The kids thought it was odd that a new-looking student came to school, sabotaged a student's reputation, and disappeared into the bathroom. No one knows who this new girl was. The students chalked it up as the ghost that haunts the school's bathroom near the science wing. They suspected it was the ghost of Esther Juller, the ghost that was attacked by bullies in the school bathroom. An underlying condition in her brain caused her to bleed to death easily. I only experienced lights flickering and cold spots in the bathroom when I was still in that school. I've heard rumours that they saw Esther appear in the mirror.

Blathnaid texted me the aftermath of our little revenge plot days ago. Megan was suspended for hitting and harassment. Her phone was also checked due to someone filing a complaint of her cyberbullying in a group chat. She was not allowed to be on her phone for the rest of the year and she was banned from being on the school's laptop. She lost her scholarship to a prestigious college in the U.K. She has to learn everything by hand now. People look at her differently finally. She's still popular, but in a different way now. Payback is a charm.

I lie on my bed. I can't sleep, even though it's 4:34 a.m. This is a new norm ever since the transformation happened. There's this feeling crawling around like a bed bug. A type of bed bug that sets off many alarms as it leeches off the human body. I can feel its cold slimy skin crawling against my neck, sucking my blood. It can't be seen, but it warns of what's coming.

Markus is coming. I must protect those who I love.

A fog appears in my room. I watch the fog manifest into G.G. Terri with a calm expression on his face.

"He is returning; I sense it," he informs me.

"I am aware," I said plainly. "I can feel it too."

I don't know where and when he is going to attack. I need to prepare because at any moment, he can come out and go a-wall.

"Are you gonna help again?"

"No promises to that, so unsure," he answers, "Stay safe and remember to take him out."

"I don't have promises on that either, but will try my best," I return the favour.

The following day, I invited Blathnaid and George over for some company. My dad is gone on another religious exodus again, but I don't know where. I am starting to joke about my dad being the Pope. Since I am a big girl and the only one in this apartment most of the time, I decided to slyly invite them over.

"Feels weird being here without your mom telling me to go away," George notes.

"It does," I agree, "I haven't had company over in a while."

I decide to veil my wings, knowing that George doesn't know what happened to me, only Blath knows.

"So how's school going for you two?" I ask.

"Calmer now, thanks," Blath winks.

"The usual," George implies while sipping soda, "How're the online courses?"

"Some classes are difficult while others are too relaxed. Get all weekly assignments done in one day."

"Can't believe that Megan acted that way the other day," George brings up.

"She's always been like that, George. You just didn't know," Blathnaid comments grimly.

"Maybe she likes you," I tease.

"She's gorgeous and all, but I am not into her," he admits.

"We all know she's gorgeous, George," I say with a laugh.

Then the doorbell rings. I give my friends the look, knowing I'm screwed.

"Hide!" I urge.

"Why?" George asks.

"I invited you without my dad's permission."

"Oh..." George's eyes widen, fearing he will be in trouble.

"So...Your dad is ringing the doorbell at his own home?" Blathnaid suspiciously notes, "It will be so weird that he forgets that lives here."

"Oh, Blath, don't put it that way," George morose.

"Just get under my damn bed," I order before leaving the bedroom.

I open the door with a grateful smile, but I wish I could make a spiteful glare to see what creature awaits me at my front door: Megan and her mom.

"Hi, Naomi, Megan wants to come here and apologise for the way she acted to you the other day."

The guts she has to be here or her mom told her to.

"Okay..." I say awkwardly, thinking that she could've just texted or her parents took away her phone too.

"Mind if we come in?" Her mom asks.

Uh, heck no. Discomfort hits me hard.

"You can apologise to me out here," I manage to say territorially. Then, I lie, "I am cleaning the place for my father's return."

"Oh, okay!" Her mom bought it.

A moment of silence follows, waiting for Megan to apologise.

"I am sorry for hurting you," Megan says sincerely, "And all things I said about you and Blathnaid."

"You know it's hurtful and hard to forgive for the things you said, right?" I ask plainly.

"Yes..." She mutters.

"Are you saying this because you got caught and called out or do you actually regret it?" I look at her mom, and add in, "Not trying to sound like an arse."

"Regret," she replies. A bit quick, to say the least. Her aura doesn't dim out or maybe it's blinking too fast to notice.

I will give you the benefit of the doubt though.

"You are forgiven. If I were you, you better watch the words you say to anyone. I don't trust you and if you repeat your actions, you prove to me that your apology is worth less just as your compulsive lying. Clear?"

"Clear."

"Good. I suggest apologising to Blathnaid too. Now if you excuse me, I got to finish bleach cleaning the bathroom. I will see you whenever," I muster up another lie, "Thank you for your time. Very Appreciated."

"Thank you, I wish you the best, Naomi," her mom replies with a smile before they walk away. I subtly close the door and lock it. I sigh in relief.

"Jesus..." I mumble before walking back upstairs.

"Thank goodness you didn't let her in," Terri emerges out of thin air before I walk into my room, startling me.

I glare at him and morose, "Where's the fog? I thought you were dramatic with your entrances."

"This isn't a time for jokes, kiddo," he lectures.

"So you don't like her either?" I ask with a grin.

"That wasn't your goddamn friend there," he warns lowly.

I smirk even wider. "There's no way in hell I am letting them in."

"Good. You and your friends would be dead."

"Like I said, there is no way in hell I am letting them in."

Blathnaid opens the door and asks who I am talking to and looks at the apparition I am looking at.

"So, he is the one that visited us when you were at my house?" She asks.

"What the heck are you girls staring at?" George asks, very confused, thinking we are nuts.

"Something you can't see," Blathnaid implies with a smile.

"You two are weird..."

"No, they are not weird, use your glasses." Terri finally appears for George in a rough tone. I can detect sarcasm in it too.

"What the?!" He jumps back.

Terri smiles, "I am just kidding. I guess you are Naomi's boyfriend," he teases with a smile.

Did that grumpy old man just smile? How?! And why does everyone think that a guy friend is my boyfriend?!

"He's not my boyfriend!" I argue.

Terri ignores me and shakes his hand like he is an actual person. "I am Terri, Naomi's Great Grandpa."

"Oh...'Kay..." That is what George can muster at the moment.

"I know who you are. You are George. I know all your names, watching Naomi does have its perks."

I take a deep breath, embarrassed by what he just said.

Get back to the library, old man.

"Where ya from, lad" George asks out of curiosity.

"United States of America," he answers proudly.

"That explains Naomi's wackiness."

"Hey!" I whine while Blath giggles, "He's more American than me! I was born in Britain, good heavens!"

"Once American, always American, Nao," George implies with a grin.

"Tu es toujours français, George." I smirk, making his eyes widen. Hehe, if I am always American, he is always French.

"I thought you took Spanish class," George mentions out of wonder.

"You have no idea," I say, sort of wickedly.

The books grant me the ability to speak several languages. The language automatically changes for a reader that speaks in a different language. Terri is not the only strongest mortal being in here.

"What about my ancestors' homeworld?" Blathnaid asks.

"Nár bhog tú anseo deich mbliana ó shin?" I return the favour. Her family arrived in London ten years ago from Ireland.

Her jaw drops. "You British Bastards told us not to use it while you used it yourself," she replies. She sounds passive aggressive.

"Sucks that I wasn't born in my homeland," George murmurs.

"I never lost it because both Britain and the United States are English."

Blath fakes a cough, "U.K, English."

"Sometimes losing one thing can be another gain," Terri joins in again before tapping my shoulder. Blathnaid shakes her head.

My wings are no longer invisible. They fade into view. Blathnaid and Terri react nonchalantly while George looks like he's shaking hands with the King of England himself.

Terri yelled at me for showing my powers while he showed my wings without my consent. Hmph, mother's family are a bunch of hypocrites.

"Wow," he says, again speechless.

"You now know why I was out." I sigh, really wanting to keep it a secret. Damn it, Terri! I want to throw a book at you now.

"May I touch them?" He requests.

"Yes," I grant.

George walks up to me and softly touches my wings. I can tell Blath is trying not to burst out laughing while Terri looks like he is watching the funniest show on television. Good lord. At least, George is not squeaking or pissing his pants. That would've been more embarrassing and something I need to clean.

"How about showing you can hide your wings to your dad, so you don't have to be cooped up here?" Blathnaid suggests, " I will lose my mind if my parents are gone for such a time."

I take a deep breath and nod in agreement. Thanks to these damn wings, I am all alone in this house to myself. "He never answers his texts though."

Several days later, my father returned home. I greet him with a smile and a hug. Of course, without my wings.

"I can hide my wings, dad," I tell him, "Can I be let out of this place please?" I make sure that I sound like a needy puppy.

"Want to help me out with a wedding coming up soon?" He asks.

"Yes," I nod. I don't know what to do at a wedding or know what he wants me to do. It's better than sitting in this house all day.

"Dad, why have you been gone so long? Do you know how lonely it's been in this house? Not great..." I finally tell him. I feel as if I am a child not getting enough attention.

"I have been travelling as a priest, Naomi."

I nod in understanding.

"I know this may sound selfish and....greedy... Can you take a break some time? I want to spend more time with you. Mom's gone and I want to know more. I miss you..."

He takes a heavy tired sigh and agrees, "Soon. I will inform them that I will take a vacation for a few weeks to spend time with you as father and daughter. How does that sound?"

"Great," I smile.

"Delightful to hear."

"And one more thing, why did you believe mom that I was hanging out with the devil? It was only George."

He sighs, "I didn't hear your side of the story. I apologise for that, Naomi."

I travelled with my dad to a church where a wedding is being placed: The Old Church. He tells me I can stand beside him as he performs the sermon. The people are chill about it. A middle-aged couple is getting married. Some people do find love when they're old. Who am I to judge?

I observe the people coming in and taking their seats. My goodness, so many people and auras. I assume they are friends and relatives of the couple. Then, I look at the farthest seats at the left corner. Megan and her family are there.

Looks like I can't get away from you for that long.

I take a long deep breath and tell myself that she is not going to bother me. There's no way to God she will. If she does, many people will never forgive her. I can tell she already noticed me because I can feel her gaze from all the way back there. Her gaze seems void of emotion. It's not that she's broken or cold. She possibly wants to avoid confrontation-

Or so I thought...

The wedding finally takes place. The music, the bridesmaids and groomsmen entering with the biggest smiles on their faces. It all seems so beautiful. This could've been what it looked like when my father and mother married. I am enjoying the light atmosphere filled with jubilation and heaven. My father does a very decent job of keeping everyone engaged and happy. I even listen to this sermon.

Both the groom and bride accept each other and become husband and wife. Everyone claps with joy and some shed tears.

"For those who want to receive a blessing may stand up and get into the line," he announces. Almost everyone lines up for a blessing. One by one, each one of them gets blessed. Megan sees me and gives a nervous hello. I gently wave back, reminding her that I am not going to humiliate her here. This is a safe space.

The windows in The Old Church screech and shatter all at once. An eeriness takes over. It's so sudden. The sound of pterodactyls and then crash! We all look around in fear and shock.

A threatening presence takes over and my alarms kick into high gear.

"Everyone must leave," I blurt. My dad winces at me.

"Naomi, what are you doing?"

"For everyone's safety, we should continue outside," I come up with an excuse, "There's too much glass all over the place."

"Very well, then," he turns to the crowd and orders them to leave.

The very first person to go to the door figures out the exit is locked from the outside, making them try to open the door frantically. Now everyone is starting to panic. My father and I stay calm. I look around, trying to find a solution. We can try to escape through the windows, but I don't want anyone hurting themselves with glass shards.

A painful groan that sounds doubled-layered silences everyone in the room. Everyone turns their attention towards Megan, who is now on the floor, clutching her head.

"Megan, what's wrong, sweetie?" Her mom asks.

Megan ignores her mom as she moans in pain. "What...is...going on with me?" she musters while she is in pain. The crowd stands back from her. They turn to look at my dad and I, hoping he will exorcise whatever is taking over. Sadly, he's not an exorcist.

"This...isn't me...Help me...Please...," she says despondently. She groans louder as her voice turns more monstrous.

"Everyone, please, get away from her, for your safety," I command.

There is something terribly wrong with her.

Megan shouts with a god-awful voice like when magma breaks through a hardened plug in a volcano's throat. Everyone jumps and stands back, giving me more of a clear path. I walk towards her while everyone watches me in frightful gaze.

"Naomi, careful," warns dad, following behind me.

"I'm so sorry... Please... Save me!" She whines before her moans turn into ear-piercing screams of true agony. Darkness takes over in this lovely church. Panic sounds again. Her body begins to smoke. She is cooking from the inside out. It smells like a dead body sitting in sulphuric acid. Putrid and stomach revolting scent.

"Megan!" Her mother frantically cries.

"Markus!" I spat out of spite.

Megan looks at me ballistically before she burns into Markus's true form.

"You've been hiding inside of Megan," I query.

He roars at me. The room starts to heat up with a scent of burning flesh in the air. People are now running to the windows and climbing out of them. Dad and I don't stop them.

A heavy force slams us back inside the room. We lie against the chairs and the floor, unable to move. Cries and moans as the force pin them uncomfortably on top of the seats. The shards of glass begin to levitate as Markus sharpens them to the point, desiring to impale someone.

"Naomi, do something," my father whispers to me.

"How?" I whisper back, also restrained by Markus's force and also knowing that my dad won't like it if I do show my powers.

"He's gonna kill us if you don't stop him," he replies.

I take a deep breath. If Terri wants him dead too, along with my dad, so be it. But first, I need him to draw a target on me. Lord, forgive me for what I am about to do.

"Hey, jackass!" I call out to Markus, raising my strength to resist his force. "You're full of shit if you dare attack a church. You earn to burn in hell for your sins! Oh wait, you're already on fire. Markus, you're so much of a git that the devil is already punishing you alive!"

He roars at me, all the shards aim towards me now. My fists tightened, trying to veil my nervousness being the lone wolf in combat.

"You're the monster that traumatised your sister, killed your brothers, and many more. You're worse than your mother. You were born from a tick that you loathe, but all your hate evolves you into something worse!"

The shards start shooting at me with impossible speed. I use my power to take control of them before flinging them towards Markus. I make every shard hit him.

I put my hands together in a prayer position. I produce water out of thin air. It rains inside the church while forcefully striking Markus like two cars colliding head first with each other. He blasts to the wall. His fire goes out. I can see people get up again and begin escaping once more. The water keeps on blasting him with the same amount of force.

"Run." I urge my dad in a whisper. He takes my word and climbs out like everyone else. He even helps those who are struggling. The anticipation of everyone escaping before Markus's vengeful episode increases my anxiety. The anxiety no longer feels like a bed bug, but a hand clawing into my chest, ready to rip my beating heart out.

I see Markus's fire sparking. It's only a matter of time before he gains control.

"Get away from here as quickly as possible!" I yell out of worry.

After a few seconds, Markus's fire returns and he gains control. I stop blasting water, knowing that it won't work for now. I look around, seeing the room has pools of water.

Fine, you like fire. How about a little ice?

The crowd is gone. It's just Markus and I. I use my abilities to turn the temperature to freezing. Water turns to ice and snow starts to fall. A snowstorm finally helps me out on this weary day. This will delay the heating from Markus's powers.

Next, loud snaps of wood and nails take place. The chairs are screwed in place. The entire rows of chairs levitate into the air. Markus starts throwing them one by one. It would've been impossible for a normal human to lift them off the ground. I rise into the air and dodge them with nearly close calls. I gasp when I notice a row of chairs is right in my face. It's too late to get out of the way. It hits me and slams me onto the floor with it on top of me.

I restrain my voice from shouting. There's no time to scream.

The floor crackles and rips open a crack in the Earth. Deep within the crack, there's lava. I shove the row of chairs off of me and move away from it. Markus laughs in amusement. With impossible speed, he dashes towards me. He picks me up by the throat. I can feel his fiery skin burning it, cooking my oesophagus from the outside in. He smiles wickedly and carries me over the crack. He drops without hesitation and I begin falling. The lava rises up as if it's trying to swallow me whole early.

I look up at Markus. I am not going to give up that easily. My wings appear and I launch myself up in the air. Markus notices and tries to close the crack up with me inside, but I am too quick. His frustration boils as the crack widens up again. Lava erupts from the crack, creating a small fissure in the Earth. The church is now a furnace that was left unsupervised. Once to harvest a nice feast, now a gateway of Venus.

He uses telekinesis to chuck lava bombs at me. I dodge them. The longer this battle continues, the worse it will become. Lava spreads onto the floor below. If it weren't for this power I absorbed, I would've been dead by now.

"Wanna fight fire with fire?"

I focus on the lava and create a lava wave to swallow him. He dodges out of the way and he starts flying towards me. The lava fountain starts to exceed great heights. The ground begins to tremble. The building starts to rumble and crumble. It can not stand the earthquake's intensity. It's incomprehensible; something that only the dinosaurs would have felt during the asteroid strike.

I look towards the ceiling and fly towards it. I increase my strength and blast my way through it. I look around, trying to find the crowd and my dad. My dad is not that far from the church while everyone else is gone. Why is he waiting for me? He should get in the car and run. It's too dangerous for him to be here. I know I am still here, but if I don't stop Markus, more people will die.

"Dad, run!" I scream at him, gesturing to flee.

Markus grabs me again by the back of my throat. He uses his powers to set me ablaze. I thought my powers would stop my pain, but that's not with me today. I cry out of a wail from pure hell. He waits for my body to turn crispy black before he slams my body onto the ground. My whole body on fire isn't enough for him; I crash onto a hard rocky road. I can hear my father crying at a distance, but faint. I can feel Markus's presence on top of me. He stomps onto my lower back. His claws stab into my wings. I let an ear-piercing scream as he stabs at the very base. With sadistic pleasure, he slowly tears them off. My wings crack and rip from his insane strength. My screams deafen my own ears. Blood gushes out from my back and the pain makes me want to drift into the crow's grip, yet I fight to stay conscious. God, why do I keep fighting? I will always fade into nothingness, only to wake up and feel the suffering again.

My own despair drives my dad to run to me. I am too weak and in so much misery to get up. I can't scream at him to get away and I know that my uncle doesn't care.

"Get away from her, you demon!"

Markus doesn't take that too well. He picks up my dad and chucks him like a ragdoll.

Get up, Naomi! Get up! Get up! Get up! My mind encourages me. I don't know if it's Terri's, or someone else's voice. I can't tell the difference. The force that keeps me down finally lifts. I gaze at Markus. He's now tormenting my father. Somehow, rage grows with me like nitrogen turning into a solid. I clench my hands into bloody fists.

Leave me be, I say back, I am in no position to fight.

My clothes and my back are soaked with warm blood from where my wings were ripped out. Blackened burns are not enough to prevent my nerves from being irritated and seared. It's not a miracle that my organs are functioning and I'm still breathing.

Get up! Get up! Get up! The voices keep on going, fueling my body much better than an energy drink.

I slowly got up. In what feels like ages, I get back on my feet. My whole body aches and whines in protest. Soon, nothing is what I feel. An ice age of rage is growing stronger than the lava fountain that is erupting out of The Old Church. I look at my father. He is on the ground, beaten to a pulp, fighting to stay alive.

My whole body begins to shake. I can't hold the fury back anymore. The red aura manifests physically. My whole vision is dark red.

Get him! Get him! Get him! They shout inside my head like cheerleaders from hell.

I see the crack getting closer to my dad, my mind goes nuts. I roar and a red pulse shoots out of my mouth. The wind becomes still in this twilight evening. My wings regenerate. I sprint towards my dad at light speed. Without a second thought, I put a shield that stops the lava bombs from getting near my dad. I stomp the ground, creating my own seismic energy, The molten ravine stops moving.

I roar at Markus as an ice sword appears from thin air. Then, I impale him with it without giving a flying crap if my dad is watching. He tries to fight, but he fails. I leave it in him, pinning him to the ground. I materialise an ice dagger out of thin air before slitting his damn throat with it. It feels so satisfying to see blood ooze from him. His blood is like molten iron. Markus can't escape because I froze him in his place. Soon enough, the fissure stops erupting. Markus's flames go out from the sword's frigid temperatures. Frost begins to surround his wounds. I keep on stabbing the bastard. He growls out of hate and pain.

Without any control, I grab him by the throat and threaten, "You're angering a lot of people and those who are not from this world. If I were you, you better halt yourself!"

He exhales like a bull. Steam and smoke emit from his mouth. His breath turns into a disdainful growl until he vanishes into nothingness.

An involuntary inhale enters my body. The strength leaves me and my wings disappear. My wounds are still here. I feel like nothing, but dying. My body grows weak as I collapse right next to my father. The fire is still spreading even when the crack has been sealed up. Smoke and heat dance all around us, welcoming us into an oven of death.

"N-Naomi!" Dad quivers to me tearfully before weakly lying his hand on my cheek. I finally give in to the exhaustion. "Please stay with me-" and everything went silent.