Valeriana wanted to get Seraphina out of her ridiculous attire. She was sure she had worn this for a few days now, especially with the spots of stains and the unpleasant smell that was wafting off her. Even so, her suggestions were rebuffed. The woman was more focused on finding the demons she spoke of.

As much as she hated to say it, this woman was the epitome of dedication.

They had walked from Mass-av to the outskirts of the Emerald Necklace. By then, Valeriana had thought up of several places possible; hospitals, schools, and community spots in general. However, her conclusions were too vague and would take more than a week to check out. She didn’t want to spend her entire summer vacation scouring the streets of Massachusetts with a strange woman to slay demons. Aside from it being too dangerous, it wasn’t her type of hobby.

“I envy this world,” Seraphina said as she observed her surroundings. “It seems rather peaceful.”

“Rather peaceful,” Valeriana repeated. “But we fight amongst ourselves for territory and resources. The conflict is still there, trust me. It just depends on what sort of peacefulness you’re considering.”

“I see. Like a peaceful ocean but with a turmoil within,” she said. “Those words of yours are very wise.” Seraphina gave her a look of praise and nodded once.

“They’re my father’s,” she replied, bringing out her battered phone and texting her mother. She had a lot of explaining to do when she arrived home so she wanted to stall as much as possible.

Several missed calls and a couple of voice mails. Sighing, she put it to silent mode and cursed inwardly. She very well knew what she had done.

“You said you were with your family during that lunch,” said Seraphina. “Where is your father?”

“He passed away two years ago,” she stated in a low voice.

The woman was silent for a few moments. “I apologize. That was insensitive.”

“It’s fine...” she trailed off as she tucked the phone into her pocket.

A small girl wearing pigtails passed by, holding an ice cream with her left hand while gripping her mother's fingers in the other. Seraphina's eyes followed the food she was licking so happily, her brows knitting while a hint of curiosity and wonder gleamed in her cerulean blue eyes.

Valeriana saw this and thought for a moment. She still had a couple of dollars in her pocket.

“Have you had any ice cream before?” she asked.

“Ice cream?”

“We can drop by the ice cream shop and buy you one. My treat.” Valeriana grabbed Seraphina by the wrist and dragged her towards the nearby ice cream parlor.

“But I—”

“You know you want to,” she retorted.

Despite her protests, the girl managed to pull her into a shop anyway and bought her a single scoop in a cone. Seraphina's eyes twinkled as she gazed at the treat she was given, almost like a child granted a whole jar of cookies. Valeriana reckoned they had none of this wherever she came from.

“Do you not want any?” Seraphina asked, offering her ice cream to Valeriana.

“No. I'm not really fond of sweets.”

They hurried on and left the shop the moment the purchase was made.

“We need an itinerary,” Valeriana said, watching Seraphina nibble on the cone. “But checking out all these places will take time. How many demons are you after? Do they have any personal preferences and nature or whatsoever?”

“The last batch that descended were composed of fifty-one demons. I’ve exterminated over forty-two.”

“Descended?” she repeated. “What do you mean by that?”

“Do you really want to know?” Seraphina asked, pausing.

Valeriana crossed her arms and sighed. “I’m already in on it. There’s no use keeping it from me, is there?”

“This matter is rather complicated.” Seraphina looked thoughtful. “I would not prefer to drag you in too much since I fear for your safety. However, I promise to tell you to make you understand. Just help me find those demons first.”

Valeriana rolled her shoulders. “Fine, let’s go.”

They went to take a bus to a random part of the city and got off on a whim. They were wandering around aimlessly with no direction. If they continued this way, they wouldn’t have anything to start with. Valeriana was not very motivated at the moment.

It was already around three in the afternoon as they visited places after places—hospitals, even Harvard Law. They came off empty-handed in the end.

“To be honest, during our last encounter, I was rather dumbfounded,” the woman confessed as they walked. “There have been no instances of a witness during these times, mostly because humans cannot see demons.”

“What?”

“Demons are not ordinary beings. Humans are not granted the sight to see them. You are an unusual case.”

“Wait, wait.” She held up her hand. “You’re saying...”

“Yes,” Seraphina replied. “It has been so long ever since someone opened the gates. Normally, it would be shut tight. But the kingdom is currently suffering for reasons concerning the royal family, hence, our slip.”

“I can’t follow.”

“I come from Valemnia,” she said. “It is an alternate world, a dimension, a reality...whatever you prefer.”

Valeriana was quiet as the truth was somewhat hard to digest. Seraphina did not speak anymore. This woman did not seem the type to lie. Aside from that, she carried herself in an entirely different manner. From the clothes down to the air she had...she obviously wasn’t lying.

“Is that true?” she said.

“I’m not one to lie.”

They rounded a corner and strolled down the sidewalk for a few moments. People stared at Seraphina as they passed, but did not say anything. Instances like these were not very unusual. Boston has hosted many events with regards to cosplaying. Valeriana had been to some herself, accompanying Jareth.

“Valeriana,” Seraphina said as she stopped.

The look on her face was grave as she examined the horror house across the street. Valeriana halted a few steps ahead, diverting her gaze to where the woman was looking. Aside from a chill down her back, nothing was extraordinary about the place.

“What is it?”

“Do you mind if we scope out this place?” she suggested.

“Yeah, sure.” Valeriana nodded.

She had no reason to refuse. It was only a matter of crossing the street, anyhow. After finding the crossing lane, they walked a small length until they finally got to the entrance.