A demon slayer story

Chapter 4: Sakonji Urokodaki

To catch up, I'm making my way up a steep mountain to see this Sakonji Urokodaki guy that Tomioka told me about.For some reason the gravity of my situation hasn't hit yet and I haven't been able to grieve for my family yet.

My feet are sore and more importantly, my stomach is growling like I haven't eaten in days which I more or less haven't.I gave my rice balls to Inaka at the farm so I haven't eaten since breakfast three days ago.That's right, I've been walking for three days.I haven't had time to sleep, the idea of a demon attacking me in my sleep isn't one I like to entertain.

I come across a river, kneeling beside it and cupping my hands to sip the water.Tastes...awful.I spit it back out, letting my tongue hang from my mouth so I didn't have to taste it.I'm so hungry...

It's been three days and I haven't heard sight nor sound of a demon, is it possible I dreamt it all and I'm walking up this mountain for no reason at all?That my family are at home waiting for me, worried I was caught by the slasher?Or maybe I'm dead, and this is my own personal hell, hand carved by the devil himself.They're all thoughts I wish were true but I have to accept the fact that they're gone, that I have no family to go home to.

So I push forward, hiking this ridiculous mountain in hopes that this Urokodaki guy can teach me how to defend myself from the demons, but...does that mean my own demons?

No matter how strong I become, nothing is going to bring back Suske and Nari so is there really any point at all?I have nothing left to live for but the hope that I can save other families from what I face in this very moment.

And the worst part about it...

I heard their pulse slow down.

When I got home, there was still a faint patter of Nari's pulse before her heart stopped.It breaks me every moment when I think back that maybe, just maybe if I was a little earlier I could've restarted her heart.

But it's too late now...there's nothing going to bring them back so I should just forget about it.

Oh hey, a dove.I've seen plenty of doves before but this one is...different...
It's white feathers are shining like none I've ever seen before and there's a seemingly red hue at the tip.Such a pretty little bird and...is it coming towards me?

I watch as it lands in front of me, tilting its head to the side as it looks me in the eye.It sounds crazy but this is my first interaction with something that has a pulse in days.So obviously, I started talking to it.I knelt down, softly stroking its head with one finger."Hey birdie, come to keep me company?"I cooed, watching as it...nodded?
"You got a name?"this is insane, I'm talking to a bird.But why is it listening?I can see her picking up twigs and arranging them into letters.
"A?"she moves the twigs."T?"she continues placing out the letters until finally, I piece the word together.
"Atlas?Is your name Atlas?"I asked and watched it nod, nuzzling her head against my finger."well hello, Atlas.Here for a show?"
Why is she...she's sitting on my shoulder now?Shes...leaving little kisses on my cheek."alright then, I'll take you with me"I smiled.That might be...the first smile I've had since before I left to go to work."Okay Atlas, we're going to find Mr Urokadaki"I said, standing up straight and dragging my feet forwards.