Demon's Blood

The Nymphs

After an hour of swimming, my limbs are tired and the island isn't getting any closer. I hear Koa panting behind me and I stop for just a moment to talk to him.

"You okay?"

He sighs and eyes the land in the distance.

"I dunno. I don't think we can make it there. I am so tired and my body is weak from the burning."

"Here, piggyback on me."

"I was kidding when I said that."

I smirk and roll my eyes at him, swimming closer.

"Just do it."

He squints at me and then winces.

"Fine."

He swims to me and wraps his arms around my neck and his legs around my torso. I paddle towards the land, Koa's weight slowing me down substantialy. He struggles to find a good position, and when he does, it is much eaiser. I have found I have nearly unusable energy, for the demon inside of me is one of the most powerful out there.

"I feel so weak compared to you. I am sorry."

I roll my eyes and then realize he can't see me.

"No you are not."

"I have to get a damn piggyback ride on you."

"So?"

"So it's stupid.

"Oh just let it go."

He shrinks back and I sigh. Then, something wet and slimy wraps around my ankle and I am yanked beneath the surface. At first, I think it's seaweed, but it's not. It seems to be a few nymphs using ropes to catch fish and apparently people from the surface.

They swim up to meet me, their long hair waving behind them. Their naked bodies shine in the light from the surface and I look up to see Koa floating on the surface still. He begins to dive, but I grab some seaweed and slap him with it, shaking my head. The nymphs notice him and swim up to meet him, pulling me along with them.

Their heads burst above the water and I struggle to surface myself. Koa takes in their beautiful faces and their flowing hair. And, I am guessing, the fact that they have no clothes on. They swim up to meet him and hug him and cling to him, like he is their father or brother. He smiles, and I can see that I am loosing him.

"Koa!"

He looks at me with bewildered eyes, and I know that he is thinking he would rather be with one of the nymphs than me. I look down and take in my attire. I am meekly dressed, my hair is a tangled mess, and I am not very pretty in the first place. I sigh and start to push my way through the mass of bodies surrounding Koa and when I reach him, I float in front of him, warding off the seductive women.

They seem to be annoyed when I block him, as if he is their prey. Then I turn and look into his hormone driven eyes, willing for some actual thought to be there. There isn't, of course, but I seek it out anyway. Then my lips are on his and he is grasping me to him. When he speaks, his voice is finally clear.

"I am so sorry. I don't..."

"They are nymphs, it wasn't really your fault. But if you want to stay here with them..."

"I never would, I am yours and yours alone."

"But I'm not pretty or smart or-"

He cuts me off with another kiss.

"I am going to have to explain about all of the lies you are telling when we get to land."

I nod and turn back around in the way we were headed. The nymphs look between the two of us, beaming at the sight of our fondness for each other. Two of them hold out their hands to guide us, it seems. They swim faster than I could ever imagine swimming, and the shore finally seems to be getting closer.

The kindheartedness of these nymphs is astounding and I am grateful for their help. The island is close now, and my feet brush the sand at the bottom. The nymphs release our hands and bow to us, chattering in their high pitched voices about how they felt they had to help us, save us from the sea.

"Thank you so much."

Koa and my voices mingle as we say the same thing and the nymphs bow again, smiling and diving back beneath the waves. Koa and I walk toward the shore, our hands clasped together. My voice is small as I talk.

"That was sweet of them huh?"

"Yeah. That was nice."

He looks at the water and then turns to me. I see sadness in his eyes and ask him what is wrong.

"It makes me sad when the people I care for go around saying they aren't worth being with."

"Oh that. Well the nymphs are just so much better looking and I just-"

I feel his fingers on my lips and wait for the words to come.

"You are way better looking than they are. And you are who I care about."

"I am not better looking."

"That's not true and even if it was, which it's not, looks don't matter, it matters what is on the inside."

"I am a demon on the inside."

"No, there is a demon inside of you but that isn't you. That's something that was put there by something else."

I look down at the water lapping over our feet and contemplate his words. Then I turn and walk all the way to the shore, hugging myself. When I get to shore, I sit on the stand and stare over the horizon, watching the sun set. Koa looks around for leaves and twigs to start a fire, and I get up to help him. I talk softly as I ask.

"How are you going to start a fire?"

He turns and looks at me, holding up a lighter in a blue plastic case.

"I got it when I was going to find you. I just hope the case held up in the water."

I nod and when we get enough resources, we pile it onto the sand, out of the reach of the waves. Koa lights it succesfully and we lay next to it, gazing into each other's eyes.

"I love you."

Koa's voice is soft as he speaks and he looks warily into my eyes. I smile and move closer to him, whispering into his ear.

"I love you too."