He watched her quietly as he touched her lips with the wet rag. She had yet to stir but he knew she would eventually. It was nothing serious, well… He scoffed at the idea, correcting himself. Yes, it was actually very serious, but nothing that he couldn’t handle. He should’ve seen it coming really and he was disappointed it’d been such a surprise to him. He should’ve known better than to be shocked she’d fainted and had refused to wake up. It was really just giving her the right incentive to get her to come back from her malnourished reverie.

“Ashly, darling,” he purred gently, leaning forward to kiss her lower lip. He heard her whimper, and smirked with satisfaction. Poor thing, so ill. “This is what you get for not eating angel. I told you.” He heard her whimper again and adjusted her into his arms, wrapping her in his content grasp. He sighed, stroking the wet rag along her lips. He felt a shudder of desire tease up his spine when her tongue stroked out along her lower lip, gladly taking in the moisture. She began to stir, squirming in his arms, but more than content to stay there. He smiled.

“Jerome,” her voice was very soft.

“Yes, dear?” he kissed her temple, squeezing the rag a bit to press a few drops into her eager mouth. She made another whimper of appreciation and began sucking against the rag. He stroked his thumb lightly along her cheek, grinning at the look of relief along her face and pleased as the color began to return to her.

“Mh, thank you, Jerome,” she gazed up at him, blue-gray eyes glimmering with such appreciation he felt himself melt at the look. He licked his lips, grinning broadly at her. Leaning over and kissing her forehead he felt her squirm to get more comfortable in his arms. Truly, what a silly little thing she was. She stood all proud and defiant before her friends, giving them some sort of image of resilience to rely on, to rest assured she wanted nothing of him. Maybe deep down there was a small part of her that still truly didn’t want anything of him. That confused part that knew he was ‘bad’ so tried to fend him off. Yet, behind closed doors she was nothing more than a kitten for him to play with, stroke and pet to his hearts content. Even that confused little part of her mewled in pleasure at his touch. He chuckled at the thought, rocking with her tight in his arms.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better Ashly,” he gazed down at her, lips quirked into a soft smile. She laughed dryly, opening her eyes to look up at him, her grin wry.

“I’m glad you’re happy then,” there was light sarcasm in her words. “What happened?”

“You passed out from your lack of nourishment. You know,” he adjusted his position to lean back against the chair he was in more, a leg propped up on the footrest before him. “When I was younger and things didn’t work out my way, I didn’t starve myself as punishment.” He could feel the heat of her blush it was so bright, and he chuckled. He glanced down at her, taking in the face, tinted with embarrassment, and her eyes looking anywhere else but him.

“I’m just not hungry,” she sighed. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

“Indeed. Well, Ashly, darling, you’re going to have to eat. I can’t count how many times I’ve told you, and I know your friends tend to be more persistent than me,” he sighed.

With that he stood up with her tight in his arms, walking across the large room to a table, sitting her down carefully in one of the chairs. She remained curled tight against the back of the seat, looking as small as possible. She was gazing about at the large dining hall, and then took in the massive table she was sitting at, more than twenty elegant chairs lined up about it. The table was polished to perfection, a cheery oak color than brightened the dark stone hall. Not far from them there was a large ballroom, a light wooden floor glimmering in the dull light and a soft orchestra was playing without help or instruments. The music floated into the simple dining hall, dancing about them in smooth gestures.

“Jerome, where are we?” she looked up at him, watching as he sat himself across from her, both of them in the middle of the table. He leaned back in his seat, looking thoughtfully about the grand hall a moment, studying.

“Home,” the words were light, breathy even. She flushed, feeling her heart racing a jolt trace throughout her system.

“But Jerome I didn’t lose! Why are we here?” she snapped, sitting up straight only to have her mind swim in disagreement. She leaned back into the seat again, holding her head, feeling exhausted. She heard him laugh softly from across the table, and shot him a disgruntled glare.

“Because, Ashly dear, I felt no desire to eat in your school’s cafeteria. I would never belittle myself so much.” He grinned at her as she nipped her lower lip, her blue gaze intense and upset.

“What about the others?”

“What about them?” The words caught her off guard. She should’ve known better.

“Jerome, I refuse to eat unless I know my friends are going to eat too. It’s not right for me to just sit here in a lap of luxury while they’re looking for me, again!” She grabbed her head at the words, looking terribly frustrated. “I’m so sick of this! They’re always looking for me, damnit I’m just a burden!” He laughed a bit, leaning against the table gently with his arms crossed along it.

“Dear, you are not a burden. You’re friends aren’t even looking for you, if that makes you feel better?” he tilted his head, grinning only more as she looked up, a rather delighted surprise written on her face.

“Truly? But…”

“But what? No, they’re occupied. Willson’s chasing after Brittany, I’m afraid he offended her terribly. Nairobi and the former servant know you’re with me, and Nicole is…” he chuckled, letting the sentence end there. He watched distress then confusion dance across her face. She nipped her lower lip again. She’d break through the skin one day and make quite a hell of a wound.

“Is she dead?” her words were very soft and he felt a hint of pity as she looked so forlorn then and there. She gazed down at the table with her shoulders slumped in defeat, and he felt a sight well into his chest. He let it go, rubbing his forehead a bit. Placing his elbow on the table, something his father always scolded him for back when he was younger, he gazed at her. There was a wave of rebellious pride, like a bachelor out for the first time, doing whatever he very well pleased and Jerome couldn’t resist a chuckle. Albeit, he’d never danced on the couch with music jacked up or gone to any wild parties, there wasn’t any of that in Hell. He’d gone after Ashly. That was rebellious enough, demons and humans just weren’t supposed to mix, but he would have her.

“No, she’s not dead, Ashly.” He watched as a look relief overtook the confusion and desperation, and felt a small smile tease along his lips again. She nodded and said no more. He raised his brow at her and she flushed, squirming once more in the large seat. “No more questions, dear?”

She shook her head.

“Why not?”

“Well, it’s just that,” she sighed heavily. “I don’t know. I just feel like there’s nothing more to ask. I’m just exhausted.” She reached up and held her forehead, looking worn out and shaking her head. “I feel terrible, they go through all of this hell for me, and I’ve never given them anything back in return. Couldn’t you let them go home, Jerome?”

He sighed a little bit, trying hard to ignore the hopeful look on her face and stood, walking towards the double doors at the entrance. The doors were large, heavy, wooden things, finely crafted with designs dancing through the dark wood. At the side of the door he slipped his hand through a hole and took hold of a string, giving it a firm tug or two. She was quiet, watching him with confusion in her eyes. He returned to the table and sat himself down, leaning back in his chair as he watched her. Her mind was racing, he could tell. She was always thinking now in days. She never thought when he played the first game with her, just acted. He loved watching her think though; it was interesting to see emotions rush across her face.

“What was—” she began, but he quickly cut her off.

“I called for a servant. You need food, and I’m rather peck-ish myself,” he grinned at her, and she blushed.

“Jerome please, can’t you let—” she gazed at him once more with hopeful eyes, but the doors opened and Ashly looked up quickly, watching as a servant entered, carrying a tray.

Jerome watched Ashly, knowing what the servant looked like and knowing how the servant acted. Yes, the servant was a lovely thing, he supposed. Pale skin like china, small body with large breasts that didn’t well enough fit her petit frame. Her black hair was up in a clip with some locks fall about her lovely oval face. She wore a revealing outfit for company. Jerome didn’t care for the servants in the least bit.

They smelled. He didn’t know why, never had known why, but they just did. They’d always smelled, the very second they entered hell there was a putrid stench about them. Ever since he was young, born from a noble demon lord, he’d noticed the smell and had always held an extreme dislike for servants simply due to such a ghastly stench. Rotting flesh was what it was, he’d never really known before until he started killing people above for the sweet joy and curiosity of it. He chuckled softly. Human boys in their teenage years look at pornography out of curiosity, and he started killing people. Demon charms indeed.

He stared at Ashly thoughtfully as the lovely servant placed a tray of food before her, the finest in the land. He wouldn’t have his darling eating poor food. Ashly blushed as she got a full flash of cleavage. Jerome smirked, watching and enjoying the show. The servant came around to him, setting a tray before him as well and smiling shyly, hoping for approval.

“My lord,” her accent was thick with servitude, poor and rather sluggish, as if they couldn’t get a firm hold of their tongues. He glanced up at her, feeling his lip curl in irritation as she stared at him and her scent wafted nearer his nose. He waved his hand dismissively, listening to her leave. When he was certain she was gone, he returned all attention to Ashly.

She was seething.

“What’s wrong?” he frowned, leaning forward a bit to admire to look of absolute fury on her face. Her blue eyes were bright with anger and she was biting down along her lower lip. Her cheeks grew very flushed. It was a dark hue that didn’t suit the thick blond locks that were tangled about her face.

“S-She—didn’t you see her?” she yelled. Her voice rang throughout the hall, but she didn’t flinch as it echoed. She was far too upset, he supposed.

“See her? No, why?”

“She practically shoved her chest in your face! Doesn’t that bother you?” she snapped, standing up from her seat, only to grab her head and fall back down against into the cushioned chair. He felt his lips tug into a grin, reclining back in the chair.

“I didn’t much pay attention. I’m glad it’s a matter of great concern to you though, Ashly,” he chuckled, watching her cheeks only flush more, an embarrassed red this time. He knew the different shades that crossed her face, loved to watch them really. It was always easy to figure out what she was feeling. A dark blotchy red, she was angry. A soft flush across her face, she was embarrassed. A slight tinge of pink along her cheeks, lips full and pouting, eyes glazed, she was feeling a bit lusty.

“I-it’s not that! She’s just being rude. You don’t just go and shove your breasts in someone’s face!” she snapped.

“Ashly, you could shove your breasts in my face any day you wanted to. Sadly we’ll have to postpone that. Eat, you need it.” He watched as she blushed again and looked down to the platter, licking her lips and taking hold of her fork, picking at the tender meat. “Darling, it’s not going to kill you, I promise.” She shot him a look then began to eat, and heartily. He chuckled at the sight, but nothing more. He didn’t want to interrupt her or make her feel embarrassed. She needed this nourishment, or she might truly never wake up from a nap. Humans were so irritatingly fragile. Couldn’t go a couple days without eating, it was terribly sad.

They sat in silence, him watching her eat and she not giving him the least bit of mind. It was all fine and dandy. Her mind was off of her friends, which is where it was best kept he supposed. Maybe, when he killed her and took her to Hell, he’d erase her memory of her friends. He didn’t want anything to hold her back when she was able to be at her prime, and he hadn’t a doubt in his mind that memories of them would.

Another thought struck him, an irritating thought he’d considered from the very beginning of their games. What if she came to Hell a servant? He didn’t doubt she would, actually, and it irritated him so. All suicides and all people that renounced goodness came as servants and lower sometimes. Natural born demons, or homicidal maniacs, usually ended up in higher classes. He’d never questioned the system and didn’t care to figure it out. He’d figure something out for her.

Ashly looked up at him, watching him as she began to finish the last bit on her plate. She bit unsurely at the meat, and after a moment she began to chuckle a bit, smiling softly. He raised his brow.

“What is it?” he asked.

“You. You’re always thinking, I wonder what goes on through your mind sometimes,” she smiled a bit. “That, and I was thinking about the first game, when you gave us all a meal.” She picked at some of her food. “We lost a lot of time; it was a rotten trick for you to play.”

“You were hungry and I was being charitable, I didn’t realize it would take you hours to have a leisurely supper,” he grinned.

“It didn’t take hours,” she laughed. He snorted, leaning back in his chair lazily.

“Darling, don’t deny it. You kids took forever just to have some soup and a sandwich,” he raised his brow lightly, watching her. She was considering things again, blue eyes darkening in thought. She nipped her lower lip gently, looking down at her meal. He sighed, already knowing where her mind was wandering.

“You will feed the others, wont you, Jerome?” she spoke hesitantly, hoping to not upset him. He grinned gently at her, watching the way she continued to bite her lower lip and the way she fidgeted with her hands beneath the table. Her thick locks fell about her face to hide the blush rising on her cheeks as he stared.

“I suppose I can, for a price.” He grinned only more when she looked up quickly, fire blazing in her eyes.

“You must be joking!” she snapped. He laughed, lacing his fingers behind his head lightly, resting back in his chair more.

“Come on now, Ashly. A meal for a meal? That doesn’t sound like too much to ask to me,” he leaned forward then, resting his arms on the table, watching her carefully. She flushed a bright color and quickly looked down at her lap. “Darling, I’m not asking much at all. Personally, I would jump at such an offer.”

“Sure, Jerome. But I don’t see you fighting for your life here or anything,” she spoke softly, unsurely. He couldn’t help but smile at her. She hadn’t forgotten what was at stake yet, truly charming. Maybe she was right. He did plan to kill her at the end of this, but it wasn’t nearly as horrid as she thought it was. Slowly he stood, walking around the table to kneel down at her side. He grasped her hand gently, rubbing his thumb along the back as she stared down at him with surprise in her eyes.

“Ashly, I’m doing all this because I love you,” he kissed her knuckles after the words, watching as her face grew redder. “Because I want eternity with you I’m willing to do whatever is necessary, even starving you friends.” He grinned at her and felt his heart race as she laughed weakly.

“Why on earth did I end up with a psychotic demon? I could have had the most normal guy in the world.” She held her head, but she was grinning, and he felt his heart leap. Suckling her ring finger slowly into his mouth he watched as arousal slowly began to appear on her face in the redness of her cheeks and the darkening of her eyes. She licked her lips thoughtlessly, glancing down towards him. He gently pulled from her finger, only to kiss the knuckle again.

“You’d be so bored if I weren’t here, Ashly, wanting you and needing you. Do we have a deal, lovely?” He nipped the tip of her fingers.

It didn’t take her long to answer and he was very pleased. She looked down towards him once more and nodded her head. There wasn’t an ounce of hesitation glimmering in her blue eyes. It drove him wild. She was so eager to please when it came down to the hard, dirty facts.

Jerome stood and grabbed her from her seat, moving the food out of the way and setting her to lie back on the table. She squirmed and watched as well as she could as he sat down in her chair and spread her legs, leaning forward. He placed a light kiss between her legs, tongue pressing against her core through her pants. She gasped and squirmed, spreading her legs wider for him. He reached up, taking his time as he unbuttoned her pants and pulled down the zipper, tugging the pants carefully from her hips and tossing them away. He stood up, firmly kissing her already wet sex, tasting her juices through the thin fabric of her panties. Jerome listened to Ashly whimper for more, and grinned.

Nicole wandered hazily through the hallways, feeling dizzy and very pleased with her self. She didn’t know why, though. She knew she felt good, very good actually. In fact, it was really a ‘never-ever-been-better’ sort of good, but she didn’t know why. She didn’t know why her legs were trembling or why she was wet— down there. But she was.

She giggled, holding her head as she continued to walk. Her shirt was gone, she didn’t know where it had disappeared to but it was gone, and her bra was a little torn up and was missing a strap. Her pants were unbuttoned, hanging off her hips and slipping down now and then. She constantly had to pull them up because the zipper was stuck at the bottom and she didn’t know where the button had gone. She couldn’t find her panties anywhere.

Nicole giggled weakly, still relishing in just how good she felt. She crossed her arms behind her head, enjoying the feel of her silky red hair. Yes, silky. Her hair felt silky and lovely, Ashly’s was just thick so it had no silky texture. Nicole grinned broadly at the thought and realized she was waltzing her way down the hall, humming. Everything was wonderful. She felt beautiful, enchanting, appealing. She laughed at the thought, looking into one of the windows of the school, staring at her dark reflection. She cocked her hips to her side, thrust her chest out, and passed the window a sexy look as she ran her fingers through her hair.

Nice.

She could hear voices and mindlessly she followed them, returning to dancing with her imaginary partner. He was whispering sweet nothings to her, and she listened to them, while continuing to pay attention to the other voices. They were in the cafeteria. She might as well go; the partner was getting much too friendly.

“I’m afraid I have to take my leave, you will excuse me, good sir?” she asked, while giving a boisterous bow to the hall. She heard it sigh in disappointment and smiled, pushing the cafeteria doors open with much to-do.

Everyone was staring at her, was her first thought. It was sort of a strange reality that set it, but she still felt good so it couldn’t be a terrible reality. They all looked quite upset, but why? She walked towards the table they were sitting at, listening to the silence pound in her ears. It was heavy. It wasn’t just any old fashioned silence; it was thick. It was the kind you had to struggle and wade through as it continued to pull you further and further into its grasp. She licked suddenly dry lips, and sat down, staring back at all of them. Joey was the first to speak, or better yet, the first to try to speak. He couldn’t seem to get a hold of his tongue, and he certainly was having troubles keeping his eyes on her face. Nairobi was the first to get tangible words out.

“Nicole, what happened?” his lip twitched as he stared at her.

What did happen indeed? She shrugged, looking back towards Joey who still couldn’t keep his eyes above her neck. She felt herself swell with pride and couldn’t resist the grin that forced its way to her face. Looking back up at Nairobi she shrugged.

“I don’t remember, but it was nice either way. What happened to all of you?” she looked towards Brittany and Will, who were sitting on opposite ends of the table. They wouldn’t look at each other, and the idea forced another smile to her face. A relationship problem was it? To damn bad.

“Minor troubles,” Joey finally got his tongue working right. He coughed, holding his head and closing his eyes. He placed a smile on his thin lips, though it seemed strained. “What happened to your, um… your…”

“My clothes?” Nicole stared at him. “I don’t remember, I told you.”

“Right!” he laughed and his voice cracked in return. He looked around nervously, and then grabbed Dravin, pulling his trench coat off of him. Dravin gave him a filthy look, but nothing more. He looked upset about something else, and Nicole didn’t much feel like asking or even worrying about it. He was a sulky fellow anyway. Joey handed the coat to her and she laughed softly, slowly putting it on. It was much too big for her small frame. “Well, button it up!” Joey snapped, lurched across the table to button it unevenly for her. She stared at him.

“You’d think you’d never seen a girl partially naked before, Joey,” she tilted down to catch his eyes. He stared at her, licking his lips and chuckling. The others were staring at them, Nairobi especially.

“Well, I haven’t seen you partially naked before and now really isn’t the time,” his lip twitched into a strange smile, blue eyes looking helpless.

They all jerked from the table in surprise as the light above them flickered on. Slowly, each light in the cafeteria came to life, a process that screamed in their ears the sound of old electricity. It was bitter and hummed loudly throughout the large room. It was different. They’d grown accustomed to the sound of their own footsteps and breathing, and the breathing of others in the school. It was an unusual experience. The light was blinding, the noise painful, and sudden the voices were all around them. The cafeteria was loud, like it used to be. They could hear students talking again, all around them their voices echoing on the halls once more.

“You guys…”

It was amazing. It was like it used to be. The scent of food filled the air and wafted about them, a heavenly aroma.

“You guys…”

“I think I’m going crazy,” Brittany’s voice sounded higher than usual. She looked gaunt and pale. Really, she just plain looked exhausted, Nicole noticed. She felt rather bad for her, but only in that one instance. What she must be going through the red head could only imagine. Placed into a game controlled by a mad demon and surrounded by people that couldn’t stand her simply because of the way she dressed and acted. It had to be hard. Best not dwell on spilt milk.

“You’re not the only one,” Joey’s voice was weak but he was smiling. “I mean, it’s exactly like it used to be. Everything’s the same…”

“You guys!”

They all turned about, surprised to see Ashly lying atop one of the tables. She stared at them, looking tired herself, but pleased. Nicole knew the feeling; she felt the same way after all. The blond was resting on her back on the table, her hair strewn about her, cheeks flushed and body relaxed. Her arms were atop her head, fingers laced together. Panting softly, her lips were swollen and eyes dark, chest rising and falling with her heavy breaths. She looked lovely again, like she had before the game’s had started.

“Go eat, the kitchen’s full of food,” Ashly spoke lightly, as if in a dream.

“Ashly, w-what happened to—” Dravin moved towards her, but stopped at the sound of her breathy laughter. She was grinning now, and despite the fact she looked just as sweet and lovely as she had before the games, her grin was positively Jerome’s, long and fairly twisted.

“A meal for a meal, just go eat.”

Nicole noticed Jerome had two points now and felt a sinking sensation in her stomach. Reality wasn’t happy anymore.