The creature still wasn't moving, watching them despite an obvious lack of visual organs. Its thin knees bent more and more, preparing to run at them,or leap.
But who would let that thing calmly get ready?
Klaus sprinted toward it. He was fast for such a massive body.
Shoulder first, like a rugby player, he slammed into the monster with full force. It didn't even have time to react.
Klaus was now on top of it, struggling to keep it pinned to the ground.
The other four followed, each trying to immobilize a limb. No words were spoken, no signals exchanged. It was pure, raw combat instinct, the most primal drive of the human race.
Cain grabbed its abnormally long, thin left arm and straddled it, pressing with all his strength to keep it pinned to the earthy ground.
The other three did the same. Julia struggled most with the right leg, it was far too strong for her.
But Klaus didn't stay still. Once he saw the limbs were restrained, he got up, planting his foot on the creature's bony chest. He walked calmly to its blank face, expressionless like a sheet of white paper, and began striking again and again, where its nose, mouth, and eyes should have been.
The hideous creature simply tried to free its limbs from the grip of the fierce teens without much effort. It looked like it was playing with them, like a cat toys with a mouse before devouring it.
Klaus's fists were bloody, but not from the creature, from his own hands. After pounding its stone-hard exoskeleton repeatedly, he had nearly broken his own bones. His companions quickly noticed.
"Klaus, stop! Its skin is too hard, we need another solution!"
Klaus clenched his teeth. This was the second time he felt so powerless against an opponent.
He hated this feeling.
The humanoid monster shook its body violently, flinging the teens several meters away, making them roll across the hard, earthy forest floor.
Before they could react, the creature pounced and kicked Klaus in the stomach, forcing all the air out of his lungs. He was hurled into a tree, his back slamming against the dry wood.
He didn't move.
Ethan shouted:
"Aim for the joints!"
Those were usually the most vulnerable parts in any living being.
The two remaining boys got up and charged at the creature, which was now looking at Amelia. It had chosen its next victim.
Cain and Ethan came up from behind and, almost perfectly synchronized, struck the backs of its knees, bringing the creature down.
They both climbed on top, trying to keep it restrained.
But they had forgotten something crucial,
Its tail.
Cain suddenly felt a sharp, burning pain in his shoulder. He turned his head and saw the creature's thin tail had pierced straight through him.
But to him, this amount of pain meant nothing.
He grabbed the tip of the tail with both hands, locking it inside his body. Still smiling, he shouted:
"Hurry! Go for the neck!"
Two high-pitched voices rang out in unison:
"Yeah!"
Julia and Amelia rushed forward as fast as they could, reaching the creature in seconds. Its tail kept squirming in Cain's shoulder, worsening the pain with every twitch, but he gritted his teeth and held on.
The two girls stomped on the creature's black neck, using every ounce of strength to try to break it.
It had no effect.
The creature thrashed harder and harder, threatening to break free at any moment.
A large shadow suddenly loomed over the group.
Klaus had gotten back up.
He was limping, pain clear on his face.
The girls stepped aside.
Klaus grabbed the creature's blank face in his large hands and, with a sudden jerk, bent it backward.
The monster stopped struggling.
Its tail went limp.
Its limbs loosened.
Klaus had driven its head onto the spikes of its own back, piercing its skull all the way to the brain.
Who would've thought its own body would be its downfall?
Everyone sighed with relief.
They had done it.
They had defeated a monstrous creature.
And most importantly...
They had found food.
*
Cedric was speechless, his mouth wide open in disbelief. His companion wasn't in any better shape.
They looked at each other.
And only one word came out, carrying all the emotion they felt,
"Damn."
*
The sun was setting. In an endless forest, five people in orange uniforms sat in a circle around a small makeshift fire made of twigs and surrounded by stones.
I was bandaging my wound with a strip torn from my pants.
That bastard had gotten me good, even moving my shoulder was almost impossible.
But I was still better off than him.
Klaus was lying across from me, barely able to move. Fortunately, aside from him and me, the others weren't injured.
Maybe I could pretend I couldn't walk so they'd carry me?
My stomach growled louder and louder. I couldn't take it anymore. I felt like I was digesting myself from the inside.
I approached the monster's corpse. Black blood oozed from the wound in the back of its head.
It was time to eat.
I had wondered how to skin it given the hardness of its body, but the answer was quite simple.
I'd do like Klaus.
I grabbed its tail and aimed it at the back of its knees.
And I stabbed it.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Until the last shreds of skin came off and the leg separated from the body. Black blood splattered my face, but I didn't care. Appearance was never a big concern for me.
I stuck a stick through the severed part of the limb. My skewer was ready.
I planted it in the ground, waiting impatiently for it to cook.
The atmosphere felt heavy. No one was talking. Everyone seemed lost in thought.
But who could blame them? It's not every day you see a monster like that.
"Relax a bit, guys. We're alive, right?"
They all looked up. Even Klaus pushed himself up on his elbows to stare at me.
Had I said something wrong?
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"Doesn't all this bother you?"
What did he mean?
Julia continued:
"Yeah. Don't you feel like your whole life was a lie? That everything you knew was just fiction?"
Oh.
Now I understood.
I guess that's how I should be feeling too?
Klaus frowned.
"No, Cain's right. Let's focus on our goal. We can think about all that if we survive."
My smile widened.
"Exactly! Now, let's enjoy our friend. We shouldn't waste a thing!"
Julia looked away.
"Disgusting."
Was she still talking about my smile?
Maybe Amelia was right. That little girl might actually be a real brat.
All my companions followed suit, each taking a piece of the creature.
The meat took hours to cook, probably because of its toughness.
It was finally ready, rare, just how I liked it!
I grabbed the skewer with my left hand, avoiding moving my right arm. It hurt way too much.
The smell wasn't very appetizing, but I wasn't going to be picky.
I brought the meat to my lips.
Crack.
The outer shell gave way under my teeth. Black juice poured into my mouth.
It was acidic. Bitter. Like biting into a rotten onion.
It wasn't good at all.
But I kept eating.
My stomach kept begging for more.
I devoured it like a savage.
The flesh satisfied me.
The blood quenched my thirst.
The taste stung my tongue, almost making me gag.
And yet,
It was delicious.
The others had started eating too.
Ethan was forcing himself. He clearly had trouble swallowing this horror. I understood.
Klaus held his nose with one hand, probably trying to dull the flavor.
Julia didn't seem bothered by the disgusting food. Maybe she was used to it?
Amelia had spat everything out at the first bite. Her palate was probably used to more... refined meals.
But in the end, we all ate our share. It was that or die of hunger or thirst.
Strangely, after finishing my meal, I felt like my body was overflowing with energy. Like someone had injected adrenaline straight into my veins. Even my shoulder didn't hurt as much anymore. Maybe this meat wasn't so bad after all?
Apparently, the others felt great too. Even Klaus didn't seem to be hurting as much.
*
The moon was already high in the dark night sky.
They chatted quietly among themselves.
I really wanted to talk with them too.
But about what?
I hadn't lived through anything.
I hadn't seen anything.
Until two days ago, I was just... existing.
But that never bothered me. It was normal to me.
So why?
Why did my stomach knot as I watched them talk and laugh?
Why did my heart clench?
"By the way, why are you here?"
The atmosphere froze.
We all turned our heads toward the voice. Of course it was Julia, still wearing her fake childish look.
I narrowed my eyes. Wasn't she being a bit too nosy?
Of course she wasn't talking about this place specifically. She meant why we were incarcerated.
Four voices spoke at once in the night:
"Murder."
Julia looked down. She must have realized we didn't want to talk about it.
Of course I knew the crimes my companions had committed weren't so simple. Their "auras" said as much. And besides, they wouldn't be here...
Not with me.
I clapped my hands.
"I have a wonderful idea. Why not play a little game?"
The tension spiked. The mood grew heavy.
They all looked at me like bloodthirsty animals. Even Klaus curled his lips dangerously.
"You mean..."
"Finally, damn it!"
"I was getting tired of sitting around."
My mouth stretched into a massive grin, almost reaching my ears.
"First one to catch the rat wins!"
Our heads all turned at the exact same time toward a small bush that was rustling with the wind.
Except there was no wind.
We lined up, eyes locked on our prey ahead.
Our lips curled into predatory smiles, the kind only those who have already taken lifes can make.
I was the one who started this little game, so of course I had to be the referee!
"Ready?"
I didn't need their answers. I could see it in their eyes. But saying it just sounded cool.
"Three... Two... One... Go!"
I took off at the same time as my companions. My heart pounded with excitement. It was the first time I had ever "played" with other people. It was exhilarating!
The bush suddenly stopped moving. A shadow darted out, the rat ran for its life.
We were all running at the same pace, except Klaus, who was slightly faster. He was muscular and quick? What an injustice!
I pushed my legs to the limit. Wouldn't it be shameful to lose at the game I suggested?
But Klaus was way too fast. Wasn't he injured just minutes ago?
My desire to win didn't waver.
I tore a thick tree branch off as I ran and threw it at the macho guy's legs.
He tripped and smashed headfirst into a tree.
"You bastard! That's cheating!"
"I never said sabotage wasn't allowed, hehe."
His face was red with rage. Would he hold it against me? Maybe.
I was now in the lead. The little rat was just a few meters away. In a few seconds, I would grab it and-
Huh?
I felt something touch the back of my knee.
And in the next instant,
I fell.
I looked ahead.
The serpent.
Amelia.
I couldn't see her face, but I had the distinct feeling she was mocking me.
I'd remember this betrayal!