Seated in a chair, Ethan locked eyes with a woman who he presumed to be the principal, his mind racing with questions about why he had been summoned and whether trouble awaited him.
"Mr. Ethan Addison, your actions have disrupted the order of this school, and you are well aware of the consequences for students who flout the rules," the principal's stern voice echoed in the room.
Perplexed, Ethan met her gaze, unsure whether her words were meant to provoke him or if she was genuinely reprimanding him.
"In what way have I broken the rules? As far as I understand, one must stand up against bullies and defend themselves," Ethan countered, his tone unwavering.
The principal's frustration boiled over as she slammed her hand on the desk, fixing Ethan with a steely glare. She struggled to reconcile the well-behaved student she once knew with the defiant figure before her.
"You were a model student. What has led to this sudden change in behavior?" she demanded, her disappointment evident.
Rising to his feet, Ethan approached the principal with deliberate steps, causing her to instinctively recoil, startled by his intensity.
"The Ethan you remember is no more. This is a different Ethan standing before you now," he asserted, his gaze unwavering.
Turning to leave, Ethan's departure triggered a response from the principal, who rose in a fit of anger and delivered a harsh verdict.
"Your lack of respect is unacceptable. You are hereby suspended for one week," she declared, her voice laced with authority.
Pausing for a moment, Ethan registered the gravity of the punishment, though the concept of suspension seemed foreign and confusing to him.
"What does suspended mean?" Ethan asked, gazing at the principal, who appeared confused in response.
"What's wrong, Ethan? I've always told you that you can come to me for help anytime, and I'll assist you in any way I can."
The mere mention of the word 'suspended' enraged Ethan. He slammed his hand on the desk and glared at her.
"I was ridiculed by everyone at school today, and you expect me to stay calm about it? I'll confront anyone who crosses my path."
Just as Ethan was storming out, the principal shouted after him.
"You're better off going home. I don't think you should even be here today. You need help. Now, get out of my office and leave the school. You can return next week; until then, I don't want to see you around."
Ethan walked away with a smirk on his face. Was the principal mocking him, he wondered?
As he exited the office, he spotted Lora holding a book, waiting for him.
"What did the principal say?" Lora inquired, causing Ethan to halt and look at her intently.
"I believe it's best for you to keep your distance from me. You're causing me harm, and I don't want you near me."
With those words, Ethan made his way towards the school gate, leaving Lora feeling bewildered.
"Why are you leaving school? Did the principal kick you out?" Lora questioned as she caught up with Ethan.
Ethan paused, then took her hand and pulled her closer.
"You mean nothing to me. I don't know how we met, but it's best for you to stay away from me," Ethan said firmly as he pushed her away and exited the school. He stared at his hands, now red from the encounter, unable to believe the pain he was feeling because of her.
"I think we found her, making our job easier. You need to eliminate her before she eliminates you," a voice whispered to Ethan.
Turning towards the voice, Ethan faced Lucifer's gaze. How could he bring himself to kill someone he couldn't even get close to?
"Why did you choose me? You brought me into this world only to make me suffer. Why did you make me your beloved? Take it back, find someone from this world, and return me to my own world," Ethan demanded angrily.
Feeling the weight of the stares from the students entering the gate, Ethan realized they might think he was losing his mind. But he knew he was just consumed by anger and a desire to return home.
Lucifer moved closer, placing his hands on Ethan's face. "I didn't make a mistake. You were destined for me. Even God knows that your fate cannot be altered."
Ethan refused to heed Lucifer's words. This couldn't be his destiny; he believed he could be different, he could choose good.
Upon reaching home, Ethan was greeted by his parents, who cast angry glares in his direction.
"Ethan, what's gotten into you?" his mother demanded, her tone laced with frustration as she pulled him and directed him to sit on the couch.
"We've taught you better than this. Why are you behaving this way? First, it was the church, and now the school," his father added, disappointment evident in his voice.
Ethan gazed at his parents, understanding now why they were upset. The principal must have informed them, but hadn't she mentioned the bullying he endured?
"I didn't do anything wrong," Ethan protested, only to receive a sharp knock on his head from his mother, leaving him staring at them in disbelief.
"Your principal claims you were involved in a fight at school, and not only that, you injured a girl's face. We thought we raised you well, we thought we instilled the teachings of the Lord in you," his mother expressed, her words dripping with anger.
Enraged, Ethan rose to his feet and advanced towards his mother.
"Didn't the principal tell you about how they bullied me? Why aren't you defending me? And stop invoking the Lord's name. He has no part in any of this. I've endured suffering all my life, and now I will make anyone pay if they try to harm me. As I've said, Mom, the Ethan you once knew is no more. I've changed, and 'good' is not my middle name. How many times has the Lord answered your prayers? You've been unable to conceive for years, yet you continue to worship Him. What a waste of time. I wonder what would have happened if I had taken her life."
Ethan couldn't believe the words that had just escaped his lips. He recoiled, stumbling backward and accidentally bumping into the stairs. His mother placed a trembling hand over her chest, shocked and fearful. Unable to comprehend what had transpired, she sank down onto a nearby chair.
Retreating into his room, Ethan sat on the bed, his feet tapping anxiously on the floor. Slowly, he gazed up at the mirror before him, only to see his reflection tainted with darkness standing behind him, wearing a sinister smile.