Star Eater
Chapter Two

As Kai jogged across Ventura Boulevard, he saw the first bus of the day up the block. The rest of the street was empty of traffic, which was good considering he lacked sneakers, a coat, and identification. He was also sweating through his shirt and he smelled like a wild animal. Kai passed the donut shop and noted lights on in one of the back windows. They’d be opening up soon, thankfully. He kept going for another block until he came to the storage lot where he rented a unit.

The office was closed and this was not a twenty-four hour access lot, which was one of the reasons Kai chose it. He didn't want people around when he came and went. The lot also had poor security—a few old cameras, half of them just for show, and an automated gate that opened with a code. Kai had not punched in the code since day one.

No, Kai preferred the VIP entrance. He phased out, walked through the wire fence and into the lot like he owned the place. He ignored the cameras, because cameras didn't record him. They eroded into static around him, something he’d learned after a jewelry store incident. In fact, most electronics had a hard time functioning around Kai. It had gotten better as he got older. He even had an old tube television and an ancient video game console in his secret base now. Hell, he could ride the bus without it stalling out or the engine dying.

But such had not always been the case. When he was a kid, nothing worked. His parents had gone through cars, phones, even televisions. There was still no television or cable in Kai’s house since the family had simply given up on it. Not that it mattered. Mom was always overseas and Dad was constantly playing charity organizer. Neither was around enough to enjoy a television.

There were other electronics that had failed. One car dealership refused to sell to Mom anymore and had a picture of her up in their employee lounge. And after breaking at least three digital cameras, Dad had finally gone to a photographer that still used film to get a picture of Kai as a kid. It was a wonder they had never noticed the common denominator. But, then, parents had to stick around to notice anything about their kids.

It was different now. Yes, Kai had to make concessions. His Fitbit was a custom piece. It could survive deep diving in the ocean and also space. His laptop was top quality and enforced with a lining that could stop bullets. His phone was military grade. It lacked a camera, but could send a signal from anywhere in the world and could function in nuclear conditions. Actually, he had two of them. Thanks to his credit card, Kai had learned to adjust.

Phasing out, Kai walked through the garage door and into his unit, or as he affectionately called it, his secret base. He didn't bother flicking on the light. Living with a demon had taught him to function in the dark. Instead, he grabbed a bottle of water out of his fridge and plopped down on the couch. His backup phone lay on the side table and he felt around until his fingers found it. Once located, he scooped it up, checking for any indication that his parents were looking for him. All was clear. No surprise there.

Akuma slid out into his shadow and sat next to Kai, providing a nice, cooling counterpoint for his overheated body. When his touch became too cold, the demon scooted off the couch and onto the ground so that Kai could stretch out on the love seat. At some point he passed out and woke up at 6:00.

“Shit,” Kai said, swinging his legs around. Moving his legs tugged on his tether to Akuma, who had been lying on the floor. The demon didn't protest the sudden movement.

“You don’t have to go to school,” he said mildly.

“How many days have I missed so far?”

The demon thought about it. “Three,” he said.

Kai sighed. He did have to go to school. The state of California allowed three unexcused absences before a student was considered truant. All of Kai’s absences had had excuses, neatly forged in his father’s handwriting. And, considering his medical issues and the fact that he’d listed various doctor’s appointments, he doubted he was under suspicion yet.

But it was only October. He probably wouldn't be able to miss much more without a red flag rising and he really, really didn't want his parents to start noticing him now. He worked very hard to stay under their radar. He wasn’t going to let one night of lost sleep mess up years of playing the good student. Because, knowing his parents, it would only take one incident.

With a groan, Kai stood and finally turned on the lights. He gave the base a quick survey. One half of the room was set up like an impromptu living room, with an old couch in burnt orange, a mini fridge, television, and game console. There was a cheap chest of drawers against the far wall and a nearly full hamper beside it. He would have to do laundry soon. A coffee table sat between couch and television on top of a grey carpet that blended in with the concrete underneath.

Behind the couch, against the other side wall were a few folding tables set up with empty baths on them. A stack of neatly labeled chemicals sat underneath and there was a clothesline hanging across the center of the room. It was empty now, but it reminded Kai to grab a camera. Ever since he’d gotten his picture taken for the first time, Kai had fallen in love with film photography. The camera had been almost as good a friend as Akuma. Kai glanced at a shelf on the back wall beside his dresser and the collection of yard sale cameras stacked there, deciding which one he’d choose today.

As the decision rolled around in his brain, he changed out of his dirty pajamas and into some slightly less dirty sweats. He grabbed one of his extra school uniforms and stuffed it into a gym bag along with a towel and some toiletries. Then he searched around until he found one of his schoolbags under the couch.

“Why is there only one schoolbag here?” he asked. “I thought I had, like, three.”

“They’re all at home,” Akuma said.

Kai sighed. “Remind me to bring some back next time we come.”

Kai walked over to the shelf and grabbed his Pentax K1000 off the shelf. It looked like a clunkier, older version of the sleek digital SLR Nikons and Canons, which it was. Bonus, Kai’s had real leather around the body of the camera instead of faux leather. He checked the film number and saw he had half a roll of film left.

“Can you finish that half roll today?” Akuma asked.

“Absolutely,” Kai said grinning and stuffed it in his backpack.

Finally ready, Kai headed out through the door and toward the donut shop.

The sun was spreading light haze around campus as Kai strolled in. Class didn't start for another forty minutes, which meant he still had time to shower. And he needed it.

And grab the hydrogen peroxide, Akuma reminded him. The demon had retreated inside of Kai and was settled around his star like a cat in a cat bed.

Shit, right, Kai thought. There might be some in the trainer’s office. That’s closer.

There was sand in unmentionable places, plus his feet had about a millimeter of dirt caked on them. Now that he had a bear claw in his belly, and one in his bag for later, Kai really, really wanted to get clean. If his secret base had a shower, Kai probably would never leave.

The campus was deserted. A few cars were in the parking lot, alerting him to the presence of some early-rising teachers. Kai wasn’t in the mood to deal with adults. Instead, he went around the building towards the gymnasium. There was a copse of trees clustered near the gym wall, which were great for either climbing up for roof access or just using as cover to walk into school.

Conveniently, the wall led Kai into a janitor’s closet. He was about to continue on straight through and into the boys' locker room when a noise made him pause. Through the cinder blocks, he heard the faint echo of laughter. Frowning, he opened the door into the hallway instead and entered the locker room by way of the main entrance.

The locker room was full. A bunch of guys in various states of undress were chatting away, hair wet, most freshly showered. Kai stopped at the entrance abruptly, a little put off by so many people so early. He was used to coming and going at this hour by himself. A few guys near the entrance noticed him. One broke off and approached, dressed only in a towel, which made Kai even more uncomfortable. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“Uh, you missed try-outs if that’s what you’re wondering,” the kid said. He was probably a senior if the strong jawline and rippling chest muscles indicated anything.

“Excuse me?” Kai replied.  

“Are you here for swim try-outs?” the kid asked. “'Cause we’re done.”

Right, the school had a bunch of sports teams. Kai couldn't even conjure a list of them. He’d never paid any attention.

“No,” Kai said, shaking his head. “God, no,” he added.

The kid frowned and rolled his shoulders, taking offense.

“I suck at swimming,” Kai said quickly, to head off trouble.

In truth, he’d never learned. The kid eyed him up and down. In his smelly, grass-stained sweats and his slim body, Kai couldn’t imagine what he looked like.

“Cross country?” the kid asked.

“Yup,” Kai agreed easily.

The kid rolled his eyes. “Whatever,” he said and walked away.

Kai didn't understand that response and didn't care. Given unspoken permission, he walked through the bustling room. He was relieved to find the row where his locker was located not quite as full as the others. There were only two kids, freshmen like him, and they ignored him as he peeled out of his clothes. He glanced their way once, capturing the image in his mind’s eye: two guys, half-naked, talking excitedly about their chances of making the team. Their elated expressions were so at odds with their near nudity, he itched to take a picture.

Cause that’s not weird, he thought turning away.

Why is it weird? Akuma asked. The demon may have been on Earth, stuck with Kai for eleven years, but there were still intricacies to human culture he didn't understand.

Never mind, Kai thought and hurried to get into the now empty showers. He needed the cold water to wake him up quick. The exhaustion was obviously getting to him.

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