Thwack!

The branch connected with a loud wet sound as I struck the gray demon in the head. But that didn't stop me. I pulled back, gagging at the substance sticking to the branch. The thick goo stretched like it wanted to hold on to my weapon.

It's me or him, not both. I must survive. The vicious voice buzzed throughout my head, convincing me this was the best option. The corner of my vision tuning read as I pulled back. Before long, the male fell to his knees before I landed another blow to his head.

The second strike brought devastation. This time, blood sprayed my face as a horrific sound of something hard cracking filled the air. The scene was horrifying, but I continued with my attack.

I don't care. I keep on with my mantra, even though my body rebels against my actions. My resolve cemented in my mind. Me! I must survive. I didn't walk all day for nothing. I need to keep going and find my family and my memories. A plump tear rolled down my cheek as I readied for another attack.

On my third swing, a metallic glint opposite where I stood caught my attention. The distraction caused me to lose my balance and miss my target, hitting the void.

I stumbled for a few steps before gaining my footing. With renewed determination, I faced my stronger opponent. If this male wants me dead, I'm done for. But... he distracted this little shit for my sneak attack. I considered as I trained my gaze on my new target.

The obsidian demon pulled a small knife from his vest. Panic settled deep in my gut, concerned my life was at risk. But my suspicion quickly proved wrong. The taller male went for the sickly demon's throat and sliced it in a beautiful, swift move. A whirl of slashes followed his attack against his so-called 'companion.'

The gray demon lay twitching on the floor. A pool of blood gathered around the gray demon, soaking the parched ground. I couldn't afford to dwell and wait on the convulsing male on the ground. I had a more pressing problem: the handsome male with a deadly weapon standing before me.

Despair kicked in full force. I can't let him near me and keep some distance between us. I pointed my stick toward the man and attempted to put up a brave face.

"Are you going to attack me?" I asked as I held onto my stick for dear life to prevent my arms from shaking.

"Just to be clear, I'm not your enemy if that's your real question," the male said as he cleaned his knife and sheathed it inside his vest. "I mean you no harm, and I'm glad you helped me take care of this reeking, slight problem. I was on the brink of getting rid of him, wanting nothing more than to silence his motherfucking spiteful tongue."

"Still, I don't trust you. You can slit my throat the moment I turn my back on you." I willed my body to stop shaking, refusing to give away that my pretend bravery crumbled under the pressure.

"It's admirable you're hesitant about me. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't trust myself either. I'm a dangerous male."

I stared at him, challenging him to reveal more. The tall demon's shoulders slumped as his eyes softened with understanding. "For now, you don't need to worry about me. But I want you to get one thing right: trust no one, not even me. I'll favor my survival and dispose of anyone who becomes a hindrance. Sick-looking motherfucker here is a prime example of that. Am I clear?"

"Well, let me be straightforward with you. I don't give a rat's ass shit about you, either. Like you, my survival comes first. You're dead weight for all I care, and I will cut you off the moment you become a hindrance." I stared the man in the eye as powerful determination sent a soothing, cool sensation over my body.

"I believe it's settled, then. Our desire for survival unites us in some weird fucking way. But let us not dwell on me any longer. By the looks of it, you have been through hell." 

"I've been walking all day with little water and food. I'm pissed off and on the verge of collapse. But don't get me wrong, I'll go down fighting if I have to. I'm not some weak motherfucker like that piece of shit lying on the floor." I surprised myself with my pretend bravery. Even though I stopped shaking minutes ago, fear still coursed through me.

And hunger.

Succumbing to weakness and starvation, both warring for dominance within me, my feeble brain faltered. As soon as I started thinking about food, my mouth watered. It surprised me that my body could still produce moisture despite being severely dehydrated. 

My mouth became a fountain of need and want. All I could think was how to shove a banana down my throat. A dry-ass gulp lubricated my throat as I moaned in pleasure, imagining the sweet, creamy flavor of the fruity rod filling my mouth.

"What the fuck is wrong with you, woman?!"

"I'm so fucking hungry and thirsty, even sexualizing a damned fruit. Do you have anything to eat?"

The man relaxed and smiled for the first time. His cheeky grin and his expressive eyes revealed a profound emotion that wasn't there before. My body relaxed as he backed off and moved toward the crate. "For now, I think we are stuck together. Besides, you seem funnier to hang around with than our smelly little 'friend' here."

I burst into a fit of laughter. I couldn't quite grasp why the comment struck me as funny. "Are you making a joke and lighten off the situation?"

"I am, and it worked. I will not lie—I like you." He crouched by the crate, pulling another tool from his vest to pry the lid open. "By the way, my name is Zarek, and yours?" 

"Nice meeting you, Zarek. According to my ID, my name is Kayla Rodriguez-Anderson, but other than that, I can't remember anything else." My voice trailed off as he turned to stare at me.

"You can't remember anything?" Zarek asked. His voice held a hint of curiosity.

"No! Somehow, I lost my memories when I fell into this world." The confession slipped from my lips as I allowed myself to face reality. How did I survive?

"Wait one second... you fell into this world?" Zarek stood with an intimidating swiftness, setting me on edge.

"Yes!" My plain answer came unfettered and without a second thought. It still rattled me how I survived the ordeal.

"From the sky?" Zarek also had a hard time processing this bit of information.

I realized I held on to my branch. I let it fall from my grasp, kicking up a cloud of dust. With no need for a weapon, the relief that washed over my tired body was instant. "Where else can I fall from?!"

"Whoa! Don't get snappy at me. Just curious about how you survived a fall like that." Zarek laughed, prompting me to return the favor.

I flumped on the ground, frantically laughing as I rubbed my tired arms. "Trust me! I'm wondering the same thing. I should be dead." 

Zarek turned back to the crate. "That's right! You should be dead, but here you are." His voice strained as he wrested open the container.

"Here I am." I craned my neck to look at what he was doing as my weak response came as an afterthought.

"Wait! I just realized something." He turned to face me. Shock displayed all over his face. "You didn't break any bones and then walked here." 

"Yep! Under that fucking punishing sun," I said as I pointed to the sun on the horizon. "And no broken bones. Not even sprained. Only a bruised cheek." I complained as Zarek approached me to check my face. "You don't have any intentions of killing me, right?" 

"Relax! My enemy's enemy is my friend." He said as he kicked the corpse of the motionless demon. "You're safe with me for now. But can I point something out?"

"Sure, go right ahead!" I dismissed my comment as I waved a hand at him.

"You don't look good. Let's get you some food and rest." He stood and walked over to offer me his hand.

"Oh shit! I appreciate that." I reached up to clasp his hand as he pulled me up. 

The moment I stood close to him, he wrinkled his nose and contorted his face in disgust after taking a whiff of my smell. "And a fucking bath. Not only are you covered in that bastard's blood, but you also reek."

"You're sharing all this as if there's a place for me to freshen up."

"Well, let me tell you one thing. You're lucky you survived this place. You may have a hearty constitution, similar to a demon lord."

"That's weird! I assure you I'm one hundred percent human. Other than pure stubbornness, nothing else got me through that desert. Now, let us talk about important matters. What about that 'freshen up' place you were talking about?" I asked, hopeful that my smelliness would soon be a distant memory.

A booming laugh escaped Zarek's throat, softening his features even more. "Well! If you follow me, I will show you the entrance and give you a few tips and tricks on how to find these tunnels in the future." He picked up the crate and took the lead. "Also, this box has supplies, weapons, and food. The owner of these is dead. I don't see a problem of helping ourselves—no one will complain."

"Great! I'm dying of hunger. " With a renewed vitality in my step, I followed my new travel companion.

But then, a frigid chill slithered up and down my spine. I turned and noticed the ghost a few steps away from me. Despite being unable to see its face, the ghost's smile was palpable.