What Following Brings by S. E. Campbell Page B

so big they brushed his own knee , and he snorted and fire poured from his mouth.
    In front of the imp, Don guarded five other prisoners who quivered against the wall. None of them had a sword. Eden whirled around and stared at Jared, and she spotted the Demon sword he had in his sheath . She stole it from him just as Aaron came down the stairs muttering underneath his breath. When Aaron saw the imp, he swore.
    Eden spun around and looked at the imp. Though she was fearful, she knew she had to get the Satan Spawn away from the prisoners. She may not have released this imp, but it was she who had released this hell upon the prison. It was also she who had attacked the guards and made them have the need to release this monster from his bottle.
    â€œ Oy , over here, ” Eden said, jaw taunt with fear. The imp ignored her because a bearded prisoner yelped and caught his attention.
    The imp charged the group and seized the bearded man by his chest. Eden screamed and ran at the Satan Spawn . S he attempted to stab her sword through its thick, leathery skin, but it was like stabbing a rock . Luckily and yet unluckily, the imp dropped the bearded man to the floor, swiveled around, and stared her down. The imp growled.
    â€œ Leave them alone, ” Eden said. Aar on dropped back farther and groaned loudly .
    â€œ You are a puny, puny little soul, ” the monster said, his voice deep and demonic. “ Your sword can do nothing against me. ”
    Eden dug around in her pockets and found the vials of holy water. She hurled the vials at the imp and they shattered, causing his skin to catch aflame in dark black smoke. The imp screamed in pain . Eden dug around and shattered more vials around him . His deep voice went from low to high, and then higher and higher still. Finally, a tiny imp lay on his belly on the ground, tail-aloft, and Eden speared him with the tip of her sword. The imp screeched once and then disappeared. Eden looked up at Don , but he scowled at her and did not recognize her .
    â€œ Get away from us, Demon, ” he said.
    â€œ Oh, ” Eden said, looking down at her uniform. Her eyes were also concealed because of the brim of her hat. “ I ’ m not a Demon. ”
    â€œ Yeah, right, ” Don said. “ Don ’ t come any closer. We outnumber you. ”
    I have to get these clothes off, or else… She stole a look at Aaron and prayed she was not about to give an impromptu strip show and yanked off her hat and shirt. When she unbuttoned the buttons, her purple t-shirt appeared. The moment she undid the fly of her pants, jeans shown beneath it. It was like she wore clothes on top of clothes, even though she hadn ’ t felt that way in the uniform.
    When she had the clothes off, she looked at the bearded man again.
    â€œ Wait a second. I recognize your clothes and hair. You aren ’ t a Demon, ” Don said. “ You ’ re the girl all of the Demons are after, the one in the cell across from mine. ”
    Eden stared at him a beat. “ And you ’ re Don, the man who has been helping me, right? ”
    â€œ I ’ m Don. ” He nodded. “ I ’ ve been trying to get you out for a long time. ”
    â€œ Why? ”
    Eden awaited his answer , but down below, she heard the sound of more screaming, a thud, and then panicked footsteps.
    â€œ I think we should save introductions for later, ” Aaron said. “ Eden, if you want to be a hero again and make me have a panic attack, you might want to get to it. ”
    â€œ This time, you won ’ t be alone, ” Don said, and then he grinned at her.
    She had never been more grateful .

Chapter Seven

    Eden went down the stairs with Don, Aaron, and the rest of the prisoners behind her. When she reached the bottom floor, she peered ahead and saw what had caused the prisoners to scream. All of the Raiders, in their haste to leave, were in the same area and the floor was covered in thick white