MARIEL

Malron didn't take the road through Oklahoma, but instead took a route through Kansas, Illinois, and then into Indiana. The drive, which should have taken about 27 hours to get to Pennsylvania, took longer. The risk of becoming a fugitive is to take unpredictable routes, although the police may have already thought of the same thing.

However, Malron and Kieran's journey was smooth and uneventful until they arrived in Indianapolis. Still, Malron remained cautious, because even though they had passed through several cities from Albuquerque, their position might not be safe.

"This is my first time in Indianapolis," remarked Kieran, who kept looking out the car window at the scenery.

"Do you feel like you're on vacation?" Malron grumbled quietly.

Kieran shook his head. "I still miss home, Lord."

The car stopped at the intersection of Capitol Ave as the light turned red.

Malron glanced at the parking lot to his left, an idea popping into the demon's mind.

As the red light turned green, Malron made a left turn, then entered the seemingly deserted parking lot with a bit of caution.

"Why are we here?" Kieran asked, confused.

"To switch cars," Malron replied.

"What?"

Malron hastily parked the car and got out. Without wasting much time, he touched the brown car parked next to Mrs. Guasch's car and simply got in. From Mrs. Guasch's car, Kieran walked a little and then got into the brown sedan where Malron was already sitting in the driver's seat.

"This is called stealing!" Kieran insisted. "You cannot steal or harm others, Lord Malron!" the young man added passionately.

"I'm trading cars," Malron pointed to Mrs. Guasch's car. "See?"

Kieran's hands clenched his silver hair in panic. "We're really becoming fugitives, and I'm trapped in a terrible situation."

"Well, enjoy it. It doesn't feel like hell, Kieran."

"Oh my God. Please forgive me for my sin." Kieran began to sob quietly.

The car was backing out of the parking space when Malron almost hit a young woman who appeared out of nowhere. There was a deafening screech as the brakes were suddenly applied. Quickly, Malron pushed the button to open the window.

"Are you out of your mind?!" Malron exclaimed emotionally.

The black-haired woman covered by her hoodie just blinked without saying a word. Then she hurriedly approached the car, opened the back door, got in, and slammed it shut.

Malron and Kieran blinked in confusion.

"Quick, get out of here!" the woman ordered, half panicked.

"And who the hell are you?" Malron began to take an intimidating stance.

"Hey, I know the owner of this car. And you are definitely thieves! So hurry up and take me with you! Do you understand?" The woman sounded more stern with her threat.

"We don't take hostages," Malron sighed quietly, "There will be no Stockholm Syndrome stories in your life, young lady."

"I'm coming with you!" the woman insisted.

"GET THE HELL OUT OF THE CAR!!!" The demon shouted loudly.

The woman looked desperate, then cried softly. "Please, I need your help. I have to get out of this town or I'll be killed."

Just as Malron was about to speak, Kieran grabbed Malron's arm. The young man shook his head, staring intently at the demon.

"All right, you can come with us to the next stop," Kieran said.

Malron couldn't argue with his master. Then, annoyed, the demon backed the car up, turned around quickly, and drove out of the parking lot.

Fleeing alone was difficult enough, and now a half-crazy young woman suddenly wanted to join them. Malron sensed something strange about the woman's aura, although the demon couldn't decide if the woman was a threat or not.

From the side mirror, Malron took a quick look.

The woman's mind was filled with extreme fear, Malron could hear what she was saying, "I'm safe...thank you, God. I can finally get away from my brother."

Malron narrowed his eyes. What had really happened to the young woman?

*

The trip to Pennsylvania continued, and they had already entered Columbus, but after passing Hilliard, Dublin, the sleeping young woman showed no signs of wanting to get off. As they entered Ohio, Malron pulled over and stopped the car on the side of the highway where there was nothing but empty space on either side.

Flicking his fingers at Kieran, Malron instructed the young man to talk to the young woman.

"She has to get out," Malron said.

"But..." Kieran looked back. From the look on his face, he did not want to see the woman curled up in the back seat, fast asleep. "Can't we just wait for her to wake up?"

"Now, Kieran!"

Kieran knelt on the seat, then reached out to the young woman and shook her gently by the shoulders.

"Miss, hello? Miss... can you please wake up?" Kieran said.

There was no response.

"She's in a deep sleep." Kieran looked back at Malron.

Malron sighed and opened the door, stepping out. The devil opened the back door and pulled the woman's legs out of the car. Of course she screamed in fear.

"Lord Malron! Stop!" Kieran yelled from inside the car.

As the woman almost fell to the ground, Malron quickly caught her and made her stand on her own two feet. Shocked at being treated so roughly, the woman glared at Malron angrily.

"Are you crazy?!" she shouted.

"You just hitched a ride and I'm dumping you here." Malron crossed his arms and replied coldly. "I had no intention of taking you in the first place."

The woman immediately knelt down and cried. "Please, I have nowhere else to go."

"I'm not falling for your fake tears," Malron snorted.

Kieran hurried out of the car and approached the woman, crouching down beside her.

"I apologize for Lord Malron's rude behavior," Kieran said.

The woman's eyes widened. "Lord?"

"You didn't tell us anything during the whole journey, so Lord Malron might not think much of you. So, uh... I hope you understand," the young man continued.

Malron's finger pointed at Kieran. "I will leave you both here! Don't question my actions, Kieran! You idiot!"

"Please, Lord... have a little compassion? We need to hear this young lady's explanation before we act rashly," Kieran pleaded in a soft voice.

The woman's eyes didn't blink as she looked at Kieran. Then, from her lips, she replied, "My name is Mariel."