Chapter 3: Miscreant

Miscreant

Outside the door Kai found Sarah roommates Linda and Kassandra coming to their room through the stairs. They thought she was not well since she didn't have dinner with them. So they decided to come check on how she was. It seem Kai had been with her the whole time, they realised when they saw him close the door behind him.

"Take good care of your friend. She is asleep right now." Kai requested

"Is she OK?" Linda and Kass asked almost in chorus.

"She will be." He said behind his shoulders while going down the stairs from Block C dormitory. Kass through glances his way before going in.

• • • • • • • • • •

Somewhere faraway, vast of shady dark towers stood in sight. One can say and lament that there isn't mundane thing of the earth and worse of all, it was devoid of anything living and loving. A man with a hellish aura stood in one of the tower staring through his window into nothing outside than red and dark cloud of darkness. The only penetration of lights were fire torches hanging every corner of the tower and outside too. This was hell, his hell.

The only sound Soothing his soul is the chaotic cries and screams of allot of captive souls being tortured by his loyal yet wicked and unforgiving cadre, his soldiers. It was Nicko Uncle Eli. He smiled like a child whom has been offered all his needs without complains. But he couldn't be depicted as adorable as a child because he was a demon too. Amongst the soul being tortured were men, women and children. People who were sinners while on earth. But this melody to his ears didn't last long. He was interrupted by his eldest son Roger.

"I believe the son of the devil is dead already." Eli wore an evil beam in his eyes, "Yes, finally time for phase.."

"Nicko is not dead father." Roger interrupt yet another triumph building inside his father. His expression show both anger and disappointment.

Eli quickly turned his gaze to his son "What do you mean he is not dead? What about the dagger? It didn't work?"

"Its not about the dagger father, he had help or should I say he was saved."

"You mean your brother betrayed us. Its impossible." Eli menacing expression has ensued.

"Come with me father." Roger requested and the menacing father followed sooth, disappearing to the land of the living.

The both of them appeared at the scene where Sarah birthday party took place. Time seem to have stood still as everyone, every being, insects and animals seemed immobile.

Eli eyes widened in terror as he understood what all this meant. 𝑰𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒏'𝒕 𝒃𝒆! It was hard to believe it. As if reading his father mind,

"Yes father, a "quick shift dimension door" was opened here without transversing the physical space between the present and past." Roger explain to know whether his knowledge about such an interesting power was lacking. "This means...." He had purposely wanted his father to finish his last statement.

"Descendant of Astraea." Eli uttered the last words with gritted teeth.

Now his youngest son Mark can be seen with the dagger on his hand ready to stab Nicko behind him. Eli wished he had the power to get past this cantrip but then that will warrant to several displaced opened dimensions which he can't control, drawing the attention of both heavens and underworld, most especially Nicko's father. He gnash his teeth.

"Find her and bring her to me." He ordered.

"Yes father." Both figures disappear into the air.

• • • • • • • • •

"Stella, Stella...," a feminine melodic voice kept calling from a large surround full of beautiful flowers varying in different colours. A child is seen dancing and playing hard to get with a woman. She appears to be the little girl's mother. Suddenly the flowers turns pitch black followed with some sort of dust like cloud hovering over it. " Run Stella, Run!!!"

Sarah woke up with a jolt from Kassandra.

"Its was just a nightmare" Kass tries to coax her wary friend. But still Sarah heart heaved heavily in her chest.

Earlier while everyone was asleep, Kass woke up with a shrill cry from Sarah. Her bed was just in between Sarah and Linda. She went to Sarah's bedside to see that Sarah was sopping with fear, moving her head from side to side. Linda was already fast asleep to even know what was happening.

"Breath Sarah,"

And she did as she was told.

The day got started with various students all in their various dorms getting ready for their classes. The boys and girls dormitory were separated from each other.

Taking turns in showering, dressing in their uniforms, grooming each other hair, students of Block C dormitory got prepared for their classes and Sarah friends were not left out. Except Sarah.

In Sarah's room, Sarah did not look like who is in the mood for school today. Maybe its because she has gone through this day before. She remembers every event that will unfold itself . Or maybe she just want to be alone.

"You are still in bed? We have history." Kass started though she was worry for her friend after the nightmare she had last night. "You know how austere Sir Charles is with any students who comes after him. "

"Especially with that 'to the principal's office' kind of face." Linda made the face mimicking Sir Charles stout voice. Both her and Kass laugh but Sarah could only smile.

"You guys can go along, I want to be left alone for a while."

"Sarah, are you OK. You know you can tell us anything. Problems shared are always problems half solved." Kass said concerned.

"Am OK. Just not in the mood for classes."

"Maybe you have forgotten Sister's Madeleine and how she always sees student who takes the decision in staying away from class as miscreants." Linda stated, "She even go as far as calling those miscreants parents or guardians even if it does not require such measures."

Sarah's eyes opened in horror. Sister Madeleine, the most dreadful amongst the sisters and teachers here. Without any further explanation, Sarah hurried out of her bed towards the bathroom. Luckily there's no line to wait on. It seem like those taking Sir Charles class knew the kind of man he is.

Few minutes later, she was done with her bath. Linda and Kass had helped lined up her uniform, a sky blue long sleeve buttoned shirt , a grey skirt at knee length and a grey tie to match. Her pair of socks and shoes were not left out too. Sarah quickly dry herself with a towel while she got to her bedside. She thanked her friends for the help and put on her attire in one go, tied her golden hair into a knot having no time to comb or groom it.

The three girls scurried down the stairs sensing that they were the only group of students left in Block C dormitory. Lucky for them, Sir Charles was not yet in class. That was odd. While the three walk to their seats, Sarah saw Kai waving at her. She expressed no emotions. Until now she still can't believe she is the only one who can see the bizarre form he is in. His hones and ears were still in sight again and no one except her could see it. Some girls even seem to be ogling over him.

Sir Charles came in. Time passed already getting to the end of Sir Charles class when two persons came into sight at the door, Sister Madeleine and younger Boss Nicko, Nickolas Hade. Sarah swallowed down.

"Excuse me Sir, I hope I am not interrupting." That was Sister Madeleine

"No, not at all sister. What seem to be the problem?" Sir Charles asked

"This miscreant here was seen still in his bed reading some preposterous book when he was suppose to be in class." She trailed on with a grim face. "And the books which he was reading are not of these school property, containing some ridiculous contents about heaven and hell." She was looking intently at Nicko who appear expressionless.

"Why didn't you take him to the principal's office?"

"Told you he will always brings up the principal. " That was Kass whispering behind Linda into her left ear. They both giggle.

"I decide against it because of how defiant the principal is with the Hades family. So knowing that it was this class he should be taking and how austere you are, I trust you know the necessary punishment in handling such an issue?"

"Why yes Sister, there's no need to charge further. He is in good hands." Sir Charles pulled a smile.

"Uh oh, seems like someone will be spending the night scribbling and reading Sir Charles history text books." Kai overhead a student whispering to another just behind where he sat.

"I wished I was punished too to keep him company." A female student said.

Sister Madeleine only nodded, then she left Nicko to partake in the remaining section of the class and that of other classes for the day.