The hallways of Hell High were loud, as usual. The sound of lockers slamming, demons laughing, and faint cries of terror echoed off the walls. Yumi, with her black hoodie and ripped jeans, walked through the chaos, her headphones blasting some death metal as she made her way to her next class. She wasn't in the mood for the drama today, but that didn't mean the drama wasn't going to find her.
As she passed by a group of students, one of the more obnoxious jocks—Stryker, a bulky demon with red skin and horns that curved out like a ram's—stepped into her path.
"Hey, princess," he sneered, his eyes scanning her outfit with that familiar, condescending look. "You think your daddy's reputation's gonna save you forever? Or are you just another spoiled brat with a good-for-nothing father?"
Yumi clenched her jaw, her fingers curling into fists. She wasn't in the mood for this shit.
"What's up with the attitude, huh? Think you're tough just because you're Daddy's little girl?" Stryker taunted, getting closer.
Yumi sighed heavily, rolling her eyes. "Whatever, just get out of my way."
"Or what?" Stryker laughed, stepping closer again. "You think you can intimidate me with that little goth act? You're nothing but a weak little—"
Before he could finish his sentence, he swung his fist at her, landing a solid punch to her stomach. Yumi grunted, the air knocked out of her as she stumbled backward, but her feet held firm. The punch was just a reminder that the demons at this school were the worst kind of assholes.
And then he did it. He reached down and dragged his claws across Yumi's side, ripping through her hoodie and scraping her skin. The pain shot through her like a lightning bolt, but she refused to let it break her. She wasn't the kind of girl to cry. She was the kind of girl who would stand up and make you regret ever thinking she was weak.
Ignoring the pain, Yumi pushed herself up. Blood trickled down her side, but her glare was cold and unwavering as she stared Stryker down.
"You stupid motherfucker," she spat, brushing herself off. Her heart pounded in her chest, adrenaline mixing with the anger bubbling up inside her.
Stryker blinked, clearly caught off guard by her reaction. "What did you just say?"
Yumi stood up fully, one hand on her side where the claws had scratched her, and raised her middle finger to him. "You heard me. You better start running."
Stryker's expression shifted to confusion and amusement. "Fuck no. I'm not scared of you." He took another step forward, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "You're a stupid shit, and you always will be."
"Suit yourself," Yumi said coolly, her voice low and calm as she stepped back, ignoring the blood trickling from her wounds. She knew she was pushing his buttons, and that was exactly what she wanted.
The hallway grew eerily quiet for a moment, and Stryker took another step toward her. Yumi's eyes narrowed, and before she could make her next move, there was a sudden, sharp bark.
Cerberus is here!
Out of nowhere, Cerberus her dad's tiny black chihuahua the size of a loaf of bread, came flying down the hall. The little dog landed straight onto Stryker's chest, sinking his teeth into the demon's arm with a vicious snarl.
Stryker yelped, his eyes wide in shock. "What the hell?!" he shouted, trying to shake Cerberus off, but the tiny chihuahua wasn't letting go.
Cerberus, in his typical cute but deadly manner, growled and bit harder, his sharp teeth clamping down on Stryker's arm as the demon flailed. The little dog was determined and ferocious, and no matter how hard Stryker tried to get him off, Cerberus wasn't having it.
"Stop, Cerberus!" Yumi called out.
At her command, Cerberus released the bully's arm and jumped off, landing on Yumi's shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world. He snuggled into her neck and let out a low, warning growl at the now-wounded Stryker.
Yumi smirked, her eyes shining with amusement. "Yeah, that's right. You better learn to respect people."
Stryker stood there, dazed and with a bleeding arm, glaring at the pair of them. "This isn't over, princess," he growled, but his words were laced with fear. The gang that usually stood by him wasn't here to back him up today, and Cerberus had made it clear that no one was safe from the little dog's fury.
Yumi raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest. "Well, it should be. And next time, maybe think twice before you start picking on people who can fight back. You're lucky Cerberus doesn't like to maim."
Stryker glared one last time before turning and storming off, the sound of his footsteps echoing down the hallway.
Yumi stood there for a second, her chest heaving with adrenaline. She looked down at Cerberus, who was now curled up lazily on her shoulder, completely relaxed despite the chaos he'd just caused.
"Thanks, buddy," Yumi said, petting Cerberus gently. "I couldn't have done it without you."
Cerberus yawned, looking up at her with tired eyes. He was cute, yes, but when it came to protecting Yumi, he was a force to be reckoned with.
"You're a little badass, Cerberus," Yumi muttered, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe I should keep you around more often."
Cerberus gave her a sleepy, content bark in response.
Yumi let out a small laugh, the tension finally leaving her body as she adjusted her hoodie and walked down the hall. She couldn't help but feel a bit proud. The whole school probably heard what happened, and no one would ever make the mistake of messing with her again.
At least, not while Cerberus was around.
The End of Chapter 13