Their Questions

Haisley

The others look at me with wide eyes, their expressions a mix of awe and confusion as we shuffle closer together now that our names have disappeared from the floor. I keep the thick blanket wrapped tightly around me, its warmth still lingering, though it feels wrong, like a lingering mark of Zyraxiel's presence.

"How did you do that?" Olivia whispers, her voice soft but urgent.

"Do what?" I ask, genuinely confused. I've done nothing extraordinary, nothing at all.

"Get his attention for the entire time," she says, the disbelief in her voice clear.

I shrug, feeling the weight of their stares on me. "I don't know," I whisper, shaking my head. "I'm no different from you. I hesitated during the Truth game—it got down to five seconds before I spoke, so it's not for behaving." I can't explain why Zyraxiel stayed with me the whole time, why he didn't move on to the others. There's no logic to it, no sense. Why would a demon like him focus on me?

I glance over at Megan, her demon seemed much more manageable than mine. "Do you have any ideas? You seemed comfortable with your little friend," I ask, my voice hushed, trying to make sense of this.

Megan smirks, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "He is little compared to yours," she says, and I groan in response.

"Yeah, well, I got the biggest and scariest one," I mutter, feeling the weight of Zyraxiel's earlier presence pressing on me still.

"That you did," Megan replies with a shake of her head. "Honestly, I don't think I would've spoken if yours was mine. He looks terrifying." She pauses for a moment, her expression shifting. "All I can think of is… maybe it's because I smiled at mine during the Truth game. I was hoping it would make him let me off without playing. Didn't work though—he still made me confess." She shrugs lightly, like she's trying to downplay how unsettling the experience truly was.

The others are shifting restlessly, their anxiety palpable. They all seem to be waiting for something, anything, that might explain why some demons came and others didn't.

"Maybe there'll be another chance," I whisper, trying to inject some hope into the tense atmosphere. "Another chance to get them to notice you." Although I don't really know why we're all so desperate for their attention. These demons aren't saviors—they're our captors. Yet, deep down, we know the horrifying truth.

If they don't notice us, if they don't claim us, we die. We don't have a choice, not really. Dying isn't an option, even if it might seem like a way out. It's not a choice we get to make. Our only option is to play their game and make one of these demons claim us—no matter how terrifying that thought may be.

I clutch the blanket tighter around me, unsure if it's really the warmth or the fear of what's coming next that's making me shiver.

"Your demon is giving you gifts, ones that actually help. I got a dress," Megan mutters, looking down at the fabric like it's some kind of cruel joke.

"Yeah, well, I haven't gotten anything," Olivia grumbles, her voice tight with frustration.

"I could really use food. Or even water," Megan groans, her hunger evident. I glance down at the water and food that I have, but the rules are clear—if I share, I'll be punished. The thought of that sends a shiver down my spine.

I clutch the mirror Zyraxiel gave me, an idea forming. Maybe I can ask for help. Maybe I can get him to bring food and water for the others. It's a long shot, but it's better than watching them suffer. I lift the mirror, staring into it, hoping—praying—that it works. At first, nothing happens, and the women start to look at me like I've lost my mind.

Then it begins to darken and Zyraxiel appears.

I swallow hard, trying to figure out how to phrase this. "Can the others get some food or water?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. "A lot of them are too weak to move... please?" I'm not sure if he'll listen or if this will even work, but I have to try.

"Are you talking to yourself?" Megan chuckles, raising an eyebrow.

I hold the mirror up for her to see. "Look," I say, but she just shrugs, unimpressed.

"That's me?" She chuckles.

I turn the mirror back toward me, and there he is—Zyraxiel. He's watching me, his red eyes burning through the darkness. She can't see him, but I can.

Megan chuckles again, but I ignore her, keeping my eyes locked on the mirror. "If not," I add, my voice trembling, "I'll give them mine and take the punishment, even if it means dying."

The mirror goes blank.

"Well?" Olivia asks, her eyes filled with hope.

I bite my lip. "I think... that's a no." I hesitate, glancing at them. "But if you don't get anything soon, I'll share what I have." I'm terrified of what will happen if I do, but I can't just watch them waste away.

The room grows colder, and suddenly, the air distorts. My heart pounds in my chest as I see a figure step through the shadows. Zyraxiel. Oh God, I didn't actually share anything yet! Panic builds in my throat, but then I see what he's holding—a box. He places it down in front of the others, his glowing red eyes locking onto me.

"You owe me," he growls, his voice rumbling like thunder, before disappearing into the darkness once again.

Megan laughs, her relief evident. "Oh my god, can we switch demons?"

The others eagerly grab the food and water from the box, their desperation clear. I turn back to my own portion and finally begin to eat, the tension easing just slightly.

"For now, I think I'll stick to my own demon, thanks," I laugh weakly, my nerves still shot. Megan just grins, nodding.

At least for now, Zyraxiel is providing for me—keeping me alive. But why? Why are the others being left to starve? Don't the demons want them to survive? Don't they need at least one of us to make it through this? How can they, without food or water?

Olivia watches me carefully, her expression thoughtful. "What do you think you'll have to give him in return?" she asks, her voice soft.

I pause, the food turning tasteless in my mouth. "I don't know," I admit, the weight of the question settling over me like a shadow. I hadn't even considered what Zyraxiel might want in return for his... generosity.

After eating, we drift to sleep.