Chapter Text
April 1st 1912 5:00 am
April fool's day was apparently the one day a year where the kids here at Gosport Grammar School were allowed to play pranks. And it just so happens to be the day they leave this wretched place. Most teachers are too busy with the children's games so if 3 just so happen to go missing, who's to say when they'll be found.
The plan was simple: stay for morning check in, leave before afternoon class. But nothing is ever easy for him. Before the day can even start, Abaddon is ripped from his bed by the head master. He’s tossed in a sack and dragged away. He claws at the fabric and rips a hole, tearing for enough space to squeeze his head through. Before he can fully crawl out the bag is swung against a wall a few times, dazing him. He hears shouting but can't focus on the words. After being dragged a few feet more He’s tossed in a closet, a click follows once he’s trapped. He pounds on the door till his fists bounces off.
There must be salt on the other side. Perfect to keep a demon like him trapped.
He doesn’t understand, he’d been well behaved the week leading today for this very reason. Had teachers found out about their plan? With his only exit sealed, Abaddon examines his surroundings. His eyes widen when he realizes exactly where he is.
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Leopold couldn't sleep, not with all the possibilities today had. He hears someone enter the room, but pays no mind. He only opened his eyes when he heard Abaddon shouting. He sees the head master leaving with a wiggling burlap sack. Leo chases after the kidnapper just in time to see him slam the bag to a wall like it was a dangerous animal. “HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING! THAT'S MY FRIEND!”
“You're ‘friend’ is a creature of hell. Today is already going to be a hassle with you children! The last thing we need is a demon causing chaos!” He threw Abaddon in a closet and locked behind him, after he poured salt down as good measure.
“As for you, you're up far too early. Back to bed with you, less you want a trip to the office.” the headmaster lectured.
Leo grits his teeth and turns around with an eye roll. He didn't have much of a choice, Abaddon would have to wait.
12:30 am
“He what!?”
“Yep, poor Abaddon has been stuck in there all morning! He's in the toffee closet.”
Corey sighed and stood up, and began walking towards the closet where he first won the demon's Favor. Leopold walked ahead of him and brushed the salt away with his foot. It wasn't hard to get the door unlocked, he even took a minute to teach Leo how to pick it.
To their surprise Abaddon was curled up on his side facing away from the door. He looked so much smaller and Corey's heart broke at the sight. “Abby, are you okay?” He asked as he bent down to scoop up the child. But before he could, Abaddon groaned “D-Don't call me that.. you have not earned the right to.. ughhh… name me in the way of nicks.” he had no interest in massacring his name like Leo.
“Did you eat all the candy!?” Leo snapped at him. Rolling over Abaddon answers “No, not all. It cursed me before I could finish devouring it. I don't understand, I've consumed poisons before, yet nothing has rendered me to this.”
The blonde boy rolled his eyes and spat “That's because you ate a mountain of it! Selfish demon, I almost felt sorry for you!”
Leo took the last jar of toffee and put it in his coat. Corey glanced a disappointed look at Leo, but decided not to push it. “Well there goes the Easter hunt. Not that we'll be here. Are you alright to walk or can I carry you?” Abaddon was quiet for a second before meekly giving permission to be held.
Corey leads them towards the dean's office. Leopold walked behind confused, he asked “What are we doing here?”
Corey looked back and gave him a soft smile “We're gonna tell the truth.” Knocked on the door and waited for permission to enter. “Sir, Headmaster Treadwell locked Abaddon in the candy closet and he ate it all, he gave himself a tummy ache. May the three of us be excused the rest of the day.”
“I understand, and you two may. But why Leopold?”
Leo straightened up at the sound of his name and quickly responded with the truth “I didn't sleep well this morning, the headmaster woke me up when he took Abaddon. And after seeing him get tossed around like a rag doll, it was hard to go back to bed.” or a half truth.
“What do you mean?”
Abaddon lifted his head and spoke up. “Yes I was hit against the wall 3 times and was dazed in my attempt to escape that wretched bag. I did not like the bag and I hate that man!” his deep voice and gaze sharp, penetrating the dean's composure.
Nervously he says “I-I did not intend for him to handle you so roughly, only to contain you for the day. Please take this as an apology and don't seek revenge.” The dean stood up, walked over to a covered cage and took a small bird from inside. He gently hands the bird to Abaddon who only stares at the animal. The mortals hold their breath all expecting the inevitable. They are still shocked to see when Abaddon suddenly bites the head off the poor creature, and terrifying Dean Fletcher. Abaddon looks up, mouth dripping with blood. “I accept your offering.”
Leopold takes Abaddon by the arm and thanks the man for his leniency. Corey follows shortly behind after profusely apologizing.
Corey said in disbelief “That was the dean's pet jackdaw… he raised it from an egg.”
“And it was delicious. When are we leaving? I feel much better.” said Abaddon casually.
“I suppose now. Quickly let's get our things and cut for it.
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Leopold shoved a wad of socks into his bag with a grunt. "You two are really doing this, then? Running off to America because you've got an eye for boats, Corey?"
Corey ignored him, carefully folding a sweater. "She's the Titanic, not just a boat. And you know that's not why. What's wrong with boarding the ship? She'll take you to France." Leo looks away and grumbles “Just never been on one.”
Abaddon licked a last trace of blood from his lip, watching them pack with detached amusement. "I feel a surge of vitality. The bird was... acceptable. But this packing is tedious. Can we not simply burn the place and leave?"
"Absolutely not," Corey snapped, his excitement fraying.
____
The three of them reached the boundary wall as the sun began to set in the sky. The stone wall loomed, slick with dew and moss. Leopold stared up at it and spat. “Three meters of this. Perfect."
Corey pointed to a shadowy depression at the base. "There. A drainage tunnel. Abby, you're the smallest. Crawl through, find the gate on the other side of the lane, and break the padlock."
Abaddon peered into the dark, narrow hole with utter disdain. "You wish for me to crawl through filth like a common rodent? I am the Prince of-"
"You're a Prince with a belly full of toffee and bird," Leo interrupted, giving him a none-too-gentle shove toward the opening. "Just hurry up and do it before a groundskeeper spots us!”
With a hiss of displeasure, Abaddon dropped to his knees and squeezed into the cramped tunnel. They heard muffled curses and then silence. A minute later, a metallic snap echoed from the other side of the wall. "It is done," Abaddon's voice called, with smug satisfaction The demon dashed ahead the two boys. Abaddon climbed to the top of the nearest tree. His head pops out of the leaves and he's able to get a proper view of his surroundings for the first time since his arrival to this foreign land. He hasn't been this tall in awhile he missed it, and a 2nd story window has nothing on this view.
April 4th
The three runaways walk through the woods, Abaddon jumps from log to rock in an attempt to entertain himself. All is calm and right. At least till a loud shot rings through the forest. Abaddon felt a searing pain rip through his chest before he crumpled to the ground. Just as he was picking himself up, he was scooped up by Corey. “I've got you, brother!” his voice low and strain. Blood seeped from the young demon’s wound, staining Corey’s shirt like a wine spill.
Another shot scared them into hiding. “Alright, I’ve got a plan,” Corey said, determined. “We’ll play dead, and when he comes, you take his gun and toss it to me.” he gestures to Abaddon, who is still in his grip struggling to free himself. “Abaddon, are you okay to move?” Corey asked, urgency lacing his words.
“Yes, the bullet went completely through. I'll be fine.” Abaddon managed through gritted teeth as he broke free from Corey's grasp. He winced as another sharp pang shot through him… that usually meant he was healing.
“What about me?” interjected Leopold, his expression held apprehension.
“You’re gonna hide. It’s too dangerous for you. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you,” Corey explained, his voice softening but firm. Leo opened his mouth to argue but was silenced by the thunderous crack of another gunshot nearby. Nodding reluctantly, he scurried into the dense underbrush.
Corey turned to Abaddon, holding him close. The grip tightened until it bordered on pain.
“Close your eyes and go limp.” he urged, his voice a fierce whisper. With eyes closed against the world around him, Abaddon could hear Corey's heavy breaths that slowly stopped as danger approached. For a minute all was still.
“Oh Corey, a pity you chose this fate… But you! ” A menacing voice shattered the silence
“Playing dead won’t save you, demon!” The man yanked Abaddon by the collar, and instinctually, Abaddon clawed at the man’s cheek in that moment of desperation.
The man loosened his grip just enough for Abaddon to pull the revolver from the man’s belt, tossing it towards Corey who was still ‘dead’. Corey caught the weapon, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn’t hesitate to point the weapon at the man he once feared. “You don’t want to do this, young man,” the head master shouts, his voice trembling slightly.
Corey barely registered the warning. Instead, a single shot rang out, reverberating through the trees. The man fell to his knees, hands clutching his gushing neck. Blood soaked the earth as silence enveloped them, creating a grotesque stillness.
Abaddon was stunned, Corey was the last person he thought capable of violence let alone murder. They watch him bleed out for a bit before Abaddon decides it's time to go. He grabs Corey’s sleeve and pulls him away from the corpse. Best they didn’t linger.
As they moved deeper into the forest, the low murmur of sobs caught Corey’s attention. Following the sound, they found Leo curled into himself, knees to his chest and hands covering his ears, shaking softly.
“Leo!” Corey knelt beside him, arms open wide. Which Leo gratefully accepts. They both let out a few sobs, clutching each other like their lives depended on it. “We’re safe now,” Corey whispered, though he wasn’t truly sure.
“We are no longer being pursued,” Abaddon added, his voice unfazed by the danger they just faced.
“Not for long. When they find… him, they’ll be on our tail,” Corey replied, brow furrowing with concern. “Then they won't find him. Clean yourself and I'll deal with the body.” Abaddon said nonchalantly and began walking back.
“Corey, did Abaddon kill him?” Leo’s voice was small, barely a breath yet it still caught Abaddon's attention. Enough to respond at least. “Yes,” Abaddon shot back, a deep red flickering in his eyes. Looking back towards them as he walked deeper into the woods. At that moment, Abaddon and Corey exchanged glances. Who pulled the trigger would remain between them.
Abaddon pulls out the knife he’d received from Leopold, and begins carving the flesh off the man who locked him up. He mimics animal calls waiting for some to come. And feeds the meat to all that accept it. And finishes what the animals won’t eat himself. Additionally he takes a few bones as a trophy. By drawing a rune in the blood and chanting a few words, he makes the rest of the mess disappear.
When he returns to the boys, he sees horrified faces staring at him. He looks behind himself, worried something followed him back, but sees nothing. He turns back to see Corey hunched over a shrub vomiting. Leopold slowly walked towards him with wide eyes, he reached out a hand to Abaddon. It hovers just above his shoulder, too afraid to touch him without permission. Abaddon pushed Leo's hand away. Blood transfers from Abaddon to the other's hand, and Leo smiles at the sight.
“How often do you kill people? Is it fun or boring to you? What did you do to the body?!” Leopold asks, enthralled by the bloody boy.
“Please! Not now!” Corey shouts in between dry heaves. “Did you get his bones?” Leo whispers to Abaddon who nodded and pulled out a rib from his pocket to show the boy. Leo looked at it with morbid curiosity, “Blimey, It's cleaner than a whistle… Fascinating. To think that man was alive no less than an hour ago.”
“I wanted the skull, but Corey would never allow it.”
“Darn right I wouldn't. Now toss those bones, you don't need them.” Corey attempted to command but the demon would never waver, especially to a teenager still shaking from his first kill. “No! I earned these, I disposed of that man for you! I left behind the skull for YOU. The least you can do is let me keep these tiny pieces.”
Corey sighed but reluctantly nodded “Fine, just don't show anyone, the last thing we need is rozzers after us.”
April 5th
On a river bed two boys sat side by side, one held a pole the other held his knees close. Abaddon was mildly disturbed by yesterday's events. Not because someone died but because Corey had stayed up the entire night before. Not saying a word aside from the occasional ‘stay here’ and ‘sorry’. He didn’t exactly want to be around Corey when he was in this unpleasant mood, so fishing with Leopold is how he planned to spend the day. That was till Leo loses his one and only fish hook. “Gah! Stupid fish! If only I hadn't buried my tackle box!” Leopold shouts as he waves his pole around, before tossing it nearby.
“I thought you did not need anything from your Sire.” Abaddon said with a lack of interest. “I don't!” Leopold huffed “I just need dinner.”
“Just use your hands to catch them.” Abaddon suggested. “I can't do that, the fish are too fast and the water is too cold.” Leopold huffed “Pathetic, but it is not your fault. You've lived a sheltered, short life, it is no wonder you can't catch the simplest of creatures.” Abaddon sneered.
“Who are you calling sheltered!? You're the one who can't act right around others!” Leopold defended.
“I'm an immortal demon, I've tortured thousands and killed hundreds. I will never act right for anyone.” Leopold was silent for a moment before gulping and said “…What's it like to torture someone.”
Abaddon sat up straight and proudly proclaimed “It is an art form I've perfected over millennia. There is nothing better than screams as I carve into flesh and bone. The way they beg for mercy despite all their sins, is music to my ears.”
“Sins? Do you only torture evil people?”
“I suppose everyone did deserve it, they were in hell after all. And I haven't properly tortured anyone since my arrival to this planet.”
“I want to torture people.” Leo stated quickly before continuing. “... Bad people. People who have it coming, like my father.”
Leopold rummages through his satchel and pulls out a notebook opening to a page and handing it to Abaddon “After that fight with Rupert and Wesley I've been imagining all the ways to make em pay.” Abaddon flips through the pages, each one containing a graphic display of broken bones and spilled guts. He smiled at the cruel pictures as he too imagined those teens suffering this fate. “Don't tell Corey about those, he's already hipped, I don't wanna worry him more.”
“Fear not, these pictures shall stay between us. You have a twisted mind, I applaud your creativity… Perhaps one day we can make these images a reality.” Abaddon thought he'd regret that as soon as he said it but the feeling never came. He never had a partner in crime before. The idea was tantalizing.
Leopold sucked in a breath before asking “Is starvation torture?”
“Yes. The pain hunger causes is on par with severed limbs, especially if one cannot die.”
He would know.
“My pops would starve me, sometimes for days. And I thought that was the best punishment... I can feed myself, it's just easier with a fish hook.”
Abaddon stands up and with a sharp look towards Leo says “Watch.” Abaddon wades in the water, ignoring the cold and looks around till he pounces on a fish. Snatching it, he takes it back to shore and begins eating it raw. And alive.
“Ew, save some for the rest of us.”
“Catch your own.”
While chewing Abaddon bites down on a sharp piece of metal “ow!” He digs around his mouth before pulling out a fish hook. He tosses it aside and Leopold picks it off the ground and ties it to his fishing pole.
April 6th
Corey hasn't been sleeping, these past 2 nights he's insisted on being lookout for the group. Which is stupid because Abaddon doesn't need sleep, so if anyone should be on the lookout it should be him. What was even worse is that he wouldn't let the demon wander. So for 2 nights it's just been him and Corey sitting in an awkward silence.
The fire was dying, embers glowed faintly, casting long shadows over Corey’s hollow face. Abaddon watched him, the silence between them thick and unbearable. “You’re being dumb,” Abaddon finally said, his voice flat. “You need to sleep. I don’t.”
Corey’s eyes flicked toward him briefly before returning towards the fire. “I’m fine,” he muttered, but the tremor in his hands said otherwise. He just kept staring. A few quiet minutes before Abaddon spoke again. “Are you frightened of me?”
Corey looked at him directly for the first time since the murder. He found it hard to lie with the demon's intense gaze. “Just a tad, but it is not you who keeps me up… I've never seen so much blood on someone, but I've also never seen a dead body before that day. It was a lot to take in but I don't regret what we did.” Abaddon nodded at Corey's response, satisfied with the answer.
Another few minutes later Corey blurts out something off topic. “You know… my big brother went missing on April first. 3 years ago. I always told myself he got out of here.” His voice was low and rough.
Abaddon's gaze drifted to Corey, a hint of curiosity in his expression. “Perhaps not,” Corey continued,“If this is how escapees are handled. It's just hard to think that headmaster Treadwell would shoot at children.” he finished reluctantly.
“I am not a child. I am a demon, he shot at a demon.” Abaddon stated. The older boy crossed his arms and leaned in to himself. “But he thought he also shot me. And he didn't seem to care as much as I thought he would.” Corey held his head in his hands. “I took so much of his shit and became one of the top students in the school's eyes. I know I wasn't his favorite but I was still his friend! I listened to his stories, I helped him manage team sports and lied so he could keep his damn job! He could have at least said sorry…”
Silence enveloped them once again for a brief moment before Abaddon spoke in a sharp tone “Get over it.”
“Huh!?”
“You claim he was your ally? Yet I have observed nothing to back it up. Tell me when was the last time you truly felt he had your best interest in mind.” Corey opened his mouth but nothing came out. He couldn't recall the first time, now that he thought about it. Abaddon watched the emotions play across Corey's face: confusion, anger, pain and finally acceptance. He laid down facing away from the demon and softly began snoring.