A few minutes until Adiwangsa High School goes head-to-head with Arsenio High School. Students are filing into the indoor court, grabbing their seats. Jessica plops down next to Winter, eyeing the cheerleaders doing warm-ups.
Her gaze meets Serena's. Serena shoots her a death-stare that makes Jessica flinch and look away fast.
The announcer's voice booms.
"Good morning, everyone! Welcome to the finals—Adiwangsa High vs. Arsenio High! But first, check out Harrison's cheer squad!"
Serena and the girls line up. Daya's 'Sit Still, Look Pretty' blasts through the speakers and the crowd goes wild—especially the guys. Harrison's cheerleaders always slay, and today was no different.
Jessica watches—heart pounding—while her mind races back to Ian Packston's deal. Her fingers feel clammy and pale. Had she made a huge mistake?
'Nope, I can't stay here,' Jessica whispers to herself.
"Winter, I gotta hit the restroom."
Winter nods, Jessica stands and hurries away, but then—
THUD!
Something slammed onto the court. The crowd gasps. Jessica's heart stops.
"SERENAAA!!" someone screams.
Jessica's head snaps around—but all she sees is a crush of bodies. And then the flash of too much red on the floor. She whirls away, stomach flipping, and sprints into the bathroom… just in time to puke.
"No! No, no, no!" she shakes her head, voice quivering. "I didn't kill Serena! I swear, it wasn't me!" Her body trembles as she collapses behind the stall door, clawing at her hair.
"Jessica."
Ian's voice echoes in her head. She whips her head left and right, but the stall's empty.
"W-where are you?" she pants.
"I'm your Satan-spawn friend. Satan rules over human emotion, remember? Don't worry—Serena's gone, and no one will ever suspect you."
"But ... daughter of Adam, listen! You are now in a vicious circle."
"Arrgh!" Jessica covers her ears, guilty memories flooding back—being locked in the bathroom, soaked in filth, forced to clown for them. She can't drown out Ian's voice.
"It's okay. Your new friend's here to stay," Ian's last whisper rings in her mind.
***
"KKAAAMII!!!"
"KKAMI?!"
Sam's yell echoes down the hall as he searches for his missing dog. Jessica, home from school, sees him and her chest tightens.
"Hey, kiddo, you back?" Sam spots her. "You see Kkami on your way home?" he asks.
Jessica shakes her head.
"AAAAKHH!!!"
Jenaya's scream rips through the yard. Sam and Jessica race over. Behind a tree lies Kkami—mangled, lifeless. Sam's anguished howl chills Jessica's blood.
***
A lone violin echoes in an empty room under the hot afternoon sun. Then the door slams open.
"Yo, Jino! Got some killer news for you!" Ian Packston strides in.
Jino sighs, setting down his violin. "Can you chill with the drama?"
"Hold up—this is HUGE!" Ian plops into a rocking chair.
"Spit it."
"Okay," Ian inhales. "One of the humans made a deal with me. I offed her enemy … and her dog. Didn't think she'd fall for it so easily."
Jino stares, speechless.
"You should try it. Our power grows when we bend humans. Then we break free of Sintria, join humanity, see them suffer .…"
"Tell the others first. I'll think about it later," Jino cuts him off and leaves.
Soon, Sion enters.
"Weren't they saying Beelzebub was here? Where'd he go?"
Ian smirks and melts into the shadows.
***
After dropping off food for her bro—too upset to eat—Jessica retreats to her room. Guilt over Kkami's death crushes her. Sam's locked himself inside, mourning his best friend.
She leans against her door, sobbing. "Sorry … I'm so sorry .…"
A calm voice asks, "Why are you apologizing?"
Jessica lifts teary eyes to see Ian—once again—in the chair. "Why are you still here?" she snaps.
"I thought we were friends?" Ian stands, circling her.
"We're not."
"But I helped you."
"That wasn't help."
"Wasn't it? Tomorrow's your first Serena-free day. You'll love it."
"How can I laugh at someone else's pain? Stop lying, Demon's Child."
"Think humans are better than demons, Daughter of Adam?" Ian glowers. "Both cast to Earth for the same sin. Why do you think you're any better?"
Jessica can't find words.
Ian exhales and tucks hands in pockets.
"God hates sin, not sinners. One apology to Him is all you need."
Jessica stands dumbfounded.
"You look worn out. Rest. In a few days, you'll have new company in this house." He pats her shoulder twice—then vanishes.
New company? Other demons?
***
Days later, Hussey and Lucy glare as Jessica enters school—no Serena flanking them.
"Morning," Karina pops up beside her.
"Hey, Karina." They walk together.
"By the way, I'm going to Serena's funeral today—she was in my class. Didn't think she'd die so publicly. Even if she was cruel, I'm still sorry she's gone."
"Me too," Jessica whispers.
"JOAN!" Karina calls. Jessica looks up—Joan's there, smiling at her.
"Jessica," Karina says softly, "From now on, no one's messing with you."
And that felt amazing.
Over the next days, Hussey and Lucy avoid Jessica, and the bullying stops.
School's peaceful again. But … does Jessica deserve to feel happy about Serena's death?