Chapter 2

SCARLET'S POV

The new kid is standing in front of me, shielding me from the bullies. I stand there in shock as I watch the scene unfold in front of me.

"Oh, hey new kid. How are you finding the school so far?" the second girl asks.

"You know, if you want, we can give you a tour of the school," the first girl offers.

"We can show you to our dorm as well, that way, you'll know where to find us," the second girl has a suggestive look on her face as she says this.

"Perhaps you can show us your dorm. We would love to see how you're settling in," the first girl winks at the new kid.

"You wanna know what I would love. If you would stop bullying people. It's not nice," the new kid spits out.

"It's not bullying if it's the truth," the guy rolls his eyes as he says this. Just then, the people who were showing the new kid around approach us.

"I can't believe you're standing up for this crazy bitch. I thought you were cool," the first person complains.

"Yeah. He probably likes to hang around with scary nerds instead of normal people like us," the second person spits. I clench my fists to contain myself. They're lucky the new kid standing in front of me, otherwise I would've sorted them out.

Before I have time to react, the new kid grabs my wrist and guides me away from all these bullies. What the fuck is happening? Why would he stand up for someone like me?! I try to escape his grasp but he refuses to let go of me.

We both enter the library and find a quiet spot. The new kid turns to face me.

"I would've taken you out on campus but I don't know the way from here," he says.

"Um...," is all I can say. I'm still baffled.

"Are you feeling okay? Did they hurt you?" he asks.

I can't speak, I feel flabbergasted. This is the first time some random person stood up for me. Why the hell would some random dude want to help me?! Does he not know who I am?! Impossible! The paparazzi are obsessed with getting in my face. Surely he must've seen me at least once on TV.

"I didn't need any help!" I say in an attempt to hide my nervousness. "I was doing just fine on my own!"

"Okay, no need to snap. I was just trying to be helpful." He turns his head away. He bites his lip, as though he's trying to hold back a laugh.

'Shit! Does he think I'm rude?! Oh my gosh! Forget what he thinks, damnit! I'm probs not gonna see him again, so it's pointless caring.' I am not surprised I began to overthink. However, I still feel beat down by these thoughts.

"My name is Adam, by the way," he announces.

"Okay...?" I reply, unsure of how to react.

"What about you?" he asks enthusiastically.

'Why is he being friendly? What am I supposed to say? I don't do people. I have no people skills,'

"Uh..."

"Are you sure your okay?" he looks at me concerned.

"I'm fine! I appreciate the concern, but I don't need help!" I yell, before storming out of the library.

I enter the classroom and as soon as I sit down, I begin to worry. I keep trying to tell myself that I don't care what he thinks, but I can't help but feel guilty. I feel a small headache coming on, and I massage the bridge of my nose in annoyance. I have a sudden urge to murder everyone in this room. To let my anger out on these pathetic humans. To teach them a lesson for pissing me off.

"Hey,"

"Woah! When did you get here?!" I snap out of my murderous trance and turn to face Viktor, who somehow appeared next to me.

"Just now. Is something wrong?" He asks.

"No. Nothing is wrong. Don't concern yourself with my never-ending problems." Silence follows.

"Did you do the assignment?" Viktor asks, breaking the silence.

"Yeah. You?"

"I managed to get it done. Though my father was being annoying,"

"Of course he was." Viktor's father is an abusive helicopter parent - he wants to control everything in his son's life.

'Fucks sake.' The new kid - Adam - enters the class. I make myself look small in my seat. I don't want him to come here. Viktor looks at me confused, then Adam walks over towards us.

"Can I sit here?" He asks.

"Sure." Viktor clears his desk as Adam sits down to make room for him.

'Fuck! I don't want some random stranger to intervene.'

"My name is Viktor,"

"Adam,"

"This is my friend,"

"Hey. You're the girl from the library earlier." I roll my eyes at his statement.

"Did I do something wrong?" He asks.

"Yeah, you're talking to me, so shut up!" I retort. He looks taken aback by my harshness, then I hear a chuckle escapes his lips.

"Don't worry, this is normal," Viktor reassures.

"Okay..." Adam seems confused at this statement. "Can you show me to my next class afterwards? Some people were supposed to show me, but they ditched me,"

"Wow, that's just rude,"

"I know,"

"Alright class, settle down," the teacher announces, and the class falls silent. My leg uncontrollably bounces up and down as I anxiously wait for the teacher to call my name to tell me my grade on my presentation. I know I passed it - I pass everything - I'm just anxious about walking in front of the class.

"Viktor, could you come here please?" The teacher asks.

"Wish me luck," he says with a look of dread on his face.

"I'm sure you did fine," I reassure him. He heads off outside the class with the teacher.

"What's this for?" Adam asks.

"Some random presentations we did yesterday!" I say harshly, without looking at him.

I rest my head on my hand and stare out of the window, my leg still bouncing. The sun is shining, causing eerie shadows to appear. Normally I would find it cool, but I get an uneasy feeling. They look almost like a person. A person, who seems very familiar.

"Scarlet, could you come here?" The teacher calls out. I stand up and take a quick look outside the window. That eerie shadow is gone. Strange.

I stuff my hands in my pockets and make my way to the teacher. We step outside and she tells me my mark. I nod my head, remaining nonchalant. She excitedly tells me it was the best presentation in the whole class. I suppress the urge to roll my eyes.

The teacher seems a little intimidated, and she nervously tells me I can go back inside. I obey. I sit back in my seat then start spinning my pen with my fingers.

"What did you get?" Viktor asks.

"I passed. I was the best in the class," I shrug my shoulders as I say this.

"I'm not surprised. That's great!" He congratulates.

"Psht!" I brush off the compliment.

"You were the best in the class? That's amazing!" Adam buts in. I roll my eyes.

***

'Alright, just back away slowly. I don't want to be a part of this conversation,' I slip away from Viktor and Adam, who are talking in the corridors. I discreetly head out onto campus.

I flop on a bench in the shade and out of view. I ruffle through the pocket of my uniform in search of my cigarette packet. The university is quite fancy, hence why we wear a uniform. I take out a cigarette, put my finger in front of me and use my fire powers to light it, then begin to smoke. I casually lean back and get comfy.

My mind wanders to that eerie shadow earlier. I could've sworn I saw it. It looked so familiar. Have I gone insane now? Or am I starting to hallucinate? It can't be who I think it is. It's probably just my trauma playing games with me. There's was no shadow, it was just my imagination. I brush off the thoughts of this incident. It'll be pointless mulling over it since there's nothing here.

ADAM'S POV

After class is over, I make my way to the campus. I look around, trying to find the building to the dorms. This place is huge! And the dorms are amazing! I wonder how I'm going to find my way around here. Never mind that, I wonder how I got into a university as fancy as this!

I enter my dorm, expecting to see my parents or my sister. However, no one is there. It's just me.

'Looks like I'm gonna have to get used to this loneliness!' I sigh with sadness, feeling homesick. It hasn't even been a week and yet I already miss everybody. I throw myself on my bed and decide whether or not to video call my parents. After a while of thinking, I grab my phone and find my mother's number. I hope she's free!

The call goes through, and I smile so wide as I see my mom.

"Ello," I enthusiastically greet.

"Adam! How are you darling?!" My mom replies.

"I'm fine. What about you?"

"I'm good. Jacob! Ellie! Paul! Lola! Come here!" She calls the rest of my family to her. My father is the first to come.

"Jacob, it's Adam!" Mom gestures to Dad to come closer. He looks at the phone and sees my smiling face.

"Adam!" He greets, excited.

"Dad!" I reply.

My older brother, Paul, and his girlfriend, Lola, come join Mom and Dad.

"Oh my god! You're actually at uni!" Paul gasps.

"That is so weird!" I laugh as I see Paul and Lola's shocked state.

"I know. Tell me about it," I reply.

"How is it so far?" Dad asks.

"It's good,"

"Rebecca, have you called Ellie?" Dad asks Mom.

"Yes I have. Ellie!" Mom calls.

I can hear my little sister stomping through the phone. I chuckle, remembering her moodiness.

"What?!" She yells. She looks at the phone and I give her a big smile and a wave. "Adam?!"

"Ello,"

"I'd never thought I'd say this, but it's good to see you." Everyone laughs at Ellie's comment.

"Ouch. Good to see you too," I reply, pretending to feel offended.

"I'm only saying that because it's too quiet at home and I don't have anyone to annoy,"

"You have Paul,"

"But he's leaving soon,"

"Well, you can annoy dad. That's what I do,"

"Don't give her ideas. I'm still recovering from you annoying me," Dad sighs.

"Don't be so mean," as always, Mom is coming to my defence. I chuckle again.

"How are your classes, my boy?" she asks.

"They're fine,"

"Have you been paying attention in class and taking notes?"

"Kinda,"

"Adam!"

"I'm sorry,"

"You know you can't procrastinate. If I were you I'd start studying ASAP," Lola comments.

"She's right. You can't slack off like you did in high school," Paul mocks.

"That's not fair," I sheepishly say.

"I did that in my first year of college and I ended up regretting it," Lola says.

"Ugh!" I sigh.

"Do you have any roomates?" Dad asks.

"No. It's just me alone in the dorm,"

"At least you can't get distracted by them,"

"Hehe. I remember getting distracted cuz I was bullying Paul,"

"Ugh! You were so annoying. It's a good thing you don't have roomates. I would feel sorry for them," Paul complains.

"Actually, I would've preferred it if I had one. It feels lonely here," I reply.

"Awww! My poor baby!" Mom cries out.

"I'm feeling a little homesick as well," I sadly say.

"It was the same for me when I first moved out. Then I got busy with work I didn't have time to think about it much. I got used to it," Paul reassures.

"If you're feeling lonely, we're only a phone call away," Mom soothes.

"Thanks," I reply.

We talk for a long while. I tease everyone as much as possible, and they get annoyed with me. But we all laugh it off. After the call. I put my phone away and sit there, feeling a little less empty than before.

SCARLET'S POV

"Come on, you need to eat," Viktor urges.

"I don't feel like it," I sigh.

"Just don't think. Just eat,"

"Easier said than done." I look around the small diner, feeling depressed. Viktor had forced me to come with him as he could tell something was wrong. I appreciate the thought, but I don't need anything of the sort.

"Oh fuck!" I sit up in my seat as I hear the dreaded noise of hurried footsteps and cameras flashing.

"What?" Viktor asks, looking worried.

"Paparazzi!" Before I have time to escape them, they come up to me, shoving their cameras in my face and their microphones on my mouth.

"Scarlet King! Can we have a quick word with you?"

'No!' I roll my eyes. "Yes. What is it you want?" I sigh.

"We just wanted to talk to you about your father,"

'Of course,' I can predict what they are going to ask. I've been asked these things numerous times.

"What is it you wish to know?" I ask, trying to remain professional.

"First of all, we just wanted to see how you are after your father's passing,"

'I'm over the fucking moon! Silas deserved to die! The bastard!' I clench my fists as I get ready to act, "I do not feel comfortable discussing him,"

"Don't worry, we understand,"

'No you don't!'

"Just know that his spirit lingers on in you. You are exactly like him, after all,"

'I am nothing like him!' I glare at the paparazzi, filled with rage. It's exhausting having to contain my anger when people compare me to him.

"You seem really tense," the paparazzi continue, "You must be upset about us bringing your father up,"

"With all due respect, I do not feel comfortable talking about this. This is a personal matter, and I will deal with it myself!" I snap. They back away, looking surprised.

"But of course, Miss King. We'll leave you to it now." They snap a few pictures, then leave.

'Fucking finally!'

"I've lost my appetite," I stand up and Viktor follows suit. We both pay for the meal, then leave.

***

'Okay, so some cunt wanted to meet face to face and organise something. Why is my life like this?! I hate dealing with these creepy fucks!' I think as I stand there leaning against the wall of a dark alley. I look around the place as I wait for the guy, bored out of my mind. I decide to wait for a bit longer, then I get off the wall and begin to leave.

"Hello Scarlet," a creepy voice rings out. I roll my eyes.

"Is there a specific reason you wanted to discuss this face to face, rather than on the phone?" I don't bother beating about the bush.

"Straight to the point. I like it," he winks, and I roll my eyes.

"Anyway, I need a favour," he continues.

"What is it you need?"

"Would you be so kind as to tell me your secret to torturing people? I'll pay you however much you want,"

"Now why would I do that?"

"Do you want me to pay you with something else, is that it?"

"No, I'm just curious. After all, it is my secret," the guy frowns at my remark.

"You see, we want to use it ourselves.

It'll make our lives easier, and it'll make your job easier. You'll be less busy and have more free time," he bribes.

'I can't exactly tell him that I'm a demon, and the power is mental torture,' I think. "I don't think this is such a good idea. I prefer to keep the way I work to myself,"

The guy frowns and out of nowhere, more people come. They point their guns at my head. However, I remain unfazed.

"You see, if you're not willing to cooperate, we will need to use force," he threatens.

"And if you're not willing to cooperate, I will need to use force,"

"You can't exactly do anything about that. You're held at gunpoint. Now, you listen to me. I need to know how you torture someone like that." I yawn. "Are we boring you?"

"Yeah,"

"Perhaps we can make it exciting for you,"

The guys behind me throw a bag over my head, grab my wrists and put them behind my back. They tie them together and throw me in the back of the van.

'Well, this is fun!'

Once the vehicle stops, they throw me out of the van. They drag me into a building, through a bunch of corridors. I trip on the stairs on purpose to annoy them. I am then seated, and the bag is taken off my head.

"Umm... May I ask what is going on?" I question.

"Since you're not willing to cooperate, we're gonna keep ya here to torture people. You'll be our secret weapon," I chuckle at this dude's statement. "What's so funny,"

"Your ambition amuses me. It reminds me of a kid determined to get sweets or something," the guy clenches his fists.

"You won't be so cocky when I beat you up," I laugh again.

"By all means, go ahead,"

He throws a punch in my direction and I move my head out the way to dodge it. I smirk, enjoying the scene then laugh.

"You know, that was quite pathetic. I expected better from you, whoever you are. No wonder you need my skills," I mock.

His foot meets my face in a fast kick. The chair loses balance and falls to the floor. I laugh again.

"Ooft! Looks like your not all that useless,"

"We're leaving you here alone. You'll only get a little bit of food and water. When we find a target, you're to show us your special torture ways," I chuckle as he leaves the room.

Once the guy is out of sight, I lift my finger and use my fire powers to cast a small flame above it. The flame reaches the ropes which burn. I release my wrists from the rope then stand up, before casually walking out of the room. The people I see on the way out try to stop me, but I effortlessly escape them.

I walk along the street and check my phone. I see a reminder to come to my family's manor. My Uncle Liam is leaving for Scotland - where we lived before moving here. I can't say I really miss it, my life was hell there.

I approach the large manor and let out a small smile. It's got a vibe that makes you feel comfortable and welcome. I walk across the driveway and to the front door, before pressing the doorbell. I stand there and wait until the door opens. I smile as I see my uncle Archie. He invites me inside and I step in then take my shoes off.

"Hey Scarlet. What happened to your face?!"

"It's nothing. Some random guy kidnapped me because he wanted to know how I torture people,"

"Are you okay? Does it hurt? Do you need help?"

"It's fine. I feel nothing,"

"You sure?"

"Positive,"

"What are you like? You get into these random things," he sighs, exasperated.

"I dunno. Sometimes it can be fun cuz it's so easy to overpower everyone," he rolls his eyes at my statement.

"Let's sit in the living room," he leads me to the room.

We open the door and both are shocked. We retract and Archie makes a noise of confusion I make a noise of disgust.

"What?"

"Ew!"