The Gathering Storm

They watched as the monster's elongated limbs twitched unnaturally as it ripped through the dead infected, its fingers... or claws... sinking into their flesh with slow, deliberate precision.

Then… it stopped.

Slowly, unnervingly, it lifted its head.

Its face - if it could even be called that - was featureless, save for a gaping maw filled with rows of glistening, serrated teeth.

And then, it smiled.

"Ew! Ew! Just Ew!"

Aleena was ready to throw hands at the sight. But it seemed like her reaction to its beauty didn't set right with the creature. Before she could have even time to react, the creature moved.

It lunged, covering the distance between them in a blur of motion, faster than anything she had ever seen.

"MOVE!" Rune roared, shoving Aleena aside as the creature's claws sliced through the air where they had just stood.