Shoulder pads and chest plates rattled against each other, the silver ringing into the heavy silence around us. Thank the Regent that I only wore this for a hunt. I hate the militia uniforms, they’re bulky, hot, and we all look the same. Although, they were efficient. No Demon could penetrate it, and it kept their fangs, claws and whatever else they had from hurting us.

Patrol teams changed constantly, but there were some familiar faces and voices. I tried not to get attached to anyone with Militia ranking, it didn’t make sense to learn about a person that could very well die the same night you meet. That may be dark for someone that isn’t risking their lives every other day, but for me it’s just fact. Well, that’s not a hundred percent true. I know Conner, and my current team with Jordan, Kris and Marcus, but I tried my best not to get fully attached.

“Perk up, you’ll bring the whole team down.” Jordan elbowed me.

I rolled my helmet in my hands and feigned a smile. If I did everything right today, and didn’t step out of line, my current probation would finally be over and Conner wouldn’t have to tag along everywhere I went.

The convoy shuttered to a stop. The tunnels connecting the numerous safe zones, were mostly dark. There were no lights, it’s easier to find a Demon when it uses its unnatural glow to find its way.

“Helmets on.” Conner stood up. As captain he didn’t wear a complete uniform, he had a dark navy duster with intricate golden designs at the edges, and always had a large aqua neckerchief around his neck. “There’s been a sighting of a Demon in the tunnels below. It’s been reported to be aggregated. Use extreme caution.”

Aggregated meant it had been starving—rightfully so—and its body expanded in to a mess of sharp gems. It loses all reasoning, succumbing to the monster it truly is. Making it easier to kill its prey when it had no regard to self-conservation.

The night vision hummed in my ear as it clicked on. I never thought I needed it, even with glasses I felt as though my vision was best in dim light. I double checked my pistol and flicked the safety off.

I would be the last one out, Jordan at the lead and the others between us. That had become the usual since my little accident of rushing out and getting a fellow soldier killed. It wasn’t my fault, he should have had his gun at the ready.

Conner’s heavy hand met my shoulder, he wouldn’t be with our patrol, he always did his own thing. He had no mask on, just his neckerchief pulled up over his mouth. His eyes met mine through my visor, I always found myself staring at his blind eye. The scar went right through it, even leaving an impossible line on the actual eye itself.

I wonder what the world was like before the crash, before the crack in the world appeared. It must have been safer, plentiful in oxygen, humans, and wildlife. There was probably less of a chance of a hungry inter-dimensional Demon hunting you down. I wonder what my place in that calm world would have been. Maybe it would be completely different or exactly the same. The longer I think about it, the more I realize it’s pointless.

I wouldn’t trade this life for anything.

Jordan lifted her helmet up just above her lips. She leaned over and placed a soft kiss on my cheek. “Don’t die out there.”

“You too.” I gave her a nod.

“Ick, get a room.” Kris and Marcus teased.

I pushed the two of them, almost knocking them over with the heavy armor.