him, waiting for him to say something,