002: the beast within
1120 Words
Chapter 2: The Beast Within
As the creature emerged from the shadows, its eyes fixed on me with an unblinking stare, I had never seen anything like it. I knew I was in grave danger. My hand went to my gun, my fingers closing around the grip as I tried to steady my shaking hand.
The creature charged, its massive body barreling towards me. I raised my gun, my finger trembling on the trigger. I fired, the shot echoing through the clearing, but the creature barely flinched.
"What the hell," Jack said in fright, seeing how the shot didn't affect the creature.
It swiped at me, its claws raking across my leg, sending me crashing to the ground and leaving a big wound on my leg. I screamed, the sound torn from my throat as I tried to scramble away. The creature pinned me down, its hot breath washing over my face, looking so ugly.
My gun went off again, the shot wild and unaimed, but the creature didn't flinch. It raised its claws, ready to strike, and I knew I was out of time. I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the end, but it never came.
I wondered what kind of creature this was and how they came about. Why were they killing humans? Were they aliens? I thought, my eyes still closed.
Instead, I heard a faint rustling in the underbrush, followed by a loud growl. The creature's head jerked up, its attention diverted, and I took advantage of the distraction.
Immediately, without wasting time, I rolled out from under the creature's grasp, my gun still clutched in my hand.
I stumbled to my feet, my legs shaking, and took off in a stumbling run. The creature gave chase, its roar echoing through the forest, but I didn't look back. I kept my eyes fixed on the trees ahead, my heart pounding in my chest.
Somehow, I managed to stumble back to my vehicle, my legs burning with every step. I fumbled for the keys, my hands shaking as I started the engine. The tires screeched as I sped away from the clearing, the creature's roar fading into the distance.
My heart raced as I pushed the vehicle to its limits, my eyes fixed on the road ahead. I didn't dare look back, fearing what I might see. I sped through the darkness.
And then, a figure appeared in the road ahead. My instincts screamed at me to swerve, but it was too late. The vehicle struck the figure with a thud, making me flinch.
The vehicle halted. As I stumbled out of the vehicle, gun in hand, I saw the figure lying on the ground, broken and bloodied. My heart sank as I realized it was a person, not a beast. And then, my eyes locked onto the face, and my blood ran cold when I saw who I had hit with my vehicle.
My heart pounded in my chest. The billionaire I had just struck with my car. His bones were broken, and his body was covered in blood. The sight was more horrifying than I could have imagined.
“Oh my God,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “What have I done?”
It was Lucas Blackwood, the billionaire, his eyes open and fixed on me with an unblinking stare. My fear gave way to horror as I took in the extent of his injuries. His body was broken, his bones twisted at unnatural angles, his skin covered in blood.
My breath caught in my throat. Before I could utter a single word, a blur of movement caught my eye. A massive creature, moving faster than my eyes could track, emerged from the shadows.
The beast's eyes glowed a pale blue. I recognized the beast's resemblance to the one that had attacked me earlier, but this one wasn't as scary as the other. But I needed to be ready for anything, so I pulled out my gun, aiming at the creature.
In an instant, the creature seized Lucas, its powerful jaws and claws gripping him with terrifying strength. I screamed, stumbling back in horror as the beast carried Lucas away into the darkness.
I stood frozen, my mind struggling to comprehend what I had just witnessed. Lucas Blackwood, the powerful and enigmatic billionaire, had been taken by a creature, the same kind of creature that had attacked me and my team.
My heart raced as I fumbled for my phone, my fingers shaking as I dialed the emergency number.
The operator's voice crackled through the speaker. "911, what's your emergency?"
"Please, you have to send help right away," I begged. "We're under attack. My team and I were investigating a case in the woods, and we were ambushed by these... creatures. They're like wolves, but they're standing on two legs and have glowing eyes. They're attacking us, and we're outnumbered."
“And I—I hit someone with my car,” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. “And then—oh God, something took him. It was like an animal, but not...”
“Ma'am, I need you to stay calm and give me your location,” the operator said, her tone firm yet reassuring.
"Raven's Peak, Washington, near the old abandoned mine on Maplewood Road," I relayed my location, my eyes darting nervously around the darkened road.
“We have units on the way. Stay on the line with me,” the operator instructed.
As I waited for help to arrive, my thoughts raced. What was Lucas Blackwood doing here all alone, really? Are the creatures going to kill him like they did others, I thought.
Minutes later, the sound of sirens pierced the night air, and I felt a surge of relief as flashing lights approached. Police cars and an ambulance pulled up, and officers quickly surrounded me, their faces a mix of concern.
An officer stepped forward, his expression serious. “Ma'am, are you hurt?”
“No, I’m fine,” I replied, my voice still trembling. “But he—Lucas Blackwood—he’s gone. Something took him.”
The officer exchanged a glance with his partner, a silent communication passing between them. “We’ll find him,” he assured me, though the uncertainty in his eyes betrayed his words.
"And—and my team, please, go and find them. I'm afraid they are in great danger."
I was led to the ambulance. A paramedic checked me over, asking me questions I barely registered. My mind kept replaying the scene—the beast, the speed, the raw power.
There are lots of things going on in Raven's Peak that I'm yet to discover.
TO BE CONTINUED...
- Writer
