Game

Lucien did not manage to keep track of the time. He was still out of it. In his grogginess, he saw the face of the pale demon looking strangely at him.

It was as if the demon was studying Lucien to determine whether he would eat him now or not. The demon obviously had his fill. Rather than be greedy, why not choose to keep stock of his food? In case he goes hungry again, there's more food he can eat within arm's reach without bothering to hunt for more.

Thus, the demon decided to make a food nest. He saw the basement of the small church filled with junk items. The demon naturally grew fond of the haystack he found on the side.

He has been dragging Lucien by his knee. From the kitchen down to the dusty basement. Lucien's head had bumped against the set of stairs a lot of times, which forced him to wake up only to collapse again. Lucien was the first to be taken as a hostage. His hands and feet were shackled to the nearby pillar.

Another child was dragged beside him. Lucien was not fully conscious, but he could see the child was heavily wounded. A streak of blood dripped from the side of his temple.

When Lucien finally woke up, a total of twenty children were tied and lay listless beside him. They all have wounds and bruises. Some have ugly cuts on their heads.

Lucien panicked for a moment, but force to suppressed it. It will not do any good if he gives in to his emotions.

After counting off, he naturally caught sight of Aiden, who was sleeping soundly at his feet. Aiden's face had smeared blood but otherwise appeared okay.

He leaned closer, at least at the distance his bonds permitted him to.

"Aiden," he softly called out.

The basement was dark. There was no light inside except for the moonlight entering the small window for a cat to get through. Regardless, Lucien can see everyone through the light but not the whole surroundings of the basement.

"Aiden!" He stretched his tied feet and pokes Aiden's cheek.

"Aiden, wake up."

A sudden noise made Lucien pause. It was from the wooden floor creaking above. It's like someone is walking around. The creaking noise continued. Until Lucien heard the door of the basement open. He hastily stiffened and closed his eyes, pretending to be in deep sleep.

Lucien can hear the demon's feet walking down the steps. He stabilized his breathing, afraid he would get caught.

Luckily for him, the demon seems to be in a great mood and just came to admire his handiwork. The ugly monster hummed one of the well-known songs the nun played every morning for the children.

Lucien found it strange.

He knows the song? How? This song, Lucien learned from the children, was composed by the nun herself. The only people who heard it were the townspeople who came to the mass every Sunday, during which the nun played the song once every month. And the children who insisted on hearing it every day.

How come the demon knows this song? Is there any chance the demon hid in the church and the nun was acquainted with the demon? No. Lucien ruled out the latter. If they really are acquaintances, the nun wouldn't turn up dead in the bathroom.

In the third episode of "Slaying the Demon," the demon who attacked the orphanage is the two horned demon they saw in the forest. But right now, the demon in front of him has the same face as a human. Except for the bloody fingers, bloody shirt, and bloody mouth, he would pass as one.

Lucien can feel his head aching from the collision he suffered earlier. Thinking seems to trigger it.

He decided he would think about it later. When his injury is in a bit better condition.

"Heyyyy~" the shrilled voice of the demon echoed in the silent basement.

"I know you're awake." Lucien's heart started to pound against his chest. How come he found out? He was as still as a stick! Lucien did not even twitch a muscle here. Is this demon really that observant? Fuck!

"Come now, stop pretending." The shrill voice made Lucien's head ache with pain. His ears almost couldn't stand the screeching.

"Let's play a game ~ The night is young. I am active in night kekekke ~"

There was a pause. Lucien refused to respond and continued pretending to sleep. The demon seemed to be in a good mood. Currently drumming his fingers as he hummed.

"I can do one game against one or two children. Children are very obedient, lovely, and charming. If Papa here offered you chocolates, you would always come running to Papa's arms. "

There was a pause and another creaking noise as the demon approached where Lucien was crouching.

"So let's play a game, eh? Papa will give you chocolate as reward." A cold hand touched Lucien's skin, and he involuntarily shivered. Giving away his current awake position.

Lucien knew it was useless to play asleep so he opened his eyes only to meet the demon's ugly blistered face, full of shaggy skin and wrinkles.

What a piece of fuck shit!

Lucien can't believe he gets to hear himself say, 'Being too ugly is a crime.' Just one look at this demon and he will be sent to jail for petty pranks using hideous face deathscare to children.

At the cold touch, Lucien tried to settle his chaotic emotions and stared bravely into the demon's eye. The demon curled his lips.

"You want to play?~"

One vs one? Lucien knew he was at a disadvantage. But he knew he had a better chance of survival if he didn't bring the kids with him.

"What game?"

"Hoho, my favorite game! Hide and seek~" the demon cheerfully announced. Lucien fell into a deep thought before saying,

"Alright, but I have a condition."

The demon tilted his head. "What is it?~"

"At the game, you can't scratch, touch, or harm me in any way."

The demon's claws resurfaced and clawed at the haystack. His face was dangerously dark.