Short Stories (ErrInk)

An Unlikely Love - Chapter 3

  Ink wrapped Error's arm over his shoulder and helped him to his feet. The demon kept his mouth shut, making sure not to let out his secret to the mortal.

  They slowly walked through the forest. Ink led them away from the dangers and safely back into the village.

  Error looked around at the unknown surroundings. He had never seen an atmosphere so calm.

  Villagers strolled along the dirt and cobblestone roads, occasionally greeting each other as they crossed paths. They held baskets filled with flowers and fruits, often offering them to others.

'Are they doing this so they don't get killed by the rest of the people?'

  Error thought to himself.

  He couldn't understand that the village was home to the kindest mortals. However, the mortals didn't seem to care that Error was injured which was something that he could relate to.

Error: Why do they not notice us?

  He asked Ink while attempting to keep his accent controlled so the farm boy could understand him.

Ink: It's normal for us to take care of the sick and injured.

  Ink said with a sweet smile. Error had a hard time understanding what the point of helping was but he didn't choose to say anything else. He had to stay focused to healing and then taking over this village for his own gain.

  Ink stopped at the front door of his cottage and hoped that his grandmother was home. She knew the most when it came to being hospitable to others.

  Once pushing open the front door, they were instantly greeted with an old woman who was grinding grains into a powder.

Ink: I'm home mama and I have someone who needs help.

  He announced their presence to his grandmother. Ink helped Error stand properly before introducing the stranger to Lily.

  Ink expected Lily to smile and greet Error however, no smile appeared as she instantly went to the black skeleton.

Lily: Oh my goodness, look at you. You're so malnourished. Your spectral body is so skinny. That's it, I'm not letting you leave until you have eaten enough food. Here, eat this.

  She said before placing bread in Error's hands. The demon's eyes widened, not knowing what to think of the woman's behavior. He wasn't used to receiving food without having to fight for it.

  In the Underworld, Error's parents often forced him to hunt by himself and learn how to survive on his own. They would abuse him and kick him away if they still saw him as weak. However the only source of food, a native animal, was hard to get so Error had to sometimes resort to cannibalism.

  Error knew what demons tasted like.

  Ink watched Lily gift endless amounts of food to Error. It was her mission to feed him until he was no longer malnourished.

  Lily told Ink to get a pot from the cabinet and begin putting together a soup that was an old family recipe. The farm boy poured milk from the goats and placed cut pieces of vegetables gathered from the fields.

  Error was sat in a chair, watching Lily and Ink. The old woman took over when Ink was taking too long.

  After a few minutes, the soup was finished. However when Lily poured it into bowls, Error noticed that there wasn't enough for the three of them. He heard her sigh as she secretly poured water into hers.

  What Error didn't understand was that Lily knew that Ink would give up his food for her if he knew there wasn't enough. But... Lily's life goal was to take care of Ink because he was her grandson.

  Ink smiled at his grandmother as she placed the bowls on the table. He stood from his chair to offer it to Lily as there were only two seats. The old woman thanked him before sitting down. Error couldn't help but show a confused expression.

The two mortals began eating but the demon was hesitant however, he eventually pick up a wooden spoon and dipped it into the soup.

'Is this poisoned? The mortals are eating it and they are not dying. I shouldn't be worrying about this, I'm immune to poison.'

He thought while consuming the mortal food. A look of content came to him. He never knew that...

Their food was that good