HELON

Chapter 3: FIGHTING SOMEONE ELSE'S DEMONS

I woke up groggy, disoriented—and with a bag over my head.

Wait... a bag?

I tried to pull it off, but my hands wouldn’t budge. My hands were tied up, but it wasn't with ropes. No... this was something colder, heavier.

Chains.

I was chained.

Just great.

About five minutes later, two people entered, deep in conversation.

"Don't you think this is a little excessive?" a soft, feminine voice asked.

“Excessive?” the other snapped, his voice sharper. “Did you not see what he did to that fallen? If he pulled anything close to that here, who do you think would stop him in time?”

They sounded young. Teenagers, maybe.

I shifted, trying to scratch an itch, and the movement made my chains rattle.

“Perfect timing,” said the boy. “Wake up, princess. Sleep well?” He yanked the bag off my head.

Light flooded my eyes, and I blinked. Across from me stood the girl—Alice, I’d later find out. Her voice had matched her look. Blonde hair framed her face perfectly, complementing sky-blue eyes that were almost ethereal.

She looked... angelic.

I hadn’t known many girls—definitely hadn’t spent real time around one—but it didn’t take a genius to realize she was beautiful.

"Don't mind John, he was raised in an orphanage so he's manners aren't too good." she said darting a smile at me as she talked.

I quickly looked away, catching myself.

No way in hell I had Stockholm syndrome.

“So, is this your good cop/bad cop routine? ‘Cause I’m not buying it,” I said dryly.

“Cops?” John scoffed. “Kid, what do you think some uniform-wearing hero-wannabes would be doing anywhere near your situation?”

My situation?

Before I could even finish the thought, the memory came rushing back—the fight in the alley, that freak with the dagger.

I looked down at my shirt.

Ripped. Torn. Bloodied.

Every mark from the dream—or so I thought—was still there.

Only... my body was fine. Completely intact. No bruises. No scars. It looked better than it had before.

I stared, stunned.

“Unbelievable, ain’t it?” John smirked like a teacher watching their worst student finally get something right.

“Excuse me?”

“First time healing?” he asked casually. “It’s obvious.”

“Healing?” I echoed.

“Yeah. You can push yourself to the brink of death, and after a short nap—you’re good as new. It's amazing... at first.”

He said it so casually, like he hadn’t just dropped a line of pure insanity.

“Y’all must be on something. Wait... am I on something?” I muttered. “This all makes sense now. I’m tripping. Definitely tripping—”

“Help, Alice, he’s in denial,” John whispered mockingly, slowly backing away.

“Calm down, kid. What’s your name?” she asked gently, trying to ground me.

The chains didn’t feel as heavy anymore. Actually, they felt... brittle. Like I could snap them if I tried.

I’m just lightheaded, I told myself.

She was still waiting for my answer.

“Chris,” I said finally, if only to keep that calming look on her face.

She smiled. “Nice to meet you, Chris. I’m Alice. And don’t worry—you’re safe now. We just need you to stay with us for a while, until we figure out what to do about your situation.”

“Situation? A while?” I scoffed. “I’ve got school tomorrow. This is kidnapping.”

“I get how it looks, but trust me—this is for your own good,” Alice said soothingly.

“Trust you? You tied me up in chains!” My patience cracked. “Chains, for crying out loud!”

“That’s it,” John interrupted, clearly done. “We kidnapped you. So what? Shut up and be a good little captive, okay? Let the grownups talk.”

“What do y—”

Before I could finish, John pressed a finger against my lips.

“I said: Good. Little. Captive. Got it?” he grinned.

Then he pulled Alice aside. They started whispering.

Covering mouths. Leaning in. All secretive.

But I could still hear them. Clear as day.

“What does he mean by ‘getting back to his normal life’?” Alice asked.

“He can’t go back. From now on, this place is his home. Or else—”

“Shhh,” John cut her off before she could finish.

That was it. I was done. No more sitting tight.

I yanked my arms apart—and the chains snapped like they were made of tin foil.

I shot up from the chair and bolted for the door.

“s**t—he’s loose!” John shouted, lunging after me.

“How?! That’s enchanted beryllium!” Alice yelled as she gave chase.

“If I knew, I wouldn’t be as shocked as you are, would I?” John snapped back.

They weren’t fast enough. I tore through the door and into a hallway.

Kids were everywhere—laughing, chatting, playing. For a “captive site,” they looked pretty damn free. But I didn’t care. All I wanted was out.

Then I spotted it—a large steel door. Important-looking.

I made a run for it.

“Stop!” John’s voice rang out. “One more step, and I can’t protect you from what comes next!”

He was holding a sword now. Pointing it at me.

What the hell? I’m unarmed! I’m a freaking high schooler!

“Screw that psycho,” I muttered and charged through the door.

It led into a massive hall—grand staircase, marble floor, archways that stretched into side chambers. More kids stopped and stared, like I’d just barged into a girls-only sleepover.

“This is your last warning,” John called out, voice hardening. He gripped the sword tighter.

I ignored him. There was no way I was letting him catch me again. I sprinted toward the left corridor—

And the temperature dropped.

The air felt heavy. My skin prickled. My instincts screamed.

I dove right.

Just in time.

John’s sword slammed into the marble floor right where I’d been.

How did he get that close?! He was steps away just a second ago.

“I warned you, stray,” he growled.

“You really don’t want to see what happens when I get mad.”

Then—

Sparks.

Not metaphorical ones. Real sparks.

Energy crackled around his body like he was about to explode—like a human transformer on the fritz.

“It can’t be helped,” he said, eyes glowing.

“I’m going to have to teach you a lesson.”