It took them three hours.

  The Demons adapted and instead of trying to target the Casters, the ones in Column 4 kept all the minions close, but not so close that Penelope could kill them all with . The result was that they had to move slower to ensure that none of the monsters got a lucky hit, which led to them walking back just after seven.

  Penelope dropped against the ant carcass and bit into the dry mole meat, then drained one of the vials of water. They’d given both rings to Judah, who was thrilled to be able to make water for the group. He’d filled a metal helmet with water and most people cupped out what they wanted to drink because they’d just been throwing the vials on the stone floor after they took a potion.

  Penelope had stopped picking up , mostly because the group didn’t want to wait for her to run over and drop the goo into a vial. She put the empty glass container back in the potion sling on her belt and looked at her empty soda bottle. She’d get Judah to fill it in the morning.

  “Not going back out?” Jeru teased as he sat down in front of her.

  Penelope glared at him. “How can I be this exhausted when I did less work?”

  The blue Elf shrugged. “I don’t know, but It was exhausting watching you do it.” He pretended to yawn. “And I don’t get tired.”

  “Lucky.” Penelope tilted her head. “Wait, so you’re able to move around while I’m asleep?”

  Jeru nodded. “Yeah, but I can’t do anything, so it’s not that exciting.”

  “Maybe not.” Penelope glanced towards the group. “But you know the misgivings I have about sleeping around some of them.”

  “Don’t worry. You’re not injured this time.” He shook his head. “The boy wasn’t brave enough to come within ten feet of your body when you were wounded. He’s not going to get close to you when you aren’t.”

  “Still.” Penelope turned back to her parasite. “I’m not sure how much I trust Frederica either.”

  “She’s just worried that the big, strong man is going to fall for you and leave her old butt.” Jeru scoffed. “She’s only 47." Seriously, that’s like a teenager for an Elf.” He narrowed his eyes. “Also, I know you’re still referring to me as a parasite.”

  “Because most of the time, you are.” Penelope shrugged. “Maybe if you stayed out of my thoughts, you wouldn’t see stuff you didn’t like.”

  “Didn’t say I didn’t like it.” Jeru sighed. “I don’t, but I don’t mind. I’m doing what I have to do for the greater good, and if that means some negative name-calling gets thrown my way, I can take it.”

  “Fine. What do you want me to call you?” She held up her hand. “I am not calling you a symbiote.”

  “Why? I could do a good deep, mysterious voice.” He dropped into bass as he spoke.

  When Penelope didn’t react, the Elf shrugged. “Companion, mentor, advisor, genius. Any of those are great.”

  She snorted. “How about ‘old man’?”

  “I’m not that old!” Jeru waffled his head. “Okay, maybe I’ve lived several lifetimes, but that doesn’t mean I’m a cantankerous old man.”

  Penelope grinned. “I’ll see what other stuff I can dream up.” She pulled up her stat screen. “I hit level nine in the second-to-last square.”

  “And you didn’t use in the last room. Why?”

  Penelope shrugged as she closed the menu. She hadn’t gotten any gear, and she’d managed to get her extra point in Speed, so she was happy about that. “I don’t know. I felt like it was overkill, and they already look at me like I’m going to carry them through the whole floor. I didn’t want to show them how much stronger I’ve gotten.”

  “You’re going to have to eventually.” Jeru leaned back so he was floating in the air in front of her. “But I can see reasons why showing them could cause problems.”

  “Yeah…” Penelope sighed. “I have a feeling this is going to be a long night.”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Why…” Jeru processed the information. “Huh, I always thought it was some skill why you would only sleep five hours a day; I didn’t realize you’ve been doing it for most of your life.”

  “It is what I am.” She shrugged. “Sleep doesn’t come easy for me, and trying to force it only makes me more tired.” She looked at 3A. “I’ll just get an early start.”

  “You’re going to clear squares without them?” Jeru clicked his tongue. “How shameful.”

  “They’re level seven. It’s not like any of us will be getting experience in a few days.” She took a deep breath. “I’m ready for this floor to be over.”

  “Careful.” The blue Elf shook his head. “If you get fed up now, it’s only going to get worse.”

  “I’m not giving up.” Penelope closed her eyes. “I just need some alone time.”

  “Then sleep while you can. I’ll wake you up if something happens.”

  Penelope smirked and opened her left eye. “Thanks. My parasite.”

  “HEY!”

  **********

  Penelope woke up at two in the morning.

  She stretched as she stood up. “Anything interesting happen while I was out?”

  Jeru materialized in front of her. “Ula came to check on you before ten, saw you were asleep, and left you alone.” He shrugged. “No one else came over.”

  Penelope nodded and looked over the rest of the humans. The moles had been skinned, and the furs had been laid out on the ground so that they could sleep on something soft.

  Penelope waved the sulfur smell away from her. “I think I need to find somewhere else to sleep.”

  Jeru took in a big whiff. “Ah, I love the smell of decomposing Demon in the morning.”

  She shook her head. “You’re something else.”

  The Elf puffed out his chest. “Of course I am.”

  Penelope gathered up her cloth items and empty bottles and moved to the eastern corner where 3A and 4A met. She put her items down and took a deep breath.

  “You sure you want to do this? You know they’re going to get upset.” Jeru floated in front of her.

  “I can’t just sit on my hands and do nothing.” Penelope looked at the two squares. “It’s not like I’m going to keep the loot.” She pointed at 3A. “That one is a robe for Dawson and..." She looked at 4A, then turned to the blue Elf. “I’ve not done that one yet.”

  “The helm.” Jeru pointed at the Shadow Warrior’s head. “It’s a Power item for Ula.”

  “See?” Penelope shrugged. “I’m not trying to steal from them. Plus, we’ll get out of here faster.”

  The overgrown smurf motioned for her to proceed.

  “Not any better.” Jeru growled.

  She had practiced this square multiple times and was able to fall back into the pattern.

  DING!

  Experience +12

  Penelope picked up the robe and potion sling and walked over to the corner where she’d left her items.

  A dark-haired young man was waiting for her.

  “Judah, what are you doing?” Penelope tried not to let her nerves kick her into fight or flight.

  “I couldn’t sleep.” He swallowed and nodded at the robe in her hand. “That yours?”

  Penelope tossed it next to her pile. “It’s for Dawson.” She looked him over. “What do you want?”

  The young man squirmed for a few seconds. “I don’t want to be on kitchen duty!” He reached for her hands, but she was fast enough to step back so he missed.

  “Sorry.” Judah got down on his knees. “Please.”

  ”What do you think?” Penelope took another step away from the groveling man.

  “I think he’s twenty-nine and should act with a little more dignity.” Jeru sighed. “But this is the perfect cover for you to start clearing squares again.”

  “Fine.” Penelope sighed. “But you’re going to watch until I tell you to do something else.” She pointed her finger at 5A. “Those monsters both have ranged attacks. One misstep and you’re going to be spider food.”

  He nodded. “Thank you!” The young man tried to grab her hand again.

  Penelope pulled her hand back. “Touch me and you can do it yourself.”

  Judah looked at his feet. “Sorry. I’m a hugger.” He mumbled the apology almost too low for her to hear.

  “I’m not.” Penelope started walking over to the barrier. “Just sit right here in the corner and watch.” She paused. “Jeru, is he even going to be able to get into the square with me?”

  “The two of you have decided to become a party, so you’ve left Ula’s and have made your own.” The Elf laughed. “You’re even the party leader!”

  Penelope opened her menu and saw the new tab labeled PARTY. She opened it and realized that she could see everything. His gear, his stats, his skills, even his jobs. She started feeling very naked, thinking about how both Oakley and Ula had been able to access all of this about her.

  “It’s not like you wouldn’t have told them all of that information if they asked.” Jeru tried to reassure her.

  “Somehow, not knowing if they looked makes it feel wrong.” Penelope closed the menu without clicking on any of the tabs. “Let’s just get this over with.”

  Penelope walked into the square with her fan on her heels.

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