They grabbed the sack and turned to run from the creature's deadly claws.
They exchanged a silent fleeting glance in understanding and with a shared nod, they ran, their movements was quick and deliberate but the haste they used as they moved was in caution.
The creature's blindness made it senses reliant on the sounds and any noise that could betray its pray position.
Ryan and Samuel knew they had to be like ghosts, they needed to be invisible and silent.
Samuel's heart pounded in his chest, threatening to betray their location. He slowly controlled his breathing, slowing his exhales to minimize the rustle of leaves beneath their feet. Ryan mirrored his actions.
The creature's ears moved to the slightest noise, twitching with every movement. The creature claws scraped against tree trunks, marking its path as it stalked its prey. The sounds made them suddenly dunk, thinking it was at them, they gritted his teeths with samuel leading the way to the iron door.
Ryan followed closely with the sack in his hand, the shovel long forgotten, his gaze darted between the forest floor and their pursuer's location. The creature's growls and snarls grew louder as it became frustrated.
Ryan and Samuel reached the iron door that was half hidden in the ground, the door's surface was weathered, with vines and moss clinging to its edges but to access their sanctuary beneath, they needed to signal Aria, who waited anxiously on the other side, her ears straining for the signal agreed upon.
The signal that was carefully planned beforehand, was three distinct knocks on the door that would alert Aria to their presence. However, the creature's accurate hearing made this simple task hard. One little sound would betray their location, drawing the creature's deadly attention.
Samuel's eyes moved onto Ryan's, seeking confirmation and Ryan nodded curtly, his gaze scanning their surroundings for any sign of the creature they had lost it.
Ryan's eyes narrowed, assessing the risks, they just hoped for Aria to open the door as quickly as they did the first signal.
With a deep breath, Samuel positioned himself beside the door, his foot hovering above the metal. The sound would echo through the forest and it was a beacon for the creature.
Ryan placed a reassuring hand on Samuel shoulder. "Ready?" he mouthed, and Samuel nodded, he brought his heel down, striking the door three times quickly.
Knock. Knock. Knock. The metallic sound reverberated through the forest, a stark contrast to the eerie silence. Ryan winced, anticipating the creature's response. The sound waves seemed to hang in the air and they were vulnerable and exposed.
"Grrrrrrr" The forest stillness shattered as the creature's roar shook the trees. Its claws scraped against the rocky edge, closer now. Ryan grip on the sack in his shoulder tightened.
"Aria, now!" Samuel whispered urgently, praying she'd heard the signal.
Ryan held his breath as the door cracked open, the hinges still creaking in protest. Samuel didn't waste a moment, leveraging his strength to push the door wide open and he's footsteps echoed loudly on the first step as he quickly entered.
Ryan's eyes was fixed on the creature as it's razor sharp claw swiped through the air mere inches from their escape route, hitting the opened door loudly. Adrenaline fueled Ryan's leg and he darted into the opening.
"Close it, close it!" Ryan shouted urgently to Aria and she slammed her palm onto the button.
Time slowed as the creature's claw stabbed forward aiming for Ryan's back. Ryan felt a jolt of terror, anticipating the agonizing pain but the door's edge sliced through the air, mere millimeters from the creature's claw and the claw stabbed deep into the sack that was slung on Ryan shoulder.
Tearing the fabric before the door slammed shut and the sound of crunching bone and scraping metal made Ryan's stomach churn.
The door's edge had bit into the claw, severing it with a sickening crunch.The creature's anguished roar shook the door, its fury muffled by the thick metal. Ryan exhaled, his chest heaving from all the work.
Samuel grasped his shoulder, his eyes wide with relief and with a grin on his lips. "We made it." Aria leaned against the wall at the far end of the stairs, her face was radiating happiness.
The sudden silence was calm, punctuated only by their ragged breathing. "Are you hurt?" Aria asked Ryan from her spot.
Ryan shook his head, still catching his breath. "The sack...took the hit." Ryan turned, inspecting the sack. The creature's claw had torn through the fabric but their precious soil remained intact with a small place leaking.
For a moment, they stood in silence, listening to the creature's enraged bellows.
The fluorescent lights above gave them shadows on the walls and Ryan's gaze locked onto the severed claw.
Ryan and Samuel began to descend down the stairs, each step sounding beneath their feet was like a countdown to safety. Ryan clutches the torn sack that was leaking a fine trail of their precious soil onto the steps.
As they reached the bottom, Aria greeted them with a mix of relief and happiness as her eyes locked onto the sack. "Did you get it?"
Ryan nodded, adjusting his grip on the sack. "Most of it. The creature attacked just as we were leaving."
Aria's gaze flicked to the torn fabric. "We'll have to assess the damage. Every soil counts." Aria leaned on her walking stick.
She turned and began walking toward the solid closed wall at the tunnel, Ryan and Samuel, following behind her.
Aria stopped at the front and pressed the button labeled "Entrance wall" on the remote. The wall slid open with a low hum and their safety home greeted them.
The warm light spilled out, bathing them in its comforting glow and they stepped through the opening, into their haven.
Samuel gaze swept the cozy space, taking in the familiar place. Samuel's shoulders relaxed, his face easing into a wild smile. "I'm never leaving this place again." Ryan nodded, feeling the weight of their ordeal slowly lifting.
"Same."