FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 32: Demons and Cults

Geoff sat down at their table in the lunch room at school. Nathanial was already sitting there in 'his' seat, with Liam-sensei beside him. Geoff and Faelen sat in their usual spots, Geoff rubbed his hindpaw against Nathanial's, "Hey. Are you going to watch my soccer practice after school?"

Nathanial considered for a moment, "I'm not sure. I need to think about it. Dad's flying out this afternoon for an emergency negotiation with a client in Tokyo. He's talking about taking us with him. I actually thought you weren't going to stay for it. It's Friday, after all. You're going home for your birthday, today, aren't you?"

Geoff nodded, "Yeah, but Coach Numbnuts threatened to kick me off the team if I'm not there. I can't believe Mr. Harper isn't being locked up forever, or suffer whatever punishment the Society metes out on people who cause problems. I thought Ella was going to blow a gasket when she told us."

Liam gave a sidelong glance at Nathanial, "She was not the only overwrought individual. Your temper is improving, Nathanial-san, but it leaves much to be desired."

Faelen snorted, "Liam, you don't have much room to talk. You looked as if you planned to go right out and..." He cut off, probably assuming that talking about assassinating a teacher in the middle of a crowded cafeteria was a bad idea. "Anyway, thanks for the recipe, Nathanial. I really enjoyed the Ma Po Tofu you made on Monday; I can't believe you cooked that big a meal after the funeral and everything else that happened. Conor isn't a big fan of Chinese food, but he still seemed to enjoy it, even the tofu."

Nathanial suddenly moved everything off his tray and held it up in front of him on an angle. A half eaten orange bounced off of it and over his head to land in the corner. He looked around the room, with his ears back nervously. Geoff growled softly, but forced himself to grin, "Nice block, pup. You even kept all the juice off the..."

Geoff was cut off by a yell, "Mr. Marks! There will be no food fights in the cafeteria! That's a detention!" Mr. Harper strode angrily toward their table. "Go pick up your mess and gather your books. You'll follow me, immediately."

Geoff jumped up and was about to yell back at the injustice of it, but was stopped by Faelen and Nathanial's paws on his arms. Nathanial spoke softly, "Don't make it worse, he's looking for an excuse to get you, too." It seemed to be true, Mr. Harper was watching Geoff carefully with a smug smile on his face. Nathanial stood up with a sigh and gathered his books.

Liam spoke loudly enough for most of the room to hear, "School rulebook, section four, subsection twenty-one point three point twelve: Every lunchtime detention must include enough time for the student to eat. Detentions may only be scheduled for the first or last half of the lunch period. You may sit, Nathanial-san. The first half of the lunch break has already started, and you still have fifteen minutes before the second half begins. Is that not correct, Mr. Harper?"

"No, it isn't. I said he has a detention, now, and that's when it is! Mr. Smith, you have a detention, too, for talking back to a teacher."

Geoff saw Nathanial start to quiver, he hated to think it, but he hoped it was from nerves and not anger. The room was too bright for Nathanial's dogs to appear, but he was afraid to think of what may happen if Nathanial got too angry. Faelen was completely impassive and professional, as was Liam. Faelen, spoke quietly, "Go. Keep quiet, and don't do anything to give him another excuse to make it worse. I'll sic Ms. Paul on him." The two pups nodded and gathered their stuff. Faelen and Geoff wolfed down their food as they left and stood up.

Faelen led the way to the teachers lounge, sniffing the air, "I think she's in. Keep back so they don't see you. He's dying for an excuse, any excuse, to kick you off the team. Insubordination would be a stretch, but he might try it." Geoff growled, but stepped back. Faelen knocked politely on the door.

Ms. Paul opened it immediately, "Yes, I heard. I was expecting you. Follow me." She led them into the office, the secretary, a middle aged chestnut Horse, shook his head and kept typing. "Another student has already complained about the obvious injustice of this, but what do you expect me to do?"

"Call him on his crap?" Geoff was having trouble keeping his temper.

Faelen held up his paw, "Sorry, sir. If I may?" Geoff rolled his eyes and nodded, "There has already been some complaints about Mr. Harper, particularly when it comes to Nathanial. The video cameras can quite clearly show that Nathanial didn't throw anything or try to start a food fight, but stopped himself from getting hit by an orange thrown by someone else. Liam's also been given a detention for pointing out how Mr. Harper's punishment is in violation of the school rules. At the very least Liam should be let out of detention, and Nathanial should be given half of his lunch break. And since they were forced to leave their lunches, Mr. Harper should be forced to buy their next meals."

Ms. Paul smiled at that, but shook her head, "I don't have that authority." She turned to the secretary, "Ahmed, is Jordan in?"

Ahmed frowned, "Yes, Margaret. She'll probably be having her lunch, soon." It looked like Ahmed had a lot more he wanted to say, but wouldn't in front of students.

"Thanks." Ms. Paul nodded and walked briskly toward the principle's office. Faelen and Geoff looked at each other, uncertain if they were supposed to follow. Ahmed flipped his head back, indicating they should follow, so they did. They caught up to her as she opened the door to Mrs. Davis' office. Her tone was respectful, "Mrs. Davis, I've received several more complaints about Mr. Harper harassing some of my students." Geoff and Faelen couldn't see the principal from where they stood outside her office.

Mrs. Davis' voice sounded weary, "Marks or McDougal?"

Ms. Paul's voice was wry, "Nathanial Marks. Also, Liam Smith got caught up in it. Apparently, Joseph's punishment is in violation of school policy, and he didn't like it when Mr. Smith reminded him of that. He accused Nathanial of trying to start a food fight when Nathanial blocked an orange that was thrown at him with his lunch tray. That got him an immediate detention."

Mrs. Davis gave a heavy sigh, "Great. Just great. What am I going to do that man? Just under half of the trustees of the school are calling for him to be sacked immediately, as are a third of the parents, but almost an equal number are calling for him to be kept on. He's splitting the school apart, and he doesn't seem to give a damn! Then he goes to the funeral for the mother of this pup, and is somehow involved in the attempted murder of another student, gets arrested by CSIS (the Canadian Secret Service) for it, and is released two days later. And not even two days after that he's giving the pup detention for bogus reasons!" They hear her typing and clicking on her computer, "Here. There's no way that can be construed as starting a food fight. Bastard." Ms. Paul jumped and cleared her throat, unobtrusively pointing at Geoff and Faelen. They could hear Mrs. Davis sigh, "McDougal and O'Conall, I assume? You heard nothing, right?"

They chorus, "Right, ma'am."

"Ms. Paul, we're going to have a talk, once this is dealt with." She clicks on the loudspeaker, "Mr. Harper, come to my office, immediately. Bring Liam Smith and Nathanial Marks with you." She turned it off, "You three better be gone by the time he gets here, I don't need more reasons for you to be fighting." She then mutters under her breath, underestimating how good the Spirits' hearing is, "I'd say like school children, but that ass is more immature than the fourteen year old pup." Geoff struggled to smother his grin, Faelen didn't react any more than flicking an ear.

Ms. Paul nodded to the Cougar and led them out. She glanced back, "What'd she say at the end?" Geoff repeated it, and Ms. Paul struggled not to smile, "I see. That's an unfair comparison though, most adults can seem immature compared to him. He's a very old soul trapped in a child's body. Anyway, Principal Davis will deal with this. Get back to your lunch."

Faelen nodded, "Yes, ma'am, thank you."

Geoff nodded, as well, "Thanks. Um, Ms. Paul, can I really get kicked from the soccer team if I have to leave a practice early? I'm supposed to be going home to Cork for my birthday this afternoon, but he said we have to go to practice or get kicked off the team."

This was the second time they've seen the young Lynx fully bristled, and she even gave that frightening feline growl, making Ahmed jump at his desk and spin around to stare at her. Her words were clipped short as she spoke, "Let him try." Geoff kept his evil grin inside, knowing he just made Mr. Harper's life a lot more uncomfortable.

---

Nathanial followed Mr. Harper through the halls with Liam beside him. Now that Nathanial knew that Mr. Harper was actually a Hunter, and one of that Pastor Yuke's inner circle, he was scared to be alone with him. He couldn't even really try to force Mr. Harper to stay away without some form of proof that this was personal, not a school disciplinary thing. 'Proof... hmm.' Nathanial activated his phone with his magic and set it on video camera as they walked into Mr. Harper's classroom.

Mr. Harper slammed the door behind him and spun around to snarl at the pups, "All right, you fucking bastards. Liam, I have no idea what your involvement is with this monster, but you're proving to be a nuisance. I advise you to back off and stop sticking your nose in where it doesn't belong. And, you," Mr. Harper's voice was full of fury, disgust, and loathing, "You have no idea the trouble you've caused. If you had been as biddable and compliant as Lily had claimed, we would have gotten everything we needed." Nathanial stopped recording and started another track, it sounded like Harper was starting the requisite villain soliloquy, and he didn't want to have to keep it hidden from the principal, "All the real Furs in the world would be singing God's praises, and ours. All it would have taken was the sacrifice of you three monsters. Actually, just yours, if Lily didn't insist on your brothers' deaths. No pure blooded Fur would have been hurt, and certainly not heroes like my brethren. Now, you will surrender yourself to us after school, or we will start slaughtering everyone around you, starting with your baby brother."

Nathanial snarled, and used his magic to pick Mr. Harper up by the throat and slam him against the closed door. The loud speaker crackled to life, "Mr. Harper, come to my office, immediately. Bring Liam Smith and Nathanial Marks with you." Nathanial stopped recording.

Nathanial dropped Mr. Harper to the ground, "She just saved your life, bastard. You threaten my brothers, you get any where near them, and I'll bury you so deep in the Darkness, not even my dogs will be able to find you. I'll grab your soul and turn it into a weapon to hunt down every last one of you scum. You'll be much better at hunting when I get through with your sad excuse for a soul. Now, let's go. I want to enjoy watching you get humiliated by your boss." Mr. Harper was kneeling on the floor, rubbing his neck, and glaring at Nathanial. There was a bit of commotion in the hall. Nathanial growled in annoyance, it seems a student saw Mr. Harper get slammed against the door, and had run off. He wasn't sure if he saw who was in the room with Mr. Harper, but it probably didn't matter.

Mr. Harper stood up, smiling in triumph, "Assaulting a teacher, bad move, demon. I've got you, now."

Nathanial pulled out his phone, "Threatening to murder my brothers, even worse move. I've recorded the whole thing. I'm sending this to Agent Ella. There's no way you can get out of your involvement with the attack on my house, now."

Mr. Harper snarled in rage and lunged at Nathanial. Liam stepped calmly in his path and grabbed him in an arm lock, "I recommend you reconsider your actions, fool. It may end up costing you dearly." He spun around and pushed the surprised Panther toward the door, "Now, Mrs. Davis gave you a direct order. I suggest you comply."

Nathanial called Ella on his phone, "Hi, Ms. Ella. It's Nathanial."

He could hear Ella growl in annoyance, "What now? You know you can call me when you aren't in trouble, sometime."

Nathanial smiled, as he followed Mr. Harper down the hall, "Yes, ma'am, sorry. I'm at school, and I was just accosted by Joseph Harper. I've got him on tape admitting to involvement in my... troubles, and threatening to kill Micah." Some students that were walking behind them gasped and stopped in their tracks. Nathanial wasn't attempting to keep his voice down, but he was careful of what he said.

Ella was almost purring into the phone, he could practically see her whiskers twitching in delight, "Very good. Agent Jay is on duty, but... no, I better let him handle it. I'll inform him right away. Thank you for your assistance, young Mage." Nathanial smiled, Ella was in professional mode, her boss must have walked in, or something. The anger radiating off Mr. Harper was clearing a path through the halls, and the sweet aroma of fear was permeating the air around them. Nathanial felt like purring, himself.

Liam glanced over at Nathanial and did a double take, his eyes going wide in surprise. He collected himself quickly, but hissed at Nathanial, "Peace, Nathanial-san. Your countenance is most disturbing."

Nathanial giggled softly, and took a deep breath through his nose, "I'm very peaceful, Sensei. I'm just enjoying the atmosphere."

Liam's brow furrowed and eyes narrowed, "Then please stop. While it is satisfying to see an accomplice to attempted murder be brought to justice, you appear to be..." He shook his head, "Return to yourself, Nathanial-san."

Nathanial couldn't really understand what Liam was getting at, but he shook his head and tried to 'return to himself', whatever that meant. He slowly lost the scent of fear and the giddiness he'd been feeling. He also felt a little sympathy for Mr. Harper, his life was practically ruined, now. He brought it on himself, but he seemed to sincerely believe that this was the best and only way to 'save' the world. Whatever that meant. Frankly, from what he'd been hearing, it sounded like giving more land over to the Fey and Spirits would do wonders for keeping the Demons at bay. But Pastor Yuke seemed to think he could kill all of the Demons by using Nathanial, somehow. As a sacrifice to something or someone, it sounded like. It was more likely a Demon had duped the Hunters into doing its dirty work, but it still didn't answer why him.

Nathanial pondered this until they walked into the office. The secretary glanced up at them as he continued to work, "Go right in. She's waiting." Nathanial relaxed slightly, letting his senses reach out again; he could detect traces of fear from the Horse as he looked at Mr. Harper.

They walked back into the principal's office, she was sitting at her desk, looking at a her computer. The monitor was facing away from them, but Nathanial sneaked a peak. It was video from several security cameras. One was the cafeteria, it clearly showed that he didn't do anything wrong. Several more were of the halls, Nathanial didn't pay much attention to them. The third was of Mr. Harper's classroom, it was looping the scene where Nathanial snarled at Mr. Harper and the Panther inexplicably flew back against the door and hung there by his throat. 'Oops. Well, this is going to be... difficult. Too bad I suck at Charms. Good thing Jay is on his way.' His ears flipped back, nervously.

Mrs. Davis looked up from the videos. "I want an explanation. Now. Mr. Harper, you first."

Mr. Harper shrugged, "I caught Mr. Marks trying to start a food fight in the cafeteria and gave him a detention. Mr. Smith talked back to a teacher, so I gave him one as well. Nothing more, nothing less."

Nathanial and Liam kept quiet. Mrs. Davis minimized some of the windows and turned the monitor around, showing the orange being thrown from the middle of the cafeteria at Nathanial. It showed Nathanial clearing off his tray and blocking the orange without seeming to ever look at it. Nathanial grimaced internally, he didn't look at it, at any point, with his physical eyes. His tail curled up between his legs, 'Oh, crap.'

Mrs. Davis frowned, "There is nothing at any point that would indicate Mr. Marks was attempting to start a food fight or break any school rules. I've had several witnesses come forward to different teachers stating that, too. This doesn't look good, Mr. Harper, considering the trouble you had earlier this week. It is a remarkable achievement though, Mr. Marks. How did you know to block that orange?"

She pressed her finger tips together and peered over them at Nathanial. "I saw it out of the corner of my eye and could tell it was headed at me. I'm used to having stuff thrown at me." His voice was quiet, his anger from when Mr. Harper threatened Micah was completely gone.

Mrs. Davis' voice was dry, "Remarkable. Now, what do you have to say in your defence?"

Nathanial pulled out his phone, "I didn't do anything, Mrs. Davis, he hates me, for some reason. He even tried to give me detention at Mom's funeral. Listen." Mr. Harper growled and his arm twitched toward Nathanial. Liam's stance shifted slightly, but Mr. Harper didn't move any more than a twitch. Mrs. Davis had also noticed the movement. Nathanial was careful to turn on the first clip. The sound was poor, since it was in Nathanial's pocket while they were talking.

Mrs. Davis held out her paw, so Nathanial restarted the clip and handed it to her. She put it up to her ear and listened. Her jaw dropped when the clip reached the end. Nathanial held his paw out, but Mrs. Davis shook her head, "This is going straight to the police, Mr. Marks. Joseph, you're no longer permitted any contact with my students pending a full police investigation." She put the phone on her desk and put her paws on the arms of her chair.

Mr. Harper shook his head, "You can't suspend me without union representation. I have my contractual rights."

Mrs. Davis frowned at him, her claws audibly digging into the wood. "Very well. Who do you want as representation?"

Liam interrupted, "Sorry, Mrs. Davis, but this is a legal matter, and involves the safety of your students. Union representation is not required. You can ban him from the school grounds, pending the results of a trial, so long as it is with pay. Then pay action can be taken if his guilt is proven. Also, one of the people that was involved with the investigation earlier this week is on their way to investigate these new developments. Nathanial-san had their number and has already phoned them."

Mr. Harper glared at him with pure hatred. Mrs. Davis nodded, "I'll consult with one of the shop stewards and the superintendent. In either event, I need to get a teacher to replace Joseph for the rest of the afternoon. Joseph, wait in the meeting room for the CSIS agent to get here."

Her intercom buzzed and Ahmed spoke, "Mrs. Davis, an Agent Jay is here to see you."

She clicked a button on it, "Send him right in and arrange for a replacement for Joseph Harper for the rest of the day. I also need to talk to a shop steward right away."

"Yes, Mrs. Davis."

Mrs. Davis held up her paw as Mr. Harper turned to leave, "You may as well wait here. Meanwhile, I want an answer for this." She brought up the looping clip of Mr. Harper hitting the door. There was momentary silence as Liam and Mr. Harper stared in shock at the video. "Mr. Marks, you don't seem surprised to see this, why?"

Nathanial smiled nervously, "Um... I saw it happen in the classroom. I figured the rooms were taped, too."

"Then why are these two surprised? What's your explanation?"

Nathanial shrugged, "I don't know, it looks really painful. That could be why. And I don't have an explanation I can give you."

Mrs. Davis stared at him coldly, "Joseph, what about you?"

The Panther's smug smile returned, "The brat's a Demon in disguise. I'm part of a Holy Order dedicated to hunting down his filth and exterminating them."

Mrs. Davis rubbed her tawny forehead and sighed, "You really know how to keep digging yourself a deeper hole, don't you?" There was a knock on the door, "Enter."

Jay stepped in. Even though the Jackal was of average height, and quite slender, his presence dominated the room. The Agent wore the standard black suit and tie, as well as his sunglasses. He glanced impassively around the room. "Agent Jay. I'm here for Joseph Harper. We've been informed there is further evidence linking him to a crime we've been investigating."

Mrs. Davis didn't seem to notice he didn't provide any ID, or verify his identity in any way. "Yes, Agent. One of my student's," she indicated Nathanial, "Nathanial Marks, caught him on tape admitting at least peripheral involvement." She gave him a summary of the events over lunch, as Jay recorded it, and showed him the school tapes, "The rest is on the phone."

Jay nodded, "Mr. Marks, Mr. Smith, from the sounds of it you haven't had lunch. Go eat, I'll get the clips from your phone once I'm done collecting the data from the school."

They nodded and turned to leave, but Mrs. Davis spoke up, "One moment, boys, I still don't have an explanation for this." She indicated the clip of Nathanial attacking Mr. Harper, "I don't buy this story of Demons and Secret Orders."

Jay gave Nathanial the evil eye and turned to Mrs. Davis, "We are monitoring the actions of a cult that believes just that, ma'am. As long as they don't attack people we let them be, but this one has crossed the line."

Mr. Harper shouted in fury, "We aren't a cult, you damned Demon apologist! We will purge the world of you and those Demons! We just need the Key!" He glared at Nathanial with renewed venom, "You! You Demon loving Magespawn. This isn't over! We'll expose your secrets and destroy everything around you until you give up in despair! Your mother saw you for what you were, and you killed her for it! We'll show everyone what you are! Will you kill those innocent people, too?" Jay had slapped handcuffs on him and was pushing him out the door as he shouted. Mr. Harper was almost in the front office at the last line. Nathanial was standing still, but watched them go with his remote senses, and he saw the crowd of students in the hall stop and stare into the office at the commotion.

Mrs. Davis was dumbfounded, so Nathanial quietly cast a Charm spell. He still needed incantations and gestures for it, which really made it difficult to use effectively, but it still had its uses. "We can go to lunch, now, Mrs. Davis." She kept staring out the door, and just waved them off. Nathanial picked up his phone and followed Liam out.

Liam gave Nathanial a dirty look as they walked down the hall to the front office. Nathanial hunched up his shoulders, and assumed a submissive posture, "I'm sorry. I can't help myself when someone threatens Micah."

Liam shook his head, "I cannot blame you, Nathanial-san. I would likely have reacted, had you not. Micah... may not be innocent in one sense of the word, but he is still one I instinctively must protect. But lunch is nearly over; we must hurry if we want to get even a little food."

Ahmed, the secretary, must have heard the last line because he quickly scribbled two notes and handed them to the pups, "You have ten extra minutes for lunch. Don't dally. The note will also cover for today's special in the cafeteria." Both pups said thanks and stepped out into the hall to be greeted by silent stares. Liam's 'don't touch me' aura came on and the crowd parted to let them go make their way to get a late lunch.

Geoff and Faelen were sitting at their table; they noticeably perked up at the sight of their boyfriends. Nathanial waved, while Liam nodded, and they went to quickly grab food. This late in the lunch period there was no line, so they were quickly making their way back to through the cafeteria. Nathanial was keeping a very close eye on the centre tables and saw the black poodle, Mary, he believed, grab an apple from the tray next to hers. He muttered, "Incoming," to Liam and jerked his head toward Betty Chan's friend. She chucked the apple at Nathanial, who merely took a step back and let it go by.

It hit one of the tough kids, a black Bear, in the back of the head; he stood up with a yell. Liam merely pointed and said, "It was that poodle, Mary. She threw it." The bear grabbed the apple from the floor and threw it, just as Mary realized what was going on. She yelped and tried to move, but it caught her in the left eye with an audible thwack. Liam and Nathanial quickly moved back toward their table as Mary's friends all jumped up in anger and grabbed their leftover food. The cafeteria quickly disintegrated into a food fight. Geoff and Faelen met the pups by the door to the courtyard, a convenient few paces from their table, and the four of them went outside to eat.

It was a cool and drizzly day, so they easily found a vacant picnic table. They sat down and Liam quickly began eating as Nathanial relayed what happened. Once he finished Liam gave some of his thoughts while Nathanial ate. Liam was shaking his head, "Mr. Harper may have still been able to get out of this if he had not started calling Nathanial a Demon in the principal's office and promising to destroy his life. Regardless of what happens with the Society, he will not be able to teach for a very long time, and never be able to have anything to do with us again."

Geoff looked deep in thought, "What's up with this whole 'Key' thing? They keep referring to you as a 'Key'."

Nathanial finished his milk, "Um, I-I'm not sure. They seem to think they can use me in some sort of ritual sacrifice to kill off all magic beings. They first said Demons, but they think Spirits are Demons, too. And then he said something about it..."

Liam stepped in, "We will purge the world of you and those Demons!" He mimicked Mr. Harper's voice almost perfectly, he continued in his own voice, "He was referring to Mages at that point."

Geoff smiled, "I thought it was you who told Da about those rumours Betty started last week." Liam nodded, but didn't say anything. He was looking around the courtyard as carefully as Faelen was. "What's up?"

Faelen just stood up and said, "Let's get to class. The bell's about to ring. We have Chemistry, now. It's a bit of a walk."

Liam nodded, "We are finished eating, Nathanial-san. We may as well join them." Geoff and Nathanial exchanged glances before standing up and following them. The pups dropped their trays off at the proper spot in the cafeteria and walked back through the courtyard toward their lockers.

Nathanial couldn't figure out what got Faelen and Liam so... rushed. Liam kept close to Nathanial as he grabbed his books, so Nathanial activated his telepathy spell. He was glad it didn't take anything more than a little concentration, *Sensei. What's wrong?*

Liam gave Nathanial a sidelong glance, *Nothing. The atmosphere of the school has changed. The food fight had ended and Betty Chan's friends may have been seeking vengeance. Mr. Harper also had much support amongst the school body, they may also have sought vengeance for the discrediting of their teacher. Faelen and I thought it prudent to prevent further conflict today.*

Nathanial could hear that everyone was talking about Mr. Harper's meltdown, and how Nathanial had picked him up by the throat and slammed him against the door. "It's always the quiet ones," was said frequently.

Geoff smiled at Nathanial as they made their way to class, "My little pup's all growed up and getting a tough guy rep." Nathanial noticed that Faelen and Liam were still very alert, so he kept his senses peeled, too.

In class, Mr. Rufus Pablo, a Mole, made an announcement, "Due to a situation I'm sure you're all aware of, the boys' soccer practice after school has been cancelled. And, now, please take out your notebooks and copy this..."