Riftwalkers (Draft 1)

A Whole New World

It takes very little time for the two to load the boxes, both being well built and Sam especially being used to labor. The woman seems very pleased, and does end up offering them each some snacks for the road. She revealed that her boyfriend had just broken up with her, leaving her alone in the town. She had decided to move back in with her parents, deeming it safer. They said their goodbyes after securing the truck for her, and wandered back into the neighbourhood.

It's a short time before Sam notices Damien staring at him.

"What's up? Do I look weird or something?" He asks. Damien seems to zone back in, and chuckles.

"...nah. It's nothing." He says, grinning happily. Sam raises an eyebrow, but leaves it. They continue their walk all the way to where the shops are, and Sam spots the ward in the distance. It's lit up on all sides by spotlights, so it's difficult to miss.

"Ugh. What an eyesore." He says bitterly. Damien laughs.

"Now you sound like a human. That's what pretty much everyone said when they built it."

"I don't blame them. It's ugly as fuck. And the lights are obnoxious." He complains.

"Oh for sure. Everyone says-" he pauses for a second, and looks at Sam. Sam looks to him confused when he doesn't continue right away, and sees a sorrowful expression on his face.

"Everyone says?"

"Well... everyone says it... looks like a prison. I guess I considered that it... kind of is in a way." Damien finishes. The two both stare at the ward as they walk, considering this. Sam cuts into the silence.

"Can we... grab a drink before you bring me back? I wanna see Tang. I'm uh... not sure when I'll be out again."

"...Yeah. I think that's a great idea actually... It's just up ahead." Damien agrees right away. They walk in silence to Eden, and Damien holds the door for Sam. Sam hears a click after they enter, and realizes Damien locked the door behind them.

"Did someone lock my door? Now who could that be?" A voice asks from below. As they descend the stairs, Tangerine comes into view, hands on her hips. She seems startled to see them, which confuses Sam. Her tone had sounded sarcastic before, like she was expecting someone specific.

"Hey, Tang. Just us." Sam says. She nods with an odd expression, and quietly makes her way back behind the counter. Sam takes a seat at the bar, and catches a red flash of light illuminating the wall for a moment. Tang looks like she's seen a ghost, and looks down at Sam. He connects the dots.

"Oh. That's why he locked the door. Makes sense I guess. You knew he was a demon already? Do you get demons regularly?" He asks. Tangerine seems at a loss, and Damien takes up the seat to Sam's right.

"It's cool Tang, I uh... fucked up a bit and revealed myself by accident. He took it... better than I expected. Actually, instead of having any reactions he kind of just... scolded me?" Damien explains, chuckling and scratching his neck. Tangerine sighs and touches her forehead gently.

"You're a fool Damien. But I'm glad it worked out. For now, anyhow. Don't underestimate his brain, who knows what those government sickos set up in there. No offense to you dear." She addresses Sam in the last bit, and he shrugs.

"None taken, I completely agree."

"I think it'll be alright. He even touched one of my horns and didn't have an issue." Damien adds. Tangerine shakes her head disapprovingly.

"You really need to be less careless about it. Goodness me. But yes, Sam, licking my door is procedure for when my demon guests would like to be themselves for the night. Am I making you two the usuals?"