I actively avoided most people over the course of the week. October was in full swing and all around the campus people were readying themselves for Halloween. Pumpkin streamers were hung from the stairs of dorms. Victoria put some carved pumpkins out front of ours along with a black cat, hackles rasied and eyes red.

My entire life felt like Halloween. Since the other night I'd not seen the shadow with the hat and I had ruled it as a freak mistake. Like the ghost of the old building had been trying to scare me. I bought a paper and discovered they'd knocked the old building down and were starting renovations.

"I never noticed how alone you are." Victoria said.

She'd appeared behind me, hand flat against the wall. Dark bags were under her eyes, but she'd tried to hide them. She was alone too though. Ever since she and Hunter had broken up, she'd avoided her friends.

"You too." I murmured.

"My 'friends'," She said, sarcastically. "Are friends with Hunter. Michaela is Hunter's best friend's girlfriend."

I'd actually found out a lot about Victoria recently. She'd taken to coming to my room and chatting with me. Hunter had been her first boyfriend and she had been so insecure, constantly questioning whether she was good enough. In a lot of ways we were similar.

In not so many words I'd discussed Chris with her and she'd listened. I couldn't believe I was asking her advice instead of Collette. I'd glossed over many details though, like how my boyfriend was a demon. That might scare her.

"So, are you seeing your boyfriend tonight?" She asked, casually.

"I dunno." I replied, and she sighed.

"You so should. Spend time together, get to know each other, communicate." She murmured, glancing away.

"Will you be ok?" I asked, and she smiled.

"Yeah, Andrea and I are gonna have a film marathon. You go and have fun."

When I got to my room, I lifted the arm with the bracelet on. I had never travelled alone. I had been tinkering with it and I think I'd figured out how it worked. I still hated the sensation as I was removed from my world.

Instead I found myself face-planting the ground. Well, that was smart. I groaned in pain and tried to force my small body to move.

"Woah, there. You ok, kid?" A voice above me.

I rolled over. I had mis-timed it and was outside. The sky above my head was purple. A face appeared in my line of sight. A man. His eyes were brown and slightly hooded, face partially obscured by a cowboy hat.

"What happened?" I mumbled.

"Looks like you miscalculated where you were gonna end up. Fuckin' transport bracelets," He fumed, then held up a hand. "How many fingers am I holdin' up?"

"Three." I replied.

"A thumb don't count." He chuckled, but held out a hand.

His hand was freezing, like a block of granite. He must have realised that my hand was warm and I had a pulse.

"Thank you. Where am I, sir?" I asked.

"Sir?" He snorted a laugh. "You're in the Netherworldlian grounds for the legions. I am no 'sir'"

So, I'd ended up near where I'd needed to be, but which huge building was it. I'd never been outside. I could ask this total stranger.

"Do you know which building Chris is in?" I asked.

The guy snapped his fingers, "You're the little human he's with, ain't ya."

How did this guy know? No one should know. Had I been careless. Chris would be furious. I must have looked frightened because the guy let out a hearty laugh.

"Beatrice told me. She tells me everything," He chuckled. "My name is Lemmy."

Lemmy? The oldest legion leader. He didn't look old. He looked about late fifties. I didn't want to be rude and ask though.

"You're the oldest legion leader." I stated.

"That's me. I'll bet you're wonderin' how old I am." He said, clearly awaiting my guess.

"Well I have no idea how old Chris is, so.." I trailed off, and he frowned.

"He's the youngest at 850 years," Lemmy replied, and I nearly choked on my own spit. "I'm 1700, well 1789, but I like to lie and be younger."

Yeah, wouldn't want you feeling that old now, would we. I managed a feeble smile and Lemmy grinned.

"Anyways, I'll take you to your boy, then I can cadge a drink off him." Lemmy said.

I followed as he walked. He insisted I walk by his side, telling me I wasn't a slave or a scullery maid. He led me down a winding path and through the entrance of one of the buildings. I guessed we were in the right one. I knew we were when he led me up the flight of stairs and down the hallway. He knocked the door with such force I thought it might splinter.

And then just opened it without permission, like a parent entering a child's room. Chris was sitting at the desk. He was wearing a suit as usual and looked elegant as always.

"Found your girl face-down outside." Lemmy said, rather loudly.

Chris noticed me and I managed a small wave. He got up and walked towards me. We stood side by side but made no move to embrace. Lemmy watched us, growing fidgety.

"Tris told me." He said, plainly.

Chris was watching Lemmy and was obviously deciding whether to trust him. Eventually he laid a hand on my shoulder.

"Sorry, I kinda don't know how to use the bracelet properly." I murmured.

"So much so that you ended up hurting yourself." Chris smirked.

"I'm fine. See, no bruises." I showed my pale arms.

Lemmy was tinkering with some bottles across the way. He turned, raising a glass and disppearing out the door, closing it quietly.

"What made you come here?" Chris asked, seating himself on the couch.

I sat next to him and shrugged, blushing when he quirked a brow at me. Communication wasn't my strong point.

"I missed you." I smiled.

"Again, I missed you and your stammering too." He replied, chuckling.

"Think you're so smart with your sarcasm and wit, don't you." I shot back.

"I suppose I am." He leaned forward, and I backed up.

"Supposed to be going slow, fam." I said, nervously.

"I'm going very slowly with you. More slowly than I'd like, given how much I want you." He smirked again, something feral within those eyes.

"Haha, you're so funny." I said.

"I wasn't aware I was joking."

Quick, change the subject before he devours me. I did wonder what they did for fun around here. It was a world I knew very little about.

"So, what is there to do around here, besides hunt ghosts?" I asked.

"We have television," Chris stated, and laughed when I pulled a face. "What? You think that humans are more advanced.

"I want to see the television." I said.

Walking down the hallways and up several flights of stairs, we entered a room. It was quite grand and painted a deep crimson. Wow, fancy.

"This is amazing. What room is this?" Probably shouldn't ask that.

"This is my room." Chris replied, and I vaguely registered the door closing.

Yep, I was totally safe. My boyfriend wasn't about to eat me. So, this was where he came when he wasn't doing whatever bosses do. The bed was massive. Opposite the bed was a large, flat screen tv. Really?

Chris sat on the bed and glanced at me. I walked over and sat next to him. His arm automatically wrapped round my shoulders, pulling me close. My tummy flipped and I took a steadying breath. He was holding a complicated looking remote.

"So, that's the tv remote?" I stated.

"It is. These can connect to any station in the universe."

Wow, now I realised how vast this was. Any station? Anywhere.

"Japan?"

"I did just say anywhere, did I not, Junko," He glanced at me, eyes locked with my own, face inches from mine. "Maybe I should punish you for not listening."

"N-nope, all stations. I-i'm totally great." I stammered, and he chuckled.

His attention shifted from me and he pressed some of the buttons and an anime appeared on screen in Japanese. He was watching it with interest.

"Do you know what they're saying?" I asked, wondering if he understood.

"Demon languages are universal so I do understand them." He responded.

I was stunned for a moment. I blinked stupidly for a minute before recovering. I was quite curious about him now. What new information could I unearth about Chris?

"You're going to start badgering me with questions, aren't you, Junko?" He said, shifting so his dark eyes were locked with my own again.

"W-well, if that's ok," I murmured, blushing. He shrugged. "You're 850."

"Correct, just under actually."

"Y-you said the other day you'd had a slave too."

I waited for the shut down. For him to end the conversation, but he didn't. Those same dark eyes that looked at me with many emotions, flickered for a second.

"I did. Past tense. She ended her own existence."

I was stunned into silence. She'd killed herself? Why? I didn't want to belive it was something she'd done because of Chris, so I didn't.

"How come?" I asked.

"Someone violated her and she chose to cut the contract with me. It meant that she would die, but ultimately it was her decision." He replied, looking away.

I didn't press for anymore details. It was obvious he'd loved this girl. A part of me felt intensely sad for him and for her. Another part was a little jealous that she'd been here first and knew him before I did. I looked away to avoid his eyes. I didn't want to be seen as a brat.

"S-sorry I shouldn't have-" I felt my voice catch in my throat.

The tv was forgetten as I felt the bed shift and he sat in front of me, legs crossed, knees touching mine. One hand lifting my face to look at him. The faintest of smiles on his lips.

"You need to know about me. Just like I want to know about you." He replied, brushing my hair behind my ear.

"What would you like to know?" I asked, biting my lip.

"Anything. Everything." He smiled.

"Well, I'd be happy to share." I said, hesitating when I lifted my hand.

My fingers trembled slightly. I set my hand down again and shifted. That night I stayed with him. We talked about all sorts of things. I asked questions. I talked about my parents. When I checked my phone I realised it was three thirty in the morning.

Notes