Spoiler Tag: Adventure, MF, Monstergirl, Devil Girl, Goo Girl, Superhero, Slime Girl, Paizuri, Tit Fuck, Fantasy
*****
After successfully sneaking past the police, I was still stunned by the nights events, desperate for some answers. Claire and I move quickly, Mikey trailing along behind us, confused by the outpouring of magical energy he'd felt and the sudden addition of the stunningly beautiful yet frightening devil girl. For her part, Claire seemed to be soaking in the sights of the town like and obvious tourist, drawing us forward like an entrancing sprite as she flit from modern convenience to modern convenience.
Her stomach growled fitfully, and she set her hand on it like she could physically dispel it. Pursing her lips into a frown, she shot me a look.
Misinterpreting her meaning, I waved my hands pitifully in front of my body. "You can't be serious. I'm not some broodmare, it hasn't even been twenty minutes."
"No. I am content with that manner of feeding, it's the more mundane manner of sustenance that is giving me fits." She tilted her head to the side, seemingly gazing off into the distance.
Mikey grabbed my arm, his palm sweaty with nerves. "Dude. What is going on? Who is she and where did she come from?"
"Look, it's been a hell of a night. Why don't you head home? We can pick this up tomorrow after I've had a chance to discuss things with Claire."
Flinching back, Mikey looked hurt. "I thought we were a team. And you lied to me. You said we were going to call the police."
Ugh. I don't have time for this.
"He killed my mom Mikey. That man took her from me. Could you have left him to the police after that?" I asked, pinning him with a penetrating stare.
Downcast, he dropped his eyes to the floor, struggling for a response. "What did you do, Jonas?"
I sighed, rubbing my face with a hand. "Not what your thinking. Something crazy happened out there, and she's at the center of it." I pointed to Clair who beamed a brilliant smile and took off in a quick jog down the sidewalk. "If you want to stick with me and get some answers, that's fine. If not, then I'll fill you in once I've gotten some for myself. I owe you that much." Softening my tone, I skipped backwards after Claire while continuing to speak with Mikey. "Thank you for all the help tonight. Either way, I owe you big time for stepping up the way you did."
His quiet anger and judgement faded as he took in my words, growing bashful at my praise. "You're welcome."
"Seriously, it's been a long day and it's only going to get longer if you stay with me. Head home and get some rest. Swing by my room tomorrow and we can talk about everything that's happened. And again, thanks man." We gave each other awkward waves by before I turned and chased down Claire. Who was weaving through the streets like a woman possessed, uncaring of the pedestrians who stopped to stare at her.
Her destination turned out to be a hole-in-the-wall twenty four hour bakery. It had faded sign over the glass wall that read, "Cloud Nine Bakery - Heaven Awaits."
An odd choice for a lady who just broke out of hell.
She entered the store like a child entering Disney World for the first time, eyes alight with wonder. A high-pitched squeal eked through the side of her mouth while she hopped in a tiny circle. The sprinkle filled confectionery proved too much for her and she darted around from display case to display case, making me question her sanity. Unconcerned, she flitted from cakes to cookies to the cupcakes like a honey bee from flower to flower.
"What can I do for you folks?" the man behind the counter asked through a chuckle, wiping the excess flowers from his hands.
"Just a moment. She's been... out of town for a while, and hasn't had access to sweets so she's a little overwhelmed."
"Take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere." He settled his chin on his palm and his elbow on the counter, smirking at Claire who was still darting around his store.
"Jonas! So many delicacies! Cyprian told me of them but I couldn't believe it until I saw it. Isn't it amazing? Amazing. I haven't tasted sugar in an ages."
She's a far cry from the holy warrior she seemed to be in the graveyard. Or even the maneater she looked like when she first arrived.
The vision of her uncaring eyes sent a chill down my spine and I resolved not to let my guard down, unsure if this cherubic conduct was just a mask.
"It sure is," I told her with a smile, stifling my own case of chuckles.
"And it's all for sale?" she asked, her voice dripping with anticipation. The implications of that realization just now dawning on her sugar sprinkled brain.
"Of course."
I could practically see her begin to drool as her eyes bounced between the wares. Opening her mouth several times, she began to choose, each time stopping after only a syllable, lured away and torn by the promise of a different delicious treat.
Eventually I took pity on her. Laying my hand on her shoulder. "Would you like me to decide?"
"Would you please?" She looked so relieved, freed from the burden of choice and the disappointment that could come from it.
"We'll have a chocolate chip cookie, a red velvet cupcake, an almond scone, and... let's do a peanut butter cookie as well."
Claire watched raptly as the man bagged our choices, hardly blinking as each baked good was slid out sight into the paper bag. After I paid the man, he handed our purchase to Claire who snatched at them like they were liable to sprout wings and fly off. Leaving the store, I directed her toward a nearby park where I hoped to squeeze some answers from the girl. A delicate scent clung to my hand where I'd touched her. It was impossibly savory, teasing the lizard portion of my brain while somehow smelling vaguely of spicy woodsmoke. Laying the bag on the metal picnic table, she actually licked her lips as she pried it open. The move revealed the dainty points of her inhuman fangs. Then she deflated, like a puppy who's had their tennis ball taken away. She morosely pushed the bag towards my side of the table.
"They're yours."