Marie jolted upright, her senses smashed, leaving her feeling disorientated. She sat on a cream covered bed in the dark, only being able to see with the light of the moon outside the window. Scrambling through blunt darkness and rays of moonlight, Marie got off the bed and made her way to the inch-thick ray of light coming from the bottom of a door.

“We made a big catch today, men! How do you suppose we use her?”

“Whatever way we want!”

“Aye, I agree! First, we fuck her, maybe pop out a few of our babies or two, and then force her to do all our housework. I say that’s a good plan, eh?”

Marie froze. She could not believe what she was hearing. Moreover, where was she anyway? A cold breeze flew from the window to reach Marie; she shivered. She finally noticed she was only wearing a wrap around her breasts and a pair of short shorts. No bra, no underwear. Could the men have undressed her? Just the thought of them seeing her naked body made her fill with disgust.

Suddenly the door swung open, disturbing her thoughts and flying her backwards.

“Eh, look at this, the girl woke up! Should we fuck her now?” The man who spoke had dark brown hair and appeared to be in his mid to late thirties. His eyes were a plain brown and his skin was tanned from many working days under the sun.

Two other men came from the other room, one blonde and the other a redhead. “Well, I’m guessing so. Now that she’s awake it’ll be much more fun,” said the blonde, a simple expression on his face.

Marie began shaking her head, backing away from the three men that made advances on her. Right when Marie was about to make her escape backwards the redhead made a lunge for the girl and managed to grab her wrists, then slammed them to the floor. Hastily, he moved to the side and the other two men came.

“Stop it! Please stop it! Get away from me!” Marie screamed and tried to fight against the three men. Nevertheless, of course, it was futile. The man with brown hair held down her ankles, leaving the job of undressing the young woman to the blonde. “Don’t! Please, don’t!”

“Oh, but you appear too delicious, my sweet,” the blonde said and inched closer to her shorts, lifting up the waistband. Marie slammed her eyes shut, wishing with all her might that the men would go away, willing to give up anything.

A bang was heard and echoed around the room, around the shack-like home. All three men stopped and Marie opened her eyes.

“What was that?” asked the redhead and looked around. There was silence; even Marie was quiet.

Heavy steps were heard coming up the stairs. The person sounded to have heavy boots, leather with metal buckles that clinked with every step. The grip on the girl became tighter as the steps got closer. “Who’s there!” the blonde asked. “Who’s there to ruin our fun?”

A man with shaggy dark brown hair and blue eyes stepped into view. He wore a brown leather long fedora hat, what seemed like a dirt-covered dress shirt, suspenders attached to black slacks, and calf-high black leather boots with metal buckles and chains fastened to them. On his back was a large wooden cross with a metal frame, and a visible gun holster, presumably with a gun.

“Who the fuck are you?” asked the redhead.

Disgust covered the face of the man clad in leather. He then frowned. “I’m Armas Everwhite, the demon slayer from Brunswick, Yorkshire.” Within seconds, and in one smooth move, Armas Everwhite took down the cross and flung it at the men. Marie closed her eyes. It came back quickly like a Frisbee. Armas caught it with one hand and hitched it behind him.

“Open your eyes and get up. Everything’s fine, now,” Armas said roughly. With his voice hoarse, crude, and deep, hesitation and fear prevented Marie from speaking or doing anything. So she kept still, her eyes glued shut, and resented everything. An exasperated sigh came from Armas and he griped the girl’s upper arm, pulling her up roughly. “I said get up.”

Marie’s eyes flew open and at once was in fear of the scene that lay before her. The three men were decapitated, their heads about a meter from their bodies, blood splattered all around the floor and Marie. She screamed and ran out of the room, into the light of the next. There, she huddled in a corner all to herself.

Again, Armas sighed, deeply this time. “Geez, you’re so troublesome. I should’ve neglected your calls for help.” He walked out of the dark room and began to stare at Marie as she began to cry. Terribly unlike him, Armas walked up to the girl and bent down to eye level. “Hey, everything’s going to be okay. They deserved what they got.” Marie whimpered as Armas put his hand on her head comfortingly.

“No they didn’t,” she mumbled.

Armas looked at her sympathetically. “What exactly did they do to you? What did they plan on doing to you?”

“But... they’re dead... They don’t deserve to be dead...”

“You’re right, they deserve something crueller than death, but that was all I could give them.”

“No... no... that’s not it...” Marie shivered and Armas frowned. He took off his coat and draped it around the girl.

“Here. Now let’s get you out of here, what do you say?”

“They shouldn’t have died... their heads... the blood... oh, god, the blood...” Marie whimpered and leaned forward. Armas sighed and lifted up the girl, making sure the coat covered her up, and brought her outside.

“We’re not far from Bruno; would you like me to take you there?” Armas looked down when there was no answer to see the girl's sleeping form. He could not tell when she fell asleep because of her already pathetic formation in the first place. He sighed. “I guess I’ll take you to Bruno, then,” he whispered and started the seven mile walk to Bruno, Brighton.

Marie opened her eyes to the bright rays of sunlight that filtered through her open windows across the room from her. Squinting, she carefully sat up. When her eyes adjusted to the light of the room, she looked around and was surprised when she saw Armas Everwhite sleeping in the visitor’s seat. She stared at him, thinking of why he was there and why he brought her here.

She found herself leaning closer to him, looking and tracing all his features in her mind. His jacket was slung over his crossed arms, hat on his lap, his head drooped, and dark brown locks covering his face from clear view. Somehow, while sleeping, Armas didn’t seem as cold hearted and mean. He didn’t seem quite so apathetic. Then something struck her. He wasn’t apathetic towards her, he was in the beginning, but in the end he was nice to her.

Armas twitched and Marie flung herself away, the momentum swinging her off the other side of the bed. She yelped. Armas jolted up and surveyed the scene. Learning there was no danger, he sat back down. But then Marie moaned and she sat up. Armas frowned. “Marie, what’s wrong? Why are you on the floor?” he asked.

She mumbled something and got back up. “It’s nothing. Never mind.” She climbed under the covers and crossed her arms. She began to look out the window.

Armas stood and put his hat back on, soon followed by his jacket. He put a cigarette in his mouth but didn’t light it. “I see you’re well. I’d better leave. I wouldn’t want to bother – I have work to do. Goodbye, Marie.” She held back a laugh. Why couldn’t he just say he didn’t want to bother her?

As Armas turned to leave Marie grabbed onto his sleeve. He looked back at her sad face. “Don’t leave... please. I won’t feel safe without you.” Armas was surprised.

“And you feel safe with me? You were traumatized last night from just seeing a few heads chopped off by me, and now you’re saying I’m safe?” There was a knock on the door. Armas pulled his arm away from Marie’s grasp and sighed. “Come in.”

A nurse clad in all white walked in, her brown hair in a tight bun at the back of her head. “Telephone for Mr. Everwhite... it’s a Mr. Petrarch.”

Armas groaned. “Ugh, how the hell do they find me in such remote places,” he mumbled to himself before speaking to the nurse. “I’m coming. Please stay here with Marie until I come back.” The nurse nodded and Armas left.

She took a seat in the visitor’s chair. “Hello,” Marie mumbled. The nurse smiled.

“Hello, Marie. I’m Nancy. Is that man your boyfriend? Looks too old to me, though.”

Marie smiled a nervous smile. “No, he isn’t. He’s just someone who saved me...”

“Oh, yes. He brought you in early this morning at around five or six.”

“What happened?” Marie was curious as to what happened that morning, and why Armas had brought her to the hospital.

“Well, he came in with you in his arms. Immediately, a few nurses took to you but Mr. Everwhite refused to part from you. So we had to treat him in the same room as we did you.”

Armas was hurt? He didn’t seem hurt last night. What could have happened? “He was treated? For what?”

Nancy laughed lightly. “I figured you’d be flattered that he didn’t want to part with you. I mean, if he’s not your boyfriend, doing those things could mean he likes you.” Marie blushed. Not possible. They had only met the night before, so there couldn’t possibly be any sparks through those eight hours.

“I am, but please continue—I’m worried.”

Nancy nodded as if she knew exactly what was going on. “Well, he had deep gashes in his sides and small scrapes along his arms and below his knees, as well as his abdomen. His back was a bit awful, too. The majority of the cuts were in the shapes of claw marks, but there are no such animals nearby that could execute such wounds. Where did you two come from?”

“Um, I’m not sure.”

The door opened and another woman came in. “Nancy, your shift is off. It’s my turn.”

Nancy stood. “Who are you?”

“I’m new. My name’s Elizabeth.”

“Ha. The same as the Queen’s. I’ll trust you.” Nancy turned to Marie, who was frightened of Elizabeth. “This is patient number four-three-six-two. Her name is Marie Waltz. Bye, Marie.” Nancy then left in a quick movement.

Elizabeth slid to sit down in the visitor’s seat. There was silence. Marie did not like Elizabeth, she felt something ominous about the young woman.

“Good morning, Marie. How are you?” Elizabeth refused to have eye contact with Marie.

“I’m feeling better than last night. Thank you.”

“That’s good.” More silence ensued. “You know, Marie, I really like teenage girls.”

“Oh?” Frightened by the words Elizabeth had chosen, Marie looked opposite from her.

“Yeah. I really like how they’re so gentle... and how they’re so naive... and their soft, tender bodies are so sweet and... delectable. And when I said ‘gentle,’ I meant ‘weak.’ Wouldn’t you say, Marie?”

“Eh, sure. That sounds like most stories...” Marie felt pressure on her bed so she reluctantly turned to see a demonic man with wild black hair, red and black eyes, and pale skin. She screamed, but her mouth was covered by the demon.

“Shh, shh, Marie. Quiet, now. Don’t worry, I won’t cause you any real harm. I just need you to make me some little baby demons, is all.” The hairs on the back of Marie’s neck stood up. The way the demon said those words were absolutely chilling.

When she snapped out of her reverie she began to struggle, but the demon swung his leg over Marie’s body to prevent her from any major movements. He felt cold.

“If I let go, do you promise to not scream?” he whispered only inches from her ear. She felt goose bumps flow down her legs and arms. She shut her eyes since it was the only thing she could do. “It’s possible you won’t die of this, you know.” She shivered, and with a huge regret dug deep in her heart, she nodded to the demon’s will. “Great! I’m an incubus demon, by the way. Not that you have any knowledge of this world.”

The incubus removed his hand from Marie’s mouth and placed a sharp dagger next to her throat instead. “This should keep you quiet, eh?” The incubus took away the only cloth-like robe he wore revealing his bare flesh. Quickly, the incubus began to pull up the hospital dress Marie wore. He snickered. “This’ll be perfectly fine, Marie. Let’s hope you turn out just as delectable as you are now so I can eat you when you’re done!” His grim was as wide as his face and his eyes were large and wrinkled. Haughty laughter erupted from the demon’s chest as he slid down and began to dive in.

But suddenly the door burst open, revealing an angry and upset Armas Everwhite with a silver gun in his hand. “Off the girl now, you incubus.”

Eerie laughter came from the incubus’ chest as he got off Marie and pulled her in front of him, dagger still against her throat. The incubus inched the two towards the open window. “You wouldn’t dare shoot this young lady, now would you? Even if she has the offspring of a demon inside of her.” Marie was about to protest but the dagger drew unbearably closer to her neck, leaving her to only manage a pathetic squeak.

Armas’ aim went from the incubus’ head to Marie. “Say something, Marie. Tell me it isn’t true or else I’m shooting through you to get to him.” A soft click came from the gun.

Panic flooded Marie’s thoughts and adrenaline flew through her veins. If she were to say something or shake her head, the incubus would slice her throat. But if she were to not do anything, Armas would kill her because he thought she was pregnant with a demon. It was a tight spot and the twinkle in Armas’ eyes did not make her feel anymore eased about the situation; there was no backup or secret plan. It was simply do and die either way.

Regretting the choice she made, Marie shut her eyes and tensed her throat. “It’s not true!” There was a loud bang and two bodies hit the floor. Dark laughter echoed through the room.

Armas took slow and calculated steps towards the two fallen bodies. “Get up, Marie. You’re fine.” There was a small pause. “Almost raped four times within the last twenty-four hours, are you trying for something?”

Slowly, Marie sat up. “Armas, why did you do that? Wasn’t it obvious that I wasn’t pregnant?” She refused to stand and instead crawled to her bed and laid down on her stomach. Armas waited for the incubus’ body turn to dust before taking the visitor’s seat next to the bed.

“No, it wasn’t. All that incubus had to do was somehow get into you. How would I know if he had or hadn’t already?”

“Then why’d you tell me to say something?” Her voice was slightly muffled from the pillow.

“Because it was a test.” Armas stood.

“A test?” Marie turned to look at Armas. “What for?”

“To see how well you were built.” He turned and walked towards the door but stopped before exiting. “I’ll be back. I’m just going to get a smoke.”

It then reoccurred to her, and at once she figured it out. “Armas was hurt... by demons?”

There was a knock on the door. “Come in,” Armas called and set down his book. Marie looked away from Armas to the door as in came a man with dark burgundy hair and gold eyes. At once, her eyes brightened.

“Topi! You’re here! How’d you get here?” Marie exclaimed as she shot upright and hugged the man.

“Bruno Hospital phoned Taelum Hospital when they found it was Marie Waltz that they had. The hospital then phoned me since I was the number they had in their records,” he explained.

“Good, then! Do you know when I’ll be going home?”

“Later this evening. Probably in a few hours. There’s still paperwork and a few tests you have to go through,” Armas interjected.

“Who’s he?” Topi asked.

Marie beamed. “He’s the man who saved me.”

Topi turned to Armas, looked him up and down, then shook his head. “He’s a rogue, right?”

Marie laughed. “Close.”

Armas stood, bringing his book, coat, and hat with him. “I’ll be in the waiting room until you’re done for today,” he said and left.

“Is he always like that?” Topi asked, taking the visitor’s seat.

“Yeah, but he can be really nice sometimes, too. I like him when he’s like that.” She smiled and Topi’s face began to redden.

“But why is he staying here? Does he plan on taking you somewhere afterwards?”

“I don’t know, but I’m in debt to in for my life.”

“Oh, yes! When you disappeared yesterday I became so worried about you! Where did you go?”

“I don’t know where I went. But I do know that I was with these three men and they planned to... use me, Topi.”

Topi clenched his fists. “I will never let you be taken ever again. Do you understand? Not by anyone.”

Marie blushed. “Thank you, Topi, but I believe Armas has already claimed the position of guardian.”

He frowned. “I’ve known you my whole time in Taelum, which is practically my whole life. I think I’ve had that position since we were formally introduced, Marie.”

“That may be true, Topi, but for some reason, I have a stronger feeling of protection from Armas.” That was true, even Topi could feel the strong want—no, need—for protection over the girl, but to Topi, it was borderline obsession. Although, this was what Topi felt, it wasn’t truly how Armas felt. What Armas felt was always a secret unless he told someone.

He frowned. “If you run off with that man, what are you going to do about your education?”

Marie blushed. “I’m not going to run off with Armas, and even if, I only have two years left, not even!”

“Those two years are very important, Marie. I can’t let you just skip them.”

“Topi, can’t you trust me to do as I please and make my own right choices? What I believe in is going to be my own right choices.”

He sighed and looked out the window at the setting sun. With a sigh, he turned back at Marie. “Fine, I’ll believe in you. I’ll trust whatever you say, on the condition that you marry me when you come back.” He pulls out a small black box and opens it in front of Marie. “I was planning on doing it yesterday, but on account of what happened and all, I decided to postpone it for today. I love you, Marie.”

Only an audible gasp is heard and her hand raises to rest on her chest. “T-Topi, I can’t accept this. On a bakers salary you can’t afford this.”

“Yes, I can. It’s already paid for. I’ve been saving up ever since I started working at the store.”

“Oh, my god, Topi... Yes! I’ll marry you!” He slipped the ring over her left ring finger and the two shared a kiss, only this time on purpose.

“The engagement can be as long as you want, but please come back safe. I’m only trusting that Armas guy because you do so much.”

“Thank you, Topi.” The two kiss again, and even lay down together on Marie’s bed.