Demonic Plants [2]

"Take a good look," Riven said, his voice calm.

For a few seconds, nothing happened. The students looked at each other, confused.

Then something moved.

A large mutant stumbled into view, its body twisted and full of scars. It walked slowly, dragging its limbs as it headed toward the tree's shadow.

At first, nothing seemed strange. But as soon as it got close, the ground beneath the tree suddenly exploded.

Thick roots shot out of the earth like living whips, wrapping tightly around the mutant. The creature thrashed wildly, but the roots only tightened. In just seconds, bones cracked, flesh caved in, and the energy inside the mutant was sucked out. A faint glow flowed from its body into the bark of the tree.

Gasps and shocked cries filled the classroom.

"What the hell—?!"

"Was that a mutant pretending to be a tree?!"

"Is that a plant monster or something!?"