Chapter 3

He strolled down the sidewalk, panicking, confused about everything that happened over just a couple of days. He really didn't understand why Eric suddenly wanted him out of the picture, he wasn't a liability. He made sure to keep every murder clean and tidy, plus; he didn't have any fingerprints to leave behind. He sighed when he glanced down at his fur covered hand and clenched it tightly into a fist. Full of rage he punched the closet thing and made a huge dent in the side of a solid brick wall. The faded crimson red cracked under the pressure of his fist as small fragments fell onto the cement sidewalk, sprinkling it with red dust. Everybody knew that Eric was a power hungry piece of shit, they knew that sleeze bag had his eyes on becoming the next leader.

"Fuck! When I get my hands on your scrawny little neck!" he hissed as he pretended to squeeze the man's throat but quickly exhaled in defeat,

"Why can't I ever be fucking happy... Why doesn't anyone want me..?" he mumbled as he held back tears that began to swell in the corner of his icy blue eyes. He gave them a quick wipe and continued walking as he disappeared into his own mind. He was staggering around like a blank zombie with nowhere to go and no desire to be anywhere.

It was a good hour before he finally noticed the staring people, they watched him stumble over his feet as they silently judged.

"The fuck you look'in at?" he growled while baring his pointed teeth, they flawlessly fit together. Perfect symmetry. They back up and scurry away, some avoided even looking at him before they scampered into the nearest building or to the other side of the street.

"Yeah, fuck you too..." he grumbled and didn't bother caring, he figured they must not see many Demons. The whole time he walked down the spotless sidewalk he didn't see a single Demon or Angel. This area was secluded. It wasn't even that big of a town, this place was more like a private neighbourhood far away from the large city. The buildings look old, with cracks and some dents in their walls. They weren't even that tall and he could easily reach the roof of some just by doing a little hop. He gaze up longingly at the sky, he wished he could just fly away right now but, something held him back. What was holding him back from leaving this shitty town? What was it that held his feet to the ground? The teen? He thought,

"That kid has no hold over me! I can leave any time I want... But," he stopped mid-sentence, he had no home to go to. They didn't want him anymore. What's the point of leaving only to end up in the same situation but, in a big city where no one gave two shits about a homeless Demon, he thought. They'd just tell him to go back to Hell where he belongs. He wanted nothing more than to return home, unfortunately for him, the portal won't open. No matter how much he tried, how much he begged.

Zemar turned into a small alleyway, there was barely enough room for a small car to drive through, and it was blocked in the middle by a tall, chain-linked fence. He walked towards the fence and behind some garbage containers, he had to rest his sore back as he slumped down in the corner with an exhausted sigh. He pulled a knee to his chest to feel more comfortable as the cool cement building brought some relief to the pain. He had to take a rest, his back may not be broken anymore but, it's taking a long time to return normal. His stomach grumbled to remind him that he hadn't eaten anything since the night before last, and without proper nourishment, he healed much slower. He stared at the wall and contemplates his options. Where is he going to live? How is he going to get food? Can he even get a job here? Thoughts ran through his mind like a roller coaster, up and down, up and down, making his head spin as blood began to dribble down the middle of his face.

"That's just great!" he growled as the bullet hole started to bleed again from thinking too hard. He could feel that the slug was lodged in his skull, but he hadn't had the chance to remove it yet.

He was about to try dig it out when the fur on the back of his neck raise high and he heard the sounds of rapid footsteps thump towards him, and the same scent he recently just left behind.

"Holy crap I found you!"

"What do you want? Didn't I tell you to leave me alone," he didn't even look at the teenager who held his flustered cheek against the metal chain-link, you could tell he ran for a long way.

"Yeah well, I don't give up easily. Especially after having to drag your fat ass to the truck," the teen chuckled,

"I'm not fat! I only weigh a ton," he growled and stood up. His chunky stomach fell with the gravity and bounced as he took a step away from the teenager.

"Oi! Where do you think you're going! You're hurt... Oh my god, you're bleeding!"

"Fuck off! I told you I don't need your fucking help! So why must you pester me?" he snapped and bared his sharp teeth. The icy blue of his irises faded to a deep, crimson red that lit up the teen's features when he stared at him only inches away. They glowed brighter with every minute he glared.

The teen looked frightened as hell but, didn't back away nor did he turn his gaze. Instead, the little prick seemed content to glare right back at him with aggression,

"You think trying to scare me off will fix your problem? You think pushing away any sorta help makes you stronger? You're nothing but an idiot! Saying I'm a child is a fucking joke, take a look at yourself. You're the one who's acting like a child!" the teen barked. Zemar's eyes narrowed into slits from pure outrage,

"Motherfucker! I don't have to listen to this crap! I don't fucking owe you anything!" he snarled and turned to leave. He brushed off the fuming teen as he rattled the chain-link fence in the background,

"Get back here, Demon!"

"Go to hell!" he flipped the teenager off before he turned the corner and vanished from sight as he walked down the street.

He didn't get very far when his mouth twitched from a different aggressive voice that came from the same alleyway,

"Give me your money, Kid!" a man had came out of the shadows and held a knife to the teen's throat.

"Fuck you man! I ain't got any money and if I did, I wouldn't give it to you!" the teen spat on the ground as a sign of disrespect. He tried to ignore them and continued his walk, until another set of insults were exchanged, and the smell of blood became very fresh. He had never moved so fast in his life, as he leaped over the chain-link and slammed the mugger's face deep into the concrete ground. The blood curdling sound of bone smashing into pieces filled the area as blood splattered and pooled in the new pothole around the corpse's head. The squishy flesh dropped from his hand when he removed it off the man's skull, he killed again, and this time not on purpose. This was instinctual.

"Shit..." he sighed as he got up slowly and stared at his bloody hand. He squeezed his fist tightly and felt brain matter squish into his fur before he relaxed his arm and goes to walk away. He didn't even look back to see if the teen was alright as he gritted his teeth in frustration.

He managed two steps before something grabbed his arm tightly, a strong but shaky grip,

"Y-You killed him..." the teen chocked in shock from witnessing something so horrendous. Zemar heard the gag within the teenager's voice,

"That's what I do. That's what I grew up doing... Now that you've seen the truth, run away like everyone else. I'm use to being alone," he held rigid as the teen took a small step away, but still clutched his arm.

"I won't run but, why save me? If you were really keen on being alone, then why go though all that trouble of protecting me?" the teen turned him to stare deep into his blank eyes, like he was searching for an answer in his expression but, there was nothing. He gave no inkling to why he saved the teen because he didn't even know.

There was a long, awkward pause between them as he continued to stare at this teen. Someone who seemed to have a form of control over him, just like that woman from the forest. Was this a sign? Why him? Why her? He thought. He zoned out briefly before a trickle of blood on the teen's neck snapped him out of thought,

"I... I should make sure you get home, you're bound to get into more trouble," he muttered softly. The teen, still in shock hadn't registered the fact that he has black angel wings. He stretched them wide and felt good, it felt like a cramp that had been festering all day was finally released. He took to the air and flew them to the same house he woke up in only to be greeted with very anxious parents hurrying to their son.

"Andy! Oh my god! We were worried sick about you," the mother was frantic as she tore her son out of his arms.

He stood silent as they hugged, he was afraid they would try to hug him too if he moved. The father broke away from the embosom and held out a welcoming hand towards him,

"We're sorry for invading your life. You must have a family or someone to get back to but, I'm glad to have met you, Demon. Even though it was so brief," the father grinned in a caring manner. Zemar turned to the side slightly as he looked for an escape route but, the same problem kept arising. Where will he go? He took a deep breath and he turned back to carefully grasp the man's hand. It was a strong grip for a human. As he got a better look at the human family, he noticed that the father was nearly ripping his tight t-shirt as muscles bulged underneath the thin, green cotton. His Dark brown hair was swept to one side and a neatly trimmed beard covered a chiseled chin. The mother was petite and vivacious, wearing skinny jeans and a flower blouse.

"My name isn't Demon, it's Zemar and... You're not invading anything. My life was shit to begin with," he rubbed the back of his head nervously, he could tell the man was trying to process if his statement was meant as a joke. He felt like it was but, deep down it actually wasn't and the truth was painful to swallow, he felt very alone in that moment.

"Uh... I mean, don't worry about it," he stepped away and stared at the freshly cut lawn. Soon the deep green grass clippings would fade to yellow as they decayed and his round feet covered in fur didn't even leave a dent on the grass. It was like he never even took a step, no toes or foot pads to leave a mark.

It was quiet, until the teen pushed his suffocating mother away with a grunt,

"My name is Andy, and even if you didn't want to have anything to do with me. I'm glad you saved my life," Andy thanked. Zemar saw the surprise on the parents' faces,

"Your life? Andy, what happened? Is that where this cut came from?" the woman continued to follow her motherly instinct as she inspected the injury.

"Uh, no problem. Now that you're safely home, I'll just be on my way," he half smiled with a quick wave, as he turned away and opened his wings. The black feathers shined beautifully in the afternoon light as if they were freshly sprayed with conditioner. About to fly off, a tight grip held his forearm, it was the father.

"Please stay and have dinner with us as our way to thank you. Andy isn't the easiest to handle but, we really appreciate what you did," the father invited, but Zemar caught a glimpse of fear from the mother in the background.

"Oh, please, there is no need to thank me. Let's call it even. Your son wasted his time to try save my life so, I just repaid the favor," he grunted his displeasure and shook the father's hand away before he took off into the air. Why would they do something like that? Stupid kid, why'd he bother trying to save me? I was better off left for dead on that beach he thought.

He flew far away, and ended up in the large city of Sacramento just as dusk approached. The mellow glow of the bright sunlight faded to rich, orange-red as it casted its luminous colors across multistory buildings. Their windows gave the illusion of mirrors as the light was reflected and kept the ground level a sad grey, refusing the people below to enjoy the beautiful painting of the sky. It was like they didn't even seem to notice the change of the sky. He landed on the rooftop of the tallest structure and took this time to relax and watch the sunset. It was a guilty pleasure of his and it was the only time that he felt at really at peace. He soaked in the last of the warm rays like it wouldn't return, like this was the last time he'll ever feel its warmth. In his world, everything was cold. Everything felt grey as he was beaten down both emotionally and physically, being treated as if he didn't deserve kindness or love. Being treated like an abomination from everyone.

"At least you won't ever hurt me. Your beautiful light is the only thing that keeps me going... but it's like everything is getting harder every day," he sighed as he rested his thick, muscular legs over the edge and gazed at the blazing ball of gas. He talked to it like it was the only one that would listen to him and understood his feelings.

He sat still as he watched the sun lower deep beyond the horizon as the bright orange rays blended into ultramarine blue, and then black, with a blanket of stars to speckle the night sky. A cool breeze fluffed his thin, silky fur and caused a shiver to run up his spine. The darkness of his coloration made him nearly invisible against the sky, were it not for his maroon stripes across his body and cheeks that reveal his shape. He slowly leaned back and fell to lay on the rough gravel of the rooftop shingles to stare up at the sky. He felt trapped despite being free from the Grimm Reaper's hold, unseen chains were wrapped around his wrists and throat. Tying him down. Tying him to his recent past. What's he gotta do to truly be free? He thought. Things just didn't make any sense, and they probably won't until he confronted the hidden reason,

"Antonio... What was your real reason for saving me that night?" he asked the air half hoping for an answer.

He didn't get much sleep that night and it also didn't help that his forehead started to bleed again during the night. Zemar sat up from the hard ground and gave his still sore back a good stretch in the early light of dawn. His back bones cracked and popped under the pressure of his wing muscles when he gave them a good stretch.

"Fuck..." he sighed as the stretch made it hurt worse than it already is, he needed to eat something, or he'll be in pain for a long time. He gave one last look out over the city before he dropped off the side of the building, it was a quick fall to the bottom as his wings acted like a parachute. Once his feet touched solid ground, he strolled out from the alleyway he landed in like he was always there. There was a buzz of people on the sidewalk, vehicles rushed by, this was a place he was most definitely use to. There were even other Demons walking around, so he'll blend in nicely.

"Well at least I won't be stared at," he half smiled at the statement and was more confident in his steps, like he knew where he was going. The constant hum of traffic matched the murmur of people that chatted on their cellphones, or with their friends as they passed by him. Not one even batted an eye in his direction, this brought an even bigger grin. Nobody noticed him and that's how he liked it. Nobody to bother him, nobody to pester him. The thought of Andy crossed his mind and he hunched over from a different emotion. What was this feeling of sadness for? It was like he missed the teenager.

Zemar pushed the stupid thought aside when he turned the corner only to be bumped into by another, smaller Demon with brown, leather skin. It fell to its behind and held its head in pain from after it smacked into his solid but squishy chest,

"Yo, are you alright man?" he asked as he held out a hand to help the Demon up. It stared up at him and was terrified just by his face. He wasn't that menacing looking, was he? He thought as he was confused but the sudden fear from a fellow Demon.

"Here take it! Please don't hurt me!" it screamed and forced a purse into his hand before it scurried away like a small little gremlin,

"Eh?" he didn't understand what was going on until a woman came into view. The woman was out of breath like she had ran a marathon and not far behind her were a pair of officers,

"That's my purse! That Demon stole my purse!" she hollered and pointed right at him. Everything became clear and he quickly waved his hands in front,

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa, lady! I didn't fucking steal anything! I picked it up from the ground," he explained with a growl. He held out the white, crocodile skinned handbag in the woman's direction but he dropped it as a high voltage suddenly ran throughout his limbs.

"Be careful! That's Chanel!" the woman spat and ran for the object as he was being tased from a distance.

This was bullshit, he didn't do anything wrong he thought. The police didn't even give him a chance to explain, to even show that he wasn't a threat, they just assumed.

"Fucking pigs!" he snarled and yanked the wires out of his broad pecs,

"What the fuck? That's not possible, you shouldn't be able to move!" the officer yelped as his partner reached for his gun.

"Don't move! Put your hands in the air!" the older officer aimed at his head, determined to not miss,

"Fuck you," he barked and turned to leave. The sudden movement caused the officer to fire a couple rounds into his chest, blood splattered the dirty street in globs. His irises glow crimson while he opened his feather wings wide and intimidatingly,

"You motherfuckers! That hurt like a bitch!" he cried out.

It didn't take him long to guess that the people here were racist assholes just like every other city, and had no intention of giving him a fair trial.

"Those were warning shots, now get on your knees with your hands behind your head. Do it now, Demon!" the officer ordered as they both held their guns, pointed at his head while they inched closer.

"I haven't even been here for a fucking day and everyone wants to kill me!" he grumbled and ignored the police's order as he took to the air and left them in the dust. They tried pursing but, he was too quick and got rid of them easily.

"Fucking pieces of shit. No good for nothing cops and their fucking guns..." he muttered the whole time as he flew towards the small town. He had no other place to go, and with losing blood from his forehead earlier, he needed to get somewhere safe and fast.

It was mid-day when he landed in the somewhat familiar yard, he collapsed to one knee, he was having trouble breathing.

"Those bastards hit my lungs..." he gurgled as they quickly fill up with blood. He coughed up the thick liquid as a metallic taste filled his mouth, and stained the grass red as puddles escaped through his teeth from his body's natural attempt to expel the internal bleeding. He managed to get to his feet and staggered up to the crooked front door. It was covered in cracks from where he kicked it open as his large foot indent could be seen. The dark brown paint was chipped, and you could see the aluminum peeking through with its brass hinges torn off the frame of the small, two story home. Its stone-grey colour was unique against the other, more paler houses on the street. He stared at the destruction he caused and looked down at the light-grey, cement platform. Why was he here? He thought as he watched the blood pool underneath his feet as it soaked into his fur. His eyesight began to fade from the loss of blood, and he almost didn't knock on the door before he fell to his knees.

"Hello?..." the father opened the door to unsightly scene,

"S-Sorry..." he managed a whisper before he lost all feeling in his legs and fell forwards onto their floor, his face and airway blocked by the growing pool of blood that soaked into their living room carpet.