Chapter 2: Hell Mary

I stand outside of the overly-fancy bricked school in an unsightly light blue uniform. The empty words of "In God We Serve" hanged above the front busy entrance with crosses nailed to the doors. Welcome to St. Raphael Catholic School for girls. Home to the prestigious Heavenly Virtues, girls who were chosen by "God" to fight evil and heal the hearts of many.

Yeah right.

I ignore the burning stares and the gossip around me as I make my up to my home room class. Waiting for me, unfortunately, was the queen of hell herself, Mary the Charity Virtue, followed by the fools who worship her.

"Oh my sweet, beloved Mallory!!" She dramatically ran up and pulled me into a hug. "I'm so glad you're all right. You lost so much blood that day, I was so worried you weren't going to make it but bless my lucky stars here you are." Her annoying rich southern accent rings throughout the room getting everyone's attention. I can hear a few hushed snickers from her groupies. My wrist began to ache as she tightened her hold signaling me to answer.

"Yes, I am so sorry I caused such a ruckus and thank you so much for saving me Lady Mary. I'm forever in your debt." I muster up what ever emotions I had to pretend I actually gave a damn as I return her hug. Everyone gave me a mixture of approving and jealous stares.

"Come to the warehouse during lunch." Mary whisper into my ear as it causes my mind to go blank. She still wants to continue even after all that?! She really is insane! I looked at her in horror as she return it with a kind smile before turning back to her seat. I nervously sit down at my desk which was covered in insults and threats ether written in sharpie or etched in the wood.

I wished I had died.

*****

Out of habit, I made my way back to the designated warehouse at lunch to find Mary and her gang along with Virtues of Humility and Patience: Selene and Lulu, already waiting for me. The blue-eyed blonde sashayed over. The lovable face that everyone adores became to peel off to a face filled with sadistic intentions. Normally, I would be scared shitless but, at this point, why bother. It's not going to do me any good.

"I didn't think you actually show but then again we all know that you are..." Mary forced my chin up to look at her, "a pain-loving masochistic!" She slap my face sending me to ground as she grabbed hold of my right wrist sending an electric sting up my arm. Her buddies and Lulu giggled as Mary's grip tighten. She then yanked the sleeve down and ripped the bandages off my wrist to reveal a stitched up cut with new blood oozing out.

"Hand me it." She beckons one of her minions.

She grabs a box knife from her lackey. She then pushes the knife out as a sinister smile appeared on her face.

"Can't you give me a break? I almost died last time." I asked nonchalantly. I've been through this enough to know know that this was unavoidable but today, I really did had to ask.

"Honey, I'll be doing the public some service by getting rid something as useless as you. I am the Virtue of Charity after all. With a quick swipe, pain soon erupts all over my arm as a deep line of blood began to heavily ooze out. Without waisting time, I quickly yank out a travel-side first aid kit and took out a piece of gauze, pressing it over the new wound.

"That makes scar number....13! Oh no it looks like you're gonna be unlucky for a while." Lulu excitedly shouts. "But let me help with that." The pigtailed brat was soon over by us, grab the knife, yank my arm back up, then made a slow, deeper cut up my arm till it intersects with the other cut. A long bloody cross was now carved into my arm and is heavily bleeding. My breathing slowed as I grab another couple gauzes and applied even more pressure on it.

As they laughed, an alarm went off that echo throughout the school. Followed by an announcement:

"Attention, calling all Virtues, a demon has been spotted, I repeat, a demon has been in the downtown area!"

"Well that's us. Come on girls it's time go. Till next honey-boo." They all walked out till it was me and Selene left.

"You're gonna get left behind if you don't hurry." I didn't even bother to look at her. Her presence makes me sick as it is. I struggled with the bandage till a familiar pair of long slender hands came into view and helped. My eyes shot up to see Selene's expressionless face concentrating on bandaging my arm.

"What's with sudden change of heart? You're creeping me out." I yanked my arm back right as she finished.

"Aren't friends supposed to help each other?" She quietly asked.

"Bold of you to assume we're still friends after all this." Again no reaction. She's always been like this even before she was chosen. "The moment you join them was the moment our friendship ended."

She didn't utter another word, instead she left , leaving me alone. I threw my bag at the door she went through sending the contents everywhere as hot tears streamed down my face.

"I wished you all had let me die."

******

I sat at my desk at home, ignoring my homework, watching the news on my mini TV 📺. The Virtues latest defeat was on.

"I'm coming to you live from downtown Heavens Gate with the leader of this extraordinary group, Lady Mary can you tell us how tough was today's battle?"

"Yes Mary, tell us how you stood by while the others did the work for you." I taunted.

"Well, hon these demons are always going to give us quite the fight but as long as we work together and keep everyone believing in us, we will never lose to them ever." She posed sending her frilled cover dress twirling with her.

"Lady Mary is it true that you have found the last member for your team?"

"Yes indeed it is, in fact there she is! Selene! Selene dear come over here and meet the viewers." She waved her over. Soon the familiar caramel skin girl with rich blue eyes appears on screen, towering over Mary, wearing a black and white tunic dress with a slit that starts at her hips. Her dark chocolate hair is put up in a high, tight ponytail with silver orb earrings to compliment her.

"Everyone I like to introduce Selene the Humility Virtue, our final member!" She brought her into a tight hug as Seleney dear shyly waved. I turned off the Tv as I pulled out my medical kit. I strolled over to the bathroom in case of a mess. I took off the bandages to exposed a very sensitive redden cross cut.

"This is going to be fun explaining to my therapist." I grab the hydro peroxide from the kit and poured it over my arm which I placed over the bathtub. I clenched my teeth as it begun to sting like hell.

"That looks like it hurts." A voice called out.

"It does" Wait didn't I locked the door. I spun around looking for owner of the voice.

"Careful dear, don't get too panicked. I don't need to pass out on me or anything." It voice sounded deep like a mans voice.

"Who are you and how did you get in?" I backed out of the bathroom with my injured arm close to my chest till I reached my door. I jiggled the handle to find it still lock. I looked over to the window to see them all shut.

"How I got in is not important but if you really want to know who I am then..." I felt a hand gentle land on my left shoulder. I spun around to see a tall man in a formal suit who appears to be in his thirties towering over me. "You may call me Lucifer." He gentle grabbed my left hand and gave it a small peck like a gentleman would do in the movies. His narrowed dark eyes never leaves mine. His matching black hair was styled so that his short bangs would lazily droop over his eyes. I quickly pulled away from him.

"What do you want?" I kept my composure while keeping my distance.

"It's not what I want, it's more like what do you want."

"I don't understand?"

"Mallory, I've been watching you for a while. I watched as your best friend left you to become a Virtue. I watched as your parents and teachers ignore the cuts that their so called beloved Virtues give to you. I basically know everything about." Before I knew it, I was cornered. He lean over me with charming smile. I was beyond freaked out. How the hell does he know all of this? Is he a stalker or something. No he's dressed to nice to be one; then what the hell is he. I clutched my injuries arm till I felt something warm ooze down hand.

"Here let me help." He lightly grab hold of my wrist and slowly lifts it up as he bends down to meet it. Then without warning, he grazes his tongue over arm, licking up the blood that had came out. I can feel my body burn up as I tore my arm away from him and slid out of the corner. I glanced down at my arm to find not only my stitched up cut healed but also today's wound as well. I stared at it astonished, feeling them over to make sure they are real.

"Who are you?" I asked again. He let out a small smirk.

"My name is Lucifer, The King of Hell, and I have an offer for you."