Run

The place was eerily quiet for a while then a cacophony of unfamiliar sounds was heard. It was low, growly, and rough. It slowly came to the humans that the aliens were talking with each other.

Maybe planning something together. Planning their slow deaths perhaps? No, the Zarkenians wouldn't want them dead.

If the radio announcements were true then these Zarkenian race that destroyed the insect-looking aliens who occupied earth first had more sinister plans for them.

Death is much more desirable than being caught by these beasts.

Fear of the unknown made Rowan raise her weapon her aim jumping from one alien to another. The laughable thing was that the Zarkenians were never bothered that a gun was aimed at their heads, they continued talking in a language they could not understand, ignoring Rowan and her threatening stance.

"G-get away from us or I'll shoot all of you!"

A sound that seems like that of a snort was heard. Rowan was incensed, did the Zarkenians think her gun was just a toy? Hah! Then take this!

Rowan raised her hand and pulled the trigger.

Calista screamed and duck her head when fallen debris rained on them. Rowan had just shot the glass dome above their heads and now shards of glass littered the floor.

Luckily no big fragments fell on them.

"Rowan!" Aristia hissed. They could have been wounded because of her stint.

She could have shot anywhere or she could have shot one of the Zarkenians but why did it have to be the glass dome above?

Aristia saw one Zarkenian break out of their formation and was about to charge towards them. Rowan's stint must have annoyed the humanoid.

Wait, wait. Rowan was the instigator but why is he headed straight to Calista?

Aristia's heartbeat sped up, she hauled the still trembling Calista up and pulled her behind her back, dagger in hand pointed on the charging Zarkenian. "Over my dead body, you alien freak!"

And all hell broke loose when she swung her blade towards the guy. Rowan, empowered by seeing her freely swinging her short blade also aimed at the Zarkenians and shoot.

Ahhhhhh!

It all happened in a blink of an eye. Aristia's hand was caught and it was twisted painfully until the hilt of the blade fell on the ground. With one hand bent awkwardly behind her back. Her back flushed on a Zarkenians chest.

She saw Rowan sprawled on the floor, gun missing, trying to crawl her way out but strong hands grabbed her waist and pulled her up before securing her hands behind just like her.

And Calista. Where is Calista?

Aristia frantically searched for a girl with auburn curly hair within the chaos. Then she spotted a Zarkenian lugging someone on his shoulder a few meters away, taking a flight of stairs in big strides. That someone was Calista screaming and pounding on the Zarkenian's back.

"Calista! You sonuvabitch! Where are you bringing her? Let go of Calista!" Aristia shouted and tried to free herself from the one who's holding her but it only ended up with a painful pressure on her wrist that made her hiss in pain.

Calista heard her shout and tried to right up her position by pushing her hand on the Zarkenian's back. Her wild, tear-filled eyes clashed with Aristia.

"Tia, help! He's gonna eat me! I'm going to die, help me!"

Calista was screaming and kicking as the Zarkenian strode to the escalator taking three steps at a time before they were gone out of their sight.

Aristia and Rowan could only look on as Calista was taken from them. Her pleas for help echoing in their heads as wave after wave of fear and hopelessness in their hearts drowned them.

They had taken Calista. They had taken one of us.

She still reeling from what happened when the pressure on her hand disappeared. She rubbed her aching right hand and watch warily the Zarkenians who distanced themselves from her.

The humanoids clad in black circled them again. But something isn't right this time. Rowan has her circle of humanoid and she also has hers. She counted seven on Rowan and six on hers.

Aristia and Rowan were set apart from each other and through the gap between the massive bodies of the Zarkenians their eyes met, the fear she saw in Rowan's eyes mirrored hers.

What are these fuckers planning to do now?

Their silents question was answered when a low, growly sound came from one of them. The sound was repeated, more distinct and clear this time, "Run."

Run.

The Zarkenians wanted them to run?

But to where and why?

If they truly run, weren't these beasts just going to catch them again?

And then it hit her. The air escapes from her lungs.

These are beasts and they are humans.

Predators and prey.

The prey runs and the beast hunts.

Aristia exhaled a shaky breath and glanced once again at Rowan. The girl must have also caught on to what these infernal fuckers plans are because her eyes are as big as dinner plates.

The Zarkenian who uttered that single English word raised his palm and a hologram appeared. It displayed a set of numbers.

180, 179, 178…

It kept decreasing and decreasing in front of her eyes. Like a timer. She could only guess what this timer is for.

The prey is given head start before the predators give chase.

A classic hunting game.

"Run!" the Zarkenian roared and she jumped in fright.

Aristia and Rowan didn't have much choice. They could only run for their lives. And so they ran in opposite directions.

They ran with all their might. They ran with all that they have until they were out of the mall and into the open city.

Aristia did not forget to grab her bag before she sprinted, she secured it behind her and dashed through a street littered with piled-up cars. Hiding wasn't an option now as the Zarkenians could smell them well under the stink.

She rushed east where they entered the city praying that Rowan was also headed that way. She also prayed that Snow and Green were well and had gotten out in time.

And Calista... She can't think of Calista right now. Once she could safely get out of there, she will think of ways to bring the girl back, she promised herself.

She saw a steel pipe lying on the sidewalk, she swooped in and grabbed it. If any of those fucking Zarkenians try and grab her then she will not hesitate to bash his head in.

Out of the corner of her eye a Zarkenian leap on top of a car, metals crunching and glass flying from the sudden impact. it was a scary sight to behold.

Aristia sprinted as fast as she can, her thighs burning from the exertion. She will not be caught by those humanoids, she will go home and Quinn will have his medicine.

The one who leaped on the car was gaining fast on her. She could hear its heavy breathing on her ears, on her neck, and the warmth of its body radiates at her back. Aristia felt icy coldness slid down her spine, the hairs on her nape stood.

She can feel it toying with her. The Zarkenian could easily catch her by now but the fucker let her run, run until she's weakened and weary. She can feel its massive hand reaching forward hovering on her figure, with a sinister lift of its lips.

No, please no.