"Snap" Fucking stick, Samuel thought.
The blinded creature's head snapped towards the sound, its sharp leg shooting out with deadly precision to strike the ground mere inches from Samuel's fleeing form.
Samuel had anticipated the attack, knowing the creature would use the sound to detect where he was. Samuel quickly jumped forward, his feet pounding the earth in a swift and silent rhythm.
Meanwhile, Ryan was already at the front with Aria clinging to his back as he ran with a mix of urgency and caution. Aria injured leg wrapped tightly around his waist and her face was buried in the crook of Ryan's neck, wincing with each jarring step Ryan took.
Samuel glanced over his shoulder to see that the creature that was supposed to be blind is still following them, the creature was using it's hearing sense to detect where they were running to.
Ryan and Samuel quickly slowed their pace, their frantic footsteps quieting to a soft strides. They needed to run but quietly.
They both ran with calculated caution, watching their steps to avoid twigs or dried leaves that would betray their location to the blind creature.
It was hard to run quickly and quietly with how the forest floor is filled with dried leaves and sticks that could easily make sounds.
The darkness surrounding them at the sky began to disappear, indicating that dawn was approaching. The sky transformed into a deep shade of indigo, with mixes of purple and pink blending across the sky. The stars still twinkled like diamonds scattered across the horizon too.
The creature who was heavily chasing them suddenly froze. Its head crocking to one side, as if listening for the faintest whisper of its prey.
Ryan and Samuel continued their quiet run, their breathing controlled because damn if it was audible that blind creature would attack.
Aria's grip on Ryan's neck tightened, her injured leg wrapped securely around his waist. Her face was buried in the crook of his neck, her warm breath fanning his neck.
"Grrrrrrr!" the creature screamed frustrated, its frustration echoing through the forest. The sound waves rippled through the air, making the rigid trees seeming to tremble.
Aria's hold on Ryan's neck constricted further, her fingers digging into his skin as she looked back and saw that the creature had stopped it chase on them.
"Grrrrrrr." The creature's enraged roar pierced the air once more, sending shivers down their spines. Its blindness seemed to heighten its other senses, making it even more formidable. The ground trembled beneath their feet as it took a step forward.
Ryan quickened his pace with Samuel following closely. Aria's breath came in short gasps even when she wasn't running. The forest seemed to blur around them, the trees becoming a green and brown haze.
The creature's screams grew fainter, its raged filled voice was lost to the distance as they kept running.
Ryan's legs pumped furiously, his feet pounding the earth hard as aria clings tightly to his back, her injured leg wrapped securely around his waist.
"BAM" In an instant, Ryan's leg hit something hard that was unseen in the fading darkness.
Ryan fell to the ground, his palms scraping against the rough earth, his leg had hit a tree root or something when running.
Aria, still clinging to his back, fell with him. Her injured leg throbbing hard, sending a searing pain through her limb. She bit her lower lip, trying hard to not scream, in fear for the creature not to detect them.
Samuel that was running behind them, slowed to a stop. His chest heaved with exhaustion, his breathing labored and his lungs burning from the exertion.
"I think we lost the fucker," he said low, while scanning the surrounding area.
Ryan groaned and struggled to sit up, his hands grasping the forest ground for support. The rough earth scraped against his palms, and the leaves crunched beneath him.
"What the hell did I trip over?" he muttered with frustration and exhaustion.
Aria winced too, her eyes squinting in pain. She carefully unwrapped her injured leg from Ryan's waist, her movements slow in order not to strain the leg.
"Tree root, must have been hidden under the leaves." Samuel said, moving towards them.
Aria rubbed her sore leg while wincing in pain. "Great. Just what we needed." she said, looking at their surroundings more clearer, ensuring they were still safe.
Ryan eyes flicked to Aria, remembering she fell to with him. "Are you okay?"
Aria nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just my injuries." She forced a reassuring smile.
Samuel dropped down to the ground where Ryan had tripped over. He scattered leaves that were covering something.
Ryan stood up, dusting off his worn-out pants, the fabric thin and frayed in places, revealing patches of dirt beneath it.
"We need to keep moving. We can't stay here," Ryan said, moving to Aria's side.
Aria looked up at Ryan, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered as Ryan helped her up, gently lifting her onto his back again.
Aria wrapped her arms around his neck, her injured leg wrapping securely around his waist while she buried her face in the crook of his neck and lets out a sigh.
Samuel continued scattering the leaves, his knees digging into the damp earth, while kneeling on the ground.
His eyes were solely fixed on the ground in concentration, as he uncovered leaves upon leaves.
"Let's go, Samuel," Aria said with urgency, as Ryan didn't even bother calling for Samuel, who was still engrossed in uncovering whatever he had discovered. Aria's injured leg throbbed with pain.
Ryan walked forward, Aria still secured to his back, her injured leg wrapped tightly around his waist. The weight of her body pressed against him, but he didn't falter.
"Samuel, come on!" Aria called out again, her words echoing through the dense forest.
Samuel looked up,"Guys!" he shouted with excitement at what he had discovered.
Ryan stopped and side-eyed him, annoyance filling his face. "What?" Ryan asked with clenched jaw.
"Come check this out," Samuel said, moving his eyes back to the ground, his hand gesturing to something hidden beneath the brushes and the leaves scattered around his kneeling form.