Roderick dragged the big sack of cotton in the forest. He sometimes had to put it on his shoulders to avoid the sack getting punctured by thorns. The only relief was that the sack was soft, but he could not look over the weight it had, nonetheless. Carrying the cloud like cotton, he got past Bartholomew’s den.

Purple forest and Yeager’s village. Roderick made the map in his mind. The village is half an hour away from Chopyk’s pyramid.

He ran with the weight on his shoulders in order to save time. He already was a lot behind his schedule. Roderick reached to the region of forest where he saw some broken trees. He knew who was responsible for it – Bartholomew and his desire to date a married devil.

Roderick stopped for a second as he thought he had seen a figure standing at end of the passageway of forest. He put the sack of cotton on ground when he saw the red devil.

The devil stomped his way at him with glowing eyes. Steam was rising from his forehead and flames danced in and out of his nostrils.

“Receptionist.” Roderick whispered.

“You were the only human to step in devils’ court. But you have put shame to your entire breed.” The devil said.

“Can you hear those devils quarreling?” Roderick paused, listening to their howls, “I am ashamed of myself too. Just on myself. Not on the rest of my breed.”

“Only filthy humans can hear an angry devil. Their senses have trained themselves to do so.” Receptionist said, “Ah, cotton. I see what you are thinking.”

Receptionist pointed his finger at the sack. Fire came out of his fingertip and hit the cotton sack. Roderick ran towards it and jumped at it before the fire could get big.

“Stop it.” Roderick roared when the devil was about to shoot another ball of fire at him, “Humans are dying because they can’t sleep. They have nowhere to go.”

“They can go to hell. With you.” Devil said and grew bigger fire on his fingers. This time, he wanted to burn Roderick with it too.

Roderick grabbed an uprooted tree by its root and swung it towards the devil. The huge tree hit him on his cheek, propelling him to his side.

Don’t fight anymore. Roderick told himself and heaved the cotton on his shoulders then ran. His heart pumped fast while he ran. Devil’s tramps were becoming louder behind him. Judging where the devil was became an impossible task without looking back.

Now he could hear the devil’s breathing. By the time he looked back, the devil had caught up with him. He kicked Saer as soon as he came in his range.

Cotton slipped from Roderick’s grip and they landed in different directions. Unlike the last time, receptionist had his full attention at Roderick. A pile of cotton was not enough to hurt him.

He picked Roderick by his waist and increased his heat in his hands. Fire also wooshed from side of his fingers, making the torment unbearable for Saer.