Oakwood Heights CYOA: A Demon's Resolve

Would this directly help with the “Demon Student” problem? No. But…this was never just about figuring out what was going on. Tim had a feeling Veronica wanted to get closer to her friends as well…and, at the very least, the current situation with Francisca and Celeste wasn’t healthy for either of them. Tim calmly said “No…we’ll just discuss the issue further.”

Francisca shrugged. “Your loss then. If you want to waste your own time listening to my problems, then whatever I guess. I’ll answer any questions you’ve got.”

Veronica nodded, smiling softly. “Thank you. I’m happy you’re being so…open about this.”

The half-demon girl chuckled. “Hey, if this means you’ll get that bitch off my back, a little bit of talking is worth it. So…what do you want me to complain about next? What music I hate? My least favorite TV Show?”

…

Veronica sighed. “No…it’s going to be a lot harsher than that. I want to talk about…you father?”

“…Oh.”

“Is something wrong?”

“That’s a whole can of worms I’m not sure you want to open.”

“…Would it be ok if we did?”

“…Sure, why not I guess. You’re already a free therapy session, may as well go all in.”

Francisca muttered something to herself, but neither Tim nor Veronica could make it out exactly. She sat on the ground, looking to the side before speaking.

“Father is, well was never someone I was close to. Ever. Dad was…well, he was a demon. A literal one. Not a whole lot of people can say that, ha ha.” Francisca made some choked laughter.

“Do you know how your mom and dad, erm, met?”

Francisca nodded. “Yeah…so, Mom is a Wizard. I probably mentioned that already. Dad was…well, dad was a demon she…summoned.”

“Summoned? Your mom literally summoned your Dad?”

“Yeah…sounds bizarre, right? The more magicky things you deal with, the less you seem to care. Mom’s not the best wizard but Demon’s aren’t too hard to summon.”

“Really? How come?” asked Tim, obviously curious.

Francisca shrugged. “I don’t know all the details. Apparently it has to do with some ancient deals with angels or something. Powerful Angels and Demons aren’t allowed on Earth, not for long anyway…but summoning is a loophole. If Demons “willingly” serve humans after being summoned for a certain amount of time, they can basically get around most restrictions. The summoner makes a “binding ritual” of sorts, and the demon is forced into their service for a certain amount of time. Mom’s deal with him was about…10 years?”

“So…he had to serve your mom for 10 years?”

“…Yeah. Sounds awkward, right? Mom…she doesn’t really talk much about what she did for the 2 years before I was born. She isn’t proud of it, apparently. IF you ask me, I think Dad seduced her but…I can’t really know for sure what happened. Crazy as it sounds…I think Mom loved Dad. Then well…she had me.”

“How…how could your Mom love a demon…?”

Francisca sighed. “Mom said love is strange. I’m convinced it was my father’s curse or something, but Mom said it isn’t so simple. She said that sometimes you can’t help but love that which hurts you.” She looked down for a moment. “I hope she doesn’t love me for that reason…” Francisca shook her head. “Sorry, I shouldn’t say things like that.”

Tim, still fairly uncomfortable with the situation, asked “So…umm…how did you interact with…your, erm, Dad?”

Francisca gave him a fierce glare. “I never liked Dad much. Dad couldn’t actually hurt me, believe it or not. I feel like he maybe wanted to, but Mom forbid it. Thanks to that contract, he had to act more…friendly.”

Francisca curled up again. “But there was no emotion there. No warmth, no love…not even hatred. Dad just didn’t care about either of us. He would be forced to say “I love you” to me, to play with me, yet he was always empty. Even when I was young I could sense his cruelty but…that was maybe the worst part.”

Veronica apologized softly before asking her next question. “You…you keep saying “was”. Wh-what happened to your dad? Is he still…erm…alive?”

Francisca recoiled, then her face contorted in rage. “I fucking hope not, that son of a bitch!” Francisca was panting heavily, but slowly calmed down. “I was about eight at the time. Dad’s deal with my Mom was going to end. My Mom begged him for hours to stay with us, to help raise me, and to…well, love her…Do you know what he did?”

“N-no…”

“Most of the time when a binding contract ends, the Demon takes revenge, rips their former master to shreds and the like. More careful wizards include things against that with their deal but…that’s not what happened with Dad. Dad abandoned us.”

“He…abandoned you?”

“It doesn’t sound so bad…right? But me and mom stood there as he slowly walked away. He didn’t stomp away angrily, or quickly. He had this sick, twisted smile on his face. He turned to watch us as he left. Tears were streaming down mom’s face, she got on her hands and knees begging him to stay. And that sick smile just grew wider. I’ll never forget the sight for the rest of my life. That day I learned how cruel demons could be.”

“The sick fuck kept watching us as he walked out He didn’t want to lose sight of Mom’s face as she cried. He wanted to see my own pain and confusion…and then he was gone. I never saw Dad again. If I’m lucky he got killed by some hero or angel or some shit…”

Francisca looked down sadly. “Mom was…devastated. She spent a while trying to re-summon him even but…Dad never wanted to come back. Still…Mom turned out fine. She had me to take care of. It took a lot of work on her end but…now I’m here. I don’t need Dad, nor do I even want to see him again. I think we’re both much better off without that bastard.”

Veronica frowned. “It sounds like you’ve led a hard life…”

A wry smile grew on Francisca’s face. “Well…I always had Mom. That’s why I feel wrong to disappoint her. She’s sacrificed so much for me already.” Francisca’s face became fierce once again. “That’s another reason why I hate that bitch. She’s constantly bragging about how awesome her family is. Lucky bitch. She doesn’t understand how good she’s got it…she doesn’t understand the hardship or pain I’ve felt. On some level I can’t blame her. Maybe she simply can’t understand what my life is like. Freaking bitch.”

Veronica stood up. Her whole body seemed tense. She glanced around nervously before finally asking her question. “Fr-Francisca. So…quick question…you said you two have been fighting for a while…yes?”

“Yeah. Celeste has been belittling me from the start.”

“Which one of you threw the first punch?”

Francisca remained silent.

“It’s ok if you answer that Francisca.”

Francisca stayed silent.

“…I guessed as much. How many times have you responded with violence, or rage?”

“…What. The. Fuck. Veronica.”

“How…how the fucking hell are you taking her side in this!? Have you heard a fucking word I said!?”

“I’m not “taking her side” Francisca.”

“You sound just like everyone else! Once you see the horns you immediately side with the angel bitch!”

“Francisca…I’m on your side. Just to be clear, the way Celeste is acting towards you absolutely unacceptable.”

“…Continue then.”

“But…”

“But what!?”

“In one way…I don’t think you’re being fair to Celeste.”

“What the hell are you talking about!?”

Veronica nearly shirked away from Francisca’s screams, but managed to hold her ground. “You said what you hate most is that she doesn’t understand you, right?”

“Yeah. The freaking bitch doesn’t even try…”

“Well…have you done the same thing with her?”

“What…what do you mean by that?”

“Have you tried understanding her?”

…

“Celeste is…how can I put it…more difficult to deal with than you.”

“…I can tell.”

“See, Francisca, you’re more…honest. You wear your heart on your sleeve. Celeste is the opposite. It can be difficult to know what she’s really feeling.”

“…so you’re telling me the angel is lying?”

“M-maybe? She does love to twist her words. You need to…erm, try pretty hard with her.”

“Are you serious?”

“Y-yes. For example, you said she stares are you strangely…right?”

“From time to time, yes.”

“Wh-what if that means she…erm…”

“Just say it.”

“C-cares about you?”

Francisca erupted into raucous laughter. “You’ve got to be kidding me, ha ha ha ha ha! That’s a laugh riot! My…my stomach hurts, ha ha ha ha ha ha!” As her laughter slowly died down, a tiny smile appeared on her face. “Good Joke Veronica.”

Francisca slowly moved closer. “Sure…maybe I’ve gotten a little…aggressive with Celeste from time to time.”

“…How often?”

“It’s just…I get so angry with her. My blood feels like its boiling, my whole body gets so ready. It’s so much easier to just clock the bitch. I shouldn’t have to take that shit.”

“Francisca, it’s better to admit it to me.”

“It’s…it’s really hard to control. When she insults me, sometimes I just go…berserk. It’s not always violent, sometimes it’s just yelling but…”

Tim had remained silent for so long…but now he finally spoke up. “Francisca…isn’t that your demon side? It wants you to be angry, and hateful, and violent.”

…

“But…you’re better than that. And you know it. We all get angry…but we can’t let it define us. As humans we have to learn to be friends. And if you’ve proved anything to me so far…that’s what you really are, Francisca. You’re far better than any demon could be.”

Francisca remained silent at Tim’s words. She looked down introspectively, first at her red skinned claw. Veronica silently nodded towards Tim, and then she continued.

“Francisca…I’m going to ask you to do something very hard. Much harder than simply fighting her…”

Francisca looked down, a warm smile growing on her face. “I hate you Veronica…you always have to be the better person, don’t you?”

“N-not really…”

Francisca groaned loudly. “Alright…alright. I’ll admit it. I’ve given her plenty of hell. But…you’re right. I’m better than that. I won’t let my rage define who I am. So I have to…” Francisca nearly choked on her words “fo-forgive her…”

Veronica smiled wide. “You don’t have to forgive her all at once. In fact…she doesn’t deserve that. But…you have to take the first step. Celeste is too…guarded, to do it herself.”

“Oh, I can definitely agree to that much. She’s gonna earn the rest of my forgiveness.” She giggled. “But I’ll take the first step. If I have to be the better person…so be it. This feud…it isn’t good for either of us, is it?”

Tim nodded. “Definitely. A feud between friends is destined to end badly. You have to stop this now before you both do something you’ll regret for the rest of your lives.” Tim closed his eyes.

Francisca rushed at the two of them with blinding speed and…ended up wrapping both of them into a tight hug. “Thanks…to both of you. It’s not going to be easy but…I think I’m much closer to solving this problem.”

Veronica grabbed on as tight as her tiny arms could. “We’ll both be here for you the entire way, ok?”

Tim awkwardly looked down at a watch on his wrist. “G-girls, this is really nice and all but…erm…aren’t we going to be late to class?”

“…Shit.” All three of the students erupted in laughter. While the times might be tough, both Tim and Veronica were sure Francisca and Celeste’s feud would soon come to an end…