Day 41: Showdown
The tension between the two groups was thick, like the air before a violent storm. Eli could feel the cold sweat trickling down his back as the looters sat confidently atop their hulking lizard-dogs, staring down at them. The creatures were terrifying—massive, powerful, and clearly dangerous even with their muzzles on. Their heavy breaths rumbled in the air, their claws digging into the dirt as they shifted in place, eager for movement.
Cass stood tall, her knife gripped tightly in her hand, her face set in a mask of cold control. But Eli saw it—her eyes flicking rapidly, calculating, planning. She didn't like their odds, but she wasn't going to let these looters see that.
The leader of the looters, the man with the scar, tilted his head, his grin still plastered across his face. "Come on, now," he said, his voice oozing false charm. "We don't have to make this difficult. Just a little something from your stash. We'll be on our way, no one gets hurt. Easy."
Cass's eyes flicked to Eli, then to Luke, who already had his bow drawn and ready. The stranger stood to the side, her gaze locked on the looters, her body tensed like a coiled spring. She was fast—Eli knew that much—but even with her speed, the situation was dire.
"You're outnumbered," the man continued, his grin widening. "You can't fight us and those," he gestured to the lizard-dogs, their massive jaws snapping as they paced in place, "without losing something—or someone."
Eli's heart raced as he weighed the options. The looters were confident, too confident. They had the numbers, the beasts, and the weapons. But Cass wasn't one to give in, and he knew she'd rather fight to the death than hand over anything.
"You're right," Cass said suddenly, her voice cool, almost bored. "We are outnumbered."
Eli's stomach dropped at her words, wondering if she was about to do the unthinkable—surrender.
Then, in a flash of movement so quick that Eli barely saw it coming, Cass hurled a small rock she had picked up in her hand, smashing it into the muzzle of the nearest lizard-dog. The creature, startled and enraged, let out a furious roar, thrashing wildly as its rider struggled to control it.
"Run!" Cass shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.
The world seemed to explode into motion. The lizard-dog bucked and snapped, its rider fighting to keep it steady, but the creature's sudden burst of fury sent the looters scrambling. The man with the scar cursed loudly, pulling hard on the reins of his own beast as it lunged forward, jaws snapping dangerously close to Luke.
Eli didn't wait to see what happened next—he ran.
His feet pounded against the cracked earth as he sprinted, weaving through the rubble of the ruined buildings, Luke and the stranger close behind. The looters were shouting now, their lizard-dogs roaring as they gave chase, the sound of their heavy footsteps rumbling through the air.
Cass was ahead of them, her body low and fast as she led the way through the narrow streets, her movements precise and calculated. The looters were on their heels, but the tight passageways made it harder for the lizard-dogs to follow at full speed.
Eli's heart pounded in his chest, his breath coming in short, sharp bursts as he pushed himself harder, his mind racing. They couldn't outrun the looters forever—eventually, the creatures would catch up, and when they did, there would be no more chances to run.
"Split up!" Cass shouted over her shoulder, her voice barely audible over the rumbling of the lizard-dogs.
Without hesitation, Eli veered left, Luke and the stranger darting in different directions. The looters hesitated, their beasts snarling and thrashing as they tried to decide who to follow.
Eli's lungs burned as he ran through the narrow alleyways, his heart pounding in his ears. He could hear the looters cursing behind him, the heavy thud of the lizard-dog's footsteps growing closer with each passing second. He couldn't keep running like this—he had to think of something, or they'd catch him.
As he rounded a corner, Eli spotted a collapsed building ahead, its walls half-caved in, leaving a small opening at the base. It wasn't much, but it was enough. Without thinking, he threw himself into the rubble, squeezing through the gap and crawling inside just as the thundering footsteps closed in behind him.
The lizard-dog let out a furious growl as it skidded to a halt outside the building, its massive jaws snapping at the air just inches from Eli's face. He pressed himself deeper into the rubble, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he waited, his heart hammering in his chest.
Outside, the looters cursed again, tugging on the reins of their beasts as they searched for him. The lizard-dog snarled, its nose sniffing the air, but it couldn't reach him. Eli stayed still, his muscles tense, waiting for the moment to pass.
Minutes felt like hours as the looters circled the building, but eventually, they moved on, their voices fading into the distance. Eli let out a shaky breath, his body sagging with relief. He had escaped—for now.
Crawling out from the rubble, he glanced around, trying to get his bearings. He had lost sight of the others, but he knew they would be nearby, hiding just as he was. They had to regroup, but first, he needed to make sure it was safe.
Moving cautiously, Eli slipped through the streets, keeping to the shadows as he searched for the others. His heart still pounded in his chest, but the adrenaline was wearing off, leaving him feeling drained, exhausted.
He found Cass first. She was crouched behind a broken wall, her face streaked with dirt and sweat, but her eyes were still sharp, focused. She met his gaze and gave a small nod—relief, but no words.
Luke and the stranger appeared not long after, both looking equally worn but unharmed. They gathered in silence, their breathing heavy, their bodies tense.
"We have to keep moving," Cass said quietly, her voice steady despite the exhaustion in her eyes. "They'll be back."
Eli nodded, but the weight of the day pressed down on him like a lead blanket. The looters had been close—too close—and next time, they wouldn't be so lucky.
As they set off again, Eli couldn't shake the feeling that this fight was far from over.