Zack's POV
A sharp breath caught in my throat as the lights died completely, plunging us into absolute darkness.
Then, the screeching began.
It was louder this time — deafening, almost mocking. The creatures were no longer hesitant. No longer afraid.
They had learned that this is their chance to attack us.
No one move among us. We were still for a couple of seconds, not knowing what to do.
They moved without hesitation, now that the light had vanished.
We ran as fast as we can to get away from them, but they are huge, and even if we ran a few feet away, it's only a matter of few steps for them. We ran into different directions and the monster followed me as the others are chased by the other creature.
Damn! I'm all alone against this sh*thead.
I barely had time to react when a cold, slimy liquid splattered across my arms as the creature loomed over me. The stench hit me instantly — rancid, metallic, like rotting flesh and rusted iron. Then, as I ran, I tripped on the broken tiles and the creature was immediately on top of me. I barely had time to roll over before it stomped its huge scaly feet on me.
"F*ck! That was close!" I get up and ran behind the creature.
Ellie's breath came in ragged gasps as she sprinted beside me, her eyes wild with fear. "Where the hell did you come from?" I rasped, barely dodging a swipe from the Shadeborn as it lunged again.
"Got cornered," she gritted out. "Figured sticking with you was better than dying alone!"
A deafening screech tore through the air, making my skull feel like it was about to split open. I risked a glance over my shoulder — bad idea. The creature was right behind us, its grotesque form shifting unnaturally as it moved, gaining on us too fast.
Ellie cursed. "We're not gonna outrun it!"
She was right.
I grabbed her wrist and yanked her toward a nearby column, forcing both of us to duck just as the creature lunged again. It missed — barely. Its claws scraped against the concrete, sending dust and debris into the air.
"We need a light source," I said, chest heaving. "Anything!"
"I have a lighter here from the store," she said in between breath. Well, fire do gives off light. It's worth a shot than dying right here.
"Get that metal pipe!" I pointed the pipe in front of us. I tore the other sleeve of my shirt.
Ellie gave the pipe to me and I wrapped the torn cloth on top of it. The lighter flickered, then it lit the cloth.
The flame wavered, small but steady. It wasn't much, but it was light — and right now, that was all we needed.
The creature screeched, recoiling at the sudden glow. Its hulking body shifted uneasily, its claws scraping against the tiles.
"It's working," Ellie hissed.
I tightened my grip on the makeshift torch and took a step forward. The creature twitched, its elongated limbs trembling as it took a slow step back. The light cast flickering shadows along its grotesque form, revealing its dark, scaly skin.
We circled back on the entire floor, and saw Clark, Nicole and Mark barricading the entrance of the electronic store where we were before.
The flame flickered dangerously. If it went out, we were dead.
I glanced toward the distant glow of the store, where the others had managed to get inside. Our only chance was to run.
"On my mark," I whispered. "We go."
Ellie nodded.
I took a step back, keeping the fire between us and the creature. One more step. Two.
Then — we ran.
The creature shrieked in fury, lunging forward just as we bolted. Its claws slashed through the air, missing me by inches.
"Faster!" Ellie shouted.
The store was close. So damn close.
I could see the door now — slightly open, Nicole standing at the entrance, eyes wide with terror as she saw us running.
Clark spotted us. His expression twisted into alarm. "Get in, NOW!"
Ellie and I bolted toward them, the torch casting wild, flickering shadows along the hallway. The creature recoiled slightly from the light but didn't stop its pursuit. It was learning — it knew the fire wouldn't last forever.
Behind us, another inhuman screech cut through the air. My stomach plummeted.
Across the hallway — on the other side of the store — Arya, Ambrose, and Jake were running as well.
And they weren't alone.
A second creature lunged after them, its grotesque body shifting unnaturally as it closed the distance.
"Sh*t — there's the other one!" Mark yelled. He tossed Nicole a lighter and grabbed a makeshift torch of his own — a metal rod wrapped with cloth.
Jake was leading their group, his gaze locked onto us. Even at a distance, I could see the way his mind was racing, calculating every possible move.
"AMBROSE, ARYA — LEFT FLANK!" he ordered sharply. "MOVE — NOW!"
They swerved at the last second, narrowly avoiding the creature's lunge. Ambrose shoved Jake forward, his sharp eyes darting toward us. They were making a break for the store.
We were seconds away.
"Get ready to shut it!" Jake roared on the other end of the corridor.
"Clark — light it up!" Nicole shouted.
"NOT YET!" I bellowed. "They're not in!"
Clark hesitated, his grip tightening on the fuel-soaked cloth. The creatures were closing in. The store was the only safe place left — but only if we all made it inside before the flames were lit.
I threw my torch at the creature chasing Ellie and me. It reared back with a furious screech, its oily black skin igniting as the flame caught on its arm. The hallway glowed with an eerie, flickering light. We made it to the store.
Five steps. Four. Three.
Arya, Ambrose, and Jake were almost there.
The second creature lunged.
I didn't think. I just moved.
I grabbed the nearest heavy object — a half-broken speaker from the floor — and hurled it straight at the creature's head.
BANG!
The impact sent the creature stumbling for a fraction of a second — just enough time for Jake and the others to dive inside the store.
"NOW!" Jake shouted.
Clark didn't hesitate.
Fire roared to life.
The barricade ignited in an instant, the flames surging up the stacked shelves and debris. Heat blasted against my face as the creatures let out ear-splitting shrieks.
They backed away, furious — but afraid.
The fire held them back. For now.
Inside, we collapsed onto the floor, panting. My heart slammed against my ribs. Sweat dripped down my face.
Ellie groaned. "I never want to run again."
Jake ran a hand through his hair, breathless. "Same."
But Arya wasn't relaxing. She stared at the barricade, watching as the creatures paced beyond the flames.
"They're not leaving," she muttered.
She was right.
The creatures weren't retreating. They were waiting. But for what?
"What are they?" Arya said in between her breath.