Escape

Kalem's world came crashing back in a rush of pain.

His head throbbed like someone was hammering on it, his vision swimming. The smell of filth was thick in the air, but it was different now—fresher, sharper. He couldn't tell if he was still in the cesspool or somewhere else, but the crushing weight of exhaustion pressed down on him, making every breath feel like a struggle.

A low growl split the air, followed by a bone-shaking tremor. The Devourer's roar. Far too close. 

No, no, no…

Kalem's heart lurched as his body protested against the effort to move. His ribs screamed in pain, and his side burned with every shallow breath. His fingers brushed against the damp stone beneath him, but he couldn't focus. He couldn't think. 

The second man—Kalem hadn't finished him. He hadn't… 

His eyes snapped open.

The thug was gone. Only a trail of blood stained the water. Kalem didn't care. He had bigger problems now. The rumbling grew louder, more urgent, vibrating through his bones. The Devourer was on its way, and it would find him. It would find them all. 

I need to move.

Kalem forced himself to his feet, the world spinning around him. His legs were shaky beneath him, barely holding him up, but he couldn't stop. Not now. 

Gripping the dagger tightly in his hand, he stumbled forward through the muck, trying to find his bearings. His clothes stuck to him like wet paper, and every step felt like walking through syrup. His mind was foggy, but one thought cut through the haze with laser focus: 

Get out.

He had to get out of the sewers, away from the creature, and away from whatever else had followed it. 

Kalem's breath was ragged, every step more difficult than the last. He tried to ignore the gnawing fear creeping into his chest, tried not to focus on how the sharp tang of iron in the air told him he was bleeding too much. He couldn't afford to be weak. Not now. 

The growl rumbled again, closer this time. It was too close. 

He had to move faster. 

Panic set in. Kalem's foot slipped on the slick stone beneath him, and he slid into the sludge, the cold, rancid water soaking into his clothes. He cursed under his breath, trying to catch himself, but the pain in his side flared up like a brand. His vision blurred again, dark spots dancing in front of his eyes.

Focus, Kalem.

With a guttural groan, he pushed himself back up, using the wall for support. 

He wasn't far from the exit now. He could feel it. He had to. The low rumble of the Devourer was close enough now that he could almost hear its breath. Almost feel its heat. 

Kalem glanced behind him. The sewer tunnels were long, winding like veins beneath the city, but there was light ahead. Not much, but enough. It was a distant glimmer that promised freedom. 

He pushed through the sludge, feet heavy but determined. The sound of water splashing behind him. 

Another growl, louder this time, and then— 

A deafening crash.

The ground shook, stones cracked, and Kalem stumbled, barely keeping his balance as he lurched forward. His chest tightened as the unmistakable sound of claws scraping against stone echoed through the tunnel.

It was right there

His breath hitched. He couldn't see it yet, but he could feel it. The monster. It was coming. 

The first glimmer of daylight peeked through the cracked wall ahead of him. A weak stream of sunlight filtered into the tunnels, offering Kalem his first real hope since he had been thrown into this nightmare. But it was still far too far.

The growl grew louder. The Devourer was closing in. Kalem's heart hammered in his chest. He glanced over his shoulder, panic seizing his throat.

Come on. Come on!

With one last surge of strength, Kalem pushed himself toward the daylight. His legs screamed in protest. His head spun. But he couldn't stop. Not now. Not when he was this close. 

He reached the end of the tunnel, the light brighter now, the gap in the wall just big enough for him to slip through. He pushed through the crack, blood and muck trailing behind him as he emerged into the cold, moonlit night.

His knees buckled as he hit the dirt. He didn't have the strength to stay on his feet anymore. His vision faded to black at the edges as his body collapsed into the earth, his fingers still wrapped tightly around the stolen dagger. 

The last thing he heard before everything went quiet was the creature's roar, echoing in the distance—closer, but not close enough. 

Kalem had escaped. For now.