A cold, bitter winter enveloped the wooded countryside. While the snow blanketed the surrounding areas, the isolated rural landscape felt even colder, its icy touch numbing to the bone. Still, heading east to start a new life away from the noise and chaos of "humans" appeased both entities. Eff didn't mind being away from society; in fact, he preferred it. Preying on people would become more selective, the way he liked it. In a city full of assholes, as a creature of near invisibility, killing everyone was too easy. He enjoyed the thrill of carefully crafting his kills, making art out of blood. Call Eff sick, but denying him credit for sculpting two men's bodies into a bloody fern would be too far.

Eff had inherited some talent from Nny while under the control of the Voices, granting both Eff and D-boy the ability to move freely between being supernatural entities and flesh-and-blood beings. Eff evolved into a more selective killer, in contrast to Nny's indiscriminate violence.

Stepping over a fallen tree, Eff called out to D-boy ahead of him, "You think we could've picked a better day to leave? This storm's getting worse."

D-boy kept walking, unaffected by Eff's restlessness. "If we didn't leave today, we'd never leave. That house was like a weight on us, and even though I hate being real, I'd rather not stay trapped in something as suffocating as that."

Eff caught up, nearly breathless. "My, my, someone's growing independent. How about you, headstrong one, slow the fuck down?"

D-boy cracked a small smile. "You need to lose weight anyway."

Eff huffed and mockingly repeated D-boy's words.

Seriously, he's so childish sometimes, D-boy thought.

"Holes in you, Eff," D-boy said. "I guess there's nothing a long walk won't straighten out."

Eff replied, "I'm nothing like you. You never indulge in life; you just sit in a corner and mope. Why? Just learn to enjoy things."

D-boy wondered how many times he had to repeat himself. He lost. Eff got what he wanted, yet still pestered him. All D-boy wanted was to find his way out of this existence, but every attempt had been futile. Now, he thought he needed to find something more to end it all. For the moment, he felt slightly obligated to stay with Eff, even if the thought of Eff killing him crossed his mind more than once.

There's a future idea.

But D-boy had a feeling Eff wouldn't kill him. Eff probably believed he was necessary. Things could change, though. They had been at each other's throats for months, maybe a year.

It was like being in an unfamiliar place, where everything—the sights, the sounds, even the way spoons clinked—was new. The only person there with you to navigate this social and cultural shock is your worst enemy.

It was hard, but eventually, you realized you needed each other to survive. Still, you hate them. Everything they do grates on your nerves, but you know when to step in and help. Eff and D-boy were in that boat, bitterly coexisting because they had no choice.

The snow began to fall harder as the wind picked up, making the trees above sway and creak. The storm was vicious, but the Voices could endure it. Annoying, though, as debris flew everywhere and branches crashed to the ground.

Then they saw it—a clearing with a cabin in view. Both approached, peering into the windows. No one inside. Eff picked the lock, and the door clicked open. They stepped inside.

"Seems unkept," D-boy remarked. "A lot of dust."

Eff shone a small flashlight around, searching for a light switch but finding only candles and matches on a dining table. The candles had melted together, wax dripping down the table's sides and onto the floor. Eff lit the wicks, and a soft glow illuminated the windows. There were only three rooms: the kitchen, living room, and bedroom.

The kitchen was bare—a wooden stove, three chairs, two counters, two cupboards, and a rusted sink. The living room was cozy enough with mismatched throw rugs, a long, too-soft couch, a fireplace, and an oil lamp on a side table. It could have been charming if not for the taxidermy buck's head mounted on the wall. The bedroom had a closet full of blankets and towels, a bed piled high with covers, and a nightstand with a locked drawer.

"Maybe I'll get Eff to open that tomorrow." D-boy thought.

Back in the living room, Eff had already made himself comfortable, lighting the fireplace and sprawling out on the couch, content.

"Better in here than getting frostbite, huh, D-boy?" Eff called out, grinning.

The voice of misery, irritated by Eff's scratchy voice, replied curtly, "It's fine." He laid out their map, focusing on their route instead of the annoying company.

Not that far.

A sigh escaped him. The realization of how long their journey would take finally hit. It wasn't just about leaving the area; getting out of the city would take even longer.

"Hey, D-boy?" Eff inquired.

"What is it?" D-boy replied, eyes still on the map.

"How long will it take to leave the state?"

D-boy checked the date he'd scribbled on the back of the map before they left and then glanced out the window at the snow. "It's only been a day since we left and found this place. Feels longer because of the storm. I'd say a week to three, or less if we pick up the pace."

There was a river on the map they could follow to speed up the journey. The less populated areas they passed through, the fewer explanations they'd have to give.

D-boy looked up and saw the younger one had chosen to take the luxury of sleeping. Like eating and expelling wastes, they didn't need sleep as they were 'otherworldly.' Still, Eff liked the new things that came along being fleshy.

Disgusting.