Something must be done, Primrose muttered to her husband, who sat next to her, sipping lightly at some beer.

Mhm, I agree, He muttered into the bottle, glancing upwards as Noire crept down the stairs. She was dressed in fresh clothes; a blouse and a skirt, and her cheeks were tear stricken, her face looking tired. Noire got to the bottom step and quickly entered the kitchen, sitting across from her parents, her hands in her lap.

Why did you need to see me? She asked, fidgeting in her seat. She sat on her hands, to keep from biting her nails. It was a bad habit of hers she had had from the moment she started school.

Well, Her mum started, folding her hands on the table. She looked at Noire, hatred seething under the surface. A little truth for you, she hated her daughter from the moment she was born. She had been an accident, but she couldn’t have an abortion. She couldn’t put her up for adoption. So there she sat. Noire Belle Young. An unwanted person in a life with people who hated her.

A smile crept onto Primrose’s lips, and soon turned to a laugh. She howled with pleasure, and Noire just sat. Confused and in shock. Her mother never laughed. You can finally leave! Ha, I’m so excited!!

Well, A new voice murmured, making Noire whip around. A man in a laboratory coat stood by the stairs, small glasses pushed far up his nose. His eyes were dark, black almost, and slowly, he smiled. I have to check her mental state, but as far as you have told me, yes, she will be leaving. Noire looked up, and from bloody puppet strings, Mephistopheles was above him, controlling this man. She let out a scream and fell from the chair, scooting along the floor. Primrose stood up, and dragged Noire up, her screams never ceasing as the man got closer. Satan floated just a little behind, his fingers working magick; this man was his pawn.

She seems to be psychotic, the man mused as he stared at Noire, Mephistopheles muttering these words for the man. I should probably take her in. Her little friend too, to ‘Brook Mills Asylum for the Mentally Insane and Psychotic’.

But I’m not crazy!! Noire pleaded, her voice cracking and tears flowing fast.

That’s what they all say, The man said darkly, standing up straight and fixing his sleeves. I’ll be off, if you’ll give her to me. And I shall go next door, to see what I have to see.

With a quick little snap, a police officer came in, a pair of handcuffs in one hand, and a straitjacket in the other. Noire’s eyes opened wide, and she kicked and screamed, her mother letting go after Noire kicked her shin. She ran past the officer and quickly up the stairs, up to her room, her sanctuary, well, at least for now. The doctor grit his teeth and stomped up the stairs, Primrose not far behind.

Oh Noire, He purred, banging hard on the wood door. I have no time for games, open up this door!!

No! She replied, opening her window. Never will I go with the likes of you! Satan! Beelzebub! Mephistopheles! Leave me alone! Leave me be!

She’s completely mad, Muttered the doctor, turning to Primrose. She wrung her wrists her eyes crazy and wide.

Yes, yes, I don’t care, just take her off my hands. I want nothing to do with her, that filthy little wretch.

My pleasure ma’am, but please head downstairs. Officer Willis and I may have to use tough measures.

Oh, yes of course, do what you must, Primrose said gratefully, running downstairs.

In the blink of an eye Mephistopheles was in his huge, Hell-ish form. A tattered cloak, horns, the works. Officer Willis was a demon, unbeknownst to Primrose. Scales and horns ripped at his clothes, until he was a spitting image of what a demon should be. He broke down the door, and bowed his head, Satan making his way into the human girl’s room.

But she was not there. No trace. None at all. She had climbed out the window, like a smart little girl.

‘Good on Noire!’ You shout triumphantly. Oh yes, yes indeed. Good on Noire. But are you so sure now? Can you really be? I mean, all she did, was run next door.

Her presence, with Bram’s gave off strong energy. Energy that Satan himself used to escape Hell. With a flash of light, he was in the next house, once again a doctor, and Officer Willis was back too. Asleep in the living room, was Bram’s father, Robert, an empty beer bottle clutched in his hand.

Humans are disgusting, Willis hissed quietly, making Mephistopheles nod slowly, a deep sigh escaping him.

Yes, yes indeed, very disgusting. Now, find the children, they can’t be far. Their power is still here. Go, go quickly, we need to find them. Otherwise, I fear, I may disappear...