Story 833: Bloodborn

The air was thick with the stench of rotting flesh. Smoke curled into the crimson sky as the ruins of the radio tower burned. But beneath the rubble, something stirred.

The Sleeper wasn’t dead.

Evelyn barely had time to react before the creature’s elongated tongue shot out from beneath the debris, wrapping around her ankle.

She screamed as it yanked her off her feet, dragging her across the broken ground.

Mia raised her shotgun. BOOM. A direct hit to the tongue, sending a chunk of it splattering against the ruins. The Sleeper shrieked, its distorted, brain-exposed skull pulsating in rage.

Reaper was already moving. He didn’t hesitate. In one smooth motion, he vaulted over debris and plunged his machete into the creature’s shoulder.

The Sleeper laughed.

Its flesh shifted, absorbing the blade. The metal sank into its body like it was being swallowed.

Reaper ripped his hand away just in time as the weapon melted into the creature’s flesh.

“The hell?” Mia breathed.