Chapter 25: In the Mud and Shadows

Jason's eyes fluttered open as rain pelted down in relentless sheets. His body was heavy, sore from the impact of the waterfall, but adrenaline surged through his veins. He groaned, dragging himself from the water's edge onto the muddy ground, his legs sinking into the thick sludge.

His gaze snapped to the others—Zhang, Maria, and Carter—lying still, half-submerged in the mud, unconscious and vulnerable. He cursed under his breath and scrambled over to them, ignoring the ache in his muscles as he pulled each one toward the cover of the massive tree roots. The thick, gnarled roots rose from the ground like the ribs of a giant creature, creating a natural shelter that, by some miracle, might hide them.

Above, the sky cracked with lightning, illuminating the horrific scene around them. Jason froze as he heard it—an ear-piercing screech from the top of the waterfall. His breath caught in his throat, fear spreading like wildfire through his chest.

The creatures were descending.

They moved quickly, their bony frames silhouetted against the jagged rocks, climbing down with unnatural ease. Each one was tall and skeletal, their limbs impossibly thin, like crooked branches swaying in the wind. Their hair hung in thick, damp clumps, resembling tangled human hair, but it was filthy, matted, and full of grime. Their jaws, crooked and jagged, hung open unnaturally, filled with rows of long, sharp teeth. Their eyes glowed a sickly green in the darkness, piercing through the rain as they scanned the landscape.

Jason felt his heart hammering in his chest, every instinct in his body screaming at him to run, but he couldn't leave them—he wouldn't. He had to protect the others.

"Move, come on, Jason, move," he muttered to himself, his voice a hoarse whisper, barely audible over the storm. He reached for Maria, then Carter, dragging them both further under the shelter of the tree roots. Zhang was heavier, his soaked clothes adding to the weight, but Jason managed to pull him under the cover as well.

His hands were trembling, covered in mud and blood, but he didn't stop. Grabbing fistfuls of the wet earth, he smeared it over their bodies, covering them in the thick muck, hoping it would mask their scent, their presence. He worked quickly, his fingers moving in a panic as the creatures drew closer.

Their growls echoed through the storm, deep and guttural, as they prowled the banks of the river, searching. The sound of their long, needle-like fingers dragging against the rocks sent shivers down Jason's spine. He dared to steal a glance through the vines and branches he used to cover their makeshift hideout, and his stomach churned at the sight.

The creatures were hideous—monsters from nightmares. Their bodies leaned and twisted grotesquely, skin stretched tight over bones, as if they hadn't eaten in centuries. Their eyes—those glowing, haunting eyes—scanned the area with a terrifying hunger. They moved with a jerky, unnatural grace, their long limbs twisting and bending in ways that defied logic. Every now and then, one would stop, sniff the air, and let out a low, rumbling growl, causing the others to twitch and snap their jaws in anticipation.

Jason closed his eyes, biting back the urge to scream. His heart was pounding so loudly in his chest, he was sure the creatures would hear it. Keep calm, keep quiet, he told himself, his breath shallow and controlled. They can't find us. They won't find us.

But doubt gnawed at him, threatening to break his resolve. He wasn't strong like Zhang, or brave like Maria, or smart like Carter. He was just Jason—the one who always tagged along, the one who never made decisions. Now, their lives were in his hands, and the weight of it was suffocating.

His mind raced with thoughts of what could happen. If the creatures found them, there was no escape. They were too fast, too vicious. Jason could already imagine their twisted fingers tearing through flesh, their jaws snapping bones like twigs. He squeezed his eyes shut tighter, trying to block out the images.

Suddenly, a creature screeched, louder this time, and Jason's entire body went rigid. The sound was close—too close. He held his breath, not daring to move. He could hear the creatures just beyond their hiding spot, their claws scraping against the rocks, their growls vibrating through the air.

Please, please, just go away.

Jason's hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into the soft earth beneath him. His entire body was trembling, the cold mud sticking to his skin as he pressed himself deeper into the tree roots. For a moment, everything seemed to stop—time, sound, even the storm. All he could hear was his own heartbeat, thundering in his ears.

Then, there was movement—a creature passing just feet away from their hiding spot. Jason dared to open his eyes just enough to see the silhouette of its gangly frame, illuminated by a flash of lightning. Its mouth hung open, drool dripping from its jagged teeth as it growled softly, sniffing the air.

It lingered for a moment, its glowing eyes scanning the area, before moving on. Jason exhaled quietly, his entire body shaking with relief.

We're not safe yet, he thought. But we're alive.

As the creatures continued their search, Jason stayed still, his mind racing with one thought—We need to get out of here.