Demi-Angels Chapter 2: Come one and all for the big reveal!

~Thomas' POV~

All around me is a freaking pit, no bottom or top just a big piece of pitch black nothin'. I try to scrape against a wall of something-anything, and yup, nothing. I try and move my head and oh look, more darkness really just brings the room together don't you think? But even with a lotta nothing, there just had to be cold, it felt like I was dumped in a ice stack of ice needles, with every point and edge scraping against me without an end in sight. Rocking, shaking and shivering like a kid sized maraca, even my breath began to get more jittery, my hands clasped against my sides. Trying to house as much heat as I could.

But what was the worse than the cold was this sound that just wouldn't go away. Second after second the sound just kept coming, tap, tap, tap, crack, crack , crack! As soon as the sound got louder and louder, I could hear that whip again, why won't it just stop, I could feel my skin blanch, as a mantra of no repeated in my head. In-between by knees I kept shaking my head from side to side, curling even tighter than before. You demonic toucan just stop, why wont you go away?! No matter what thought echoed, or any movement I gave, the sound only got louder and louder. Nearly splitting my ears with just the sound alone, until suddenly a young girls wail pieced through it all, making me feel like I had a hole in my chest.

I jolted awake, scrambling to my feet in a cool sweat, my back stung but at the moment my mind wasn't there, you freakin' toucan, you better not have hurt Kelly or so help me I'll- my thoughts were cut off by my body, my head began to feel light headed, and my eyes blurred, but before I had to sit down, I felt my arm getting draped over something. Looking at my right I blinked the clouds from my eyes and saw John. His eyes kept glancing over the rail as a hint of crying was heard from below. I intercepted his eyes when he looked at me and I couldn't describe his face, he looked disappointed, sad and just ugh! The more I thought about what I was hearing, and from the pains that still lingered in my back, I could feel my nails biting into my palms, as my chest rose and lowered rapidly, I went to move but a brown haired wall stood in the way of that. Using the position we were in to at least keep me paused.

"Tom, don't." he stated shakily "your back's not even all the way healed yet, its only been two weeks, let's..." He paused, lips turning into a thin line as he looked everywhere but my face before saying

"let's just check on Kelly alright? Come on, we can be mad later." he urged, and grudgingly I had to agree, I sighed and nodded with him, together we raced down one of the two moldy green steps that flanked the wall as we slid through the crowd of the other orphans. Barely anyone was able to look at Kelly, and the few that did could barely see through the tears in their eyes. And as my creaking steps sank into the wood, I finally saw Kelly, she was sobbing on the floor, her wispy black hair matted in front of her face as she cried. She was a little kid, 5 years younger than me and her back was crimson red.

John and I flanked her sides, we tried to comfort her but, just the slightest touch made her scamper from us. She nearly ran back first into a wall but after that, she just kept gasping and crying. It felt like I had a Gordian knot tied in my throat as my stomach turned on it's head. And flickering to the side, John looked no better. I instinctively went to try and touch Kelly but stopped seeing her flinch once more. deciding to sit besides her, all I could say was

"let it out, just let it all out, we're not going to hurt you, we promise" I cooed as John sat with her as well. As the sobbing lessened after minutes of crying I heard a choked,

"a-am I trash?" hearing that my blood ran cold, as I fought against my anger, nearly biting my tongue off as I tried not to scare her, thankfully John' said

"No, Kelly of course you aren't, you're an angel actually, don't, don't pay attention to what she said okay? You're amazing!" he said smiling slightly, and while I was in a war with my anger I felt an idea slither in my head, okay, if she want's to call someone trash well lets show her she ain't no marble statue.

"Mhm, you're one awesome kiddo Kel, and ya know what? I have a secret," I told her gifting her with a smirk. "The old toucan's was just projectin' on ya, sad being trash, guess she had to make you feel like her. But here, I promise ya this, in a bit, we'll reveal her true form. The towering trash toucan will be revealed just tonight, it's gonna be your very own magic show, how's that sound huh?" I chuckled trying to calm her down, I only saw a crack of a smirk, but it's better than nothing, but as I saw John's face I saw a face that looked like don't you dare, he angled away from Kelly and scrunched his eyebrows as he looked me like don't. I leaned back and shrugged, gifting his a smirk that most people tend to hate from me, no idea why.

After a bit, while still lightly crying, Kelly was finally able to be left on her own, and with that, me and John walked off, or rather John was storming up to me while I was studying the "props" of tonight's show.

"Tom! Don't tell me you're gonna prank her, it's been two weeks?! Just why, you don't ne-" I cut him off

"Yep I do!"

"No, no you really don't!" he exasperated drawing a chuckle from me

"Listen, if she wants to call people what she is, who am I to not help her embrace it? heheh, What would ya want me to fight her? Oh! I've been waitin' for this!" I said excitedly rubbing my hands together, "lemme at her" I cheered walking back only to get held back by my collar.

"Noooo, not that either, but- huff, do you at least have a plan?" He relented in a huff

"Sorta"

"Is it the sorta, I do and I'm kidding you, or is it the I'm gonna wing it?" and for that I only have,

"Yes." and to my brilliant answer I got a facepalm and a few breathy mutters while John clasped a hand on my shoulder and turned me around.

"Well, I can't have my best friend going in without a plan, so-I'll help. Guess it's something with trash, since you standing by the bin?"

"Yup, it's an old classic, thought for this, we need the finest of trash, aka anything sticky and stainin', ready to begin Appleseed?"

"Sure Tomcat, let's see where this goes"

For minutes on end, me and John covertly picked and chose the props for this grand performance, gathering the fuel for what was to come. Melted cheese here, fruit there, peas on the side, bit of puke there, and generally whatever else we could find. All arranged in a very special top hat(Bucket) for our esteemed tribute. And when night came, it was finally time for the show to begin. We both rounded up the all the other kids and especially Kelly, John was getting the surprise ready while I began to get our guest of honor situated.

"Here ya Kel, 'e sure to step back a bit, don't want ya to be in a splash zone kiddo" I motioned over to her spot, though when I went to get in my own spot, I felt a tug on my sleeve, "Hm? Anything wrong Kel?" I asked crouching to meet her.

"B-be careful Thomas, I, I don't want you to be hurt either" she muttered, clutching her knees closer to her chest. I knew what would happen, but looking into her eyes, I just, couldn't bring myself to be truthful. Hopefully I can just for a moment bring a smile on her face again. So, with as bright smile I could make I said,

"No worries kiddo, ain't nothin' gonna happen to me, now go'on show's about to start!" I beamsd, walking forward, I took in a deep breath as I locked eyes with John, he mouthed "Wanna call it off?" I shook my head, too far in now, and not to mention, everyone else needs a good laugh today. If I gotta get beat for that, oh well. After I got a thumbs up, I began the show.

"ladies, gentlemen, rats, roaches... over-sized old toucan." A few snickers sounded but got silenced by said toucan's glare.

"Aww, don't have your feathers in a bunch, it's a harmless joke, I promise I mean' no the disrespect for your beaaa" Even before I finished that I saw veins forming already. Right on schedule "nose, yes that's what I meant, you beak nose"

"My little angel~"she sneered "If you would be so kind, would you mind speeding it up a tad? I am very busy." Every word from her lips sounded like venom, slow and deadly. And not to mention that fake sweetness.sounded as sweet as a million lemons. But, who am I to deny an audience? 'specially one eager to get their gift, it'd be criminal of me. With a fake bow I said

"Very well, wicked toucan of the south, please step forward, and oh, but know this, no whips no service. And please, do not poke out my eye with that beak!" I said flighty I heard a few muffled chuckles as in the corner of my eye I watched the crowd, mainly Kelly, if she was smiling or not, I really couldn't tell, hopefully what's coming next will do the trick.

"Very well, here I am, you may continue, my little angel~" she crones with a strained smile, Leave it to her to make angel sound creepy, meeting her fake smile with my own, I said

"Now my dear audience with our main assistant for the night ready and willing, allow me to briefly set the stage. As you have most likely heard, our assistant has mistakenly lashed out for her own appearance." A row of playful boos sounded, as I motioned like a magician with every word that left my mouth.

"Please, let's cut her some slack, its not her- well yes it is but! Instead of demeaning her, calling her names, or beating her, I've decided lets make her feel comfortable in her own skin. Show what's truly under the veil, what lies hidden that wrinkly visage" The more I talked I swear I could've see her eyes flash red once more, my eyes flickered to her hands and I saw them curled up, I gotta speed up."so, for my trick of the night, I shall transform this toucan into her true form. A Bird of trash."

"Boy, do you dare!"

"Abracadabra!"

I yelled snapping my fingers, as in mere moments our gift fell atop the caretaker's head. Engulfing it in all the trash, left over food and some puke. as you could hear her muffled screams as she ranted and raved from in the bucket, and so with my trick done, I did an over the top bow as with a simple, not-so deliberate "stretch" of my foot, now the caretaker laod rolling on the ground, squaking all throughout the orphanage.

"Mm-mm-mm, cant find no good help these days huh? Even toucan sam's greeeaaaat grandma was a bust. Though let's not hol' it against her, let's give our valued assistant the applause she deserves!" Now the orphanage laughed and clapped I soaked in the cheers and listened to their excitement. Peaking through I saw who needed it most, I saw Kelly cracking smile as soon to my left I saw John going down the balcony, gifting him a big high five I cheered. But like every thing else, the caretaker had to suck all the good from this moment. As the clattered bounce of the bucket skittered down the floor. Heaving and puffing, the caretaker looked like a vulture about to take flight, rise and fall with every breath. Her eyes now full scarlet glared deeply at me, striking me to my soul as that same unearthly growl rumbled in her gobble neck. Despite the chill that went down my spine, I gulped and held my head head up at the caretaker, gifting her the falsest smile I can muster. But as she made her protracted march, John stepped in front of me, I felt my eyes widen as I clasped a hand on his shoulder.

"John, what are you doing?!" I whispered harsher than I meant to.

"Making sure you don't go through that alone again!" He whispered back "I-If you want to hurt him, h-hurt me too!" he stuttered. But to his demand, the caretaker gave him a sneer, almost like she was disappointed?

"Tsk, for someone with you lineage, it is dreadfully disappointing you stoop to this child." she spat, and despite John's best efforts, her long fingernail having hand grabbed and tossed him away like a bag of grapes."now then deary, away from us, It's time for your friend's punishment. This way my little angel~"

And for that night, all that filled the walls of the orphanage were whip snaps and muffled cries of pain.