The Hunter snarled as it scrambled back to its feet, its sinewy frame twisting unnaturally.
Alex kept himself between the creature and the kids, gripping his knife so tightly his knuckles turned white.
The faint light from above glinted off its razor-sharp claws as it lunged again, faster this time.
Alex sidestepped, slashing at the creature's side as it passed.
The blade bit into its pale flesh, but the Hunter barely reacted, twisting midair with a guttural snarl.
Alex ducked just in time to avoid a swipe aimed at his head, the claws slicing cleanly through a rusted pipe behind him.
"Stay close to the wall!" he shouted to Sam and Chloe, risking a glance over his shoulder.
"Don't move unless I tell you!"
The kids nodded, their wide eyes fixed on the fight.
The Hunter circled Alex now, more cautious after the initial blows. Its glowing eyes flicked between him and the knife, calculating.
Alex could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins, heightening his senses.
Every creak of the tunnel, every drip of water from the ceiling, seemed amplified. He couldn't afford a single mistake.
It darted forward suddenly, feinting to the left before slashing at Alex's right side.
He barely blocked it, the force of the attack sending vibrations up his arm. He retaliated with a heavy kick to its knee, the enhanced strength from his ability making the creature stagger
"Come on,"
" Alex growled, advancing now.
He delivered a series of quick strikes-one to its shoulder, another across its chest. Each blow made it reel, but it recovered faster than he expected. Its body trembled violently, as though the damage was destabilizing it, yet it refused to fall.
The Hunter let out a high-pitched shriek, its claws scraping against the concrete wall as it backed up. For a moment, Alex thought it might retreat. Instead, it launched itself into the air, using the wall as a springboard.
Alex, look out!" Chloe screamed.
He dove to the side just as the creature slammed down where he'd been standing, the impact cracking the floor beneath it.
Rolling to his feet, Alex realized the knife alone wasn't enough. The creature was relentless, and while it couldn't take much damage, it was faster and more adaptable than he'd expected.
"Think, Alex. Think," he muttered under his breath, scanning the tunnel.
His eyes landed on a thick broken pipe jutting out of the debris near Sam and Chloe. It was rusted but solid enough to serve as a makeshift weapon
"Sam, throw me that pipe!" he shouted.
The boy hesitated, his hands trembling as he picked up the heavy metal rod.
With a grunt, he tossed it to Alex, who caught it mid-air just as the Hunter lunged again.
This time, Alex didn't retreat.
He swung the pipe with all his strength, connecting with the side of the Hunter's head. T
he impact sent it crashing into the wall, where it slumped, dazed,
"Stay down,"
Alex growled, advancing again. He brought the pipe down on its torso, the sound of metal meeting bone echoing through the tunnel. The creature writhed, its shrieks piercing and desperate.
But it wasn't done. With a final, desperate burst of speed, it lashed out, its claws raking across Alex's leg.
Pain shot through him as he stumbled back, but he refused to let it see weakness.
"You're not taking them," he spat raising the pipe again. This time, he aimed for its head.
The strike connected with a sickening crunch, and the Hunter collapsed to the ground, motionless.
Alex stood over it, chest heaving his grip on the pipe tightening as he waited for any sign of movement. When none came, he let the pipe drop, the clang echoing through the tunnel.
"Alex!" Chloe cried, rushing to his side.
"I'm okay," he said, though his leg throbbed with pain. He knelt down, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Are you two all right?"
Sam nodded, though his face was pale. "What was that thing?"
"I don't know, Alex admitted, glancing back at the creature's lifeless form. "But it won't be the last. We need to keep moving.
He tore a strip from his shirt to wrap around his wounded leg, wincing as he tied it tight. Then, with Sam and Chloe close behind, he led them deeper into the tunnel, the faint echoes of their footsteps mingling with the distant sounds of the ruined world above.