The Damp Monster Girl

Oliver outside of the small candy shop in the little town that Creakwood Manor was part of, a faint scent of chocolate wafting through the air, mingling with the crisp October breeze. The shop, a quaint little building adorned with cobwebs and pumpkins, felt like the set of a Halloween movie. He had just finished making his purchase when the realization hit. Oliver’s morning had just been to explore an old house and somehow, he had found a succubus instead. A succubus for crying out loud. The young freelance writer had to be going insane. There were no such things as succubus or monsters but here he was, buying candy and flowers for one.

“Just breathe,” he muttered to himself, taking a moment to collect his thoughts. He glanced around, half-expecting someone to jump out and declare it was all an elaborate prank. But the town was quiet, save for the distant rustle of leaves and the occasional caw of a crow, seemingly perched to watch over his plight. Probably making fun of me too.

After what felt like an eternity of indecision and with the chocolates and flowers in hand, Oliver headed back toward the mansion where Lilith waited for her tributes. She was probably lounging like some goddess waiting for her treats.

Entering the house again, ignore the creaks (and hoping he didn’t fall through again), Oliver made his way down the steps, through the basement hall and into the room Lilith occupied. The succubus was not lounging as he thought but was prancing around completely oblivious of his presence.

“I got a human. I got a human,” she giggled to herself as she pranced back in forth, her back to him. She work a black short dress, the skirt falling a few inches past her hips covering most of her butt. Oliver had already been treated to a view of her breasts after the straps of her halter top had slipped trying to get free. The little black bat wings fluttered in excitement along with her dance. “Nina is going to be soooo jealous.”

Oliver cleared his throat. Lilith spun around after jumping a few inches back.

“You’re back!” she exclaimed, her voice lilting and bright, making the air around her shimmer with excitement then her eyes narrowed. “How long were you there?”

The writer did not answer, he held out the flowers and chocolates as if presenting an offering to a goddess.

“Oooo,” she purred as she snatched them away and quickly took off for the lounge. She climbed up on there letting Oliver know that she was not wearing panties either. He pinched the bridge of his nose. How much of an idiot was this succubus?

The woman tore into the cellophane package and stuffed a few large pieces in her mouth and chewed down happily.

“This is sooo good,” Lilith said with her mouth full.

“Stop eating so fast, you’re going to choke.”

The succubus dismissed his chastisement with a wave of her delicate hand. “I haven’t had chocolate is sooooo long. I can’t just go out and buy it. People freak out about my wings and then there’s screaming, fears of a monster, newspaper articles. It’s just not worth it.”

Oliver went and sat down on the settee that was on the other side of the room and watched the crimson lipped woman polish off the entire box. Sitting back, she patted her stomach happily. Lilith had not even bothered to look at the flowers he had gotten her.

“Soooo…” Oliver started standing. “I’ll be going now. I have a few deadlines I gotta meet and some more research to do.”

“Nooo!” Lilith wailed jumping up and grabbing him by his forearm. “You’re mine now. The rules say that you have to stay with me and obey me!”

“Rules? What rules?”

“You know…monster succubus rules…that exist and written down…somewhere.”

Oliver pulled on his arm to free himself from her tight grasp and Lilith pulled back, her wings flapping to give her added leverage.

“Plus! I need to show you off—I mean, I want to show you my world! Don’t you want to see where we monsters come from?”

That sparked curiosity in the writer. He had spent so many years thinking about the supernatural and paranormal and he was presented an opportunity to answer many of those questions. He was just going to take off to a mundane job?

“Fine. I can come with you for a little bit but I have work I need to do and bills to pay.”

“Sure, sure,” she said completely ignoring him. Lilith, the succubus went to a blank wall, began to move her arms in a circular motion and chant something he couldn’t make out. A burst of blood red energy exploded from the wall causing Oliver’s skin to prickle. A array of magical circles filled with shapes appeared and then shimmered to show a sight on the other side.

He could make out what appeared to be forest of dead craggy trees and orange lights in the distance.

“Come! Come!” Lilith said grabbing his arm and yanking him in. The world span, Oliver felt as if he had tripped over his feet and was tumbling into nothingness. The world righted itself and he found himself on a ancient brick path that had only been consumed by the fauna and moss of the forest.

“Welcome to Rot Gut City!” Lilith declared, pointing across the rickety covered bridge a few feet away and the town on the other side.

Oliver’s breath hitched in his throat. “Wait, what? Rot Gut City?” He wasn’t sure whether to be excited or terrified. What kind of name is that?

“Don’t worry! It’s perfectly safe,” Lilith said beginning to skip towards the bridge and then stop. “Mostly safe,”

The writer narrowed his eyes at the succubus, but she was already half way over the bridge. He took off at a trot to catch up deciding it was better not to be caught in a supernatural, dead forest that seemed to reach for him.

Once across and past the first set of houses on the outskirts, Oliver found himself in a vibrant, bustling marketplace, surrounded by a kaleidoscope of creatures—some reminiscent of classic horror figures and others he had not even thought could exist. The air was rich with the scent of sweet treats mixed with something savory and slightly pungent. He could hear the chatter of various voices, some laughing, some shouting, and some whispering secrets too soft for him to catch. All in languages his brain couldn’t even process.

“This is amazing!” he exclaimed, unable to suppress his wonder. “It’s like a Halloween festival on steroids!”

Lilith laughed, clearly enjoying his reaction. “I’m glad you like it! This is where I’m actually from. That old house is just my hideaway when I need to be away from everyone.” She led him through the crowded streets, pointing out stalls selling everything from magical trinkets to peculiar snacks, her enthusiasm contagious.

As they wandered deeper into the city, Oliver caught sight of a particularly interesting stall selling glowing crystals. He felt a pull towards it, a curiosity nagging at him. However, Lilith suddenly stopped, her eyes wide with excitement. “Oh! You must meet my friend!”

Before he could ask who she was talking about, Lilith grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward a nearby stand. “Nina! Come out, come out!” she called, giddy with excitement.

Moments later, a figure emerged from behind the stall, and Oliver’s breath caught in his throat. Nina was unlike anyone he had ever seen—a hybrid of aquatic and human hybrid, her skin glimmering with a sheen reminiscent of scales, reflecting the light in iridescent hues. She wore a flowing dress made of seaweed and shells, which swayed gently as she moved. Lilith did a little dance where she was standing in excitement to see her friend.

“Lilith!” Nina’s voice was bright and bubbly as she practically squealed. “You’re back! And you brought someone!”

Before Oliver could even respond, Nina darted forward, her arms wrapping around him in a tight hug. He felt the dampness of her clothes instantly soaking into his own, the coolness making him shiver as she pressed against him. Her soft hair tickled his face, and he caught the scent of saltwater mixed with a faint floral note. He was overwhelmed, every sense buzzing as he struggled to keep his balance.

“Nina!” Lilith shrieked in shock.

“Uh, hi!” Oliver managed, cheeks burning as he tried to gently extract himself from the embrace while Lilith tried to pull away the other monster girl. Nina held him close though, her hold surprisingly strong for someone so seemingly delicate.

“Sorry!” she chirped, finally giving in to Lilith’s squeaking of raging, letting him go but remaining close, her eyes sparkling as she took him in. “It’s just so exciting to meet someone new! Especially someone so… well, so human!” She cocked her head, her expression curious. Oliver was about to step back when he noticed Lilith standing a few feet away, her arms crossed, lips pursed. “I’m so surprised Lilith brought a human. She’s so scared of them.”

“I am not!” the succubus squeaked in embarrassment.

“Yes, you are.”

“No I’m not!”

“Yes, you are.”

This went on few a few more repetitions before the succubus gave up.

“Either way, he’s with me,” Lilith said, her tone carrying a note of possessiveness. She looked him up and down, eyes narrowing at the wet patches on his clothes. “And thanks to you, Nina, he’s now dripping wet.”

Nina grinned, giving Lilith a mischievous look. “Oh? I can fix that.” She grabbed his arm and started tugging him toward a tree, barely giving him a chance to protest.

“Wait—what are you—”

“Don’t worry!” Nina said brightly, completely oblivious to his discomfort. She turned to Lilith, who had followed them, her expression of frustration. “Just watch! We’ll undress him, hang his clothes up, and they’ll be dry in no time!”

Lilith’s eyes sparkled in a way Oliver was not sure he was comfortable with.

“You can’t just strip him in the middle of the market,” the succubus continued reluctantly. “Plus, I want him to stay longer and not run screaming back home due to your…proclivities.”

“Oh, please.” Nina flashed a sly smile, leaning closer to Oliver, her face inches from his as she began unbuttoning his shirt. “They’re just clothes, right, Oliver? Can’t risk you getting sick or anything. It can get mighty cold here.”

“It’s cold now.”

“Oh? Don’t worry. I can keep you warm.”

“NINA!” came the shriek. “You letch!”

He felt his heart hammering in his chest, the sensation of Nina’s fingers brushing against his skin sending a jolt through him. “I… I’m fine,” he stammered, cheeks blazing as he glanced around, hoping no one else was watching.

Nina shot Lilith a smug glance. “See? He’s fine with it.”

That’s not what I meant! Oliver’s brain screamed but Nina’s fingers deftly unbutton the two top at the top of his polo and began to tug up on the hem.

“It’s just a little damp. We’ll get it dry in no time.”

And like that, his shirt was hanging on the tree. How he wound up shirtless so fast was a testament on the nimble hands of this aquatic monster girl. Her glistening eyes seemed to take on a more mischievous glint as she stepped closer and pressed up against him.

“You’re awfully warm, aren’t you? It gets cold here at night. I bet you’re a great bed warmer.” Her voice was soft, as she whispered it in his ear. She looked up at him, eyes gleaming, and gave his arm a gentle squeeze. “Maybe we should let the rest of your clothes air out, too?”

“Hands off!” Lilith cut in, her voice carrying a warning in that sweet tone as she moved in between them and shoved Nina back. She raised an eyebrow at the other monster girl, and growled.

“He’s mine.”

Nina’s grin didn’t falter. She looked Lilith up and down, her gaze challenging. “Oh, come on. It’s not like we get humans here often and the ones who do usually wind up running screaming into the Forest of Torment and are never seen again. Besides, he doesn’t seem to mind.”

“Yes, I do.”

“See?” Nina said with a shrug. “Absolutely fine with it.”

Oliver felt his face flush even more, a mix of embarrassment and something else he couldn’t quite place. He was caught between their exchange, feeling like a prize being fought over. He took a step back, clearing his throat. “I, uh, appreciate the help, but maybe I should get my shirt and—”

“—Sit down and enjoy a bit of company?” Nina finished for him, taking his hand and pulling him toward a nearby rock. “Let’s just make you comfortable, alright?” She looked up at him, her face close, her bright, curious eyes searching his. “You must be exhausted. Lilith can be grating on the nerves. Why don’t you just relax?”

Lilith’s little gurgle of frustration escaped. “He doesn’t need to relax, Nina. He’s not some pet for you to fawn over.”

“Oh, really?” Nina shot back, her voice carrying a teasing lilt as she reached out, trailing her fingers along Oliver’s arm. “He seems pretty docile to me.” She gave him a playful wink, as if daring him to disagree. Oliver’s mind was spinning, caught between the two of them.

“Nina, why don’t you go find something else to do? Like play with a poison dragon?” Lilith said, her tone clipped as she shot Nina a look of thinly veiled annoyance. “Oliver’s with me, after all, and I think he’d appreciate a little peace and quiet with me.”

Nina feigned a pout, batting her eyelashes. “You’re no fun at all. Besides, you’re just jealous because he’s interested in more than just your tricks.” She leaned toward Oliver, her face close enough that he could feel the coolness of her breath. “Aren’t you, Oliver?”

“No.”

“See! He’s absolutely enamored with me.”

This girl was not listening to anything Oliver said, and he sighed. “Is my shirt dry yet?”

“No.”

“You didn’t look.”

“So?”

Nina leaned into him, his arm going between her ample chest, the cool, damp seaweed top contrasted by the heat of her body.

“Why don’t you stay with me?” Nina asked. “I have a few events I know humans would like.”

Oliver swallowed not sure if she was talking about the bustle of the town or something more intimate.

“Uh…”

The young writer found himself pulled roughly from the clutches of the wet monster girl and pulled close to the succubus.

“He has better things to do then hang out with a worn out little tart like you,” Lilith snarked holding Oliver close possessively.

“Ouch, you hurt my feelings, Lilith dear,” Nina responded though Oliver was pretty confident she wasn’t bothered at all.

“What are you going to do with him then? Use your feminine wiles and seduce him under the murder tree?”

Murder tree? This place was sounding less safe every moment.

“I…don’t know.”

“You’ve just been dragging him around, haven’t you?”

“Umm…”

“What I’d like since I’m here,” Oliver offered realizing his opportunity. The mental shock of the supernatural hadn’t full hit him yet and he decided he wanted to learn more before the nervous breakdown hit.

“I’d like to learn more about the supernatural and legends. I’ve always been fascinated with lore, monsters, horror stories and stuff.”

“The Wailing Grove?” Nina offered. “Misty would probably get a kick out of seeing a mortal human? You know she only deals with them after they break the hourglass.”

“Ehhhh,” Lilith hesitated. “She’s…possessive.”

“Nervous that you can keep a hold of your prize?”

“I’m not a prize,” Oliver cut in but the two monster girls ignored him.

“Fine,” Lilith huffed. “Let’s go see Misty.”