Chapter 13

Annie POV

It’s really hard to walk through the forest with tears in your eyes. The demon is kind enough to help me up whenever I fall and lead me by the hand so I won’t trip as much. But I wish she wouldn’t pull so hard. I don’t know what I’m going to do anymore. Everyone who would help me is dead. Do I find a guard and ask for help? Do I go to an orphanage? I don’t know anymore. I don’t even know where we’re going. It looks like the demons looking for something. Every now and then she would stop and look around then keep walking. I hope we’ll get there soon I’m really tired.

I start to ask if we can have a break when the demon suddenly stops, but it’s not like the other times. She seems more focused. Suddenly she pulls me forward a bit and writes “You’re my master get them to help.” Then after she’s sure I read it she erases it and moves behind me letting go of my hand. I don’t understand what she meant at first  but soon I start hearing people’s voices! I call out for them “Help please!”

The voices stop then I can hear them coming over fast. I start tearing up again with relief as I see them. They’re adventurers. There are four of them two of them are guys in leather armor, another guy in metal, and a girl who looks like a mage. They all looked shocked when they see me and then when they see the demon they stop and put their hands on their weapons.

“What are you doing out here and where did all this blood come from?” (Metal)

I try to respond as best I can but I’m just so happy to be saved the tears are back again and it’s hard to talk. “I got …Lost … and mom and dad …Uncle Ray …they’re all…” After saying this much I can’t talk anymore and I start crying all out, remembering their bodies. The adventurers don’t know how to respond and start looking awkward, except the mage who comes up and puts her hand on my head and says “It’s okay now, we’ll take you back to town.” I can’t help it and hug her crying as hard as I can.

When I calm down the man in the metal armor asks “What’s that demon doing here if it’s just you then, is it free?”

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I remember what they demon wrote before and hesitate before I answer “She saved me when I was alone. We made a contract and now …I’m her master.” I feel bad lying to them but I owe her for leading me here.

“She! How ridiculous an Imp calling itself a girl and saving people. It’s clearly up to something, we should just kill it now before it has the chance.” (Metal)

I feel a chill run down my spine and look at the demon. Her red eyes narrowed and it feels a lot like the time I called her Mr. Demon. This is bad, she definitely can’t win and I don’t think she cares or is thinking about that. I walk over and grab her hand she jerks for a second and looks at me. I feel sweat forming on my back as her hand slowly crushes mine, I swallow and try to say without my voice shaking “Leave her alone she saved me and she’s my friend! We’ll find the way ourselves if we have to.”

The demon keeps looking at me for a moment then her hand loosens her grip and I can feel her relax. I breathe out a relieved sigh which seems to amuse her.

“Leave the poor girl alone, I don’t care about whatever grudge your church has against demons, but she’s been through enough.” (Mage)

“But-” (Metal)

“But nothing according to reports there are plenty of imps running around lately, you’ll have plenty of chances later. Or do you enjoy going around killing little girls pets.” (Mage)

The demon reacts to that comment but it didn’t seem angry, like it was trying not to laugh maybe? I wouldn’t have noticed if we weren’t still holding hands. I wonder why she thought that was funny.

“Fine, but when that thing kills her, her blood will be on you.” (Metal)

The mage takes my other hand and lets me know that there going to be taking me to the guild and that I need to let them know what happened to my parents. I also have to get the demon registered with the guild so people don’t attack her. Is that why she said to tell them I’m her master? I don’t know why I’m defending her I’m pretty sure she was getting ready to hurt me at least twice already, but still she didn’t. I’m not stupid. Once we get to the adventurer guild and they figure out whatever they want to know, I’m probably going to end up alone again. I don’t want that, so I’ll take the risk and hope it works out for the best.

I give the demons hand a little squeeze, she looks at me and tilts her head. I just look at her and give her a nervous smile she responds by giving my hand a little squeeze back then looks forward. I can feel she’s trying really hard to keep something in, I don’t know what it is until I think of that creepy giggle back when we made the contract. I really really hope this works out for the best.