The Black Orb

Chapter 3: Let the Chase Begin

“Now let the chase begin.” The winds blew and forming circular disks in its under it foot, the monster what propelled forward.

Anxiety, fear and regret filled their hearts. Yes, regrets. Sadly, there is no medicine for regret. The six of them thought they could make history and make their fame known, proving to everyone that the legends that there are man-eating ghosts devouring people that left the town after 6:30pm was only a myth. It was clear to them now that it was just a dream, a fantasy that can never be realized. In a bit to make history, they’ll soon be made history. It’s a sad reality that can’t be changed unless a miracle happens. They’ll never be able to live to tell the tale, they are just delaying the inevitable. But even if they could just live for only ten more minutes, that’ll be enough for them. They’ve come to understand how precious life is but alas, it was too late.

“Run. Yes, run. Make it fun,” the sudden deep and ominous voice startled them. The little confidence they’ve gathered was immediately shattered; their fear quadrupled.

“Putt,” Greg’s leg gave way and he fell to the ground with his butt. He was shaking profusely. Knowing that this is the end for him, he closed his eyes and awaited his death.

“Hahahahaha,” the monster laughed hard and as it laughed, the surrounding leaves fluttered around too as if agreeing with him. “Be afraid! Be very afraid.” As it said this the leaves that made up its skin, left his body and engulfed Gregs body.

“Nooo!” The others shouted as they watched the monster devoured Greg but there was nothing, they could do about it. they knew that the same fate awaited all of them yet they were powerless against it.

Run! Don’t look back else we will die. Without hesitation, they began to run. Even though their bodies were resisting them, they pushed forward but this time, they were slower. The scene of Greg being devoured had left a permanent imprint in their minds, this time the fear was really from the depth of their soul.

John collapsed while the others forged ahead. He couldn’t take it anymore, his legs had grown very weak, his mind was strained and he was utterly spent. He couldn’t take the pressure any more, he lost consciousness.

The monster passed by and the leaves left it body again towards the unconscious john. Just as the leaves touched johns’ skin, they trembled and retracted back into its body. Their movement was so swift that one could tell they were scared. Fear gripped the monster from within as its leave returned to its body. “This bloodline,” it paused and took a deep look at John. From the sensation that it felt as the leaves touched John’s body, it knew that if John were to be assimilated into its body, it would explode from inside and it will die very miserable death.

It cast a glance at John again and continued forward. “What a bad luck!” it muttered and moved very quickly. Only two remained. It made a bee line towards the last two. Desmond and Bryan were at this point, determined to make it to town. Watching all their friends die really did put a strain in their minds. The pressure was much.

They began to say their last prayers, resigning themselves to their fate. They only had one thought ‘if it is a blessing then it won’t be a calamity, if it is calamity, then it can’t be avoided. “It’s futile,” the voice resounded behind them again. “I like the struggle, its entertainment for this old man, but I have to finish this quickly.”

It leapt forward, landing in front of Bryan. “you’re next.” Immediately it said that, layers of leaves shot out of its body and engulfed him. He let out a scream that lasted for ten seconds and when it retrieved the leaves, Bryan was gone. He disappeared without a trace.

Startled by the scream, Desmond knelt on the ground. “You’ve given up?” it arrived before him and spread its arms. One could see that its skin has fully formed and it resembled the skin of a human, but the face was still blank thus it couldn’t be considered human.