Chapter 29

Isaac quickly remembered a quickly glimpse of his past as he asked Van to help become stronger. Isaac was younger, while Van placed his hand on his shoulder and nodded as Isaac faded back to the present.

"Alright. I'll teach you." Said Isaac.

"Thank you, Isaac!" Abe replied happily as he hugged him.

"Oh, you're a hugger." Said Isaac.

"Uh, sorry." Abe responded as he back off.

"Don't apologize. I'm used to it because of the gang. But for now, enjoy today. I'm have to head out and visit a teacher for something important." Said Isaac.

"But is there something you can teach me now?" Abe asked.

"How about coping better with your panic attacks." Said Isaac.

"Ana, told you, huh?" Abe asked.

"Yeah. And you're not alone. I used to have those too. But that's your first goal to accomplish." Said Isaac.

"Of course! Again, thank you! And…how do I get out of here?" Abe asked, clueless.

He looked around for someone but sighed. It was moments later as Abe left the lair happily, until he noticed Lilith, the girl that was being hit on, as there were girls from North Winchester bullying her.

"Yeah, she's definitely succubus. Look at her body. I'm pretty sure you've lent your body to a lot of men recently, right?" Said one of the girls.

"Maybe to even girls." Said another girl.

Abe was about to help, but he suddenly, started to shake. But he shook his head and forced himself to walk over.

"Demons like you desire to die. Your race is full of sinful and evil creatures who don't deserve to live!" Said one of the knight girls.

"Please…leave me alone." Said Lilith, looking to the ground.

"Why? So you can get with somebody. She's probably a gross freak who does it with anyone." Said another girl.

"L-Lilith! There you are!" Said Abe.

They all saw Abe walking towards them as he stood in front of girls, facing Lilith.

"Sorry that I lost you. Let's get going." Said Abe as he winked.

"Uh, sure." Said Lilith as they were about to leave.

"Hold it. Are you under her seductive charm or something? You must be an idiot or a horny boy wanting to get with her." Said one of the girls.

"Or maybe they're friends." Said Van as he appeared behind the girls.

They all turned as they saw Van with school shirt, a cap, dressed in the school's colors as well as having his face painted with S and A on his cheeks. Abe couldn't believer what he was seeing, but happy to see Van.

"Get going, Abe. I got this." Said Van.

"C'mon, Lilith." Said Abe as he grabbed Lilith's hand.

"You know that girl is a student of Salem academy. And you are all representing North Winchester. It'd be a shame if your headmaster saw you acting this way." Said Van.

"Do you have any idea what she is?" A girl asked.

"I know. But…hateful faces doesn't suit pretty girls like you." Said Van in a charming way.

The girls suddenly were taken by his charm as they became bashful and giggled.

"Now, please behave. We're all here to have fun, right?" Said Van, positively.

"Yes, sir!" The girls responded.

Abe and Lilith made some distance as Abe sighed and tried catching his breath, while Lilith was looking at his hand grabbing her hand. She looked unsettled as she started to shake, until Abe quickly let go of her. She quickly started to calm down as Abe looked at, but only in her eyes.

"Are you okay?" Abe asked.

"Y-Yes, I'm fine. Thank you." Said Lilith.

"No need to thank me." Said Abe.

"But…why did you help me?" Lilith asked.

"I needed to test myself on something. Plus, I hate bullying. Wow, my heart is beating a mile." Said Abe as he look at Lilith.

He quickly realized that she was very attractive to him as he quickly blushed. He turned his head, looking down as Lilith noticed that he was shaking from his hands. She then reached into her pocket and held out a piece of gum to Abe.

"Gum helps me calm down." Said Lilith.

"Oh, thanks. Not to be nosy, but I never would've thought you were a demon. You're very pretty to even look like one." Said Abe.

"That's because I'm a succubus." Said Lilith.

"Oh. T-That explains a lot." Said Abe replied, while still blushing.

Abe and Lilith were sitting together at a bench, drinking some refreshments. Abe had his hands on his face as he could feel his face being warm from still blushing.

"I thought this drink would cool me down. But nothing." Said Abe.

"Sorry, it's an aphrodisiac affect I have on men. It works on women too, unless they're attracted to women." Said Lilith.

"Oh, good. I thought it was just me." Said Abe.

"But it's very affective to those who are really attractive to me. So…" Said Lilith.

"I'm sorry." Said Abe, looking deeply ashamed as he looks to his side.

"No, it's okay. I can tell your trying your best to be respect. So no worries." Said Lilith.

"I'm guess it happens a lot, huh?" Said Abe, trying to keep his gaze away from her.

"Yes. But your sister is usually there to help me. She's been really nice and helpful to me. She lives up to the Van Helsing name." Said Lilith.

"Right? I really wish I was more like her. She's always takes control of the situation like it was nothing. She's so cool." Said Abe.

"You must admire her." Said Lilith.

"It's easy to tell, huh? But I'm nothing like her. I can't even stand up to anyone without going into a panic attack. The thought of me in a fight makes me shake." Said Abe.

"Really? Can I ask why?" Lilith asked.

"Well, it's personal. Plus, you're going to laugh at me." Said Abe.

"You don't have to tell. And if you do, I won't laugh. I promise." Said Lilith.

"(Sighs) I've always been…sensitive. When I was little, whenever I saw Ana get hurt. Even if it didn't hurt her, I would cry. And every time I would spar with her or anyone else, I start to panic and that lead to my anxiety attacks. I'm pretty much a useless coward." Said Abe.

"Well, it's true unless you really believe that. Do you?" Lilith asked.

"I don't know. I want to get better. I want to live up to my family's name." Said Abe.

"Then you're not a coward. If you're try, then you're facing that fear, right? And you're not alone on thinking that you're useless. I maybe a succubus, but I only inherited the beauty and the aphrodisiac affect that they have. I don't have any other demonic traits. Since I'm only half succubus and half human. At least you have potential, while I have limits." Said Lilith.

"Huh, I feel little better." Said Abe.

"I'm glad my flaws helped." Said Lilith as they both chuckled.

Meanwhile, we see Isaac at the main office as there were some staff members working. He arrive at the academy's councilors office as he knocked on it.

"Come in." Said Mr. Gurerro as Isaac went in.

"Mr. Gurerro?" Said Isaac.

In the office was a slim Hispanic man with messy long hair as he looked tired. He looked skinny and kind looking as he adjusted his glasses.

"Mr. Atwood, I presume? Mr. Helsing told me you would be visiting me soon. What can I help you with?" Mr. Gurerro asked as Isaac closed the door behind them.

"I need your help." Said Isaac.

"Of course! I'm happy to help. Not sure of a future career? Are you looking to change certain classes?" Mr. Gurerro asked.

"Uh, it's nothing school related." Said Isaac.

"Oh, then what is it?" Mr. Gurerro asked.

"Van told me you can help me get better at using Life Force." Said Isaac.

Mr. Gurerro was immediately startled as he accidently knocked his cup of juice on himself and on the floor.

"Oh, no!" Said Mr. Gurerro.

"Uh, are you alright?" Isaac asked.

"I'm sorry, Isaac. I can't help you with that." Said Mr. Gurerro.

"Why?" Isaac asked.

"I…I promised myself to never go back to fighting. Unless the moment desperately demands it. Which is rarely." Said Mr. Gurerro.

"I see. But if you can't I understand." Said Isaac.

"No, wait! It's just…I hate the man I become whenever I use Life Force. I have some time to spar. Do you know a private place where I can demonstrate." Said Mr. Gurerro.

"I know a place." Said Isaac.

We then see Isaac and Mr. Gurerro at the lair as he was looking around impressed.

"Amazing! I wonder how much this cost, though." Said Mr. Gurerro.

"Um, Mr. Gurerro?" Said Isaac.

"Ah, yes! Sorry. Isaac, come at me. Show me what you can do so far. Don't be afraid to hurt me. I can handle it." Said Mr. Gurerro.

"Um, Alright." Said Isaac.

Isaac stood ready, clenching his fist as a thin clear aura covered him. It looked like heat as Isaac's hair was moving a bit, while his body was producing the energy. Isaac then bolt to Mr. Gurerro at a fast speed and kicked at him. But Mr. Gurerro quickly pushed Isaac's leg away with his finger, forcing Isaac backwards as he stumbled. Isaac regained his foot as he shocked at what Mr. Gurerro did as he had serious look on his face.

"Is that all? My grandmother can move faster than that." Said Mr. Gurerro.

"M-Mr. Gurerro?" Isaac responded, surprised.

"Uh, apologies! Like I said before. I tend to get very cocky whenever I fight. So please try to tolerate me. I don't mean to talk that way. It's an old habit." Said Mr. Gurerro.

"Um, no problem. I think I can handle it." Said Isaac.

"Good. But you are definitely a novice, that I can tell easily. But let me ask you this. Do you know what Life Force is?" Mr. Gurerro asked.

"Uh, yes. It can be debated about it being a natural force, energy of another dimension or cosmic energy since its origin is unknown. It's also known as ki, prana, chi, etcetera. Different forms or variations. But it gives people who have trained for years, strengthening their abilities beyond human limits." Said Isaac.

"Good. And from what I just saw. I do like the fact that you can cloak yourself in life force. Increasing your body movement and reaction. But you lack power and speed. It's obvious you had stopped using life force for some time." Said Mr. Gurerro.

"Yeah, I did stop using this power since it hasn't been necessary, until recently." Said Isaac.

"But do not worry. I will ensure you will better in a few days. From the tone of your voice and the way you asked, you do sound a bit desperate. As a man who cares about the students at this school, I will do everything I can to help you, Isaac. But to better yourself quickly, I can't go easy on you." Said Mr. Gurerro as his aura showed but was stronger and intense than Isaac's.

"Understood." Isaac replied, standing ready.

Meanwhile, we see Garry with his mother as they were walking together. Garry was on the right, while his mother was on the left as she kept her distance. It was silent between the both of them as Garry looked his mother. But she didn't even try to look at him at all as she looked down to the ground.

"I saw what you gave to Gina. She was very happy about it." Said Mable.

"Yeah? I'm glad. She does love that stuff." Said Garry.

"Deacon was mad about it." Said Mable.

"Even better. He was always crappy at getting gifts." Said Garry.

"Yeah. How are you doing in school?" Mable asked.

"Good. Obvious, I'm not the best student, but I'm getting by well." Said Garry.

"That's good to hear." Said Mable as Garry paused for a second.

"Mom…could you at least try to look at me?" Said Garry as they stopped.

They both stood still as Garry stared at her, but her face started to look uncomfortable.

"You know I can't do that." Mable replied.

"Why? Because I look like him, huh? Why did you even come in the first place if not to see me?" Said Garry.

"Because Gina wanted to see you. And we can't leave her alone." Said Mable.

"Alone with me? Because I might do something bad to her!? Because I'm a monster!?" Garry responded.

"Yes, exactly!" Mable yelled loudly.

People started to look at them as Garry immediately turned around and walked off. Mable looked up and only saw the back of Garry's head as he was already far away. Mable then had a regretful and shameful face as Iris walks up to her side, not looking at Mable.

"Garry is nothing like his father. If you actually tried seeing who he is, you wouldn't be afraid of him." Said Iris as she kept on walking.

Mable turned towards Iris and watched her walk away. We see Garry away from the crowd of people and behind a building as he punched the ground. His arm was very reptile like, while the right half of his face was looking slightly chimera-ish. Garry saw his arm as it did look monstrous as he looked at it.

"You're nothing but the child of the fucking monster! You are and always will be a mistake! You're mother should've aborted you when she had the chance!" Said Deacon in his Garry's mind.

Garry's filled with rage for a split second as he raised his fist again to punch the ground. But something stopped him as he quickly turned around, growling loudly. But saw Iris, holding his arm as she only had a concerning look on her face.

"Iris…" Said Garry, immediately coming down.

She kept looking at him as he turned his face, but Iris stopped him from doing so with her other hand as she looked into his eyes.

"Don't let it get to you. Don't let it into your heart. Because that's when you lose and you become what you hate. I don't want you to change at all, Garry. You are you. And nothing will change my mind about you." Said Iris with a warm smile.

Garry slowly changed back to normal as he started to cry. But Iris moved his head onto her chest, letting him cry. Garry cried, while Iris held him close to her heart.