The Dream Demon

Chapter 12 - Human Cake

A smirk painted his face. He was reveling in my surprise, enjoying my reaction to him being here.

"What can I do for you Moloch?" I grimaced, spitting out his name. We were some of the last people standing out in the corridors. I didn't want to be out here, completely on my own with him.

"You don't appear to be too happy to see me" he said raising an eyebrow. "Anyhow, I am a new student here, transferred this morning. Seeing as you are the only person that I know here, I was wondering if you'd show me around?" he smiled gently, but looked more like a hunter would approach a deer.

"I don't know about that, Moloch. You and Melody seemed to be getting along quite well. Perhaps you should be asking her instead?" I said, turning around and walking to my class.

Sitting in my seat, I felt so many emotions inside myself, ranging from surprise, anger and, dare I say.. A little jealousy. Why was he with Melody? What was he even doing here? Should I be worried?

By the time the bell signaled for the start of lunch, I was desperate to speak with Jess. I'd been sneaking texts to her all morning, so far she hadn't replied to any. It was so unlike her.

I walked to the cafeteria, hoping to find her waiting in our usual spot. She wasn't there. Moloch, however, is. He sauntered along to meet me, watched by everyone's prying eyes.

"Wasn't very nice of you to leave a new student like that, alone and helpless this morning Abigail" he teased.

I was about to mumble a witty reply when a loud grumbling from my stomach interrupted me, embarrassing me furiously. I could feel my cheeks reddening, my lips stuttering out a reply.

"Excuse me Moloch, I'm a little busy right now.. I need to go and find a friend of mine."

His melodious laugh bellowed throughout the cafeteria. It was so infectious, I couldn't help but join in.

"Sounds to me like you need food first. Why don't you let me buy you some lunch?" His blue eyes sparkled at me, pleading me to accept. "Please?"

"O...O.K. then" I said, following him into the lunch queue. "How has your first day been so far?" I asked, trying to make light conversation.

"Well, up until recently I've mostly been home schooled, so it's definitely different."

"I see. So why the change? Don't they have schools in Hell?" I whisper yelled.

Moloch bent down so close, that I could feel his warm breath fanning my ear.

"They do, but you wouldn't be there."

Yet again, I could feel my cheeks reddening, amazed at the effect he was having on me. Stupid demon boy. I stayed silent, avoiding all eye contact with him, swallowing down the feeling of butterflies inside of me.

"Hi Abigail! No Jess today?" asked the lunch lady, Ann.

"No Ann, I've not seen her since this morning. If you see her, can you tell her I'm looking for her please?"

"Sure my darling. Do you want your usual?" She asked, picking up a box of salad.

"Yes please Ann! May I also have a diet cola and two cookies as well please?"

"Oooh! Going all out today, are we darling?" Ann said laughing.

"Yep! And he's paying for it" I laughed, motioning to Moloch, who laughed along with me.

"What the lady wants, the lady gets" he replied, holding both hands up. "I'll just take the pepperoni pizza and a cola please."

Moloch paid for our food, as Ann gave me a cheeky thumbs up and a wink as the two of us walked to our table.

"So what classes do you have after?" I asked, about to dig into my salad, but stopping. I felt so nervous to eat in front of him.

"Um, I have English, History and Wood Work. What about you?" He started tucking into his pizza. Crazy thoughts swarmed in my mind, imagining it was his mouth devouring mine instead. Moloch looked at me, with a glint in his eye, almost as if he could hear what was going on inside my head.

"Oh, erm I have English, History and Food Tech. Looks like we will be in some classes together" I answered, finally managing to get my act together.

We finished our lunch, talking and laughing constantly. Moloch was actually pleasantly surprising. He wasn't as serious as I first thought he was. It turns out we had a lot in common with each other too, such as enjoying reading the same books. Being around him was refreshing. I'm disappointed in myself that I judged him so quickly. I hadn't once felt any worry of seeing Josh or Melody around.

When the bell signaled that lunch was over, we both walked to our English class together, deep in conversation about whether or not pineapple belongs on pizza.

We sat down together, chatting for the few minutes left before class officially started.

"Good Afternoon everybody" our teacher's voice boomed across the classroom. "Today we have a new student in class - Loch? Is that correct?" she asked, raising her eyes to where we sat.

Moloch nodded as she continued.

"It's nice to meet you Loch, I'm Mrs Collins. I wont ask you to introduce yourself, as you've probably been doing so all morning. Seeing as you're sat with Abigail, she can help fill you in on everything that you need to catch up on. Is that alright Abi?" She asked, flicking her eyes to me.

"Sure."

"Perfect!" she said, once again now turning her attentions to Loch. "Have you ever read 'To Kill A Mockingbird?"

"Yes Mrs Collins, I have" he replied, sending her a smile that had me drooling. I think it even had Mrs Collins drooling too.

"Great news!" her voice boomed out to us all once more. "As you all know, soon it will be the ending of term! And you all know what that means!"

Frustrated sighs ran out from everybody in class. Ending of term usually meant one of two things; either a test, or a project. None of which any of us wanted.

"Come on now everyone, no need for such lack of enthusiasm. It'll only be a 'small' project. Everybody pair up."

Loch leant across the table, taking my hand in his. "Will you be my partner Abigail?"

"Oh, uh sure" I answered, feeling goosebumps all over my skin. A warmth travelled through me, just like when his father had touched me, healing my wounds. I didn't remove my hand, and neither did he. His stayed placed upon mine for the remainder of the lesson, as we spoke together planning our project.

We had our next lesson together too. History. We once again sat together, with him impressing me with all his knowledge. Normally I'd be the one in class answering all the questions, but today, Loch was giving me a challenge. I liked it.

Just as the bell started ringing, I felt my phone vibrating. Hoping it was Jess that had finally replied to me, I took a sneaky glance. It wasn't Jess. Instead, it was an email from the church, notifying me that bible classes had been suspended until further notice. Our usual teacher, Mrs Harris had to leave town to deal with some 'personal issues', which meant I will no have much more free time on my hands. It also meant that I'd be spending more time at home, with my family. Something I really wasn't looking forward to.

"Everything Ok?" asked Loch as he walked me to my last class.

"Yes thanks, just hoping Food Tech goes well today. We're being tested on our cake making skills.. Great." I lied. We were being tested on making cakes, but that wasn't the reason I was feeling a little down. I think Moloch could sense it too.

"Well, good luck.. Maybe I'll see you later?" he asked with a hopefully look on his face.

"Maybe.." I replied walking into class, leaving him with a smile on his face.

Class went well. It was nice to be busy and take my mind off things. My teacher was so happy with my cake, she asked if she could keep half back to share with the other teachers tomorrow in the Staff Room. I happily agreed, knowing that when I take it home, my parents would refuse to eat any and throw it straight in the bin.

I struggled through the crowded corridors, carrying my cake in one hand and my left over ingredients in the other. The ending of the school day was always manic. So many people pushing and shoving, all wanting to get out of school first. When I eventually managed to make it outside, I stopped for a second taking a moment to myself. I really didn't feel like going home just yet.

"Scabby Abi! There you are!" shrieked Melody, walking over with her friends.

I tried to ignore her, by walking past but she pushed me backwards into her friends that had now surrounded me.

"What is it Melody?" I finally asked.

She nodded to her friends behind me, that I'd now noticed had their phones out recording us. Anxiety bubbled inside my chest as I tried to look away and hide myself from the prying cameras.

"Stay away from the new boy.. He's MINE!" she yelled, grabbing my bag of ingredients from me.

"B..But we are only friends, not even that. I thought you were with Adam anyway?" I stuttered.

She began to rifle through my bag of ingredients, picking out my left over eggs.

"Adam and I are none of your business" she said, gripping on to my hair. "But as I said, Loch is mine. Why would he even be interested in a little scab like you?" With that, she smashed an egg right on to my head. The yolk and shell dripped all over my hair and clothes. I could hear people around me laughing, encouraging her to carry on. She then started walking around me in circles, like a predator watching their prey. Taking another egg, Melody smashed it hard into my back.

"What else do we have in here, huh?" she asked, yet again going through the bag. "Looks like we're making a cake today girls!" she cackled to her friends behind me, pulling out a bag of flour. She opened the bag, dumping the contents all over me. I began to sob gently looking around seeing a small crowd forming around us. My brother, Josh was standing there, grinning from ear to ear.

"That's enough, Melody" came a strong, male voice from behind. "The new boy is yours is he?"

I looked up to see Adam, standing in front of me, blocking Melody from my view. He turned around to everybody, angrily shouting at them all. "Go on everyone! Get lost! You should all be ashamed of yourselves" Adam continued, making the crowd disperse.

Adam gently took my arm, "Come on Abi, lets get out of here."