Hellbound

4. Speak Of

October 31, 2019 – 9AM

Naomi would be lying if she said that she got enough sleep while being sprawled out in one of their chapel’s pew last night. Because that would be the last of things she would want to become: a liar, even to herself. Not after a demon just turned her whole world upside down yesterday and made her question everything.

So here she is now, sitting on the same area she slept on last night, spacing out in the middle of a stupid Sunday mass. She didn’t tell her bestfriends what happened to her just yet. Maybe next time, she thought. When she finally figured the rest of what’s in store for her impending doom.

Much to Naomi’s disappointment, her class is required to attend the mass. Of course, as the new class president, she needs to be the most diligent one to monitor their attendance. She wishes she wouldn’t be, though. The heavy bags under her eyes are enough proof that she can’t function as a president today. She just wants to rest.

The homily just started but she couldn’t fathom what the priest is saying. No matter how hard she tries to digest his holy words, she couldn’t get past hearing “Be careful of the devils on earth. Now that Halloween is here again, do not let the veil of the darkness pull you from the real meaning of the season.”

Maybe it’s because of her lack of sleep or the tumor in her brain but she noticed that the priest is speaking in a mystical tone. She couldn’t help but ask if this is still a church or a cult. Maybe Liberty is messing with her head again.

Liberty.

Naomi’s eyes wandered instantly all around, searching for the familiar mop of dark hair and pair of red eyes. Her heart started beating wildly. She is becoming so much hyper-vigilant that she felt her ears gone deaf. But Liberty is not here. Maybe he’s near the door again, or beside the priest…Maybe if she squints a little and—

“Hey Naomi, you okay?” Celestine’s voice snapped her back to reality. She saw the concern in her friend’s eyes. Quickly, Naomi wiped the cold sweat that escaped on the corner of her forehead, a droplet she didn’t remember haunting her skin until Celestine’s voice echoed in her head.

Naomi faked a smile as she stammered. I-I’m okay…really, I am. So much for wanting not to be a liar.

“I already checked the attendance. Here.” The girl with a bob cut offered her a piece of paper with everyone’s name in it, coupled with signatures from the people in her class.

“Oh thank you, Tine. I’m sorry I’m just really tired and all…didn’t have enough sleep last night, obviously.” Naomi felt relieved that she was out of responsibility and a little guilty for lying to her friend. But it still feels like she just swallowed huge bone stuck at the back of her throat. Yet, when she turned her head slightly upwards to meet her best friend’s eyes, she swears she could hear her eyeballs ask, what’s wrong? The look of worry in warm, hazelnut eyes certainly skyrocketed. In return, Naomi pleaded with her eyes, not now, Celestine. Please.

Thankfully, Celestine seemed to get her signal and decided to just bring her attention back to priest’s preaching words. Naomi exhaled deeply, thankful that the Lord chose to save her again.

--

It wasn’t long before the whole class is chattering loudly outside the church. The mass is over and she felt like her life was too. The moment she gazed a little to the right, there she found what she may or may not be actually looking for. Speaking of the devil.

There he was, leaning at one of the cream-colored post just a few steps away from the church’s wooden door. He’s wearing his signature sunglasses and gloves, paired with leather shoes and long, slick, black coat. Despite the not-so-chilly weather, he still wears a turtleneck sweatshirt, but in a different shade from yesterday. Today, she noticed it is gray.

Naomi gulped. If he wasn’t an actual demon, she finds him quite handsome. Not that those two things are actually correlated with each other but…wait a minute, handsome?! what the hell is she thinking?! Stupid, stupid! Quickly, Naomi shook her head at the thought, feeling a slight warmth creep up her cheeks.

“Liberty…” She whispered with her eyebrows furrowed, certain that the devil just heard her almost non-existent voice. Liberty scoffed before biting his lower lip, as if stifling a laugh. s**t. Did he hear what her mind just screamed at inside?

When the demon winked at Naomi playfully, she felt like the world before her eyes disappeared and she was ready to enter judgment day. Her heart started banging louder inside her chest to the point that she felt fear for her ribcage collapsing down. Right at this very moment, she could only see Liberty, approaching her slowly, lowering his sunglasses and—

“Naomi, are you coming later at the party?” Charles, one of their classmates asked out of the blue, forcing her attention back to the small crowd that gathered around her.

“Party? What party?” Naomi scratched the back of her head, confused. When she scanned the curious eyes beaming at her, she realized that she was the only one confused.

“Halloween, duh? At Charles’!” Tiffany answered as she rolled her eyes before looping her arm around Naomi’s neck.

Oh, right. She completely forgot about it. Not that she’s planning to go to in the first place. Parties are never Naomi’s thing.

“Come on, Pres! It would be so much fun! Shane and I’s gonna dress up as Chucky and Tiffany!”

“What?! No way, I’m gonna your sweet boy, Glen then…”

Everyone started babbling. She feels like her head is going to burst.

“Oh shut up, you’re going to be Grim Reaper, remember?”

“Oh, oh…how about Courage the Cowardly dog?! That would be awesome!”

“Nah…That would be boring. How about I dress up later as a class president with a huge pair of bags under my eyes, zoning in and out of a Sunday Mass?”

She swears not even one of her classmates stilled at Tiffany’s remark. Everyone ugly laughed at how her bestfriend described her being a mess could pass as a freaking Halloween costume! Not that she was offended, though. She’s used to Tiffany being this way. But it’s a different story when she saw that even the stupid, annoying, jerk of a demon snorted loud enough for her to hear. She took a mental note to murder him later.

When the laughter of the small group finally died, Tiffany clutched her tightly in both shoulders. “No, but seriously Naomi. You’re a mess. What happened, babe?” Celestine followed beside her, tracing circles behind Naomi’s back, a cute attempt of comfort. Suddenly, she felt uncomfortable with everyone’s eyes prying on her.

“I’m just a little tired is all.”

“Oh honey, come on. Shopping’s ‘gonna cure your tiredness. Proven and tested.” Tiffany cheered, followed by everyone’s agreement. Naomi felt like a bucket of cold water was suddenly poured over her.

“Tiffany! I don’t think it’s a good idea for her. Maybe it’s better if she just rest.” Thank god, someone is by her side and of course, it would be no other than Celestine.

“This is why you don’t have a social life, Celestine babe. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of the both of you. What do you guys want to transform into anyways?!” Tiffany was nowhere near backing down, the twinkle in her eyes lingering as she speaks. She’s passionate in make-up and dressing up. Surely, Halloween is like Christmas for her.

Suddenly, Naomi felt bad that she needed to decline her bestfriend’s offer.

“I’m sorry Tif, Tine’s right. I actually want to go home and rest. I don’t think I’ll make it to the party.” She said, wearing a sour smile. And there goes that pout again.

As if sensing the situation like a pro, Celestine decided to jump between them “Ugh, come on Tiffany! How self-centered can you be? Don’t worry I’ll go with you, damn it.” Just like that, she started pulling the girly girl away from Naomi and she felt herself giggle at the sight.

“Hey, let go of me…the three of us have to be complete there or—“

“See you, Naomi!”

Naomi waved goodbye at her bestfriends, along with the rest of her classmates as they head to the direction of the nearest mall. She almost forgot that she still has company until a sultry, deep, familiar voice reminded her, making its way an inch away from her ears.

“Hi there, angel.”

--

“It’s okay, hun. You can ogle at me all you want now. No one’s ‘gonna judge you.”

This fucker, Naomi swears she will cut his head off when she’s able to touch him again. Tiffany’s the only one who could call her names!

“I wasn’t ogling you!” She protested, lowering her head down her shoes as she watches her feet march more rapidly. She’s careful not to speak loud enough so the people around her wouldn’t think she’s crazy for talking to herself.

“Oh yes you were, no need to be so shy about it.”

“Can you stop you freaking devil?”

“Nuh-uh…”

“God, help me!”

Liberty scoffed quickly when he heard Naomi uttered her last remark. He thought that she’s funny when she’s pissed…maybe a little cute too. If she only knows how red she looks right now, she’d be damned. He smirked. When the girl before her walked a little faster, the devil’s mind wandered back to his short trip in hell yesterday.

He remembered traveling back to that f*****g office where he got his mission and asked the pervert demon lady why the f**k that this frail, human girl can see and touch him. But nothing. The demon lady just threw herself at him like she usually does and he accepted the sin, of course. They became skin on skin and tongue on tongue until in the end, he wasn’t able to get anything out of hell even when he almost toppled it upside down. So now, he’s stuck on earth once again.

“Tch. Wait up!” The devil hurried his way beside the human girl until he noticed they arrived in some sort of a playground. Interesting. Human children are swarming all around the area, causing noise to fill the lovely morning atmosphere, as what he thought how Naomi would describe it.

“Why are you following me?” Naomi snapped at her aggressively, still avoiding any means of eye contact.

He smirked. The devil decided to continue teasing her just to see her nose scrunch up again. It’s starting to be his favorite view.

“Why are you letting me follow you?” He reasoned, crossing his arms over his chest as the two of them continue to walk. The truth is, Liberty didn’t ascend on earth again just to mindlessly follow the subject of his mission. He went to see her for a reason. But he isn’t going to reveal it so soon.

“Ugh. Fine. Since you’re already here, then let’s talk about my bucket list…shall we?” Naomi looked at her side properly now, and he felt his body tensed for some reason. He figured that the thrill is back.

There we go.

“I’d love that, angel.” He lowered his sunglasses until his red eyes met her brown orbs. A smirk involuntarily formed along Liberty’s lips. This would be exciting.

The girl scrunched up her nose like he expected her to. “W-wait for me over the swing there…I’ll just go buy us something to eat.” She said, pointing a finger over two empty and rusty swings before turning her back completely towards the devil. Her words linger in his head.

“Hold on. You’re going to give me an offering again, pumpkin?” He asked curiously, jaw almost hanging loose. He can’t believe his luck. He’s gonna taste human food again, he couldn’t be more elated of whatever you call that feeling.

“Yeah. But if you don’t shut up about your petty nicknames, I might just change my mind.”

--

Silence enveloped the space between them as Liberty busies himself devouring ice cream for the first time in forever…literally. While Naomi disgustingly watches the devil feast on the cold dessert, she felt hers melting quickly. With one lick, Naomi kicked the ground gently so that her body’s swinging along the creaks of the rusty chains. Ah, this is good, she thought. She savored the sweetness of her strawberry cone while watching children run around the playground. She didn’t realize a smile is already breaking free from her lips.

She didn’t even know that the devil beside her is watching her closely.

“So, you wouldn’t really go to that party or whatever?” She irked at how the devil broke her little trance of paradise.

Liberty noticed how quickly the smile in her face disappeared when he spoke. He a little felt strange at that but he’d rather be killed by Satan than to admit it in her face. He just finished his ice cream and now he felt like the perfect time to talk. He focused his ass on that.

“No, I’m pretty sure you heard me back there…Parties aren’t really my thing.” Naomi sighed deeply.

“Why not? Parties are fun, I heard…and saw a few times.” The devil shrugged his shoulders in return.

“I wasn’t really a party girl. What if I collapse or something? My tumor is quite unpredictable you know. I wouldn’t want to worry everyone around me when this stupid illness got the worst out of me.” She bit down hard at her ice cream’s cone. Distress, the demon noted.

“Sounds reasonable for me.” Liberty nodded as awkward silence started creeping up between them again.

Naomi decided to break it first this time. “Why? Do you want me to go?”

“Well, I’d gladly accompany you if you like…” He grinned lustfully, now his attention fixated on the girl. While the devil was expecting to see redness from her face again, Naomi just rolled her eyes at him.

Ouch.

“Nah. You’d just do evil shits to me, considering today’s your day or whatever…” She reasoned. Liberty’s right eyebrow arched in confusion. “My day? The hell are you talking about, darling?”

“Halloween. Isn’t this the day that hell’s veil would lift up or something? I mean the priest back then said—“

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” There goes the same laughter she witnessed last night.

“What?! I’m asking you because I’m curious!” Naomi snapped.

“You humans are really funny with your catholic beliefs and s**t. There’s no such thing! Those veils or whatnot are pure bullshit. We’re here everyday.” Liberty wiped remnants of his tears from laughing out loud.

“I guess…” Naomi looked at him curiously, registering how perfect his smile fits him in moments like this. Why hadn’t she seen this last night? Oh no, here goes her mind again. When she realized that she’s losing track of her purpose, she cleared her throat and brought out a piece of paper out from the pocket of his navy blue Sunday dress.

“Anyway, here is my bucket list…It’s in n-no particular order, okay?” She said quite shyly the moment she handed it to Liberty, in which the demon gladly accepted without giving a f**k at her stammering. Their fingers didn’t touch.

Slowly, he started reading through her list.

-Get a boyfriend

-Attend a religious concert

-Convert Religion

-Get a tattoo

-Witness an exorcism

-Experience a Carnival Date

-Go hiking

-Attend a formal event (with a date)

When the devil was finished, confidence flooded inside his system. These things are nothing but a speck of dust in his profession. So easy, he thought.

“Is this all?” He asked with a smirk plastered on his mouth. He noticed that Naomi is avoiding her eyes still but he didn’t care. He folded the paper into four and quickly tucked it inside his pocket.

“Y-yeah…” The girl nodded with a faraway look in her eyes.

“I thought you had ten?” The devil asked in curiosity.

“Well, I’m still thinking of the last one.” She replied with her back stiff on the rusty chains. Liberty took her reaction as a cue.

“Alright, now it’s my turn.” He inhaled deeply, feeling suddenly conscious of his surroundings. He finally felt Naomi’s eyes travel back to him as he slid his sunglasses out of his face. She saw how he caught the girl in surprise. Liberty closed his eyes for a few seconds, hearing a curious gasp from Naomi’s throat. When the devil opened his eyes, the orbs that was once in hue of soft red glowed brighter and a little more ominous…at least for her.

He snapped his finger and just like a ghost, a figure of a white, quite chubby cat appeared before him, making its way towards Naomi with an intense purring sound. For some reason, he felt nervous. This is bad, he never feels nervous. What if Naomi doesn’t like cats? What if she’s scared and—

“Oh my god, Liberty!” His trail of thoughts were cut off as soon as he heard her squeal in ecstasy before lunging down the ground and getting ahold of his cat, close to her chest.

Oh, okay.

Pathetic, he was clearly worrying over nothing.

“She’s ‘gonna be your guardian while I’m away from time to time.” He started, eyeing the view. Naomi brushing his cat’s snow white fur while smiling from ear to ear brings an unexplainable feeling down his system again. Strange.

“What do you mean?” She quickly picked up his cat from the ground and cradled it on her lap as she made her way back to the swing.

“Well, I figured you weren’t going to be comfortable if I’m around you 24/7 so…” Liberty just shrugged, placing back his sunglasses to cover his crimson eyes, his smugness back too.

“What’s her name?” Naomi wasted no time to ask, probably diverting the topic. But in reality, she’s just uncomfortable at how soft his voice sounded at that.

But the devil responded just as quickly, “Mia…”

“Oh, why Mia?” She raised back.

“Short for Meeoow.” He replied casually, not really expecting anymore question from the girl. And he was right, there were no more questions from her anymore because a faint laughter greeted him back instead. He heard her laughing for the first time and he would be lying if he said it wouldn’t haunt him for a long time.

“You’re ridiculous.” Naomi shook her head with a genuine smile on her face…a gesture he found himself copying the longer he stares at her. His smirk finally disappears.

“Yeah. And I made you laugh.” He thought. Maybe she’s right. Today may actually be his day after all.