Simon didn't get far before his instincts screamed at him to stop.
The warehouse's hum had gone silent, replaced by the heavy scrape of claws against concrete. He turned, his back to the cold night air, facing the hulking hybrid as it stalked toward him with murderous intent.
It wasn't going to stop.
He gritted his teeth, his hands tightening into fists.
His blood pounded in his ears, hot and insistent, urging him forward rather than away. He couldn't keep running; this thing would chase him until he was too weak to fight back.
"Fine," Simon muttered, his voice low and sharp. "You want me? Here I am."
The hybrid growled, the guttural sound reverberating through the air like a predator savoring its kill. It crouched, muscles coiling as it prepared to pounce.
