It's The End of the World... And I Feel Fine (The Adventures of Max Harvey)

Chapter 8

It was a beautiful evening, I wandered through the camp, my thoughts heavy with the day's trials. Then I stumbled upon a scene that pierced his heart like a dagger—Luke and Ruby, locked in an embrace, their lips pressed together in a tender kiss.

A surge of jealousy and hurt gripped my chest. He stood frozen, unable to tear his eyes away from the sight before him. Luke noticed Max's presence and pulled away from Ruby, a cocky grin spreading across his face.

"Hey, Max," Luke said casually, his tone dripping with satisfaction.

My fists clenched at his sides, a torrent of emotions roiling within him. Ruby glanced at Max, her expression caught between guilt and concern.

"Max, I..." Ruby began, her voice faltering.

I turned on my heel and stormed away, my footsteps echoing through the camp. Marco, sensing Max's distress, followed after him, concern etched on his face.

"Max, wait," Marco called out, reaching for his friend's shoulder.

I rounded on Marco, anger blazing in my eyes. "Why didn't you do something? You saw them together!"

Marco held up his hands, trying to placate my rage. "Max, I tried to intervene, but..."

"But what, Marco?" I snapped, my voice was raw with hurt.

Marco sighed heavily, his brow furrowed with frustration. "I didn't want to make things worse. Luke's... Luke."

I shook my head in disbelief, his heart pounding with betrayal and resentment. "You should have done something. Anything."

Marco's shoulders slumped, guilt weighing heavily on him. "I'm sorry, Max. I'll... I'll talk to Ruby. I'll make sure she knows..."

"It doesn't matter now," I interrupted bitterly, turning away from Marco. "Just leave me alone."

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Night descended like a heavy veil over the camp, the crackle of the fire the only sound breaking the eerie silence. Exhausted from the day's challenges orchestrated by the enigmatic old woman, I lay down on my makeshift bedroll, hoping for a moment's reprieve from the trials that had beset us.

But the tranquility of the night was shattered by a sudden, sinister presence.

"Max, Ruby, Marco go on a food patrol will you?" The old woman asked them. Ruby looked at me

and shrugged. It was getting late so we ran into the forest together.

Me, Ruby, and Marco patrolled the perimeter of the camp, alert and wary. The forest around them seemed alive with hidden threats, every rustle of leaves sending a jolt of adrenaline through their veins.

A shadowy figure darted between the trees, barely visible in the darkness. Marco raised a hand, signaling for silence, his eyes scanning the surroundings with keen intensity.

"Did you see that?" Ruby whispered, her voice barely audible over the rustling leaves.

Before Marco could respond, a monstrous creature emerged from the shadows—a nightmare given form. Its eyes glinted with malevolence as it lunged at Marco with lightning speed.

"Marco, watch out!" I yelled, heart pounding in my chest.

Marco reacted with lightning reflexes, wielding his spear with practiced skill. He managed to deflect the creature's initial attack, but it was relentless in its pursuit. Me and Ruby rushed to Marco's side, weapons at the ready, determined to protect their friend at all costs.

In the frenzied chaos of battle, tragedy struck. The creature's massive claws caught Ruby off-guard, knocking her to the ground with a sickening thud. She lay motionless, unconscious from the force of the blow.

"Ruby!" I cried out, torn between rushing to her aid and defending against the creature.

Marco fought valiantly, his spear striking true several times, but the creature was too agile, too determined. With a swift, deadly swipe, it bypassed Marco's defenses, delivering a fatal blow.

I... I watched in horror as Marco fell, blood staining the forest floor. He screamed in anguish, pinned to the ground by the weight of grief and helplessness. The creature, satisfied with its kill, retreated into the darkness, leaving behind a scene of devastation.

Kneeling beside Marco's lifeless body, Max felt tears streaming down his face. Ruby stirred weakly nearby, groaning as she regained consciousness.

"We... we couldn't save him," I choked out, my voice thick with grief.

Ruby nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. "I know, Max. We tried... we did everything we could."

As dawn painted the sky with tentative light, Me and Ruby sat down on the ground and saw the sun rise as the memory of the creature lashed in our brains.