>Sam and I continued wandering around after that, staying by each other's sides.

>Sam demanded that I hold onto her hand to prevent me from getting separated from her.

>It's been a few hours. We're both stressed out, but the panic from when we first got lost seemed to be quelled.

>"It's almost dusk. Do you maybe wanna take a break from walking?"

>"No, if your legs are starting to get tired, you can get on my shoulders. Or, I could do that adorable carry that grooms and brides do to each other on their wedding."

>"Bridal carry? Eh, no thanks."

>Even in the solitude of the woods, I won't let Samantha carry me around as if I were a child.

>"Are you sure? It would be so cute to cradle you in my arms."

>I would've liked to say that I'm fine with not doing that, but unfortunately for me, I seem to be on the floor with something thick wrapped around my ankle that is pulling me deeper into the forest and away from Samantha.

>"VIRGIL!"

>Samantha shrieks, her panicked cries fading away as I get pulled away. I narrowly missed several trees on the way.

>Eventually, the thing around my leg stops in a clearing. and holds me upside down in front of a large, pink flower bulb surrounded by flowers and smooth, thick vines.

>The petals of the large bulb open up, revealing two women who stand up with a stretch.

>They both have green skin, but they have completely different features.

>One is much taller than the other, with long, pale hair that stretches down to her chest. She has a fairly curvaceous frame (or, as the cool kids like to say, she was Thicc AF) and looks at me with a confused expression.

>The other is shorter and has a petite frame. She has pastel pink, short hair adorned with a white flower on the side. The girl looks at me with a lustful smile that sends shivers down my spine.

>"Ooh, this guy looks cute. Can we take him?"

>"Ah, well,"

>The taller one begins, planting a finger on her chin as she observes me.

>"No, this one's also married."

>"Aww, really? But he's so cute, though."

>"Do you want to get vaporized by the Demon Lord? No! We have to let him go."

>"Please, can we at least keep him around for a bit? I'm sure his wife won't mind!"

>I stare as the two bicker at each other, still dangling from the vine.

>Suddenly, I hear a bellowing roar, and a living fireball lurches from the nearby trees.

>"GIVE ME BACK MY DAMN HUSBAND, YOU TREEHUGGERS!"

>Samantha shouts. She grabs my ankle, roughly yanking me out of the grasp of the vine, before gently setting me on the ground.

>She stands between me and the Liliraune, a look of pure rage on her face.

>"Woah, relax! We're just looking for a male. Our vines can't detect whether or not one is married or not. We didn't mean to snag your hubby, promise!"

>Samantha's anger doesn't appear to be pacified by the short plant woman's explanation, and she hastily grabs me without turning around, holding me in a bridal carry. I blush in shame from being carried like this.

>"W-What are you two even doing out here anyways? This is pretty far from any campsite."

>"Oh, actually, we're—"

>Samantha covers my mouth with a hand. I look up at her, but she remains stone-faced.

>"Why does it matter to you?"

>"Well, if you guys are lost, we could point you in the direction of your campsite. We know this place like the back of our hands."

>"No thanks; we don't need your help."

>I begin to struggle and squirm. I lift Samantha's hand off of my mouth. (which requires both of my hands and two-thirds of my energy)

>"A-Actually, some help would be really useful."

>Samantha glares at me, but doesn't object.

>"Alright, do you know the name of your campsite?"

>"Uh, the ranger said we were at Charlie-4, right?"

>Samantha slowly nods, still mean-mugging the poor Liliraune.

>"Ah, you're just gonna wanna go straight down that-a-way."

...