Story 818: No Escape

Leon barely had time to react. The creature’s claws slashed through the air, missing his face by inches as he threw himself to the ground. Mia fired another shotgun blast, but the monster twisted mid-air, avoiding the shot with an unnatural grace.

“We can’t kill this thing!” Evelyn shouted, grabbing Leon’s arm and pulling him to his feet.

The creature landed with a sickening crunch, its limbs bending grotesquely before snapping back into place. Its grin widened, jagged teeth glistening with saliva.

Mia clenched her jaw. “Then we don’t kill it. We run.”

The tunnel behind them was blocked, the only way out was past the creature.

Leon made the call.

“Stick together. When I move, we run.”

Evelyn hesitated. “Leon—”

“NOW!”

He threw his last flashbang. The tunnel ignited in white-hot light. The creature let out an ear-splitting shriek, thrashing wildly as it clawed at its melting eyes.

The three of them bolted.