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chardaearchive · 2 years ago

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Shadows of Redemption Short Story BY Chardae Hilson

4. Maize

“Okay, you were right. The bitch stinks, now what?”

Their hip jutted out as they stood, hand over their mouth and nose in pure disgust. Maize had been Yamar’s closest friend since their spawning. Maize was a demon of higher class and in turn higher ranking but somehow Yamar still felt like their older brother. While Yamar was logical and calculated, Maize was hot-tempered and impulsive. Despite their differences, Maize and Yamar just worked. Over the years they remained thick as thieves and were often each other's closest confidant. It made sense that Yamar came to them first to discuss his latest finding. So far Maize was disgusted but unamused by the girl and also by the asylum. Yamar always liked the darker side of things, he was what one might consider a true demon. Maize was more rebellious and soft-hearted. Their stomach was too weak for gore and ugliness, they preferred pretty things and sunlight to Yamar’s penchant for the creepier side of things.

Although the girl was a wonder, Maize was more concerned about transporting out of this old and decrepit building and going somewhere more aesthetically pleasing. Sensing this, Yamar rolled his eyes at them.

“Don’t you want to know WHY she smells like that? Isn’t this at least a little bit strange to you?” Yamar sounded exasperated as he spoke, his voice bellowed in the room though the human could not hear them.

Maize sighed, deciding to humor their friend with a response. “Yes, to some this could be considered an entertaining er—... phenomena?” Their words trailed off as they turned to face the girl, mouth closing as to not consume even more of the god-awful rotten smell she exuded.

As maize began to study the girl, they both sat in silence watching her shiver. She laid on a metal slab, only covered by what looked like a cot and a thin blanket thrown over her body. The girl’s teeth chattered and her jaw was set tight with fury as she stared blankly into the darkness. Fear wafted off her body in huge waves but by her face one could only see anger. She was interesting, but her smell was something Maize could only endure for so long.

“Is this smell her suffering? It’s all rotted and it’s making the air in here so thick..if you don’t stop it I will.” Maize punctuated their sentence with a twist of their hand, before Yamar could stop them they had created a small fire in the corner of the room. Despite its size it warmed the room in almost an instant, the smell began to dissipate along with the cold. The girl’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion but her body became lax in the heat.

Maize turned to Yamar, sporting a triumphant smile, “There, all better” they said, clapping a hand on their friend's shoulder. “Now we can go home—” Maize turned to walk into their portal and effectively transport themselves and their friend home, only to be met with a vice-like grip on their arm. Turning in confusion, Maize found themself met with a cool stare from Yamar.

“Wait,” he said. “Do you know what this means? You helping her? C’mon Maize even you know that’s against the rules.”

Maize sighed, taking his hand and removing Yamar’s grip. “Yammy please, you must know me better than that, after all these years. What to a demon, is a rule? Something we gladly break and discard. “ They spoke calmly, eyes closed to portray peace, only opening one into a wink. Maize stuck their tongue out in jest, “Besides, “ they said. “The only ones who know are us, let's just keep it that way.” With this Maize stepped away from their friend, turning to step once again into their portal. Despite the genuine nature of their friendship, Maize was of higher ranking and their word was meant to be followed by all beneath them, including Yamar.

Problem solved, Maize thought.

If only it were that simple to Yamar.

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