Ash's ankle gave way, and she collapsed next to a cluster of what looked like Alice in Wonderland mushrooms. The caps were as big as her couch. Her stomach rumbled. Can't eat the food here. Can't.

Hunger clawed at her insides along with fatigue.

Water, she still needed to find water first. And shelter and a weapon to battle a huge demon. The blade had helped her for a moment, but now it was melted and useless. What could she use for demon-slashing?

Normally, she didn't run from a fight, but she wanted to live if she could. Besides, she still owed her Grams an apology and she needed to speak with her brother about losing his football scholarship and brainstorm some ideas on helping him stay in college. She blinked away tears thinking of how much she missed her family. How worried they had to be. Especially after her stay in the hospital so soon.

Cancer. Her Grams was getting chemo treatments and hadn’t told her or anyone. Why?

Ash had to get off this planet. Whatever she had to do, she would. First though, she needed water. Glancing around, she knew that the mountains would have a river or lake or at least the snow she might could make into water. But she’d never be able to hike them all in search of that with her ankle strained. Next best bet would be the edge of the forest. As much as she didn’t like the idea of going into another cluster of tree since that’s where the demons seemed to hang out and where she nearly got fried. But it was her best bet for finding water.

If she had her camping gear with her…even a plastic bag, she could use it to collect condensation by tying it onto the end of a bush or tree branch loaded with leaves and let the sunlight do its trick. She rose with a grunt and leaned heavier than she’d wanted onto her makeshift cane.

Slowly, she made her way to the edge of the forest on the other side of where the dragonfire had melted everything. She checked the trees for any signs of water. A blackened trunk, moisture on the leaves. Nothing.

The planet had to have water. Somewhere.

Her stomach hurt so bad and her vision was going dizzy. A shimmer of water deeper in the forest! She hobbled ahead, but each time she drew closer, the lake disappeared.

Terror sunk into her. A mirage. There was no water around and she was going to die of dehydration. She let out a cross between a chuckle and a sob. Well, at least she wouldn’t have to worry about the demon killing her tonight.

If she had another day and a damn plastic bag, she could tack it down with rocks and let it collect dew from the morning.

Wait. The high grass near the edge of the forest might still have moisture. Shaded by the trees the sun wouldn’t have burned it off so quickly. Except this planet had two suns. She shielded her eyes and noticed the edge of the clouds in the horizon colored in orange and purple. Fuck! The second sun rise.

She pushed her legs forward back to the forest edge. Had to make it before two suns singed any chance she had for finding water. Her heart hammered in her chest and her throat dried.

Reaching the edge of the woods, she collapsed onto her knees, her breaths panting. Please work, please.

Running her hand across the tall grass, she brought her palm to her mouth. Salty. But was there a trace of water too? She had to hurry. Get as much as she could before two suns evaporated it all.

She tore off her jacket, then her T-shirt. Quickly, she ran her clothing over the grass, hoping the cotton would absorb more than anything else she wore. After several minutes of rubbing the material back and forth across the grass, it felt damp. She squeezed the cloth out over her mouth. A few trickles of water hit her tongue and felt like the sweetest honey she’d ever tasted. She repeated the trick five more times before the extra sun bore down on her.

It wasn’t enough water, but it was enough to keep her sane until she could get more. Now was the hottest part of the day with two suns directly overhead. She coughed, choking as she forced herself to head deeper into the woods to shade. Couldn’t afford to let the sun bake her after she’d just gotten a few drops of water. This evening, she’d try again. For now, she had to rest before she passed out. Later, she’d figure out what to do.

Against a bright yellow tree with a crooked trunk, Ash laid down. The forest floor was cool beneath her and she couldn’t keep her eyes open. Worry and fear pressed in on her, but she couldn’t move. Her limbs were heavy and she needed to rest. Just a few hours, then she’d figure out how to kill the demon after her and how to get back home off this planet.

* * *

Ash woke with a start from a dream that she’d eaten one of the giant mushrooms and turned into a dragon. Then the poison turned her into a demon and it was her hands that killed her parents.

The forest was dark and quiet. Shit! She’d slept too long. Overhead, trees hid the fading sun. Soon the giant demon would come after her and she’d done nothing to stop it.

Terror swelled in her chest, and she put on her jacket over her bra. Her T-shirt in a ball that she’d used as a pillow. She grasped her cane, maybe the blessing would work on the wood?

“I ask my ances—”

A clap of thunder sounded nearby. What was that? Her heart hammered in her chest. Adrenaline coursing through her to run. But where to? There was nowhere to hide on this planet. Nowhere to go and get home. She had to stay and fight or die.

She took a shaky breath. “I ask my ancestors of dragon and voodoo and—”

Behind her, a twig snapped.

Fuck! Was the monster sneaking up on her? She stood, clutching her wooden cane in a shaky hand. Carefully, she crept around the tree toward the sound. Nothing. Had it been just an animal?

She backed up a step, listening. Nothing. She shook her head, calming her nerves raging out of control. There was still time to figure out a way to kill the demon. She needed to keep her wits and work out something.

A trap.

She could use the thick vines on the trees to rig something that would slow down the enemy. Yes. At least it was better than doing nothing but jumping at every sound.

Thunder boomed closer and she jumped. God, she’d never look at another storm again. Pretty sure her luck wouldn’t hold out if she raced toward the storm that it would send her back home.

As the suns slowly dipped into the horizon, she wound the vines tightly against the trees, testing the spring-action. Sweat dripped down her face and she scrubbed it away with the back of her hand. She was out of time.

“Come and try to get me,” she whispered.

In order for the demon to come the way she wanted, she planted her feet in the middle of the forest, surrounded by traps. Lightning flashed with thunder booming in echo. Fat rain drops fell and she lifted her chin, sticking out her tongue to catch some of the drops. Damn, she was thirsty.

The ground beneath her quickly turned to mud. Would the traps work or would the sludge weigh them down? She needed to check them.

Carefully, she eased forward, brushing her hand across one of the vines. It didn’t budge. Son of a bitch! She tugged harder, the plant snapping in her hand. No, no, no! Gotta fix this now!

Her hands shook as she dashed to another tree nearby to get a fresh vine. This had to work, she had nothing else. Darkness pressed in on her and wiped her wet hair out of her eyes. Her body shaking from cold and fear. Hurry up!

The vine caught on something and she shuffled past the tree to untangle it.

When arms reached around and grabbed her from behind, she screamed. Instinct took over. She smashed her opponent’s chin with her elbow. He let out a howl, releasing her. She bolted as fast as her injured ankle would allow. Her breaths freezing in her lungs as the footsteps of her pursuer gained on her.