Jin shrunk further back into the dark of their cell as they heard footsteps. More guards or monsters? To their surprise, it was the older woman and the smallest girl, come rushing in. Initially, Jin felt a rush of panic. There was no way that the three of them could hide in here and not be seen! But it was too late for that.

Thankfully, they were not found. “Are you alright?” Asked one of them, shining a light that would probably alert someone. Then she panicked, her phone clattering to the ground. In the dim light, Jin could see the bodies too. They seemed to be made of dirt or ash, something that was quickly confirmed when one of them crumbled easily to dust at a touch. The posing was odd, yet strangely familiar to Jin. It was if they were all sleeping on the ground, curled as if to maintain what little warmth they had.

What the hell was this place, and how were they going to get out?

“[i]Ah.[/i]” 

A voice sounded out in the darkness. Jin felt a coldness growing in their stomach. Mostly because it was coming from the direction of a pair of blood-red eyes that were the only other light in this place. Somewhat by instinct, Jin stood between the two girls and the voice.

“[i]What do we have here? Fresh meat?[/i]” The voice said, the eyes approaching. That voice was rough and hoarse, grating to the ears. “[i]What are you doing in my territory?[/i]” Then, the figure became clearer as it got closer. At first glance, it was a person of roughly 5 feet, dressed in rags, with a hood. No shoes to be seen, and… was that blood?

Yes, the figure seemed to have been used as some sort of chew toy, as they were covered from hooded head to bare toe in bite marks. Some of them looked fresh, oozing blood in an unnerving way.

“P-please go away.” Jin managed to eke out. The rest of the words came tumbling after. “I know we’re probably trespassing or whatever but please don’t hurt us. We don’t belong here.” 

“[i]I’ll say you don’t.[/i]” said the shadowed figure. It lifted a hand and pointed. “[i]You![/i]” It pointed at Harriette. “[i]You with your pretty face and your fancy clothes, you had everything you were supposed to and you just squandered it away! And you![/i]” 

The next rude point seemed to be directed at Alina. “[i]You have a family that gives a damn about you, and you can't run away fast enough! What a fucking waste you are![/i]”

“[i]And you-[/i]” The final finger was pointed in Jin’s direction. “[i]You had a good paying job but you just can’t keep outta the damn gutter, can you?![/i]”

All the while it ranted, it grew closer. There was a disturbing smile appearing on the figure’s face. [i]“None of you belong in the territory of the Fallen! But since you’re here, you’re mine. President [b]Bilge[/b]water says I keep whatever falls through the cracks. None of you look properly chewed up though. So I’ll just have to fix that.[/i]” The smile grew wider, too wide, too white, too sharp teeth started to gleam in the dark. To their further horror, Jin saw the gray ash-figures rise up, like zombies with a fresh scent.

“[i]This is the part where you[b] run[/b][/i].” 

Jin’s eyes widened and they shook their head. “No more running, please...” But their legs, trembling and sore as they were, seemed to obey Jin’s fear on a primal level. Already they were backpedaling.
 
“Run! Go, go!” Jin gestured sharply for the two women to move. 

“[i]Aw. Cute. Let’s see how long this little alliance lasts[/i].” The shadow figure mocked, and pointed forward as the ash creatures leapt into action.

Once they all did get moving, they would notice that the cell seemed far longer and wider than it was when they first stepped in it.

The scenery became even more bizarre as they traveled. Somehow, the cell had stairs, but they seemed to lead upward and downward at the same time. Sideways doors led to rooms, but when they opened and closed a door, it would lead to a completely different area. All the while, there was a strange pressure in the air, like a cloud that would infect their minds and thoughts. Already Jin was feeling it. 

Why did they have to take care of these two women? They were nothing but strangers, after all. This world wasn’t meant for the weak. If Jin left them to themselves, it would probably make their escape easier…