You'll do anything to live?
That's correct.
You will devote yourself to me.
Bring a sacrifice to the dark floors, and I shall accept you as my own. Otherwise, you will die.
For now, you are left with the other vermin.
...
The earthquake had died down to just aftershocks. When Lily peered out from the window again, she noticed that the platform beyond was damaged. Some pillars looked broken. The roots of trees had grown out from the sagging ceiling, wrapping possessively around the blocks of masonry.
(--What's that sound?)
A set of frantic, rhythmic noises was growing louder and louder. It sounded like claws clicking against a hard surface - like an animal running.
Before she could react, the lupine beast had already spotted her through the window, raced across the platform and slammed its forepaws against the train doors. It ripped them open with a metallic screech.
(It'll eat me!)
...
She began to run, but behind her the beast growled. It caught up to her effortlessly and grabbed her arm.
Then, it began to drag her outside.
Noooo!
...
It didn't eat her.
Okay, if you're not going to kill me, could you let me walk on my own?
I won't run away, okay? Clearly you can catch me if I do, right?
She had been talking just to retain some sense of control over the situation. But to her surprise, the beast stopped.
It let go of her, then crouched down to her level and looked her in the eyes for a moment. Then it began to move again, setting a quick pace along the platform.
...After being nearly killed by the earth itself, I guess a monster like you is cute and fluffy by comparison.
...
Um, thank you for rescuing me.
...
(Maybe it doesn't understand what I'm saying... or maybe I offended it.)
The train station was deserted. It was riddled with cracks and rubble from the earthquake, and more plant roots were growing across the ceilings.
Despite this, it didn't seem dirty and abandoned, but rather untouched. All the surfaces were spotless white and grey, and even a few of the escalators were still running. It was as if it had been built and opened, but nobody had ever needed to go anywhere.
(I see a speck of something over there... Red? What is that...?
It looks like an unlit match.)
(Ah, we're at the exit.
The stairs leading up to surface level have collapsed...)
The beast paused and turned towards her. She looked at it blankly.
Then, it lunged forward and scooped her up in its forepaws.
!
In one leap, it cleared the stairs, and they arrived at the surface.