Jiang's breath came in ragged bursts as he huddled behind an overturned examination table in the care center. His flipper throbbed in agonizing pain, the result of his earlier struggle with the shadowy figure. Even now, he could hear the faint, ominous shuffle of its steps as it stalked the room, seeking him out. Every slight movement made his broken flipper scream in pain, but he couldn't let it stop him. Not now.
The woman lay unconscious not far from him, knocked out by the shadowy figure's earlier blow. Her body slumped on the cold tiles, motionless, while Jiang remained the only one capable of stopping the figure—or at least delaying it long enough to escape.
But how?
His heart raced as he pressed his back against the table, trying to focus. He wasn't strong enough to handle this thing, not yet. The figure had already broken one of his flippers, leaving him helpless. The situation was growing dire, and every second felt like a ticking time bomb.
He took stock of the room, eyes scanning every corner for something—anything—that could help him. Think, Jiang, think! His mind screamed at him, but fear clawed at his thoughts. The shadowy figure was too powerful, too fast. His abilities were nowhere near developed enough to stand a chance.
But that didn't mean he couldn't try.
Penguin Camouflage. His body shimmered as he activated the ability, his form blending into the surrounding shadows. The pain from his broken flipper flared again, nearly breaking his focus, but he gritted his beak and forced himself to remain still. The figure moved closer, its presence heavy and malevolent. He could feel its gaze sweeping the room, hunting him down like prey.
The seconds stretched into an eternity as Jiang remained hidden, praying that the camouflage would hold long enough for him to come up with a plan. I can't fight it head-on. I need to create a diversion, he thought desperately.
The figure turned its head, its eyes glowing faintly as it scanned the room. Jiang could hear it, feel it drawing nearer. His heart hammered in his chest, threatening to betray his hiding spot.
He glanced toward the door, trying to calculate the distance. If I can just make it there…
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his other flipper. He gasped, instinctively moving—and in that instant, his Penguin Camouflage flickered and vanished. The shadowy figure's glowing eyes snapped toward him.
Jiang's blood turned to ice. I've got to move!
Ignoring the searing pain in his flippers, he slid across the slick tiles, using his belly to gain speed. His only goal now was escape—there was no chance of winning this fight. Not yet.
The figure lunged, its shadowy form stretching and contorting as it swiped at him with claw-like hands. Jiang barely dodged the attack, his body sliding just under the grasp of the figure's outstretched arm. His mind raced as he realized just how close he had come to being caught.
Penguin Reflexes kicked in, sharpening his movements, but even with the added speed, his injuries were catching up to him. His broken flipper flailed uselessly at his side, throwing off his balance. He could feel his body beginning to give out.
I can't keep this up, he thought, panic rising in his chest.
Desperation clawed at him as the shadowy figure closed in once more, its movements quick and lethal. Jiang's vision blurred with the pain, and his broken flipper throbbed with every slight motion. He couldn't keep dodging forever. Sooner or later, the figure would catch him.
Just as he scrambled behind a medical cart, the shadowy figure struck again. Its claws sliced through the air, and this time, they connected.
Jiang let out a squawk of pain as the figure's attack hit his other flipper, breaking it with a sickening crack. His body crumpled to the floor, both flippers now rendered useless.
For a moment, everything stopped. The pain was overwhelming, radiating through his small body in waves. He lay there, panting, his vision darkening around the edges. This is it, he thought. I'm done.
He could hear the figure approaching, its steps slow and deliberate, savoring the moment of victory.
I can't… Jiang's thoughts were disjointed, the pain clouding his mind. I can't do this…
Memories flashed before his eyes—his life before the transformation, the mundane struggles of New York City, the endless deadlines, the weight of his daily grind. And now here he was, a penguin, facing death at the hands of a shadowy monster. It all seemed absurd.
For a brief moment, he felt an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. His flippers were broken, his body battered. What chance did he have? I'm going to die here, he thought, closing his eyes as the shadowy figure loomed over him.
But then, something stirred inside him. A flicker of defiance. No. I can't give up. Not yet.
With what little strength he had left, Jiang opened his eyes. The figure was standing over him, its clawed hand raised for the final blow. It had won, or so it thought.
In a desperate move, Jiang lunged forward, his beak aimed at the figure's leg. It wasn't much—just a small, pitiful attempt to fight back. But as his beak connected, something unexpected happened.
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