One month ago, Kyle had been sure it was only a matter of when, not if, he was going to be fired. But amazingly, not one of his students had let slip that their seemingly meek History teacher was host to a short-tempered, foul-mouthed demon. And for that, Kyle was infinitely grateful. His students had taken Ryka’s threats seriously, and he was relieved knowing he wouldn’t have to watch the demon collect their souls. 

Now he was mostly just thankful that some of the tension in his first-period class was diminishing. For the first two weeks after Ryka’s appearance, teaching hadn’t been easy. Sure, his students had been quiet and attentive. But if Kyle so much as sneezed, he’d look up to find every last one of them cowering under their desks. And the day he’d come in with a headache, he’d made the mistake of rubbing his temples. When he’d turned back around to ask the class a question, he’d found them huddled together in the back of the room, clinging to each other and praying for salvation. 

The only thing that hadn’t changed much in the last month was the nagging guilt he felt for letting Ryka loose on a room full of tenth graders. Sitting at his kitchen table, attempting to write up an exam for the following day, Kyle found he couldn’t stop reflecting on that fateful morning.

You need to get fucking trashed, stud.

“No, I don’t, and please -”

Ask all you want. I’m gonna keep calling you that. Because it’s true.

“Whatever. But I just feel so bad.”

Ryka scoffed. Why? I did it, not you. And if I could have come out on my own, I would have done it a fuck of a lot sooner. They deserved it.

“Still.”

Stop being such a pussy. It’s not like that was the one thing that was going to stop you from passing through those Pearly Gates when you finally croak. 

Kyle groaned. It seemed to please Ryka to constantly remind him that Heaven had been forever closed off to him. “I know, I know. I betrayed you-know-who when I agreed to be your host.”

It still burns to say it, doesn’t it? But you really don’t seem bothered about that part.

“I’m not, I guess. At least I’ll know someone when I get to Hell.” The proud smile Ryka projected into Kyle’s mind was almost enough to make him laugh. Almost. “I’m not worried about what’s going to happen when our time here is up.” Not entirely true, but not something to concern himself over at this particular moment. “I’m worried about the things I’m doing while I’m still here.”

‘Worried?’ You don’t do anything, so how can you worry? You may be the sexiest thing alive, but you’re boring. You’re damned whatever you do; you may as well take advantage of it.

“You’re the one who picked a high-school history teacher to be your host. So don’t blame me if you’re bored.”

If I say something that makes you feel better, can I come out? There had been one other benefit to allowing Ryka out in the classroom – since that time, he had stopped appearing as frequently, and when he did, he often asked first. It seemed he was finally starting to calm down again. 

“You’re welcome to try.”

By letting me out to scare the piss out of those little brats, you saved them from going to Hell. They’ll change, and in the end, their good deeds will outweigh the bad shit they did to you. And stop some of them from doing a lot worse.

Dumbfounded, Kyle stared at the test he was trying to write. Aside from not being tormented on a daily basis, he hadn’t been able to see any good in subjecting his students to a lecture from a demon. “Really?”

I can’t lie to you, Master. Now hurry up and get naked. 

***

As usual, when Kyle walked into the teacher’s lounge the next morning, the room went silent. The other teachers certainly appreciated whatever it was he’d done to tame notoriously rambunctious students, but it was also clear that they had serious suspicions about how he’d managed the feat. When asked, he’d mumbled something incoherent and walked away. Even if he could bring himself to tell the truth, who would believe him?

“Ready for parent-teacher night tomorrow?” Adam Brisette, one of the English teachers, asked. Lately, he’d been the one to break the awkward silences that followed Kyle.

“I suppose.” None of the teachers were looking forward to it, but Kyle had been losing sleep, fretting over the questions he was likely going to be fielding from period one’s parents.

Don’t worry. I’ll be there if things get out of hand.

“That’s exactly what I am worried about,” he said into his coffee cup. No one seemed to notice. And if they did, the morning bell provided a convenient distraction. Taking his mug with him, Kyle headed off to his classroom. 

Twenty pairs of eyes watched with great apprehension as he set his drink and briefcase down on his desk. And he knew it wasn’t the test they were anxious about. They thought he was a walking bomb, set to go off at any moment. They weren’t far off the mark.

“Good morning,” he said, hoping that if he sounded cheerful, they’d be put at ease. They echoed the greeting with wavering voices. So that hadn’t worked. “Put your books away; I’m handing out the exam. If you finish early, you can start reading the next chapter.” 

Although Kyle had plenty to keep him busy while they took on their tests, he found that it was actually too quiet for him to be able to concentrate. It was oppressive. 

Bitch, bitch, bitch. First you get pissed because they’re talking during tests. Now they’re too quiet? Make up your mind.

Scowling, Kyle pinched the bridge of his nose. Two minutes into the class, and he could already feel a migraine coming on. Ryka knew he couldn’t answer, and from his tone, Kyle knew the demon intended to take full advantage of the situation.

You know me too well. I guess that was bound to happen. Oh, by the way, I need more smokes. And beer. Stop on the way home. 

In an attempt to block out the chattering, Kyle started leafing through the contents of his briefcase. Ryka wasn’t amused, and even though he couldn’t fully control his host, he could still force Kyle to close the briefcase. A disturbing new revelation. Pay attention to me! 

“So needy,” Kyle breathed. A couple of the students in the front row glanced up at him, but returned their attention to their tests when they saw he was still fully human. 

That’s better. By the way, I’ve been thinking. You only have that same dream every night, huh? I’m glad it’s about us, but that must be getting pretty old. While Ryka babbled on, Kyle reached for his coffee. He realized too late that that was a mistake. So, I think I can give you a different dream. How does this one look?

The image Ryka had concocted for Kyle’ enjoyment only lasted for a moment, but Kyle thought that was far too long. Because Ryka had shown him the two of them – back in their own bodies – in a bath overflowing with bubbles. Thanks to the side of the tub, Kyle couldn’t see much, but what he could see was enough. Himself, head thrown back in ecstasy, while Ryka nuzzled into his throat.

Even as he choked on his coffee, Ryka’s laughter echoed in his head. This time, everyone in the class looked up. “Excuse me,” he managed, turning away so no one could see how absolutely scandalized he looked.

I’m offended. I had so many more, too. 

“Knock it off.”

What’s the matter, stud? Was that too much?

“Yes, it was.”

“Um, Mr. Saunders?”

Kyle spun his chair back around, blushing even more now that he had been caught talking to Ryka. Mackenzie stood on the other side of his desk, test clutched so tightly in her hands that her knuckles were white. It was going to take some effort to unfold the paper enough to correct it later. “I’m sorry. What’s up?” He thought he might have been nearly as uncomfortable as she was.

“I’m done.” She threw the exam onto his desk, but seemed otherwise unable to move.

“Is there something else?”

The question looked like it brought her to the verge of tears. “My parents can’t make it tomorrow night … to the parent-teacher conference. My Dad wanted to know if he could meet with you some other time.”

“That’s fine. I’ll give you my personal number. Tell him he can call and set up an appointment.” Her eyes darted away as he handed her a post-it with his home phone number. And he knew instantly what she was worried about. “I’ll be the one answering the phone. I promise.”