It was not as if Dave Arson was poor. His family had average wealth. He collected commission from being a college reporter. He had his own car from back home. He even rented his own apartment not far from his college.

So why was he working as a substitute teacher in Taylor Elementary?

All the expenses he had to pay for damages and others just for chasing down news and writing articles had gotten him low on the money. His parents decided to teach him a lesson by telling him to take a part time job. He tried being a waiter at Ty's Place, a popular cyber café at downtown Los Angeles, but apparently waiting was not his stuff. So he ended up teaching in Taylor Elementary. The pay was not as low as anyone thought. Since he had a way of handling the naughty kids, he was awarded bonus pay sometimes.

Don't get him wrong though. Kids were tough against substitute teachers. How many times have you seen the kids being quiet when a sub was taking over? Almost never, and Dave included. He wasn't really fond of going to teach, since he had to wear at least a tie, formal shirt and pants. It was sort of a uniform set by the principal. And having to teach those first- graders to sixth-graders? Most of them were nightmares.

But Dave decided that they weren't much more than a dream now. Ever since the real nightmares began, it sounded better to teach then throwing off a disgusting demon.

It happened one day when Dave was substituting a math teacher for the fifth graders. Mr. Hiramich was always invited to conventions and meetings, going everywhere he had to go for science. Dave was already familiar with the class, since he was always the one who had no other choice. Anyway, the day started as usual.

"Dave, don't you have any other clothes besides these?" asked Ryan Gower with a disgusted look on his face. He was one of the dumbest students Dave ever knew, but he was a star in basketball. Still, he had the right senses on him, one of which never failed him to notice how often Dave wore the same formal clothes.

The fifth-graders and sixth-graders called him Dave instead of the formal Mr. Arson. It was what Dave asked them to, so it didn't mind him. "What's wrong with my clothes?" he answered with a scowl, putting the books on the table. "Besides, Mrs. Bossom said we have to wear a little more formal."

"He meant a different tie, shirt or pants," retorted Sara Viden, who sat next to Ryan.

"Oh. These are only what I've got," Dave replied, turning red. "But who asked you to be a critique of my fashion sense? Take your book out, we're studying multiplication."

The class groaned. "Again?" Jessie Helwick whined.

"It's only your first time," Dave stated. "Yesterday, your friend Ryan saved you from learning multiplication for creating an unstable chemical reaction with his homework from the earlier science class and all of you had to undergo a full checkup. So we're doing it once more. Now, who can answer this question on the board?" he asked, writing down some calculations on the board.

He turned to survey the class, where only some of them had their hands raised in the air. "How about Ryan?" he asked cheerfully.

Ryan dropped his pencil with a clatter. "Of all the volunteers around you, why do you have to choose me?" he moaned, getting up.

"Don't ever think you'll get away from math," Dave teased as Ryan trudged up to the board. "You're going to master it like everyone else whatever it takes."

He held out the chalk for Ryan, who reached out for it. Suddenly, he halted, staring at Dave. Dave raised his eyebrows. "Ryan?"

Suddenly, Ryan's eyes turned white. His mouth opened to an evil grin, his hair rising a little. Some of the kids shrieked, others standing up to see what was going on. Dave stepped back in shock, not believing his eyes. "R- Ryan? Are you okay?" he asked carefully.

Ryan lashed a hand out, clawing Dave's sleeve so hard that it ripped away and even left marks on his arm. Dave dropped the chalk, stumbling back and wincing. "What the---" Before he could do anything else, Ryan pounced on him. Taken by surprise, Dave quickly grabbed both of Ryan's arms, stopping him from clawing him any further. Ryan was snapping at him viciously like a bull dog.

By then, the kids were on their feet, trying to see the action. Some of them were gasping and screaming.

"Ryan, what is wrong with you?!" yelled Dave, trying to restrain Ryan. He didn't think an eleven-year-old boy would be that strong. "Someone---go get a teacher!" he shouted to the watching children.

Sara volunteered and rushed out quickly. At the same time, Ryan came to himself. His eyes were back to normal, and he didn't look vicious anymore. He sprang away from Dave in shock. "Oh my gosh, what happened?" he asked tentatively.

Dave pulled himself up, wincing. His arm was starting to bleed a little. "Ryan, what was wrong with you?" he demanded. "You attacked me!"

"I-I attacked you?" Ryan quivered. "I d-didn't mean to. I mean, everything turned black all of a sudden, and I can't remember what happened."

What? Dave couldn't believe this. Was Ryan trying to cover for himself? Then again, a kid like him would not even try to attack his teacher, including a substitute.

At that moment, the door opened again. Sara had returned with Mrs. Bossom, the school principal. The moment she stepped in, she gasped. "David! What happened to your arm? Are you all right?"

"Ryan attacked him, Mrs. Bossom," said Sara, pointing at Ryan.

"I didn't mean to!" Ryan wailed. "I don't know what happened!"

"I'm very disappointed in you, Ryan Gower," said Mrs. Bossom, shaking her head. "You've never acted this way all the while. I want to see you in my office after school. I'll give your parents a call. Don't try to argue, Ryan. David, do you like to see the nurse? I'll get another substitute to this class. Stay where you are, children."

"Thanks, Mrs. Bossom," Dave said politely, starting to follow Mrs. Bossom out. On the way, he stopped to look at Ryan, who looked scared.

Something's wrong with him, and I'm sure it's not his fault, he thought pitifully. He was concerned. Besides, it wasn't the first time strange things had happened to him. A week ago, he had stopped a snake demon called Hidraya from possessing her girlfriend's beauty forever. Madam Magdalene told him that it was only the beginning.