~Lucas~

I guess this is it. I've hit rock bottom... And right now, I'm staring at the blasted tattoo Lucifer gave me, placed on my back.

The design was stupidly weird. Well, what more can I expect from a literal demon?

Nothing.

He's ruined my life enough, and even if he'd saved me, it was wrong... But at the same time right. These thoughts keep on confusing me to the core.

It's alright to embrace this evil side... Right? After all, Lucifer went through all the trouble to help me—because he wanted to help himself.

Yeah right, I knew that all along.

"Lucas, come downstairs and have some breakfast." My dad's voice echoed from the kitchen, and I could only groan in response.

Hauser's barks filled my ears, and I figured it was because he was also worried about me. Bending over, I reached to pat his head.

"Thanks a lot for the barking, boy." I smiled, and it looked like he understood. I ignored the black six-sided star that had appeared on my back. It's not like anyone would be able to see it anyway.

I half-expected my dad to be wearing that pink, frilly apron when I came down, but no.

To my surprise, he was carrying a small backpack, and the clothes he had on indicated that we were going someplace. But where?

"Dad," looking up at him, I began. "W-where are we going?"

My father's face looked glum, and I could immediately sense that there was something wrong. Was he... Sending me away?

"Well, Lucas," he stated, grabbing the car keys from the kitchen counter beside him. "Someone said he'd help you get rid of your curse."

I gagged. "Please don't tell me you agreed to let them experiment on me like a Guinea pig."

"I didn't."

A sigh of relief filled my lungs, but I figured I did that too soon.

"But they'll take you... And you'll stay there for five months."

"Seriously!" I screeched at him, with all my anger, rage, disappointment, and many other negative emotions rolled into one giant ball. He said he wouldn't let me leave, because I was his son! How could his decisions change so easily?

And how can I stop this sick, bitter taste of what seemed like betrayal from filling my mouth? I doubt toothbrush can wash this one off.

Matthew avoided my questioning gaze, and I knew that he was still having second thoughts about this. Surely enough, my mutt's cheerful yips interrupted the pending silence and I rushed over to give him his dog food.

"Dad, do you even know this guy, whoever he is?" I inquired, tilting my head to the side. I was trying my best to stay calm and composed. My dad—after all—made me partake anger management lessons when I was still seven.

To avoid trouble, he says.

Tolerating the world's flaws and its stupidity became my specialty, and proved itself quite useful when I finally faced the world again after that incident.

People and kids called me names, I grew accustomed, and the cycle went on for more than ten years.

"I don't know, but one thing's for sure, Lucas." My father faced me, expression sullen and filled with worry. My chest tightened, and I imagined how depressing being alone felt.

"He said he had encountered these types before, and that he had a solution. And besides, the angry mob might lynch you if you insist on staying here."

Looking around the entire house where I practically lived my whole life in, I swallowed my own sour spit and inhaled deeply. Bitter gone sour in a matter of seconds.

"There's no more options left, Lucas," he began. "You'll have to go there."

I cocked a brow. "What place?"

"Not here. He'll meet us at Starbucks, the one a few hundred miles away from here, across another town." Then my dad gave me a sloppy grin.

"'Cause apparently, that doctor's lab is in a different country."

A different country, huh, I noted. Then that means even more limited contact with dad. I didn't dare tried to ask him which country, since he probably doesn't even know where.

A fishy deal with a fishy doctor, along with a fishy promise to help cure my fishy, blasted curse.
Too much fish in one day.

"So when are we going?" I asked him with a bland tone. Hopefully, not too soon. I want to have the luxury of time to glance up at my home before setting off into the hands of an unknown stranger.

"Well, I'm off to buy us some noodles and snacks that you can eat along the way first," my dad replied, taking the backpack and the keys with him before setting off.

"We'll go this afternoon, at around three."

I answered with a nod, and Matthew smiled. "Thanks for taking the time to listen, Lucas."

"Eh, no problem." Shrugging, I tried my best to sound enthusiastic. "At least I'll get to explore a different country... And hopefully start anew."

My father didn't answer, just bobbed his head up and down before going out to fetch his car on the garage.

I slumped back to the couch, boredom, anxiety and dread settling themselves inside the deepest pits of my stomach.

Exhaling loudly, I realized that I must've been holding my breath the entire time.

"I'm gonna miss this place," muttering to myself, I took a huge breathe of the homey scent I've grown accustomed to ever since I was a child. There's no place like home, they say. And they're right.

Even if all my horrible memories clumped and cluttered together in this place, a part of me still wanted to stay.

I stared into the teal-coloured walls so much they could melt. What would happen to my dad when I'm gone? He'll be alone, since he's already having such a hard time at work because his son is a literal walking demon.

"Do you wish for your father's welfare?" Lucifer asked me, voice ringing inside my head as the devil sat down on the floor, staring up at me with those bloodshot eyes... Filled with lust and menace.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shut out the malice trapped inside of him. They were escaping through his irises, and his piercing gaze burned into my soul.

Only I could see him, hear him, and feel him. Lucifer was my imaginary friend before, and he promised me that no matter what happens, he'll protect me from all those bad guys who tried to hurt and take me away.

Oh, what irony.

"Do you wish to protect and watch over your beloved father whilst you're away on this trip?" He asked once again, and I snapped my head towards his face.

"Shut up, Lucifer," I growled in response. "All deals you offer me have a price, so stop treating me like a kid and go back."

The devil's laughter echoed inside my head, and I wanted nothing more than to sucker punch the douche.

"But you are a kid, Lucas," he began, still chuckling to himself.

"A meek, feeble child who still doesn't understand the right from wrong." 

"Oh, I know what's the difference alright." I rolled my eyes heavenward and laid back, grabbing a pillow and hugging it like an anaconda would.

"I order you to go back to wherever you came from, Lucifer."

I heard him grunt in annoyance, as he hovered over me—dull, charcoal-coloured wings flapping up and down.

"Fine then, Lucas," he added, waving a hand and wearing a slightly disappointed face. "See ya later." 

The demon disappeared like a bubble, and I sighed. So I grabbed a couple of our school's textbooks... And read.

***** 

"You don't have to pack any of your clothes anymore, that's what the doctor said," my dad's voice rang out, and I ended up rolling my eyes for the twelfth time.

2:47 pm.

I wanted to stay, yes. But I'm not the type to be such a burden and act all spoiled at someone. I respect my father's decision, but I wished he had some info about this doctor who's gonna be in charge of me.

He could be a total nutcracker or God-knows what.

I turned to glance at my room one last time, before heading off towards the unknown. Five months. How bad can it be if this stupid treatment could only last five months? I've seen worse things that took more than a year, and they all got cured; as good as new.

"You're seriously not planning on bringing anything with you, huh," dad eyed me from top to bottom cautiously, as if he was handling a live electric eel.

"You said not to bring anything else," snatching the gray backpack from him, I placed a bottle of water inside for later.

"And besides... Bringing stuff from the house will only make me depressed."

We walked out of the door quietly, silence settling in like it was trying to choke the life out of me. Hauser barked and yapped, circling around me and tugging on the denim jeans I wore.

I gave the mutt a small, reassuring scratch on the head. "Goodbye, pal. See ya in around five months... I guess," he whimpered at my statement, and then started to howl uncontrollably.

"I bet he'll miss you," dad murmured as he locked the door—with Hauser inside—and we both entered the car. I wanted to hog the backseat, but dad wouldn't let me for some reason.

"We'll talk and eat in each other's company today," Matthew declared, and I slinked backwards and sat beside him.

The grandfather clock—Constellation—peeked out from the window as if it was also saying goodbye, and that small glitch became even clearer to my sight. Dad began starting up the car, and I bit my bottom lip, trying hard not to let warm tears trickle down my cheek.

"It has only been a few minutes and you're already missing home," Dad chuckled. "Don't worry, Lucas. I'll take care of your noisy mutt."

Hauser's not what I was worried about, I thought, but it'll just delay the trip. We zoomed away from the house I've been trying to protect, from my dog Hauser and his energetic facade, and from the place where I committed my crimes.

The policemen stated that it wasn't me, and that there was no evidence to prove it. The children were also partly at fault, for they deliberately dragged me to a place where some homicidal killer could prowl and remain unnoticed.

That I just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

That it was only an accident that I was in the same situation ten years ago.

That there's no such thing as a curse.

And that a feeble kid like me... Couldn't possibly have done the murders. There was just a different culprit—and he just happened to inhabit my body.

Fucking imbeciles.

*****

The entire ride was filled with tension and silence. I was still skeptical about this 'doctor', and on his claims that he can get rid of the curse... And of course, that would mean getting rid of Lucifer too.

Hah. I wonder how he'll pull that off.

"Maybe he's an exorcist of some sort." My father stifled a grin, and I replied with a sloppy smile.
"And how's this madman supposed to defeat the Prince of Darkness?"

"Crucifix, maybe."

"Lucifer's not a vampire, dad."

"That's right. What an insult," Lucifer casually said as he hogged the backseat all to himself. "Humans can't even tell the difference between a vampire and a demon nowadays."

"Shut up." I shot the devil a glare, but he was used to it. Just smiled even more like a creep.

"That statement you said earlier made me wonder as well, my friend," his dry chuckle erupted, but I kept my eyes glued onto the road like I was the one driving.

"How is he gonna try to stop me?"

I wish I knew how, I thought glumly, as I leaned my head on the window pane.

The entire ride was filled with me: munching and crunching the snacks my father had bought. Night has risen, and the brightly-coloured neon lights began to encompass the entire cityscape.

As beautiful as it seemed, my dull heart still couldn't find what was so great about this stupid situation.

Dad's eyes weren't fixed onto the road anymore—he was glancing around, looking upwards as if seeking a certain sign on the buildings with an anxious expression. We must be close then.

"If you're looking for Starbucks," I started, pointing across the tinted window. "Then that must be the one."

It was such a large sign, and I nearly slapped myself for being such a know-it-all. My dad couldn't have deliberately tried to ignore it... Could he?

My father perked up, and he instantly drove the car to park it. "That's right. Thanks for the assistance, Lucas." He smiled genuinely, and all I could do is cringe in reply.

I heard Lucifer scoff in the backseat before fully dissolving, and I could tell that he didn't seem to faze—even in the presence of someone; or something, that can end him.

I was about to pull the car handle when dad gripped my wrist—so sudden and forceful, that I was yanked backwards.

"Ow! dad?" I shouted. "Wait, what was that for?"

He only grinned, and I searched his eyes, trying to see through whatever facade he was making.

"Here... A lucky charm for you."

Dad pulled my left hand close to his and carefully dropped an ancient-looking key—still partly covered in dust and grime— into my palm.

The base was surprisingly made out of gold, lined with intricate designs of silver, forming a kind of pattern. A snake intertwining with the metal frame hissed at me, and I recognized that pattern even with my eyes closed.

Ophiuchus. The serpent.

And I knew what this thing was for.

"Dad, isn't this the key to that stupid grandfather clock?" I demanded, glaring at him. Constellation needed to be turned with this key as its daily maintenance, otherwise it'd stop working altogether.

"Well... I figured that it's time you keep it." Matthew gave me a sleazy grin, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. And it made me frown even more.

"What? Seriously, now?" I asked, tilting my head to the right. "Dad, please quit fooling around—"

He had already escaped my questions and darted away from the car. So with a huff, I followed him and wished he'd he more clear with his intentions.

I got inside, and nearly got shoved over by a grown man hurrying to get outside. This place is so crowded, and there was this feeling about me getting trampled.

"Lucas, over here!" The sound was coming from the far reaches of the store, so I spun around and saw my dad, and beside him was a cloaked individual, golden blond hair protruding from the green bonnet which looked like it was too small for him.

His back was on me, so I couldn't judge right away. There was no choice, and that side they were sitting on looked tranquil enough, so I followed.

"Lucas, this is uh..." my dad had this expression on his face that spelled, 'I'm confused', and it looked like he'd do anything just to reverse time. Glad he regrets.

"I'm Doctor Apollo," the blond doctor began, spinning around to offer his hand to me. "Nice to meet you, Stellar Lucas."

His irises were a swirling shade of dark brown, and there was a zigzagging scar on the side of his left ear, making it look like this doctor was a former battle veteran; a crazy one. Small, almost unnoticeable patches of freckles and wrinkles marred his pale—as white as a crayon—face, and I instantly got the impression of Dr. Frankenstein. Not to mention those round glasses that made his creepy eyes look bigger.

He didn't look like a normal doctor in any way. At. All.

So I swallowed the lump in my throat, and hesitantly accepted his hand. "Yes, um... Nice to meet you too, doctor."

The doctor squeezed my hand—a little too tightly. I grimaced, and he let go. But that eerie smile which showed his bright blue braces scared the hell out of me. After I sat down, the doctor piped up using his sharp, almost-crackling villain voice.

"I'll get to the point of this little meeting of ours right away, Mr. Stellar." I gulped. Why does he have to sound so formal? I can just call the police if he tries something funny, right? I could almost hear my father thinking the exact thing.

"I'll take your son to our facility, which is located in Antarctica. He'll stay there for five months tops... And by the time he returns, Lucifer will be gone, and under our care."

My jaw nearly dropped to the floor. What? Is that it? I took a peek at dad, who looked like he wanted to punch the guy. Maybe he saw through the Greek-fanatic's lies or something.

He coughed discreetly. "Is that your terms and conditions, Doctor Apollo?"

The strange doctor bobbed his head up and down, and I saw my dad's hand balling itself into a fist. "Then I refuse."

Doctor Apollo's face almost turned into a painting of a sour plum when he finally managed to process my dad's words. "I beg your pardon?" He chocked, and a triumphant smile crossed my features.

"Pardon granted," Matthew scoffed, yanking me by the arm and heading outside, leaving the flabbergasted doctor behind. His eyes were filled with pent-up anger, and I wondered why he came all the way here with me just to refuse the offer.

"I'm not leaving my son's welfare in your hands, you sick creep."

I sighed in relief. That was practically the best sentence I've heard the entire day.

"Wait just a moment, Mr. Stellar!" Dr. Apollo called out, grabbing my father by the shoulder. "Do you seriously want your son to die? We're by far your last hope."

Wait, did he say 'we're'?

"No means no, doctor," Dad answered firmly, walking out the store and looking directly into my eyeballs. "Sorry I ended up trusting a creep with your life, Lucas," he whispered, running his hands through my hair.

"Nah, that's okay," I replied, a confident smile etched to my face. I just wanted to stay with him... And I just wanted to go home, drink warm cocoa and sleep with my mutt on top of me.

I only wanted simple things in life. I wished for nothing else. I can tolerate anything for him... For my dad.

The night was chilly, yet my heart—and for some reason—my head, felt warm and was about to melt. That key my dad gave me rested quietly in my pocket, and I sighed comfortably, knowing that despite all these crazy things going on... I'll be fine.

Lucifer cannot possibly defeat my faith.

Silence wrapped itself around the car like a blanket, and every once in a while, I'd see my dad glancing down at me and smiling.

"Get some sleep, Lucas," he began, eyes on the road. "We're going to church tomorrow."

"And hopefully avoid all those people who want to stone me to death?" I grinned, sitting up. He clearly knows that I can't go to church, because my body would always start to convulse uncontrollably. Probably because Lucifer's inside me and he can't stand all those things without making me suffer along with him.

A bright light suddenly emerged in front of us, and dad frowned. "A drunk driver?"

I focused my eyes on the road. That black Mercedes swiveled off randomly, shaking and wheels screeching. At this rate, our car's gonna—

"Dad!" I shouted, clinging to his arm.

My father's knuckles were alabaster-white as he yanked on the steering wheel and veered it violently to the right. He stomped on the brakes, and my entire stomach nearly flew out of my mouth.

That stupid car headed straight for us, mauling the entire driver's seat... Breaking almost all the bones of my dad as he crossed his arms over me, and our vehicle rolled helplessly over the rough pavement, completely upsidedown.

My head throbbed in utter pain, as if someone was drilling straight for my brain. I couldn't feel my legs as the rest was drowned out by my screams for help. Dizziness, numbness and—for some reason—agony tried to capture me, but my will to save my father was strong enough.

A halo of blood pooled around his head, and I felt useless. Both my arms were intact, but his were badly broken from protecting me. I shivered in fear, losing hope.

"Do you wish to save him? Do you wish to save the both of you?"

"Shut up!" I screamed, tears running down my grime-covered face. "Shut up shut up shut up..."

The last thing I processed in my mind was Lucifer's menacing chuckle echoing inside my brain, and that random Chinese doctor with lengthy black hair and strange tat as he got out from the Mercedes and approached us with a grin.

------------------------------------------------------

Hello guys! *wipes sweat*

Whooo! That was pretty intense.

What do you think is gonna happen to Lucas and his father?

And who is that Chinese guy?

If you have any opinions, (and some active cells,) please offer some comments!!

Press that little star too, if you think Lucifer's just crazy. ★

awesomeSTG🚑