Causing a Scene in Stockton's Square

A forceful thump from within caused the cellar doors to rattle against the lock.

A second thump bent the lock's half-inch thick shackle.

A third snapped the lock apart as the cellar doors burst open.

A pale, lanky humanoid careened out of the dark cellar into the dusty alley. The creature gasped and immediately raised its elongated, bone-thin arms to shield its eyes from the barely visible sliver of sunlight to the east. The shafts of half a dozen crossbow bolts protruded from various places along its naked body, including one buried a few inches into the back of its head.

Carried by its momentum from smashing through the cellar doors, the creature slammed against the opposite wall of the alley. Despite its spindly frame, the slats of the wall cracked inward from the impact. Two of the hawthorn bolt shafts in its chest held under the force, driving them even deeper through its thin torso. The wicked silver-plated broadheads slid between its ribs and burst out its back. Dark, syrupy ichor oozed from the exit wounds.

A shrill, bone-chilling scream not unlike a wounded mountain lion emitted from the creature's mouth. It echoed throughout the alley for only a moment before becoming a wet gurgle as another bolt shot out from the dark depths of the cellar and impaled the creature in the neck. Only its leathery hide – for it was far too thick and resistant to be called skin anymore – prevented the bolt from piercing clean through. The fiend slumped to the ground, gasping as it clawed at its throat. It's long, taloned fingers were ill-suited for grasping something so thin, but they finally found purchase and snapped the fletching off before sliding the shaft free with a wet, sucking sound.

Despite suffering horrific wounds, the creature rose with a modicum of grace and dashed down the long alley toward the square with frightening speed. The sheer length of its arms enabled it to move in an ape-like gallop, gaining considerable distance with each stride.

An imposing hunter, garbed in a mottled cloak of browns and greens, stepped out from the dank cellar into the crisp morning air. Placing their boot into the cocking stirrup of their crossbow, the hunter bent over to grab the thick string, then yanked hard until it locked into the latch with a sharp click. Reaching into the quiver at their thigh, they removed a bolt tipped with two metal balls and loaded it into the crossbow. Taking aim, they sent the bolt zipping down the alley and immediately set off in a sprint. As it flew, the steel balls spread apart, unraveling a length of wire previously coiled around the shaft.

The bola struck the monster's legs as it entered the square, which was all but empty due to the early hour. Only the town's elderly lamplighter was present at the far end, midway through extinguishing the streetlamps and braziers for the day. The creature shrieked in surprise as it tumbled forward, collapsing into a tangled heap against the bone-dry fountain in the center of the square. The commotion drew the lamplighter's attention, causing the old man to cry out in terror as he ducked behind a wagon.

The hunter slowed to a walk and slung the crossbow over their shoulder as they approached the dusty mass of limbs. Drawing a large revolver from their hip, they took aim and shot the creature directly in the forehead as it struggled to disentangle itself. The bullet barely dented the creature's hardened skull, but still dazed it enough for the hunter to continue their advance. Placing the edge of their callused palm on the hammer of the revolver, they rapidly fanned the hammer until it clicked empty. Round after round pummeled the creature's skull, eventually shattering bone and blinding the creature as its face was pulverized.

But it wasn't enough.

Despite the immense cranial trauma, the creature still wildly lashed out in the direction of its attacker, forcing the hunter to jump away from the swinging claws. Getting a moment of reprieve, the hunter finally noticed the audience their little display had gathered.