Stimpak

Frozen in place, Marcus starred up into the Devil's eyes. His mind was in so much disarray that he failed to notice the ringing in his ears. 'Did it speak?' Its deep and oppressive voice practically sounded out into his mind. But even then, in his terror, he didn't quite catch what it was saying.

He just stood there, absent-mindedly still in horror. It was almost like he had become a statue, one made of ice and unable to move. Unable to speak. Only able to look.

The seconds trickled by as the devil seemed to growel in outrage.

It took another step forward, and the only thing Marcus could do was crane his head upwards, to peer at the monster. Light brown and glowing red eyes never breaking contact with each other.

"YOU.....SAVE HIM OR DIE!"

This time, the panting Monster practically spat the words out. The request, no….. The demand was heard, both in his ears and in his mind. He was sure of it now.

Seemingly shookin awake, Marcus desperately tried to tear his eyes away from the beasts. It was hard. like he lost the ability to control his own body, and the only thing he could do was stare with his jaw hung open. If he took the time to look around though, none of the others did any better.

The message finally clicked, and Marcus tore his gaze away with a struggle. He peered down at the thing it was presenting to him. His dry throat gulped and he subconsciously crawled back even further. There was another one. Another Devil. But this one was smaller…. Anyone with even the slightest bit of medical knowledge could tell it was obviously near death. 

'Save or die'… He repeated the words in his mind. The answer as to what this monster wanted from them was as clear as day. Yet he couldn't seem to grasp it. His mind was in chaos and his heart was rapidly thumping in his chest.

That's when he felt it. The fire. The Rage that made him feel like he wanted to go berserk and kill everything around him. But the rage seemed to be locked down by something. In the back of his mind, he could feel it restraining his body. Desperation and fear. They were… what was containing the built-up anger. Stopping it from pouring out. Some of it was escaping, but the two other emotions had a strong grasp over it. Still the rage was steadily starting to rise. As more and more began flowing out.

These feelings weren't his own. He was sensing its emotions. He truly did hear its voice in his mind. He could feel the monster's intent. 

That's when the words the monster spoke to him finally registered. Save or die. The Devil wants us to save its kin.

Marcus observed the creature in the monster's arms. It was small, Practically half his height.

Numerous wounds covered its body. It was also unconscious… It looked dead… If one looked closely though, the rise and fall of its chest told him that was not the case..... If so,

'A lifeline.'

There was a chance, they might just make it out of this alive. It all depended on whether or not they could save this Devil's child.

Is it the right thing to do though? They would be killed if they didn't. Yet, these things looked very dangerous. What could happen if they did save it? Wasn't there a chance they would be killed anyway. Then not only this…. thing…. but its offspring as well, may terrorize others someday. Would he be responsible?

'Are there more of them?'

He wasn't sure if there were more… He entertained the thought of them being the only ones… But mentally shook his head in refusal… Nature dictated that they must have come from somewhere. So unless something is strong enough to wipe out a species like this, then there are definitely more of them.

On the other hand, If he doesn't help, that's it. He and his companions will die. And probably painfully. Those claws definitely aren't just for show.

He didn't know what to choose. Brutal death? Or the hopeful straw, that may still end up leading to their deaths, and possibly others in the future.

As he thought over his options, he felt the anger of the beast rising. It was like a volcano about to erupt.

Forcing himself. He turned around and looked at his comrades. Each of them, still frozen in place. Too afraid to even blink.

Closing his eyes for a few seconds to gather his thoughts. He ground his teeth a bit before opening his mouth in resignation.

"Bert."

"...."

"Bert!"

"W-Wha!?"

With a quiet shout, Marcus snapped Bert and the others out of their stupor.

"Listen… I need you to help me take the...." 

He turned to stare at the small demon in the larger Devil's arms. 

"Kid."

With a bit of difficulty, he forced the words out.

"Help me bring him into the house. No nevermind, just help me move him to the front porch. Take a sleeping bag and place it on the wooden floor. You and I are the only ones capable of handling this situation. I may be the best of us when it comes to overall medical knowledge, but you're also the only one of us who has any experience treating animals."

Bert looked at the monster in fear… It looked like it was about to go berserk. If he waited any longer he wasn't sure what this thing would do. But it wouldn't be anything good.

"What ar-"

"B-But Marcus! You!… we can't!"

Bruce practically shouted at him. Interrupting Bert before he could get more than a word out. He was always the brash one. But in this situation, even the others looked like they disagreed with what Marcus said.

"This is a monster! A demon! We have to fight or we-"

"SHUT UP!!!"

Marcus realized he was most likely the only person who could feel the emotions of the monster in front of him. And just as Bruce disagreed with him, he felt the Devil's intent to kill spike… He's never felt anything like it before. It was so powerful it even affected him to some extent. 

In a combination of trying to save Bruce's life and in a fit of rage he screamed out. And it worked.

Bruce and the others went quiet. In the long time that they knew each other, they had never seen Marcus erupted quite like that. They were all afraid and Bruce quickly came back to his senses.

Then he noticed something.

It was staring at him.

Knees growing weak, Bruce felt his breath hitch… The demon stared at him in fury. It was quivering. Not in fear but in rage. Barely holding onto its sanity. 

He felt cold…. Looking to the ground meekly, the fear he felt skyrocketed…. He no longer continued to protest, instead he whispered something.

"Bert."

"Y-you heard him right? G-go on."

Bert just looked at him, dumbfounded.

'Damn it, Damn it, Damn it'

He knew he didn't have a choice. Couldn't he just till his soil in peace?

As he cursed to himself he tried taking a step forward. Tried that is.

He couldn't move. He tried putting force into his legs but they felt like stone.

"HUUURRYYYY!!!"

Everyone jumped at the roar.

*SMACK*

Pain was felt on Berts back. He looked behind him and saw Tommy with an outstretched hand.

"Your legs couldn't move, right? M-mine are the same. S-So I thought I'd give you a little smack on the back."

'Little? That hurt like hell!. It'll definitely leave a mark. But.'

It worked. The searing pain on his back seemed to distract Bert as he felt his legs again. He looked towards the monster and regretfully forced himself to take a step forward.

As he approached, the fear he felt grew stronger. And then it moved.

It looked towards Marcus, and once again, it extended its upper limbs. Gently holding out the small demon in its hands. Marcus raised his arms and tried taking the small beast, but when he did take it in his arms he almost stumbled.

'So heavy.'

Grunting in effort, he made sure he didn't lose his grip.

It must have been at least around 70 kg. Just how dense were the bones and muscles?

"Hurry up Bert, It's a heavy one."

Bert was still afraid, but he didn't want the scary mother to become enraged and kill everyone because her cub, or whatever it was, fell, all because he was being slow.

He avoided eye contact with the devil as he approached… Attempting to help Marcus carry the 'cub'

Grabbing hold, he had to agree with the man. This thing was very heavy.

They carefully made their way to the house… Softly laying him on an old rocking chair. They spoke for a brief moment and Bert disappeared into the house, leaving the rest of the mutants still outside with the devil. But while they were still afraid, most of them managed to break out of their statue-esk state. Well, Carly still looked terror-stricken… and Jacob also looked spooked.. But it was a bit different from what the others were feeling...…. Either way, at least now they were capable of moving… Well, sort of.

Anytime anyone moved, they would receive the 'stare'. It would make them freeze up again.

….…...

Slowly, Jacob reached for the gun on his back. The feeling of the cold metal touching his hand soothing him a bit. 

Should he?

It wasn't one of their best guns. But rather something they used when scouting... He knew It probably wouldn't help. Hell, It wasn't even fully loaded. But his flight or fight instinct told him to do it anyway.

As he was about to draw… The monster's stare came. He felt himself spasm slightly as its gaze landed on him. He tightly closed his eyes…. All he needed to do was swing the hunting rifle over his arm and pull the trigger. That's all it took.

So why? Why couldn't he take the gun? Why did he hesitate when it looked at him?

Releasing a depressed sigh he removed his hand from the rifle and reached back to one of his pockets. Rummaging through for a bit he shakingly pulled his hand out, revealing a small ornate box. Opening it, he grabbed an old lighter and a fancy cigarette. He's been saving these cigarettes for as long as he could remember. Bringing it to his mouth… He lit it and took a puff. The noise drew everyone's attention.

"Jake…"

Carly reprimanded as all the others stared.

Making use of her vocal cords, Jill also chimed in releasing a whispering yell.

"Now doesn't seem to be the best time for a smoke break!"

"Helps me calm down. And if I'm gonna die…. I'm gonna die smoking."

He breathed in, feeling the smoke burn his lungs. It was nice, but painful. They were Nat Shermans… The best cigarettes money could buy… He told himself for the longest time… If he was ever gonna go out, he would go out smoking….. The pain, though, Ironically enough, was a reminder that he was alive.

For the first time since the devil appeared, he felt his shoulders slightly relax. 

Why spend what could be the rest of his life in terror? He may not be anything special… But at least he could die like a movie character...... Is what he thought for the longest time.

*Thump*

The sound suddenly interrupted everyones thoughts.

It was moving.

The beast strode forward menacingly. Every step it took the earth seemed to shake.

All of them cowered, seemingly shrinking in on themselves, And If one looked close enough they would notice Jacob slightly trembling. Eyes tightly closed…. Trying his best to concentrate on his cigarette. To ignore the beast coming closer.

Nobody moved, Nobody breathed as the beast passed by them… Approaching the porch.

Exhaling a breath of relief, Everyone seemed to regain control of themselves.

"If I was still a n-normal human I would have definitely pissed myself there. Survivor or not."

Trying to lighten the mood Tommy cracked a joke… Understandingly, no one laughed. It was probably true for the most part.

...…..

...…..

...…..

Passed by the weak things she swiftly made her way over to the small farmhouse. 

Anger and rage flowed through her, and until Bal was better she didn't think it would disappear. 

She looked towards Bal. The "weak thing" she first spoke to was wiping her Setherrog down with some sort of white fur. It smelled of water… As she watched… Red blood was cleared away revealing a pale body, It was whiter than his usual gray skin. 

Numerous bite were covering his body. There was a deeper gash on his arm and his tail looked like something took a bite. The rest of the wounds were less significant, but still… All of them together were potentially fatal.

The small weak thing was wiping her young one clean… He stopped for a moment and examined the wounds with confusion. But before he could think too deeply, the front door opened. Standing at the entrance, another small thing appeared… One glance at her caused it to jump back. After a few seconds though it somewhat regained its bearings and cautiously watched her as it slowly proceeded towards Bal.

The weak things began to communicate with each other, and once they finished, the first one she spoke to received something from the other... Studying it for a bit, The small one looked at her.

"You can understand me. Right?"

Anger. Why are they wasting time!?

The small thing seemed to feel her anger, Her impatience, but instead of attending to Bal he raised his hand and continued.

"This thing could help…. Or rather, It should help. But, I have to inject it into the child for it to work. It has to be done… ."

She looked at the small item in his hands. She couldn't really describe it. It was small and had a pointy end. That was it.

"DO IT."

The small one looked at her for a moment before turning around and gently poked Bal.

End of chapter