Allosaurs

The night forest was alive, a cacophony of primal sounds that spoke of an untamed world. The wind howled like a restless spirit, carrying with it the crack of branches under massive paws and the guttural roars of ancient predators. Shadows moved within shadows, flickering in the pale moonlight that barely penetrated the dense canopy. Thomas sprinted through the underbrush, his bare feet pounding against the damp earth, his jeans torn and hanging in tatters, his shirt more holes than fabric. His breathing was ragged, shallow gasps that came more from desperation than exertion. It wasn't fear that drove him, nor pain—it was hunger, a hunger so fierce it felt like it was eating him alive from the inside out.

He could feel it in every nerve, every muscle: a gnawing, insatiable need. His senses, hyper-attuned, laid the forest bare to him. The air was thick with smells—rotting leaves, damp bark, animal musk, and the intoxicating, metallic tang of fresh blood. Every sound was amplified: the rustle of ferns as creatures brushed past, the low hum of insects, distant howls that sent shivers down his spine, and the vibrations of heavy footfalls shaking the ground in rhythmic tremors. His feet, calloused and raw, felt every pulse of the earth beneath him, each step of the forest's inhabitants laid out like a map in his mind.

Ahead, a massive conifer rose like a sentinel, its trunk wide and gnarled with age. Without hesitation, Thomas leapt onto it, his fingers digging into the bark as though it were clay. He climbed with a feral grace, his movements fluid and instinctive, and in moments, he perched high in the tree's embrace. The wind, sharp and cool, brushed against his face. He closed his eyes briefly, savoring the moment of calm, but his reprieve was short-lived. A flicker of movement below yanked his attention downward.

His gaze sharpened, scanning the forest floor. Below, the ancient denizens of this world moved like shadows come to life. A herd of triceratops lumbered through the undergrowth, their immense bulk swaying as they grazed on low-hanging branches. Nearby, strange herbivores—massive antelopes with spiraling horns—moved in uneasy clusters. But it wasn't the herbivores that held Thomas's attention. In the darkness, two sleek, predatory shapes prowled with lethal elegance, their movements almost imperceptible.

"Allosaurs," Thomas muttered under his breath, his voice low and tinged with awe. The pair of predators moved in unison, their green, scaly hides blending seamlessly with the shadows. Their eyes, dark and calculating, scanned the herd with predatory precision. Thomas watched, transfixed, as one of the allosaurs froze mid-step, its muscles coiled like a spring. Then, with explosive speed, it lunged.

The forest erupted into chaos. The herd scattered, panicked cries echoing through the night as the predators struck. One of the antelopes wasn't fast enough. It let out a guttural scream as the lead allosaurus clamped its jaws around its neck, dragging it to the ground. The second predator joined in moments later, its claws raking through flesh. The air was thick with the scent of blood and the sickening sounds of tearing sinew and crunching bones.

Thomas's stomach clenched painfully, and a low growl escaped his lips, almost involuntarily. He swallowed hard, his mouth filling with saliva as he watched the predators feast. The meat—raw, dripping, steaming in the cool night air—was almost too much for him to bear.

"Lucky bastards," he muttered, his voice laced with bitter envy. His eyes lingered on the carcass, a glint of desperation flickering within them. His stomach growled again, louder this time, and he cursed under his breath. "I can't keep doing this. I need to eat."

For a moment, he considered his options. The allosaurs were massive, their claws sharp enough to flay him in seconds, their jaws strong enough to crush bone. But hunger had dulled his caution, and the primal instincts in him whispered one thing: Take it. He spotted a thick branch nearby, sturdy and long enough to serve as a makeshift weapon. Without a second thought, he snapped it off the tree, testing its weight in his hands. It felt solid, like an extension of his own body.

"Alright, boys," he whispered to himself, a humorless grin spreading across his face. "Time to see if you're feeling generous tonight."

He descended the tree silently, his movements as fluid as a shadow slipping through the dark. The closer he got to the predators, the more his heart pounded, but not out of fear—this was something else. Excitement. Anticipation. The thrill of the hunt, or perhaps the hunt turned on its head.

The allosaurs were so engrossed in their feast that they didn't notice him at first. He crept closer, staying low, his every step deliberate and soundless. The smell of blood grew stronger, intoxicating, almost dizzying. When he was close enough to see the sheen of saliva on their jaws, he tightened his grip on the branch.

"Hey!" Thomas shouted suddenly, his voice cutting through the night like a whip. The allosaurs snapped their heads toward him, their eyes narrowing. He swung the branch with all his might, striking the nearest predator across the snout. The beast roared in surprise, recoiling slightly, and Thomas seized the opportunity. He lunged forward, snatching a chunk of meat from the ground—a piece still glistening with fresh blood—and bolted.

The roar that followed was deafening, a sound that seemed to shake the very trees. Thomas didn't look back. He could hear the thunderous footsteps of the allosaurs behind him, the crash of underbrush as they gave chase. His lungs burned, his legs screamed for relief, but he pushed forward, the raw, primal drive to survive propelling him faster than he thought possible.

"You didn't need all of it!" he yelled over his shoulder, a wild grin splitting his face despite the danger. "Just sharing the wealth!"

The pounding footsteps grew louder, closer. He darted between trees, weaving through the undergrowth in an erratic pattern. The predators were faster, stronger, but Thomas had something they didn't: desperation. He leapt over a fallen log, his bare feet barely skimming the ground, and veered sharply toward a cluster of boulders.

The smell of the meat in his hands was overwhelming, the blood warm against his skin. His stomach twisted in anticipation, and for a brief, fleeting moment, he laughed—a wild, unhinged sound that echoed through the forest. Hunger, fear, adrenaline, and exhilaration all blended into one chaotic, intoxicating cocktail.

Thomas tore into the raw meat as he ran, his teeth ripping into the flesh like a starved wolf. The juices dripped down his chin, hot and metallic, but he didn't care. He didn't even taste it—his body moved on autopilot, driven by an animalistic urge to feed. The edges of his vision blurred, the forest around him a smear of shadow and moonlight. The only clarity came from the pounding of his heart and the growing tremor of heavy footfalls behind him.

"Come on, then!" he shouted, his voice raw and defiant. "Let's see who's really at the top of the food chain!"

A guttural growl rose above the din of the forest, low and menacing, followed by the unmistakable sound of snapping jaws. Thomas glanced over his shoulder, his blood running cold. The two Allosaurs were gaining on him, their massive forms weaving between trees with terrifying agility. Their yellow eyes gleamed like polished coins, fixed on him with predatory focus. One opened its jaws, revealing rows of jagged teeth that glinted in the moonlight.

"Oh, crap! Oh, crap!" Thomas spat the chunk of meat from his mouth, clutching the rest tightly in his hand as he pushed his body harder. His legs burned, his lungs screamed for air, but the adrenaline coursing through him drowned out everything but the primal need to survive. "This was a bad idea. A really bad idea!"

The predators were relentless. The ground shook beneath their pounding feet, the forest floor splintering as their claws tore into the earth. One of the Allosaurs lunged, snapping its jaws inches from his back. Thomas ducked under a low-hanging branch, narrowly avoiding the predator's teeth, and darted to the left. The beast snarled in frustration, its momentum carrying it into a tree. The impact sent the massive trunk crashing to the ground, splinters flying in every direction.

"Ha! Not so graceful now, are you, big guy?" Thomas shouted over his shoulder, his voice shaky with both fear and exhilaration. His grin widened despite himself. "Maybe cut back on the steaks, huh?"

But his mockery was short-lived. The second Allosaurus surged forward, its claws slicing through the underbrush like knives. Thomas barely had time to react, throwing himself to the side as the beast's tail whipped past him, shredding a sapling in half. He hit the ground hard, rolling to his feet in one fluid motion, and took off again, weaving through the dense forest.

"Okay, Thomas," he muttered to himself, his voice breathless but tinged with a wild edge. "You've officially lost it. You're being chased by prehistoric nightmares, and you're cracking jokes. Great. Just great."

Ahead, a towering tree loomed, its branches stretching out like skeletal arms. Without breaking stride, Thomas leapt onto the trunk, his fingers digging into the rough bark. He scrambled upward with the speed and agility of a cornered animal, his muscles screaming in protest. Below, the Allosaurs skidded to a halt, their growls vibrating through the air like thunder. One of them snapped at the tree, its jaws closing around empty bark, while the other reared back on its hind legs, clawing at the trunk.

Thomas perched high above them, panting heavily as he clung to the swaying branches. His gaze darted downward, taking in the furious predators circling the base of the tree like wolves around a wounded deer. One of them slammed its massive body against the trunk, the force of the impact causing the tree to shudder violently.

"Of course. Of course you're trying to knock the tree down," Thomas muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Brilliant idea, really. Why don't you just bring the whole forest down while you're at it?"

He glanced around, searching for anything he could use. His eyes landed on a thick, sturdy branch jutting out nearby. Grinning, he snapped it off with a sharp crack, quickly stripping it of smaller twigs and sharpening one end against the tree's bark. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.

"Okay, you scaly bastards," Thomas muttered, testing the weight of his makeshift spear. "Let's see how you like it when the food fights back."

The Allosaurs growled below, their frustration palpable. One of them, the larger of the two, slammed its massive claws into the trunk again, causing the tree to sway dangerously. Thomas didn't wait for the next hit. With a wild yell, he launched himself from the branch, hurtling toward the predators like a stone from a slingshot.

"Surprise, ugly!" he shouted, driving the sharpened branch into the leading Allosaurus's eye with all his strength.

The beast let out a blood-curdling roar, its head jerking violently as it thrashed in pain. Thomas clung to the branch, holding on for dear life as the predator bucked and writhed beneath him. Blood poured from the ruined eye, staining its scaly face and pooling on the forest floor.

"How's that for a blind spot?" Thomas snarled, his voice strained as he drove the spear deeper. "Not so tough now, are you?"

The second Allosaurus, enraged by its companion's suffering, swung its tail with brutal force. Thomas saw it coming just in time. He released the spear and leapt clear, landing in a crouch as the tail struck the wounded predator, sending it crashing to the ground. The injured Allosaurus let out a final, pitiful roar before collapsing in a heap, its massive chest heaving as it struggled to breathe.

Thomas stood, panting, his body trembling from both exertion and adrenaline. The remaining Allosaurus turned its attention to him, its yellow eyes blazing with fury. It bared its teeth, saliva dripping from its jaws as it began to circle him.

"Oh, you want a piece of me too?" Thomas said, his voice low and dangerous, a wild grin spreading across his face. "Alright, big guy. Let's dance."

The predator lunged, its jaws snapping shut inches from Thomas's face. He rolled to the side, grabbing another branch from the ground as he came up. The Allosaurus turned, its tail whipping toward him, but this time Thomas was ready. He ducked low, the tail passing harmlessly overhead, and sprang forward, driving the branch into the beast's open mouth.

The Allosaurus reared back, snarling and snapping as it tried to dislodge the makeshift weapon. Thomas took the opportunity to retreat, his chest heaving as he put distance between himself and the thrashing predator.

"Yeah, you better think twice before messing with me," he muttered, wiping blood and sweat from his face.

The predator lunged, its roar ripping through the night like a thunderclap. Its jaws, lined with dagger-like teeth, snapped shut inches from Thomas's face, the wind of its breath hot and rancid. Thomas twisted to the side, rolling along the ground in a last-second dodge. Dirt and leaves clung to his sweat-slicked skin as he scrambled to his feet, his chest heaving with exertion. The allosaurus whipped around with terrifying speed, its massive tail slicing through the air like a battering ram. Thomas barely ducked in time, the force of the tail's swing shattering a tree behind him into a spray of splinters.

"Yeah, yeah, you're pissed. I get it," Thomas muttered, panting as he staggered back. His fists clenched at his sides, though he knew punching the creature was about as effective as throwing a pebble at a tank. "But hey, can we just talk this out? No? Didn't think so."

The allosaurus snorted, steam venting from its nostrils, and lowered its head, preparing to lunge again. Its yellow eyes gleamed with predatory focus, locked on Thomas like a death warrant. The ground beneath his feet trembled with each step the beast took forward, its claws digging into the soil with every menacing stride.

Thomas's mind raced. He couldn't outrun it forever. He couldn't overpower it. But maybe—just maybe—he could outsmart it. His eyes darted across the forest floor, scanning for something, anything, he could use. That's when he saw it: a massive boulder looming just behind him, its surface jagged and solid.

"Alright, big guy," Thomas muttered under his breath, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You wanna play? Let's play."

He reached down and grabbed a sharp stone, hurling it at the allosaurus with as much force as he could muster. The stone struck the creature's side with a dull thwack. It wasn't enough to hurt it, but it did the trick. The predator snapped its head toward him, its growl deep and guttural, the sound vibrating in Thomas's chest.

"Hey, you overgrown chicken!" he shouted, waving his arms dramatically. "Yeah, I'm talking to you! You want some fresh meat? Come and get it!"

The allosaurus roared, and charged. Its massive body barreled forward, trees and bushes exploding in its wake. The ground quaked beneath its thunderous steps, and for a moment, Thomas felt the primal fear of prey staring down a predator. But he held his ground, forcing himself to stay rooted in place until the last possible second.

"That's it," he whispered, his smirk widening despite the terror clawing at his gut. "Come to papa."

The allosaurus closed the distance in seconds, its jaws snapping open, ready to tear him apart. At the last moment, Thomas dove to the side, rolling clear as the beast slammed headfirst into the boulder. The impact was deafening, a sound like a cannon blast echoing through the forest. The boulder cracked under the force, but it held. The allosaurus, however, wasn't so lucky. The collision sent the predator staggering back, its massive head whipping up as it let out a pained, disoriented roar. Blood poured from its nostrils, steaming in the cool night air.

"Well, I'll be damned," Thomas muttered, rising to his feet. He stared at the dazed predator, hands on his knees as he caught his breath. "It actually worked. You really are all muscle, no brain, huh?"

But he didn't have time to celebrate. The allosaurus shook its head violently, clearing its vision. Its growls deepened, more furious now than ever. Thomas knew he couldn't let it recover. His gaze fell on a sharp fragment of the boulder lying nearby, its jagged edges glinting in the moonlight.

"Alright, round two," he said, grabbing the bloodied stone. "Let's finish this."

With a burst of adrenaline-fueled speed, Thomas charged the predator. The allosaurus snarled, swiping at him with its claws, but Thomas ducked under the attack and leapt onto its back. His hands gripped its scaly hide, the texture rough and slick with sweat and blood. The beast bucked wildly, trying to throw him off, but Thomas clung on with a desperation that bordered on madness.

"I see you don't like, when someone's on your back, huh?" he grunted, raising the stone high above his head. "Is your skull really that thick, or do you think this stone could break it?"

He brought the stone down with all his strength, the impact sending a sickening crack through the air. The allosaurus roared in agony, its body twisting and thrashing. Thomas didn't stop. He struck again and again, each blow leaving a deeper gash, blood spraying across his face and arms. The predator's roars grew weaker, its movements more sluggish, until finally, with one last shuddering breath, it collapsed to the ground.

Thomas rolled off the beast's lifeless body, landing hard on the blood-soaked earth. He lay there for a moment, staring up at the canopy of stars through the trees, his chest rising and falling in ragged gasps.

"God," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. He turned his head to look at the corpse, its massive form still and silent. "Did… did I really just kill that thing? With a rock?"

He sat up slowly, his body trembling from exhaustion and adrenaline. His hands were slick with blood, his clothes torn and stained. The sharp, metallic scent of death filled his nostrils, making his stomach churn. But as he looked at the bloodied stone still clutched in his hand, something inside him stirred. His hunger, momentarily forgotten in the chaos, returned with a vengeance.

Before he realized what he was doing, Thomas raised the stone to his mouth and licked it. The taste of blood—hot, coppery, primal—sent a jolt through his system. His body, his instincts, craved more. He froze, the stone still in his hand, his breath catching in his throat.

"What the hell…" he whispered, his voice shaking. He dropped the stone as if it had burned him, staring at it with wide, horrified eyes. "No. No, no, no. What's happening to me?"

He staggered to his feet, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, but the taste lingered. His heart raced, his mind a whirlwind of fear and confusion.

"I'm still human," he said aloud, as if trying to convince himself. "I'm still—" He stopped, looking down at the lifeless predator at his feet. His hands curled into fists, his nails digging into his palms. "I'm still human. I am."

But deep down, a small, insidious voice whispered otherwise.