A black-haired girl could be seen sitting in a chair in front of a counselor as he asked her something she's been wondering for a long time.

"Do you ever think you were destined for greatness?"

She glances to the side.

"I mean before you became a guidance counselor? Like, maybe you wanted to be a fireman...really save lives." she said.

"I do save lives, Danika Nightingale." he replied.

"Here's the thing, I have no idea what I want to do with my life. Besides working every day after school, I just... feel like I've been missing my purpose."

"Have you ever talked to your parents?"

Danika gets uncomfortable.

"They're not... the type to listen to my dreams and words. They just want me to work. And I have no friends..."

The counselor pulls out the papers and looks at them.

"It says here that you're a 3.8 student. Certainly, you have skills to do what you dream of, Danika." he said.

"That's the thing. My parents are just... holding me back. Plus, I don't know what kind of career I want to be." Danika sighed.

He sighs after giving her a moment of sympathetic attention.

"I don't know what to do to help you, but know this. You're a grown adult already and you should be focusing on yourself and not your parents."

She gave this some thought and realized he was correct. However, she is unsure of her ability to do so or of her confidence in facing them. Later, while other students could be seen dining together either inside the cafeteria or outside, she was sitting against the tree reading the book "Soul Surfer" during her lunch break. Other students are laughing, conversing, and even playing games as she looks over and sees them.

Oh, how she wants she could be a part of this, if only she didn't have so many schedules to keep up with. which is doing a job to support her parents' financial requirements because they won't work. She seems to be the lone responsible adult looking after two pampered brats. She wishes it were different since it has been that way for a long time, ever since she was born. If it weren't for her parents nagging her to prioritize work above pursuing her passions, she might have even wanted to start a profession. When the bell rang, she quickly saved the page in her book and dashed toward class while still carrying her backpack.

Unbeknownst to her, an owl with a black and grey coloration could be seen perched on a branch of the tree she was leaning against and watching her through their red glowing eyes before taking flight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Danika was crossing the street after school when she saw a group of pals smiling as they left the building together. After that, she witnesses other parents picking them up from school as they embrace warmly. As she sighs and observes the contented individuals with devoted friends and family that she will never have, time appears to slow down. She works nonstop and never has the chance to do what she wants or take a vacation due of her idiotic, brainless parents. Danika inhales deeply before beginning to sing.

https://youtu.be/3Q1ABv8nXKw

After singing, she enters the mall where she works at Cinnabon, baking cinnamon buns for the patrons. As they walked away, she grinned and told them to enjoy their treats and have a wonderful day. Following a sigh, Danika leans against the counter.

"If I was making $10 an hour of something I'd enjoy working, I wouldn't be stuck at these pointless jobs. Ugh... Wouldn't be so terrible if it weren't for my persuasive parents." she groaned.

"Totally. My parents, like, totally set it up." a female sassy voice said.

She looked over to see two snobby girls wearing fancy looking clothes as they walk by.

"I am so jealous, Becks." a girl with big curly red hair said.

"I know, right?" Becks replied with a smirk, sipping her drink. "So I'll be staying in Paris, right on the Champs-Elysees for, like the whole summer, and all I have to do is look after a couple of spoiled brats!"

"I so hate you, Becks." Beck's friend giggled.

"I so hate you, too, Becks." Danika sighed, taking a bite of her cinnamon bun.

She goes out of the mall with her head low and before she realized it, it was almost daybreak. Her life is never interrupted. School. Work. Repeat. It's kind of like the recipe for boredom. She ignores the two jocks as they snicker at her and walks by them. As she entered the "Knight Pawn" thrift shop, she was relieved to see the K and P. She visited every shop and thrift store in the area, but Knight and Pawn is the finest location for her to shop.

She enters the shop smiling and exhales with relief. She really likes being able to be herself here. Danika examines each outfit and finds them beautiful. She stayed in this old location for hours. She enjoys being here. Treasures are always out there to be discovered. She asks the elderly woman by the desk, who turns to face her and smiles in response.

"How many times do I have to tell you, girl, call me Annie."

"Yes, Mrs. Blackthorne. Any new arrivals?" Danika asked.

"Not much, I'm afraid. A few new pieces, nothing special." Annie said, glancing down at her book.

When Danika saw the title "The Silent Patient" by Alex Michaelides, she decided to take up the book. She spins around while grinning. She only feels at ease here and thinks this area is incredible. Danika continues to search for further items to purchase as she acquires a small pink coffin that she can use to store her jewelry and other items, a skull ring with roses, a vintage typewriter, and a coffin ring.

(Here are all the things she bought)

As long as her parents are kept in the dark and are not bothered, she doesn't care how much she spends them. That's when she see it, just as she was ready to go to Annie. See is the incorrect verb. She was drawn to the location full of jewelry by what sounded more like a call. As if aware that it should be hers, she begins to rearrange the hanging necklaces. An amethyst heart-shaped key necklace is taken out by Danika.

"You are supposed to be mine, aren't you?" she asked, staring at it in awe.

She turns to Annie and shows her a necklace along with other stuffs she got.

"How much for the necklace, Annie?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"SCORE!" Danika cheered, happily wearing a necklace along with two rings while holding a bag full of items she bought from the thrift store.

She joyfully skipped home since it was now getting dark. Just then, she is being followed by an owl with crimson eyes that is flying with the moon in its wings. It draws near to her and follows her carefully. She knows less and less as it draws closer because of how slowly it is approaching. Danika eventually sensed that something wasn't right and turned just in time to see an owl before everything went dark.

She is shocked and terrified to discover herself in a pitch-black space. Then a black and crimson object flies by before landing. An anthropomorphic owl demon stood in front of the woman. He has a short, black beak that resembles an owl's and a white, heart-shaped face disk. He is tall and lean. He possesses two sets of red almond-shaped eyes that are stacked on top of one another and lack any discernible irises or pupils. He has a long, plume-like tail and gray-blue feathers on his body that gradually transition to dark gray-blue on his head. On his chest, he has a puff of lighter gray-blue fur. His feet are capped with owl claws, and he has long, thin, black limbs.

He is wearing a deep red tunic with six linked golden buttons down the breast, and beige breeches. He accessorizes with a feathery top-hat that features a regal gold crown encircling it, as well as a long burgundy cape, tattered at the hemline, with a plush ermine-look fur collar, and long black gloves with white feathered trims at the elbows. Danika gasps to see an owl demon before her, when she suddenly noticed she was tied up.

"What the?!" Danika yelled, struggling to free herself.

She even observed that her bags and belongings were just by her, as if they had been prepared specifically for her. With a flick of his wrist, the word "SOLD" was written on a sign that was adhered to her torso.

"SOLD?! WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!" she screamed in her head.

Unknown owl demon laughed and opened a portal. He used his telekinesis to make Danika float in his direction before grabbing her belongings and moving towards them.

"W-Wait! Where are you taking me?! Who are you?!" Danika shouted.

He stops and turns to her. She shivers at how intimidating those glowing red eyes are.

"To Hell, of course." he replied.

"H-Hell??" she stuttered in shock.

"A realm of demons, sinners, and overlords." he answered with no hesitation.

"D-Demons? They're real?"

"Yes. You're looking one right now. I'm Stolas. Prince of Ars Goetia. Danika, your parents sold your soul to me." Stolas said with a chuckle as they walk out of the portal.

"My parents... sold me... to a demon? They would never—"

She stopped herself after realizing what a total scumbags her parents are.

"Ah, yes, they would..."

Danika was inconsolable with her parents' actions and couldn't help but feel sad and... enraged. And this is the kindness they show her in return for everything she done for them? She observed the structure they were moving toward. Though it is more of a mansion, it seems like a castle. The mansion is a majestic burgundy structure. The doors unlocked for them, revealing a tiny red demon butler. He is approached by Stolas who delivers him the items, which at first feel heavy, but he soon learns how to handle them and ascends the steps. Danika continues to trail Stolas as he makes his way in another direction. She glances around the room and at the windows in the hallways, which are tall and magnificent with pink stained glass, and which illuminate the likely carnivorous plant containers that line the long hallways.

"I'm guessing we're in a mansion?" Danika asked.

"Great guess, Danika. As I expected of you." Stolas said with a smile.

"G-Given how expensive and exotic this place is, wh-who wouldn't?" she chuckled nervously. "What are you going to do with me?"

"Since you asked..."

She finds herself sitting on a throne-like chair in the living room, surrounded by flowers and confetti, all of a sudden. Stolas knelt down in front of her and took her hand.

"Won't you be my second daughter?" he asked with a gentle voice and a hint of excitement.

"Huh?"

Danika couldn't process the question at first.

"You see, even though I already have a daughter, it's always been my dream to have some children. Plus, my little Via could really use a sister to be around, so she wouldn't be alone!" Stolas gushed, confessing his feelings.

"Another child?" she muttered.

"I know this is too much for me to ask, but I really need to have another child so I won't be completely alone! I'll buy you anything you want, and I'll spoil you to death! So please? Pleeeeaaaaassssse??" Stolas continued, getting closer to a young adult, making her uncomfortable. "You'll be my daughter, right?"

He begs on his knees, giving her puppy eyes.

"Umm... I don't want to be rude, but I'm sold to you. Do I even have a choice on the matter?" Danika asked, having a hard time believing what she's hearing from that owl demon.

"I'll respect your wishes. You can say no if you really want to!" Stolas sobbed out, causing her to have different emotions on the subject.

"W-What should I do? In all my years... I've never refused anyone!" Danika internally screamed.

Every time someone asked her to take on a housekeeping task, assist the elderly with anything they needed, or do other foolish things she wasn't proud of, she was nothing more than a pushover. On the other hand, she felt horrible about the way Stolas offered her because it was unexpected and he appeared to be alone. She can't rely on him, though, as he is a demon who resides in Hell. Just as she was about to reject the offer, something happened.

"However! That's exactly why I'm putting all I have into this request!" Stolas cried rivers of tears with his puppy eyes still, holding onto Danika in a tight grip. "I beg of you! Think of it as helping out a dying lonely prince with bad, horrid wife and a daughter who wouldn't even talk to me! Danika! Please!!"

Her heart halted as she froze at those words. She had little chance against the words that Stolas just uttered. Words: I Beg Of You, Please, and Help!

Danika signed the document, cementing her future, with a heavy heart. While Stolas was jubilantly hoisting the contract over his head like a young child, she collapsed to her knees in despair.

"I just became a demon's daughter..." she cried in her head.

"Well, now that that's settled."

With the snap of Stolas' fingers, the entire space was changed into a luxurious bedroom!

"Whoa! W-What's this?" Danika asked, looking at the room.

"Your room, of course!" Stolas said with a smile.

She surveys her lovely chamber, which includes a gothic bed with grey and black linens, a shelf filled with impressive sculptures and other items, a large desk with a computer and some drinks, a black chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and more.

No words can adequately express the beauty of the space. Danika noticed a familiar-looking, large plush resting on the bed.

"Scrump!" she gasped, running over and hugging her plush close to her chest.

"Ah, yes, I heard it was very important to you, so I brought it along. I can tell you really care for that plush." Stolas said with a soft look.

"Thanks..." Danika said shyly.

Yes, he is correct. Let's say Danika ever entered a carnival on her own without her parents' knowledge or consent because they believed she was at work. She went there in order to enjoy herself like other young people her age. She participated in a game that was challenging for them to win, but after going through so many ordeals, she triumphed and was rewarded with a large plush Scrump. Since then, she has been caring for it while keeping it a secret from her parents. She practically lives alone with her plush.

"Why, you're welcome. You are my precious daughter now. Your food, clothing, shelter, and..."

With another snap of his fingers, Danika's necklace removes itself from her neck and flies towards Stolas.

"You'll be needing a disguise, so that those demons won't know that you're a human. I wasn't supposed to bring a human in Hell, so let that be our little secret." he said, winking.

With a tap of his finger, he applies a spell to the purple gem of her key necklace before causing it to fly back around Danika's neck.

"Go ahead. Touch it and try to activate it."

Confounded, Danika followed the instructions, and then all of a sudden, in a swirling purple light, she changed into a female owl demon of herself.

She approached the mirror and was surprised at how she looked, secretly admiring the new look. Stolas clapped happily at her success.

"Oh ho ho ho! You look absolutely beautiful! You can change back to your human self too. Just do the exact same thing you did earlier."

Danika touches the necklace and thinks, making the magic transform her back into a human.

"Wow..." she gasped.

"I'm so relieved you're such a good girl, Danika." Stolas stated as he walked away, making her confused. "If you had declined..."

The room turns dark and Stolas transforms into a huge, monstrous demon form, with jet-black feathers, large wings, jagged teeth, and two sets of glowing red eyes.

"I'd have no choice but to have you for dinner tonight." he said in a demonic tone, scaring her.

He later transformed back into a normal owl demon and he appeared happy.

"Oh, what were you saying, Danika?" he asked.

"N-Nothing!" Danika brushed off with a smile, forgetting the desire to leave.

"Now, let's get you something to eat. You must be very hungry from doing all the dirty work your parents made you do."

"Well... I do feel a little peckish." Danika admitted, feeling her stomach growling.

"Great! I'll show you to the dinner table!" Stolas smiled, happily leading her there while taking her hand rather gently.

With a flick of his hand, the door behind them closes as they head towards the dining hall. Through the large hallway, Danika notices the wall is lined with four giant pictures of Stolas at various prior ages. The first shows Stolas in his egg, sat upon a pillow and topped with a crown. The second shows him as a hatchling swaddled up in his crib, his swaddling cloth held together by a pin bearing the Goetia family insignia. He is accompanied by the demon Max plush seen earlier and a star shaped pillow. Danika couldn't help but silently aww at how cute he is. The third shows him as what can be assumed to be a toddler, smiling as he hugs the demon Max plush. The fourth and final shows him as a young kid hugging the demon Max plush as an unknown creature drips green slime on his head.

Danika then sees three more big portraits on the other side of the wall. The first one was a teen Stolas holding the mirror that has his father on it. The second one is Stolas and Stella's wedding day and they both look unhappy and serious. Stolas is also holding his grimoire in the picture. Danika wonders who that lady is next to him. The third picture is Stolas happily smiling and holding a young smiling Octavia in his arms while they are in space and he's using his powers to play together.

When they eventually arrived at the dining hall, she was going to ask Stolas who they were in the pictures when she was taken aback by how enormous and opulent the table was for the large extended family. She gets a head pat from Stolas, who smiles.

"Now, what would you like to eat?" he asked.