The creature's thunderous roar grew louder, shaking the earth. "Grrrrrrr" echoed through the forest, sending shivers down their spines. The ground trembled beneath their feet, causing leaves to rustle and branches to sway.
"Look out!" Samuel shouted as he quickly hid behind a large tree, its trunk thick with deep scars etched into its body, the creature's sharp leg shot out to strike again.
Ryan, who was running ahead saw the creature's leg coming towards him and he quickly dodged to the side with Aria still clinging to him, avoiding the deadly blow by mere inches.
The creature's leg crashed into the ground and Ryan quickly spin around while raising his gun and he fired, hitting the creature right at one eye.
"BANG!" The sound of the gun echoed through the forest, reverberating off the trees, as Ryan shot again, this time hitting the creature's other eye with precision.
"Hahaha, take that, you fucking beast!" Samuel yelled from behind, pumping his fist in joy.
The creature let out a deafening screech, stumbling backwards, its massive body crashing into the trees, sending branches and leaves snapping.
Samuel quickly moved out from his hiding spot behind the tree, realizing the creature's body was also going to land on the tree he was hiding behind.
He narrowly avoided being flattened by the creature that is now blinded and enraged.
The blinded creature moved aimlessly, its screams echoing through the forest like a tormented soul, the creature body thrashed about, sending trees swaying.
Aria clings tighter to Ryan's back, her face buried in the warmth of his shoulder as they scanned through the dense and dark forest.
The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves. The only sound apart from the creatures bloody scream was the soft crunch of leaves and snapping of twigs beneath Ryan's feet.
Aria felt Ryan muscles stiffen beneath her, his shoulders squaring as he stood frozen.
"What are you doing?" Aria whispered quickly and quietly into Ryan's ear, her voice laced with concern at his stiff body.
The creature moves aimlessly, its presence filled the forest . The faint moonlight danced across its form, casting shadows that made it almost impossible to discern any defining features.
"We're supposed to be moving north, remember?" Ryan whispered low as he retreated back to the familiar path they had previously ran from. .
Aria's grip on Ryan's shoulders tightened, her injured leg throbbing with each step. She couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of her stomach since their chaotic escape from the cabin. The unexpected creature attack had thrown them off course, forcing them to retrace their steps and abandon their initial plan to head north.
Samuel, who had been walking towards them halted in his tracks, his eyes darting from Ryan to Aria. "We're moving back?" he asked, confusion on his face, as he fell in step behind Ryan. His brow furrowed because they were heading directly to the blind creature now.
Aria's mind replayed the chaos that had erupted at the cabin. The creature's sudden appearance, its razor sharp legs slicing through the air had sent them running in panic. The image of those deadly limbs was seared into her memory.
The creature sharp legs shot out again, this time longer and more probing, as if sensing their proximity.
Ryan swiftly ducked behind a tree, motioning for the Samuel to follow suit. "Get down!" he mouthed, his eyes on the creature's jerky movements. Samuel mirrored Ryan's actions, disappearing behind a nearby tree too.
Aria leaned against Ryan's back, her injured leg stretched out awkwardly, as they hid behind the tree. The rough bark pressed against her cheek, and she held her breath, her heart racing in anticipation.
The creature's legs swept the air, mere feet from their hiding spot. Samuel's whispered a question "How does it sense us?" The words hung in the air, unanswered.
Ryan's and Samuel eyes met, they had to wait it out, hoping the creature would lose interest and wander off but as the moments ticked by, the creature grew more aggressive, its presence a constant reminder of the danger that lurked in these woods.
"How long do we wait?" Samuel whispered over the sound of the creature's scraping legs.
Ryan's response was a shrug. The silence stretched out, punctuated only by the creature's relentless search for them.
Aria's leg pulsed with pain, and she shifted her weight on Ryan's back, trying to find a more comfortable position. Ryan's hand reached back, gently adjusting his grip on her legs, offering what little support he could.
"We move quietly," Ryan mouthed, his lips barely moving to Samuel.
Aria's grip on Ryan's neck tightened, her slender fingers digging gently into his skin as she peered around his broad shoulder looking at the creature that was moving blindly.
Ryan's senses were on high alert, his eyes straining to detect any sign of movement from that was headed their way from the creature.
Ryan nodded to Samuel and then carefully moved from the tree, his movements fluid like a predator unfolding from a crouch.
Samuel mirrored Ryan's actions, his feet barely making a sound as they carefully and quietly moved from the tree.
Samuel's eyes darted to the blinded creature, the lean body stumbling uncontrollably through the forest. The creature's claws moved wildly, ripping through the brushes as it careened off a tree trunk.
The sound of wood snapping filled the air as the creature crashed to the ground.
"Grrrrrrrr!!" the creature bellowed, its scream echoing through the forest.
Ryan quickly seized the opportunity, his adrenaline fueled legs bursted into a frantic sprint with Aria tightly held on his back, his feet pounded against the damp earth.
The sound of Aria's heartbeat echoed in his ears, and his lungs burned with each ragged breath. Samuel followed closely behind, his breathing rapid and shallow, their frantic footsteps echoing through the deserted forest.
"Snap." the sound was heard and it was Samuel who mistakingly stepped on a twing. (^^)