DEVIL'S HIGH

CHAPTER 22

KIARA’S POINT OF VIEW

Mr Zekiel guided us to the principal’s office and did not give us any time to change Keres’ damp clothes. She was shivering from all the verbal assaults and the cold sauce that was seeping through her thin dress, but the paleness of her skin was reducing after each passing minute. Although I wished to hold her close, I couldn’t, as our previous contact was still mildly hurting our bodies and I didn’t want to cause her more pain. Earlier, her energy was extremely low, so it was possible for me to touch her without getting the shock, but now she was regaining to her natural self and it was making it difficult for us to be together.

Azazel was pacing in his office and walked forward on seeing the mess his students have created. He guided Keres to the pair of visitor chairs and helped her to settle before handing her a glass of water.

“Take a seat.”

He gestured his hand to the other empty chair, and I listened to him immediately. Once Keres gulped down the entire liquid in one go, Azazel brought a packet of tissue from the wooden cabinet and placed it on the table for her to take.

“Should I call your parents Keres? Or do you want someone to drop you at your house?”

Keres shook her head violently and looked at the principal with teary eyes.

“I would appreciate if you never mention this incident to my mom. She would come to the school and create a scene along with her new boy friend. He is in bad gangs and I don’t want any more problems than this. Please understand, Sir.”

I thought Azazel would reject her plea and call her mother, since that was the procedure a principal should follow if a student got bullied; but to my surprise, he just nodded and patted her head to console her. Is her mother’s boy friend that bad?

“Kiara? Can you take her to your house to freshen up? I don’t think I can trust her with any other girls from the school.”

I sat still for a second, not knowing what to say. Just this morning, I was adamant about not bringing my guard down and deny anyone access to my personal space, but it has only been hours and I am already contemplating my resolutions. The main problem was Asher. Since I haven’t told to Azazel about him, I had no other valid excuse to deny his request.

I glanced at my friend’s quivering eyes, and my decision was made. No matter how tough I act, I was brought up as an Angel and helping others was in my blood.

“Sure sir. I can take her right now.”

He hummed and turned back to Keres.

“I know that I should be taking disciplinary actions against her persecutors, but then I will have to punish Kiara as well for destroying school properties and engaging in a fight. I can’t show partiality and just take action against one party. It may raise oppositions from parents and I the incident will go public.”

I have never thought of the after math of my activities and my eyes widened on hearing that I will have to face penalty. Will my father be notified? He would be so disappointed in me. God! However, I do not regret what I did. Only if I had a chance to explain to my father properly.

Mr. Zekiel was silently standing next to the door frame all this while and walked towards us after hearing what Azazel said. He pointed at Keres and looked straight at the principal.

“I brought her here without changing for you to see what these youngsters are capable of. As a teacher who has witnessed the scenario, I can tell that they didn’t feel any remorse and would have continued to harass her if it wasn’t for Kiara. Just because we are demons, that doesn’t mean we are heartless. Our purpose is to maintain order in the human world by punishing the sinners and helping the heaven to distinct good and bad. I believe that we have more right to be less judgmental since we know what exactly is evil than the ones up there. But instead of that, the students here are taking their status as demons to their advantage and causing havocs in this institution. From what I saw, I can assure you that everything Kiara has done today was one hundred percent necessary. So how can you make her feel guilty?”

Azazel had a small smile playing on his lips and he looked at me… proudly? Am I mistaken? But he was definitely not denying what Mr. Zekiel told.

“I can’t take decisions on personal interests and you know that, Zekiel. I am a paid staff under the administration and I am answerable to them no matter what my social status is. So, Keres, it’s your choice. You are the victim, after all.”

Keres was blowing her runny nose and turned to me with sad eyes.

”No, sir. I don’t want her to get into any more trouble than she already has. I knew that they were waiting for a chance to corner me and I purposely walked into their den to get it over with. But I never thought it would be a blessing in disguise. I got a real friend now and I know that they wouldn’t try anything again because of Kiara. So, ironically, I should thank them for revealing their true natures despite being my friends for years.”

Azazel smiled at her widely and took a note from the drawer before handing it to me.

“Take the rest of the day off and you can show this pass to the teachers tomorrow for attendance. If there is anything else, contact me, alright?”

I bowed at him, thankfully, and we followed Mr. Zekiel back to the main gates. The hallways were empty as the classes have already started and we were saved from all the unwanted attention.

Our history teacher offered to drive us and we accepted it gladly. It was windy outside and it would be extremely difficult for Keres to fly or walk, even though there wasn’t much distance.

“I thought you were staying at the dormitory.”

She mumbled in a shaky voice, and I just smirked at her. I think I am the only teenager here who has her own house.

As I opened the door to the passenger seat, I saw Keres stopping abruptly and staring at something behind me. I turned to see Asmodeus looking at her with a plastic cover in his hand. Since the bag was transparent, I could see that it held a hand towel and small packets of toiletries. Did he buy it for her? Was he waiting for her to come outside?

“Do you want me to call him?”

I asked Keres, as I saw her eyes getting glassy again. But she glanced at me and set her lips into a thin line.

“No Kiara. I am done being a s***t.”

Saying that, she entered the vehicle, and I closed the door behind her before getting in as well. I saw Asmodeus staring at the bag as we drove past him.

“Damn girl, you have your own house?”

Mr. Zekiel has left us after confirming that we were okay and now I was alone with Keres, standing on the lawn. She was awestruck at the exterior decoration, and her eyes were glinting in amusement. It felt good to see her smiling without any concern, and I hoped that she wouldn’t have to face anything like this again.

“Do you know what this building was used for before?”

Keres thought that I didn’t know the dark history of this place and I could literally sense her contemplating whether or not to tell me what kind of tortures took place under this plain looking building. I was happy to know that she actually cared for my well being and confirmed myself that she was someone whom I can trust. Like Mr. Zekiel said, they were demons, not heartless.

“Yeah, I was informed about it even before I came here. The dorms were pretty dangerous for me to see and Azazel came up with this idea. Dont worry though, the basement is locked and no one can get in or get out.”

She exhaled in relief and trudged towards the door with me following her.

“Thank the devils. I thought you were unaware that this was a dead soul torture chamber before and didn’t know if I should reveal it to you or not. After all, you are staying here alone and it might get pretty scary once the sun goes down. You are damn brave, woman.”

Yup! I can definitely confide in her.

Keres entered the house and whistled in satisfaction.

“Wow…. Although this place looks one fourth of my house, I have never felt so homely in there. I must say our principal has a very good taste in interior decoration. I am so jealous of you Kia.”

I laughed on hearing her nickname for me and guided her to the bathroom. The same room that I used after she dumped evil blood on me. Just how fast the night changes. I saved the one who bullied me from bullies and now she is my friend who even visits my house. Maybe she was right about us being meant for each other.

I assumed it would take her half an hour for all the sticky substance to wash down from her hair and brought her my clothes from heaven. It might be too long for her since she is only till my shoulder. But this will have to do for now. During that time, I pushed Ashy’s carton under my bed as I was still not sure how to show him to Keres.

I will not be able to protect him for too long as he would get bigger soon and it is impossible to hide a large unicorn from the outside world. I will have to inform Azazel too, and find a way to keep my baby safe.

Keres emerged from the bathroom forty-five minutes later and swirled around, showing off my white knee length dress that reached till her calf.

“Unholy hell! I never thought I would ever wear a dress made in heaven. This s**t is so good, Kia. It feels so comfy and soft.”

I giggled, seeing her childish nature and motioned her to come join me on the couch. She took the other end and nudged at me slightly.

“Thank you so much, Kiara. You have done so much to me and all I have caused you is trouble. I promise I will be the bestest friend you will ever have and will even sacrifice my life to save you. You can count on me, my good friend.”

She jumped up from her seat and saluted like a guardian, making me roll with laughter. The future is in God’s hand, but right now; I was happy to have her as a friend.

“Do you have something to eat? That b***h threw away my hamburger.”

I bit my lips, knowing that I can’t give her my food.

“Oh, wait! I think Azazel has stocked some packed food from your realm. Potato chips, I guess. My vegetables are coming from our garden but I love your snacks too.”

Azazel has informed me that I could have properly packed edibles from hell and that I wouldn’t be affected by it. Only the demons couldn’t eat from heaven, not the other way round.

“Okay. I will just make myself home.”

She said, plopping down back on the couch. All these emotions were new to me and I realized how much I missed on with Rachel. We never had our privacy like this and I wish I could bring her here at least for once.

I was rummaging through the fridge when I heard a scream coming from the first floor.

“AAAHHH!!! Kiara, run! There is a creature with a horn here.”

Great!

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