You sat underneath one of the diner booths, hiding away from the adults pacing frantically above.

Their panicked voices filled the air, but you blocked out their words, focusing instead on the sound of your own heart pounding and the feel of the cool metal floor beneath you.

From your spot, you could see the chaos unfolding through the cracks in the floorboards, the fear and desperation etched into every line on the adults faces as they debated what to do next.

A sudden wave of demons possessing human figures had plagued the town, and panic was spreading like wildfire.

The adults around you were trying to figure out what to do—some praying fervently, others arming themselves with whatever they could find.

One demon had just been taken down outside the diner window moments ago; its body twitching unnaturally before going still at last.

But no one felt safe yet—because who knew how many more were still out there hiding among them right now?

Waiting for another chance strike again soon enough.

Kyle, a characteristic man with dark skin and a loud voice, knelt down, his movements slow and deliberate so as not to startle you further.

His eyes—sharp but not unkind—met yours beneath the booth's shadowed space where you'd curled up like a cornered animal trying to hide from the storm outside.

"Come on out, kid."

His voice was gruff, but lacking any real edge behind it; more tired than anything else right now.