Page 82 of Demons Dig Donuts

The flame flickered again, but…

It didn’t go out this time.

Fwoom.

Fire erupted from the match, a giant inferno so large and hot that Indy immediately smelled burning hair and screamed as he dropped it, backpedaling into one of the doors.

Aodnait took shape from the flames, a towering being of fire rivaling even Dill’s gigantic size. She howled and surged forward, swinging at the attacking monsters and reducing many to ash with a single touch. Those who could resist the fiery assault tried to fight her, though many were already screaming in terror and fleeing.

Indy didn’t blame them.

He’d also run from a giant fire woman.

Dill let out a howl of his own, a joyful sound that seemed like a reply to Aodnait’s. He kept his distance from her, focusing his attacks on the opposite side of the battlefield and keeping the walls up to shield Indy and Debbie. Those walls were currently partially on fire, having caught as Aodnait charged through to drive the army back.

Shit.

So, that was probably not good.

“We’re not going to make it!” Debbie wailed, shaking his head sadly. “More are coming. They just keep coming. At least… at least we’ll be taking some of them with us.”

“No, fuck that!” Indy barked. “Don’t you dare give up! Keep working on that goddamn door!”

“I can’t!” Debbie cried. “I can’t break it! I’ve been trying and—”

“Watch out!” Indy saw a hulking bear monster zooming through the flaming hole in the wall and going right for Debbie. He quickly slammed his staff into the ground like a pole vaulter to launch himself at it feetfirst. He slammed his boot right into the monster’s face with all of his strength, snarling furiously.

The bear caught his ankle and grinned, swinging him up into the air like a rag doll.

Indy hit the ground hard, the staff clattering from his hands. He was dazed, and it took him a few seconds to realize he’d landed outside of Dill’s wall. He was surrounded by fire, burning leaves, and a lot of angry monsters.

“Grow?” Dill called out, worried.

Indy waved weakly and spat out a mouthful of blood. “Grow.”

Debbie suddenly screamed, a chilling cry of pain.

Indy cringed.

He had tried to save him, but now it was looking like he might not even be able to save himself. He saw the staff a few yards away and tried to crawl over to it, but something grabbed him by the back of the head. He gasped as he was lifted right off the ground, kicking and clawing at whatever or whoever held him.

“Excitable little thing, aren’t you?” It was Mitternacht, and he was laughing. “I see what Mr. Kalt saw in you now. Pity.”

“I’ll show you a fucking pity, you fucking demonic cunt!” Indy shouted and snapped his left ring nail, creating an absolute flood of salt that he hurled over his shoulder and hopefully right at Mr. Mitternacht’s face.

Mr. Mitternacht screamed and let go. “You bitch!”

Indy grunted as he hit the ground again, immediately scrambling forward to reach the staff. There was a flutter and footsteps behind him, and he knew his time was up. This was it. He couldn’t possibly defeat a demon like Mr. Mitternacht, but he wasn’t going out without one hell of a fight. He grabbed the staff, flipping over on his back to swing it upward at Mr. Mitternacht as hard as he could.

“Ow! What the fuck?”

Wait…

Indy stared, having to blink several times to recognize the very angry bloodied face glaring down at him. Warmth bubbled through his chest and curled his face into a downright giddy grin, and he immediately dropped the staff. “Mr. Heiss?”

“Yes!” Mr. Heiss snatched Indy up and into his arms. His left eye was closed from the blood streaming through it but he smiled, flashing his sharp teeth as he teased, “Expecting someone else?”

“Holy shit! Pretty much anyone but you! You beautiful asshole!” Indy wanted to kiss him. Instead, he punched his chest. “Where the hell have you been?”