The creature’s guttural growl reverberated through the clearing, sending a primal chill down Claire’s spine. It was massive, easily towering over any of them, with limbs that seemed both too long and too powerful. Its eyes burned like twin embers, intelligent and malicious.
“What the hell is that?” Ethan hissed, his weapon raised but his hands shaking.
“Doesn’t matter,” Claire said, forcing herself to move despite the terror gripping her. “We’re not staying to find out. Move!”
Ethan grabbed Lena’s arm, pulling her toward the cover of the trees. Claire followed, her breath ragged as the sound of snapping branches and heavy footfalls told her the creature was giving chase.
“Split up!” Ethan shouted, veering left and dragging Lena with him.
Claire hesitated, torn between following them a
