Work Text:
It's so cold.
Even your limbs felt the bitter nip of frost, your skin turning blue as your teeth chattered uncontrollably. You were too scared to leave your hiding spot, hidden under a pine tree and covered by snow until the morning sun rise. In the middle of the night, something or someone attacked your family campsite.
Screams.
Flesh tearing.
And the unmistakable sound of bones snapping.
You couldn't bring yourself to cry anymore, your previous tears frozen to your face. You and a few others barely escaped, but, becoming separated during the mass panic. You don't know where anyone was and couldn't hear anything beside the gentle whispering breeze.
In your escape, you've lost your glasses, everything is a blur, but, there has been something new to creep into your vision- A fading darkness tiptoed at the edge.
"That monster sure did a number here." You barely jumped out of your skin upon hearing someone speak. "Spread out and scout around, once found report back, do not engage the creature on your own." There had been a collective agreement before the sounds of wings flapping and the whoosh of air.
Your hope started to rise, there are people here! And they took notice of the tattered campsite and remains of your family, they're probably to help with locating any survivors.
"H-Help..." You called out weakly, no energy to even move- Barely enough to speak.
"Somebody here?"
"Help..." You called once more, with what little strength you had, raised your arm and bumped it into a low hanging branch and caused the snow it held to fall upon you. There had been no sound of feet crunching into snow; No movement, but, the owner of the voice magically stood at your side. He stared down at you and you back, taking in his weird Marching Band uniform, why would anyone wear something like that in the mountains? The white cloth blinding to your eyes.
"A survivor?" The man gracefully kneeled, his blurry figure clearing up. A round face and clean shaven, luscious blonde hair that looked soft to the touch (In a way made you feel kinda jealous.), and tired golden eyes that appeared to slightly glow in the shade. Within, you were surprised to see such a thing but couldn't express it on the outside, face frozen and numb, you wonder if he could see it through your eyes.
"Are you... Here to save... My family?.." It hurt to speak, it felt like icicles had formed in your throat and grinded against the soft flesh. The man's brows lowered but the kindness or maybe petty not once left his golden gaze, he appeared to be thinking before a caring smile appeared upon his chubby pale face.
"Yes," He finally said for what felt like hours to you, "You're going to be alright and be safe with the others." The man brushed the mounting snow away, freeing you if your icy blanket. You weren't wearing your winter coat nor boots, leaving you in only a sweater, pants, and socks. You were in such a rush to escape, you hadn't thought about the things you'd need. With a huff, he had been able to lift your upper body up until you rested within his arms. Your black frost biten fingers barely gripped onto the man's tunic in alarm, not expecting to be moved.
"Hey it's okay, I'm not going anywhere." He whispered in a soothing voice like that of a mother as if to calm you, maybe he thought you were afraid he'll leave your side. "We're going to get you back to your family and you'll all go on your merry way."
---
Abel watched the light drain from your eyes, becoming lackluster as a final breath had been drawn. The smile slipped away as he examined the frost biten face of the human, he hoped those little lies made you feel better in your final moments.
Even though you stayed on the path of God, your soul would still be claimed by the claws of hell- Unbaptized.
He'll pray for your safety.
Maybe if you were lucky, you'll just be stuck in limbo.
An exorcist landed next to her commander, heels touching the ground but not piercing the snow.
"Sir, we've discovered a trail of bodies leading to the north. We suspect it could be hiding within the mountain caves."
If his exorcists found more, that meant there were no others left, that wandering demon finished his fun and waiting for its next prey.