Chapter 53

Miki cried out in fright as she caught sight of it too, and Mauve could see the look of sudden panic cross the faces of the men as they realised they were not alone. Struggling, one of them tried to turn, and then, from that vaguely human form, a myriad of fleshy tendrils seemed to explode outwards, blood spraying across white armour as the appendages erupted from within the body, bursting out of the stomach and chest as if the entrails had gained some remarkable, horrific independence. Abruptly, like lances, they lunged forwards, puncturing the essence of the gathered guards and skewering them in a cloud of mist and blood.

“Jesus Christ!” Mauve screamed in alarm, catching Miki as she stumbled backwards and tripped.

“Flamethrower!” Phoenix shouted in fear.

“No, wait! You’ll kill those men!” Mauve said, pushing Miki away with a little too much forcefulness.

Phoenix shot her a look of fear and anger.

“They’re already dead, Mauve!”