Chapter 4

(Rachel's point of view)

I pulled to a stop behind the familiar sedan, my heart thundering in my chest as I swung open the door. The cool autumn air rushed in, but I barely registered it, too caught up in the frantic hope that consumed me.

A few hurried steps brought me to the vehicle, and there they were - Mom and Dad, alive and unharmed. Relief flooded through me like a tidal wave, threatening to knock me off my feet."Mom!" I exclaimed, dashing towards them as they emerged from the car.

My parents' faces were etched with worry, but they relaxed into warm smiles as I hurtled into their open arms. I buried my face in their necks, tears of relief streaming down my cheeks as I held them tight."I'm so glad you're safe," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.

They stroked my hair, gentle and reassuring, as I clung to them desperately. For a moment, the horrors of the past few days seemed to melt away, replaced by the comforting presence of my family."It's okay, Rach," Dad murmurred, pulling back to cradle my face in his hands.

"We're here now. We've got you, and we'll get through this together."

As we scurried towards the sedan, a monstrous apparition emerged from the shadows, its shell glinting an unnatural, otherworldly green in the fading light.

Dad quickly reached for the concealed handgun at his side, his face set in grim determination as he raised the weapon. I barely processed his actions before he began firing, the rapid succession of shots echoing through the desolate landscape.

But the bullets seemed to have no effect on the creature, its gaze never wavering as it strode towards us with relentless purpose.

Mom hastily grabbed the wheel from Dad, her hands shaking slightly as she spun the car around. "Go, go, go!" she urged, her voice shrill with fear as the behemoth's claws scraped against the paint job in a desperate attempt to reach us.

The tires squealed in protest as Mom floored the accelerator, the sedan careening away from the pursuing titan. I pressed myself against the backseat, my heart threatening to burst from my chest as I watched the monster turtle dwindling in our rearview mirror.

How could something so unnatural, so inhumane, exist? The thought sent a chill down my spine that had nothing to do with the autumn chill biting at my skin.

My gaze remained locked on Dad's limp form, tears of anguish pricking at the corners of my eyes as the horrific reality sank in. But then, a soft, raspy voice cut through the eerie stillness of the forest, sending a jolt of fear and hope through my veins.

"Rach... el..."Mom's words were a mere whisper, her breathy tone barely audible over the distant chirping of nocturnal creatures. I turned to face her, my heart in my throat as I strained to comprehend the faintly murmured instruction.

"Take care of Max... and yourself..." she exhorted, her lids heavy with the weight of impending death, yet still managing a loving, reassuring smile.My tears flowed freely now, a cathartic release of the overwhelming grief that threatened to consume me.

As the life drained from my mother's eyes, I felt a piece of my soul wither, lost to an unfathomable sorrow."I love you both..." she breathed, her voice failing her as her head lolled to the side, forever still.

The finality of her words hung in the air, a chilling reminder of the irrevocable loss I now carried within me.

Fresh tears streamed down my face as I continued to sob quietly, my body wracked with anguished sobs. But then, a faint crunching sound reached my ears, followed by an ominous thud.

My head jerked up, my attention fixated on the twisted mass of steel and flesh that was once our car. Dad's lifeless form was protruding from the wreckage, his limp hand visible as it dangled limply from the shattered window.

A shiver of dread coursed through me as the monstrous creature emerged from the darkness, its massive, clawed footfalls echoing ominously in the silence of the forest.

With deliberate, mechanical slowness, the beast moved towards the sedan, its unblinking gaze fixed on the disturbing sight. My heart thundered in my chest, a futile attempt to urge the creature to pass us by.

But it halted beside the car, its long, serpentine neck bending as it eyed Dad's outstretched hand. With a jolt of primal terror, I watched as the monster's massive jaws yawned open, revealing rows of jagged, serrated teeth.

The creature's maw stretched wide enough to engulf Dad's arm .With a sickening crunch, the monster's jaws closed, biting down with inhuman force. Dad's body were drowned out by the sound of tearing flesh and crunching bone as the creature's powerful grip shredded his limbs.

I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to bear the grisly spectacle unfolding before me. The monster dragged Dad's dead form across the road away from the car .

As the beast vanished into the darkness, his pitiful remains a stark reminder of the horror that lurked in the shadows, I let the sobs wrack my body once more as i cry quietly.