Run

A cloud dark sky is hovering above the sky, darker than it was before. There is no sunshine, no noise, only the dreaded silence filling up the woods. Catherine woke up shocked, kicking the walls of the shed not remembering where she is. There is a moment of confusion for her, where is she? Is she dreaming? but then she picked up her thoughts and she remembered where they are. She took a quick look at Jonathan trying to see if he's awake, but he isn't. From the looks of it, he slept through the night as well. Catherine is glad to see that, she knows that her friend needs the rest after the nights of staying on guard. She grabbed her backpack trying to see what they could eat for the morning. There's tuna, meatloaf, corned beef and a can of beans. She grabbed the meatloaf so they can have a heavy meal before they embark on their journey. Just as she was about to open it, Jonathan woke up, a bit confused and shocked as well. Catherine greeted him, and he apologized for sleeping while also asking if she's okay. Catherine replied that she is, and that it's okay that he slept because she knows he needs it. She invited him to eat, reminding him that they have a long journey ahead of them. They both shared their meal, and after they have done so, they checked their items seeing what they have still.

Catherine is holding her gun, fondling it, thinking about something she isn't sure is a good idea. She knows he's her bestfriend, but a gun isn't just something you give someone, atleast for her, but then again she never really used one. Although she knows how it works now, she is still nervous that she might not use it properly. Jonathan noticed her staring at and fondling her gun, he became concerned asto what might be going on inside of Catherine's head, he came closer asking her what's wrong. She didn't speak at first, not knowing how to say it and even if she should. "Are you okay, what's wrong?", Jonathan asked her who is both confused and concerned. Catherine finally picked up both the thoughts and courage to say it, she told Jonathan that maybe it's better if he would hold the gun, since he is the one with experience. She admitted that she's scared that she might not have the courage to pull it, when the time comes that she has to. Jonathan sighed and looked at her for a while, he knows what's also on her mind, but he didn't tell her that he knows. He told her that she doesn't have to, telling her that she can hold on to it for a while, but Catherine insisted that he holds it instead. He agreed to carry it, not wanting to make things complicated and also that they have to get going by now.

Jonathan handed the 2x4 to Catherine telling her to hold onto it, since they'll be also needing it. They packed their things, while also trying to see what they can take from the shed. Once again, they are outside, out in the haunting grounds. But they are confident that they can make it through without any hick-ups. Jonathan lead the way, once again telling Catherine to step quietly as much as they can. The woods was quiet, not uttering a single sound, the leaves almost echoes through the woods, as there are no other sounds to dull it out. After about 3 hours of walking through the woods, they came to a stop. Infront of them is a clearing, and it is a pretty huge gap, they'll be exposed to the UFBO's flying above if they ever step out of the woods.

"What now? What are we going to do?", Catherine asked in a soft but scared voice.

"We have to make a run for it, there's no other way", Jonathan replied.

"Run!? Well...I guess we have to huh?" Catherine replied.

"We can't waste time, by finding another way and besides from the look of it, that doesn't look possible." Jonathan replied.

"The gun is loaded right? You know.....just in case they see us", Catherine asked

"Hey hey hey, come on, look nothing is going to happen, okay? We are gonna run through this field, reach the other side without anyone or anything seeing us. I need you to be calm in this okay? I can't do this by myself, we need each other just be alert and run as fast as possible", Jonathan assured her.

Despite the assurance that Jonathan gave her, she is till pretty much nervous, the chaos she saw back at suburbs is still fresh in her mind, she doesn't even know if she can actually help if they are spotted.

They both looked at sky, trying to make sure if the coast is clear and that they aren't missing anything. Jonathan raised is hand lifting three fingers up, which is the indicator of when they should start running. One finger down, a pause, another one down, a pause and finally, the last one is down. They ran, like they never ran before, there is no one chasing them, but they have to act like there is, so they can live. In a Bird's Eye view, they both look like ants, crossing an infinite valley, desperately trying to get to the other side. Eyes looking above constantly, if there's no ground to look at as well, they'll be constantly looking up, just to be sure that there are no surprises. Jonathan looks back at Catherine trying to see if she is catching up and thankfully she is. At first view, the clearing doesn't look that long, but it feels like an eternity running through it. Are they ever going to reach it? Why is it taking so long? Did they underestimate it and above all, are they close to being spotted, but this thoughts are washed away from them as they noticed the tress on the other side getting nearer and nearer. It gave them both hope that they'll make it. The trees are almost there they can almost grab it, just a little bit more and they are safe from the abominations above. The fatigue is starting to get stronger but there hope is stronger, their hope that they'll make it. After of what feels like an eternity, and after the fatigue is almost starting to get them, finally, they made it.

They both collapsed on the ground, silently laughing and cheering that they made it. They couldn't believe it, they made it to the other side safely. Jonathan might've assured Catherine that they'll make it, but he can't deny that he also had his doubts, but he is happy that he is wrong. They both lied down on the ground, resting both their body and soul. Catherine looked towards Jonathan, asking him if he ever also thought that running would be nerve wrecking. He laughed, replying that running was always nerve wrecking for him, but he never thought that it would be because of a clearing in the woods. After they felt that they rested enough, they got back up on their feet emboldened once again to continue their journey.

The journey is still long, but Jonathan knows a Gas station up ahead and he is confident that they can take shelter inside for the night. As they are walking through the forest, Jonathan couldn't help but feel that something is off, that something is suddenly there. He didn't mind it at first, thinking it was nothing or the tiredness he is still feeling. Then there it is again, his instincts signaling him something that he doesn't know yet, but then it clicked and he knew what is wrong, there is a faint sound in the distance.

He signaled Catherine to stop, Catherine is confused by this and she asked what's wrong, but Jonathan only signaled him to be quiet. They both stood there motionless for a while, with Jonathan trying to make sure that there isn't anyone or anything around them. After a while of observing, he couldn't see or hear anything. Jonathan signaled her to continue, but when they were about to, from behind them they both heard footsteps approaching them fast. They never thought they'd see one up close, but there it is, a UFBO with a sinister smile on it's face approaching them fast. They stood there frozen and confused as to what they should do. But then they both snapped back to reality and they knew they had to run. The fatigue is still there but they don't have a choice but to ignore it. Jonathan only wishes that the creature would get tired before they do. He looks back constantly as they are running trying to see if the creature is still chasing after them, the more they look behind the nearer it appears to be. From a distance, they could both see the Gas station between the trees, they know that if they manage to run long enough they could reach it before the creature will reach them. As they draw nearer to the Gas station, the creature draws nearer as well. Catherine is already too tired, she doesn't know if she would make it, but she is desperately trying to. Jonathan knows this as well and she is concerned that the creature will get to Catherine and as it gets closer to them, He can see the creature leaping for her.

The creature might be aiming for Catherine, but Jonathan was fast enough to shove her aside making him the target of the creature. The creature laughed as it finally caught up to its prey, pinning Jonathan to the ground. The creature raised it hands, ready to strike him down with it's claws, but before the creature could sink it's long and deadly claws onto him, Catherine hit him with the 2x4 on it's head, making it stumble unto the ground. Jonathan didn't waste anytime, pulling out the gun, shooting it straight in its head. There was a pause for a while, they don't if the creature is dead or merely "knocked-out". They waited for it to move, until Jonathan picked up the courage to get near to it. He slowly made his way near the creature with the gun raised and him ready to pull the trigger if it even slightly moves. He hesitated at first, but he gently touched the creature with his feet, just to see if it will move, after a while ensuring the abomination is gone, he did realize what the bullet did minutes ago. It's dead, the bullet killed the creature. Putting a hole in its head, with blood oozing outside it's skull. They both looked shocked, not believing what just happened, but they have to move. The gunshot might've attracted the other UFBO'S in the area as well, and they don't have the bullets nor the energy to deal with them.

They made a run for it to the Gas station, knowing it's the safest place they can be right now. Thankfully it's both unlocked and there is no one inside, they hid inside the storage room, as the windows on the store will give them away too quickly. With the last remaining strength that they have, they moved a shelf inside against the door, barricading it, making sure that no one or nothing will come inside. There is a lot to take in, Jonathan almost didn't make it, Catherine encountered her first UFBO up close and above all, the PSA lied. Which begs the question, what else did they Lie about?