Faces of the Devil

Mr Prim Beyrstone was twenty six when he joined the Noble Academy as an assistant for the then principal, Ms Soza Frye. Ms Frye was his mentor who showed him the ropes, taught him everything about running the academy. Ten years later, as she was retiring, she introduced him to the next principal appointed by the board, Mr Ley Kileyr. Prim became indispensable for Mr Kileyr, and the successor eleven years later, Ms Yonas Azam. And finally, when her term was coming to an end, Ms Azam recommended Prim for the job. The board readily agreed. And Prim Beyrstone was appointed the principal of Noble Academy.

In the thirteen years since, Prim came across several students who were trouble, many who could only be called the ideal students. But there was only one who was a nightmare. Not only was she unashamed about causing trouble, she couldn't be bothered about punishment. It wasn't that she leaned on her family to influence the punishment in any way. She simply accepted whatever was thrown at her without batting an eye, her smile not faltering in the slightest. Looking at her smile as they handed out the punishment frightened the teachers into submission. And finally, she was reported to the principal, to be personally handled.

"Ms Havern," Prim said in the severest tone he could muster. "Why do you insist on causing such trouble?"

"Tammy," she replied sweetly, as if talking to a new friend. "My mother is Ms Havern. And my sister. I'm Tammy. Didn't you say it yourself. I'm trouble."

Prim finally understood what the teachers meant. Her smile was too sweet for the circumstances she was in, which made her frightening.

"How can I get you to stop?"

"How about I show you something?"

He was curious, and let her borrow his computer. She logged onto a private server, downloaded a file, and lay it open for him to view. It wasn't a very long document. By the time he finished reading, he was trembling from fear.

"Let me be," she said, wearing the same smile. "Just don't see me. Simple, isn't it?"

Tam Havern was the Devil. Four years after she graduated, she still gave him nightmares. She also made him stronger, in mind and in spirit. Knowing that had him feeling pacified about letting her have her way.

He wasn't sure why he was reminded of Tam Havern today. He wasn't interested in knowing where the girl was now or what she was doing. And she hadn't reached out either, which was for the best. He had a quiet morning. But in the evening, after the day's exams were over, a student was brought in to his office.

"Ms Thyme."

He wanted to use his severest tone, but reminded of the past year, of all that she had to suffer through, he faltered. His tone was a couple of notes short of the severest.

"MenMen," she answered.

A tremor ran down his spine.

"MenMen," he relented easily enough. "Is it revenge?"

"Yes." Her answer was easy enough as well.

"Are you done?"

"Might I make a suggestion?"

He nodded. She continued.

"I'm not as nice as Tammy. I will hit back. It's what mother asked of me. What everyone prepared me for. I promise you, I will hit. And I guarantee you, it will hurt. So, the suggestion. Leave me be."

It was a naked threat. His first time witnessing one in all of his life. And so, he didn't know how to react, but by submitting. He realised how wrong he had been. The Devil had more than one face. And more than one voice. The Devil could be more than one person. And the Devil could far more terrifying that the worst he could imagine.

MenMen was finally free, to be herself in the academy. She finally felt a belonging.