A Good Dinner

They sprinted down the street, hearts racing as they veered into the overgrown landscape, the fading light of day casting long shadows behind them. "Keep moving!" Cass shouted, glancing over her shoulder. Riley matched her pace, the sound of their footfalls muffled by the underbrush, but the fear of being pursued quickened her steps. They wove through trees and bushes, pushing themselves further into the wilderness as the echoes of demons faded behind them. After what felt like miles, they stumbled into a clearing, panting and exhausted. The air was thick with the scent of earth and leaves, and the chirping of crickets began to fill the silence.

"Do you think we lost them?" Riley asked, her voice shaky.

Cass leaned against a tree, catching her breath. "For now, maybe. But we can't let our guard down." She scanned their surroundings, her instincts sharp.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, they spotted a wrought-iron gate ahead, leading into a sprawling neighborhood that felt oddly surreal amidst the chaos. The homes were large and opulent, a stark contrast to the desolation they had experienced. "Look," Cass said, pointing. "That's our best shot." 

"Do you think it's safe?" Riley hesitated, glancing at the gate. "There's only one way to find out," Cass replied. "Let's take a look."

They approached the gate, which stood slightly ajar as if inviting them in. "Here goes nothing," Cass muttered, and with a swift motion, they climbed over, landing on the manicured lawn of a mansion. The air felt different here—still and quiet, with a faint scent of something floral lingering. "Which house?" Riley asked, surveying the rows of grand homes. "Let's check this one," Cass suggested, pointing to a particularly well-kept property. They moved cautiously toward the front door, and Cass tested the handle. It turned easily, swinging open to reveal a pristine interior bathed in twilight. "Wow," Riley whispered, stepping inside. The space was immaculate as if the world outside had forgotten to touch it. The air was cool, and the smell of clean wood and faint citrus wafted through the hall.

"This place has a backup generator," Cass noted, glancing at a panel near the entryway. "We might be able to turn on some lights." Riley felt a spark of hope. "This could be our home for a while."

They ventured deeper into the house, marveling at the untouched furniture and decor. In the kitchen, Cass rifled through the cabinets, pulling out utensils and surveying the fridge. "There's food here," she announced, excitement lacing her voice. "We might be able to make a decent meal."

"Are you serious?" Riley's eyes widened as she joined her in the kitchen. "What do you have?"

"Some canned goods, pasta, and spices," Cass said, inspecting the items. "I think I can whip up something good if we can find a pot."

Riley watched as Cass set to work, her movements efficient and sure. The stove ignited with a satisfying click, and soon the aroma of food filled the air, mingling with the clean scents of the house. As they waited for the meal to cook, the weight of their situation settled in the air, heavy with unsaid words. Finally, Riley broke the silence. "What was your life like before all of… this?" Cass paused, her gaze distant as she stirred the pot. "I lived off the grid," she said slowly. "In a cabin far from the city. It was just me, the woods, and my own company." 

"Really? You didn't have any contact with people?" Riley asked, intrigued."Not really," Cass replied, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "I preferred it that way. People can be… complicated. I had everything I needed out there—peace, and quiet. I didn't want to be part of the chaos." Riley considered this, a knot of curiosity tightening in her chest. "I grew up in the city. Always surrounded by people and noise. I thought it was exciting, but it felt empty at times. I didn't realize how fragile everything was."

"Everything we took for granted," Cass murmured, her expression thoughtful. "Now it's all gone."

The meal finished cooking, and Cass served them both, the food was surprisingly good given their dire circumstances. They ate in silence, the weight of their conversation lingering in the air. Once they finished, Riley felt the exhaustion settling in her bones. "We should find a bedroom," she suggested, wiping her mouth. "Agreed," Cass said, standing up. "We need to decide who's on watch first."

"I can take the first shift," Riley offered, a surge of protectiveness swelling within her. "You look like you could use some rest." Cass regarded her for a moment before nodding. "Fine. But wake me up in a few hours, okay?"

"Of course," Riley promised.

They climbed the stairs slowly, the anticipation of choosing a room lingering in the air. Each door they opened revealed a space that felt both welcoming and foreign.

They climbed the stairs slowly, the anticipation of choosing a room lingering in the air. Each door they opened revealed a space that felt both welcoming and foreign. Finally, they settled on a cozy bedroom with soft, inviting beds and a window overlooking the peaceful neighborhood. As Cass settled into the bed, Riley took the chair by the window, ready to keep watch. She felt the weight of the world pressing down on her but also a flicker of hope. Here, in this house, they had found a temporary sanctuary. With Cass asleep, the silence enveloped Riley, broken only by the distant sounds of the night. She stared out into the darkness, feeling a mixture of peace and vigilance, knowing that outside their walls, danger still lurked. But for now, they had a moment of safety, and that was enough.

Riley settled into the chair, the cushion surprisingly comfortable beneath her. She pulled her bag closer, glancing at the notes she had taken earlier about the demons. The thought of studying them felt both exhilarating and dangerous, a tension she couldn't shake. The shadows danced outside, and she found herself straining to hear any sound that might signal trouble. Minutes turned into an hour, the house quiet except for the soft rhythm of Cass's breathing from the other side of the room. Riley couldn't help but think about their lives before everything fell apart. The world they knew felt like a distant memory, replaced by the harsh realities of survival. She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was still early evening, but darkness crept in quickly, wrapping the house in a shroud of night. Outside, the wind whispered through the trees, but something else stirred in the distance. A low growl reverberated, sending a chill down her spine. She leaned closer to the window, squinting into the shadows, trying to make out any movement.

Just then, the unmistakable sound of footsteps echoed from somewhere outside. Her heart raced the urge to wake Cass pulling at her. But she hesitated, not wanting to alarm her unless it was necessary. Instead, Riley strained her ears, hoping to discern whether it was just the wind or something more sinister. The footsteps grew louder, accompanied by a series of guttural noises. Panic swelled in her chest, and she couldn't sit idly any longer. She stood up, moving quietly toward the door, glancing back at Cass to ensure she was still deep in sleep.

Riley opened the door just a crack, peering into the hallway. The sounds seemed to be coming from the front of the house. She felt the pull of curiosity and dread, but she knew they had to be ready. If demons had found them, their sanctuary would have been compromised. She took a deep breath and crept down the hall, each step deliberate and silent. As she approached the staircase, the sounds became clearer—a chorus of growls mixed with the scrape of claws against the pavement. Riley's heart pounded in her ears, and she clutched the banister for support, willing herself to stay calm. Peeking through the front window, she caught sight of a few dark shapes moving in the moonlight, silhouetted against the glow of street lamps. They were demons, prowling and sniffing the air as if searching for something—her.

Riley's pulse quickened. She needed to warn Cass. Without thinking, she turned back toward the bedroom, whispering urgently, "Cass! Cass, wake up!" The sound of her voice jolted Cass from sleep, her eyes flying open. "What? What's wrong?"

"Demons are outside. We have to move, now!" Riley urged, her voice barely above a whisper as she glanced back toward the window. "They're right there."

Cass shot up from the bed, adrenaline rushing through her. "Okay, let's grab what we can and get out of here. We can't stay." They quickly gathered their things, Cass moving with an efficiency that Riley admired despite the urgency of the situation. With their packs slung over their shoulders, they crept back to the staircase, the sound of demons growing more pronounced. "Where do we go?" Cass whispered, scanning the house for an exit. "There's a back door. If we can get to the alley, we might have a chance," Riley replied, her mind racing. They made their way down the stairs, and as they reached the bottom, a sudden crash echoed from the front of the house. A demon had thrown itself against the door, its twisted form thrashing against the wood.

"Go!" Cass shouted, and they dashed toward the back of the house. Riley's heart raced as they pushed through the kitchen and out the door, the cool night air hitting them like a slap in the face. They found themselves in a narrow alley, the shadows swallowing them as they sprinted away from the house. Behind them, the sounds of the demons grew louder, and Riley felt a surge of terror that propelled her forward.

"Where now?" Cass panted, glancing around frantically.

Riley squinted in the dark, trying to remember the layout of the neighborhood. "If we keep going, we should reach the main road. We can find a place to hide there." They ran, weaving through the streets, the adrenaline pushing them forward. Each footfall echoed in the silence, the fear of being hunted driving them deeper into the unknown. As they reached the end of the block, they could hear the demons behind them, their growls and snarls echoing off the walls. "Over there!" Riley pointed to a small park, its dark trees offering some semblance of cover. They veered toward it, the thought of hiding among the shadows feeling like their only hope. As they ducked into the trees, Cass pulled out her knife, gripping it tightly as they crouched low. The demons' sounds grew closer, but the dense foliage around them offered a momentary reprieve.

Riley's breath came in quick gasps as they waited, straining to hear any signs of the demons passing by. She could feel Cass's tension beside her, the two of them holding their breath as the night wrapped around them. Minutes felt like hours as they listened to the chaos just beyond their hiding place. Finally, the sounds began to fade, the growls drifting into the distance as the demons moved on, searching for something—anything.

Riley exhaled slowly, her heart still pounding. "I think we're safe for now."

Cass nodded, though her expression remained tight. "Let's keep moving. We can't stay here too long." They emerged from the trees, their eyes scanning the surroundings as they approached the main road. The street lights flickered on, casting an eerie glow on the empty pavement.

"Do you see anything?" Riley asked, squinting into the distance."There's a diner up ahead," Cass pointed. "It might be worth checking out, but we must be careful."

"Right," Riley agreed, steeling herself. "Let's go."