Ian Packston
[ Blonde hair, eagle eyes, sharp jaw ]
[ 180 cm ]
[ Emotional, antagonism ]
[ Character : Satan/Amon]
[ 20'04'02 ]
°°°
'Hoping to be with Joan? Stupid.'
Jessica shook her head. She should've known better than to dream about that. She needed a reality check—who was she, really? No. Jessica didn't deserve to be happy. Just look at her now: trudging home bare-foot, clutching her mud-caked shoes, her entire uniform soaked and grimy. Every inch of her was sticky and filthy. Who else but Serena and her squad could've done this? And of course Lucy—even her sister—joined the beating.
Jessica tiptoed into Sintria Palace and made a beeline for her room. The last thing she wanted was for her family to see her like this.
Thank God the palace was huge—easy to slip through unnoticed. She locked the door, ready to collapse in tears … when,
Knock knock knock!
"Jess?" It was Jennie's voice.
Jessica whirled to the door—and was grateful she'd locked it.
"Y-yeah, Mom?" she stammered.
"Just got home? Shower yet? Eat something first!" Jennie ordered.
"I will, Mom. I'm gonna shower now." Jessica pressed her back against the door, refusing to open it.
"Okay, don't take forever."
She heard Jammy's little voice next, "Mom, mom—play with Jess!"
"Later, sweetie. She's tired. Play with Mom for now, okay?"
"Aww .…" Jammy sighed. Jessica's heart sank. She wanted to play with her, but she couldn't bear him seeing her this way.
"We'll find Dad—Mom needs to talk to him," Jennie told Jammy gently.
"Okay," came the reply.
"Let's go!"
Jessica stayed pressed against the wall, listening through tears. How stupid she'd been—letting them do this and hiding it from her family. Showing everyone she was fine when she wasn't. Why couldn't she just speak up?
Footsteps—and light laughter—faded down the hall.
No way she could admit to her mom she was not fine. It'd only make Jennie sad.
As soon as the footsteps disappeared—Jessica broke down. The dirty water dripping off her hair pooled on the floor. She sat alone in her misery, while those bullies laughed out there. Pitiful. Ridiculous.
Knock knock knock!
Her heart leapt into her throat.
Who was knocking now? Did they hear her crying? Was it Mom?
But she hadn't heard anyone come. Was she imagining things?
"M-Mom?" Jessica croaked, struggling to her feet. "I told you I'd shower first .…"
Silence. She pressed her ear to the door. Nothing—just a long, eerie hush.
Knock knock!
She stumbled back a step, terrified.
"Mom?" she whispered again. Or was it Sam? Lucy messing around?
Click.
She dared to turn the knob. No more fear. She was brave. She'd handle this.
She swung the door open—empty hallway. Just the distant click of a gecko.
"What are you doing?"
THUD.
That voice—from inside her room.
Jessica froze. She'd been alone all day. Who the hell was in her room? Sitting in her chair? Whispering behind her back?
She didn't dare turn around.
"How long are you gonna stand there? Am I bothering you?"
Yes! Jessica thought. Go away!
"Aw, embarrassed to show how dirty you are?" the guy taunted, stepping closer. Each footstep made her flinch; her breath caught in her chest.
Then—she saw him. And she sank to the floor, weak at the knees. She didn't faint—but she wanted to. Especially if he looked like a monster…
But nope. He was stunning. Messy blond hair, sharp jawline, crisp white shirt and dark pants.
"W-who are you?" she whispered, inching backward.
"I came looking for Sollon … but I found you." His eagle-eyes took in every soaked thread of her uniform, every drop of mud. Like magic, he knew exactly what she'd been through today.
His expression softened. He crouched beside her. "Are you hurt?" he asked, gently brushing mud from her cheek. "Rough day, huh? I can help. Want me to?"
Jessica swallowed, throat tight. Why was no one else here to save her?
"You still haven't answered my question," she squeaked.
"Oh, right. Ahem. I'm Ian Packston—descendant of Satan." He introduced himself, then kissed the back of her hand.
"S-Satan? Wh-what does that mean?"
Ian smiled, calm and warm. "Don't freak out. I'm here to help you." He stood, offering her his hand. "Even villains can be heroes. Ever heard that saying?"
He wandered over to the window, looking out without turning back. "Serena Rayanji. That the culprit?"
"You know her?" Jessica asked, stunned.
"Just met her—but she's the reason you're like this, right? Pathetic."
Jessica shrank in shame.
Ian watched Sam downstairs playing with Kkami, the family's adorable dog. Silence stretched between them.
"So … you one of the Seven Demons?" she finally whispered.
"Yep," he said, quick as lightning. "Knew you'd guess. We never asked to be trapped here in Sintria Palace, y'know. We're just demon-kids, born and raised here. All we can do is watch you humans." He ran a hand through his hair. "Lonely. Helpless. Can't even hurt you… or your family."
"Really?"
"Trust me." Ian turned, his face bright. "Be my friend."
His smile glowed in the fading daylight. How could any girl resist a demon like him?
***
Clink-clank. Dinner was going … weird.
"Heh, you gutter-rat—pass that bowl!" Lucy sneered, pointing at Jessica.
Jessica handed it over.
"Lucy, don't talk to your sister that way," Dad warned.
"Yeah, yeah," Lucy muttered.
Jessica glanced at the fridge—and spotted Ian peeking out, grinning. She half-smiled back.
"Want more rice?" Sam offered, piling his plate.
"Nah, I'm good. I'm heading to my room," Jessica said, forcing a smile. Everybody stared—baffled.
"Woof!" Kkami bounded up, wagging.
"Aww, Kkami!" Jessica scooped him up. "I'm taking him upstairs, okay?"
Sam nodded.
She barely made it back to her room before locking the door. She set Kkami on her bed.
"He's so cute," Ian said from the corner. Jessica chuckled.
"This is Kkami—my emotional support pup."
Ian's smile slipped. "Now that you've got me… you don't need him."
Jessica frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You can tell me everything. We're friends, right?" he crouched beside her, eyes kind.
"Friend .…" she echoed. "Yeah. I need one."
"Jess," Ian said softly as he picked up Kkami. "You okay if he's gone?"
"Why are you asking that?" she whispered.
"You're tired of Serena's crap, yeah? I can make her disappear—for a price."
"I-what price?" Jessica's voice shook.
"Every gift has a cost," Ian explained, eyes locked on hers. "Tomorrow, you'll hear Serena's dead. But this dog … also dies. Deal?"
"A-are you serious?" Jessica swallowed. "Why Serena? And Kkami—"
"Your nightmares end," Ian cut in. "No more Serena, no more bullying."
Serena's threats echoed in her mind:
"If my parents get called to school—I swear, you'll suffer worse than ever. Don't even try to run from me."
Memories hit her—locked in a filthy bathroom, drenched in muck, forced to act like a clown. Pretending to be fine in front of her family…
She was so done.
"As your friend, I just want you happy," Ian whispered, brushing her cheek. "Think it over."
He stood to go—then she called out:
"Wait! I accept."
Ian's grin turned wicked. Mission accomplished.