The Isle and Tala

Tala had been alone for days now. The others had disappeared, leaving only their footprints and whispers behind. Something was watching her—she could feel it. And it was no ordinary predator. She was in the main bunker, 3 miles away from the nearest beach. Tala was a tall woman, with blonde hair, she was the main researcher in the island, and the closest person to Misho, after his grandfather.

The thick foliage of Ebinigma closed in around her, every rustle in the underbrush igniting a fresh wave of paranoia. She tightened her grip on her makeshift weapon, a jagged piece of metal scavenged from the wreckage of an old research facility. It felt inadequate against the unseen terror lurking in the shadows. She had been part of a scouting party sent to gather intelligence on the mysterious happenings on the island. They had ventured deeper than any of them had planned, seduced by the promise of hidden knowledge and untold power. But one by one, her companions had vanished, swallowed by the island's dark embrace. 

No one needs to know that she and her team failed, as the main researcher, she knew some ways that no one else knew, so that was how she could go back to the main bunker. "Calm down, Tala," she muttered to herself. "You've survived worse." 

The main bunker was a hybrid of underground and "above ground", right now Tala was at above ground area, where she had easy accest to leave in case something happens in the bunker, she was near one of the windows of the bunker. She opened it, wanting some fresh air, "There is no more food," Tala said, while holding her jagged piece of metal, "o God, please, please help this poor woman." She finished by doing a prayer. 

Suddenly, a low growl resonated through the trees, sending a chill down her spine. She froze, the metal piece gripped tightly in her hand. The growl was followed by the rustle of leaves—something was approaching. Heart racing, she ducked behind a tree that was growing inside and outside the bunker. The sound of heavy footsteps echoed closer, accompanied by a strange, guttural noise that made her stomach churn. Tala peered around the trunk, her pulse hammering in her ears. Out of the shadows emerged a creature—a horrific blend of animal and something else, something unnatural. Its body was covered in matted fur, and its eyes glowed a sickly yellow, reflecting the last remnants of sunlight. It looked like a hybrid of tiger and a Triceratops.

Tala held her breath, barely daring to move. The creature paused, sniffing the air, as if it could sense her presence. She felt the urge to bolt, but instinctively knew that sudden movement might trigger its predatory instincts.

Just then, a distant crack echoed through the jungle, causing the creature to turn sharply, its focus shifting. Seizing the opportunity, Tala slipped away, her heart pounding louder than the footsteps behind her. She pushed through the underbrush, adrenaline fueling her speed. If she could just close the window and go the underground, she could somehow regroup and figure out a plan. But the jungle was alive, and every step felt like a race against time.

The darkness settled like a heavy blanket, and she felt the island's gaze upon her. It was a feeling she couldn't shake—a deep, unsettling awareness that whatever hunted her was not just a beast, but a manifestation of the island's curse.

Finally, she spotted the faint outline of the underground door ahead, its door partially ajar. Relief washed over her as she sprinted toward it, pushing the heavy door open with a frantic shove.

Inside, the dim light flickered on, illuminating a space filled with remnants of the past—old equipment, faded maps, and, most importantly, potential safety. She slammed the door shut behind her, leaning against it, panting heavily.

But her relief was short-lived. The sound of claws scraping against the metal echoed outside, a reminder that she was still not alone. She turned to scan the room, searching for anything that could help her defend against whatever was coming. 

The sound of claws stopped shortly after, and Tala felt in peace. She gave up the jagged piece of metal, and tried resting—not knowing this would be her greatest regret in her thirty years or so of life.