Chapter 17: Strategy, Stubbornness, and Survival

The bird-like beast slammed into the ground with a deafening thud, its talons digging into the dirt as it reoriented itself. It was massive—easily ten feet tall, with dark, jagged feathers and burning yellow eyes. Its beak snapped open and shut, emitting a guttural screech that rattled in Erica's chest.

Sid was already moving before she could call out, looping the rope off his hip and whipping it toward the creature's leg. His strength alone was enough to yank it mid-step, causing the beast to stumble forward. It let out a furious shriek, wings flaring out as it fought against the unexpected restraint.

"Hold it!" Erica barked, scanning their surroundings.

Sydney darted forward next, the butterfly knife she now carried on her person glinting as she ducked under the thrashing wings. She was fast—Erica barely saw her move before she struck, slicing deep into the joint of the creature's left wing. It let out an agonized shriek, the wing convulsing as dark blood splattered onto the ground.

But Sydney hesitated for half a second too long.

The beast retaliated in a blur, slamming its uninjured wing outward. Erica saw the impact before she heard it—Sydney's body ragdolling through the air before she crashed into a tree with a sickening thud.

"Sydney!" Sid yelled, momentarily distracted. He released the rope, turning toward her.

And that was the mistake.

The beast capitalized on the opening, lunging forward, claws aimed straight for Sid's head.

"Sid, move!" Erica shouted.

But he wasn't fast enough.

A sharp whizz cut through the air. A dagger embedded itself into the creature's shoulder, throwing it off course just enough for Sid to stumble away from the attack. The beast screeched, whipping its head around in search of its new attacker.

Lee stood off to the side, rolling another throwing knife between his fingers. "Oh good, it bleeds," he mused.

Erica barely had time to register her surprise before the creature adjusted its focus, shifting its stance. Lee had pissed it off.

"Keep its attention off the twins," Erica ordered, taking a step closer to Lee. "I have an idea."

He cocked his head. "Do I want to know?"

"Not really."

She reached into her pocket and pulled out her secret weapon—pepper spray.

Lee stared at her. "You've had that this whole time?"

"Not now."

With precise timing, she rushed in just as Lee threw another knife, distracting the creature again. Erica dodged under its flailing wing, skidding to a stop just beneath its snapping beak. Then, with every ounce of faith she had in her terrible plan, she raised the canister and sprayed directly into its open mouth.

The result was immediate and violent.

The creature let out an ear-piercing screech, thrashing wildly as its talons scraped at its own beak, trying to rid itself of the burning sensation.

"Sid, now!" Erica shouted.

Sid, regaining his focus, grabbed the rope and yanked. The beast stumbled, its balance completely thrown off by both pain and restraint.

Sydney, despite her earlier injury, forced herself to her feet. Her movements were slower, but her face was set in determination as she took off in a sprint. She vaulted onto the creature's back, using its wounded wing as a foothold.

"Don't hesitate this time!" Erica called.

Sydney didn't. With a quick, decisive motion, she flipped the butterfly knife in her grip and drove it into the base of the creature's skull.

A final, shuddering cry rattled from its throat. Then, it collapsed.

For a moment, none of them spoke. The only sound was the heavy breathing of four battered but victorious fighters.

Sid dropped the rope, flexing his hands with a wince—red, raw burns already forming on his palms.

Sydney exhaled sharply, holding her ribs.

Erica was still gripping the pepper spray like a lifeline.

Lee, completely unharmed, whistled lowly. "Well. That was fun."

Sydney ignored Lee, instead focusing her attention on glaring at Sid. "What the hell was that? Did you forget how to fight when you were sulking about mom and dad's failed relationship?!" 

"You don't know anything!" Sid shouted back, ignoring the pain and heavy breathing. 

Those two were beaten up yet still manage to argue. The shouting was getting louder and more personal with each response, and Erica is fed up with what she was witnessing. It was time for her to intervene. 

Erica stepped forward, only needing to say one word to completely halt the altercation.

"Enough." she spoke in a tone she had never used with the twins before. It was low, and the word cold wasn't even close to describing how chilling the two felt after hearing it. If there was ever a time Erica sounded like she was about to discard them, it was then. 

Even Lee decided to be silent, not wanting to instigate with a snide remark for once. 

Sid and Sydney hesitantly looked at each other and after a moment Sydney said "Agree to disagree, now let's move on." as if she was the bigger person in this. Sid shyly nodded, looking back at Erica with a puppy dog who just got punished expression. 

Erica stared before letting out a large exhale, "Can we please go get those injuries treated now?" she said while already walking in the direction towards the village. Lee skipped while following her, showing no sign of discomfort towards that very awkward situation.

The twins followed a second later, going back to normal with each step. 

"Can I ever catch a break around you three?" Erica said in exhaustion. 

Before Sydney completely caught up, however, she noticed a figure lurking in the forest.