"We can't just kill him. He's human, for Goddess' sake. We need people if we want to survive in here," came the first voice—soft, but steady.
My body…
Everything hurt.
Not just in one place—everywhere. My nerves felt like they were on fire, like my skin had been torn off and stitched back together with acid.
Fuck you, Leon.
I swear, I'll pay you back a billion times over.
I'll make you suffer so much you'll wish you never laid eyes on me.
I'll hit you where it hurts most.
"How do we even know it's human?" another voice chimed in, this one doubtful, almost dismissive. "It literally fell out of the sky."
Wait… where the hell am I?
Damn it. I can't even move.
"He's human," a third voice argued—female, calm, but firm. "I can sense it. He's alive. He's not one of the nightmares."
"I've had enough of this," a deeper, annoyed voice growled. " I know you love saving strays, but we've got enough mouths to feed as it is. I say we keep him... for meat."
Wait.
Did I just hear that right?
Meat?!
"MEAT?! What the hell do you mean by that?!" the girl gasped, followed by rushed footsteps—then a sharp stop.
"I don't mean for us," the man snapped defensively. "For the animals! The plants are going bad. The livestock won't last much longer."
"And your solution is feeding them humans?!" she shouted, horrified.
A heavy silence followed, the kind that presses down like a weight on your chest.
"…Alright, my bad," the guy muttered. "But we still can't bring him in."
"Why not?!"
Who the hell is this guy? Tch.
Fine. Just pray I don't survive. Because if I do... I'm coming for your soul.
"If we take him in, we feed him," he continued. "Did you even listen to the morning report? Supplies are running low. We're days away from full-on rationing. We can't save everyone. Filia, help me out here—this girl's giving me a damn headache."
"She's not wrong," a mature, level voice answered—Filia, I guessed. "You've done more than enough. Letting one go... it's not on you. It's the world we're living in. You need to understand that."
Hmm.Mature voice. Calm, composed... A woman like that would make for the perfect carnal outlet.
Let's see what she looks like first.
Wait—shit.
I forgot.
I'm still in this form.
It makes cruelty feel so satisfying.
"No!" the girl snapped, defiant. "If food's the problem—I'll give him my potion!"
What?
What's her deal?
Why's she trying so hard to save me?
This… doesn't sit right.
"I can't let you do that," a male voice said—younger, but firm.
"You can't stop me."
God, she's stubborn.
"What is it with you and this guy, anyway?" he fired back. "You've been acting weird ever since you found him. Look at him—he's a walking corpse. You can't even see a face. It's all burnt black. No way you recognize him. So why are you so desperate?"
"It's. None. Of. Your. Business," she growled. "I'm saving him. End of story."
And then—
I felt it.
Someone was lifting me.
Wait.
No.
Suddenly, my weight vanished.
I'm falling?!
"OH NO!"
That was her voice again.
Did this lunatic just THROW ME OFF A CLIFF?!
…
…
…
Darkness.
Then...
A hum.
Soft. Melodic. Almost… hypnotic.
Wait—
Something warm.
On my lips. In my mouth.
Moist. Gentle.
Hnnn~
Heat coiled in my stomach, slow at first, then deeper. Lower.
Hahh~
Electric pulses surged through my limbs. Still couldn't move, but I felt it. Every inch of it.
A-Ahh~
Nope. That wasn't in my head.
That was her. A voice. Breathless. Soft.
I forced my eyes open.
The first thing I saw—long, dark lashes.
Pale skin.
And then… green.
Emerald green eyes stared back into mine—wide, startled, and beautiful.
"I…" she whispered, tensing as she pulled back slowly, her hands still cupping my cheeks.
That's when I noticed—
She was sitting on my chest. Straddling me.
What the hell is going on?
"It's not what it looks like," she blurted, cheeks flushed.
"Natasha?!"
I almost choked on air. My eyes practically shot out of their sockets.
This has to be a dream.
It just has to be.