HYACINTH

chapter 8

[ Threat and A lost soul]

Author pov.

Run. run. run.

That is all what has been on their mind. Bodies working on its own, moving forward with the shear will to live. All of them are out of breath now. The adrenaline rushing in their body is running out. The four of them are in pretty bad shape, But not the creature behind their tail. What even is that. No one knows, but it's clear as daylight that it is going to have its meal for sure.

The loud footsteps behind them slowly but surely are getting quitter as minutes pass by. the thick forest clearing up allowing them to see more than only plain old trees. There was a hope in all of them, that they will find some life there, or just the creature behind them finds one.

"I- am out of breath can we stop now." Arlo huffed taking deep breaths. Still running slowly.

"He is right. We should stop." Kane supported him coming to a halt.

"There aren't any sounds of the creature behind us so we can stop for a little I guess." Luke said, sitting under an old looking tree nearby forcing Lavinia to do so.

they have been settled for solid two minutes, but their senses aren't. ears all perked up, eyes looking around to find any danger. They are in a more stable condition now, but one isn't.he is afraid. Not from the death. But because of the people he came with. He can't leave them nor let them die. Some people are just too pure to this world. They try to fix everyone's problems, even if it means to break them. Just like that he is afraid. He has seen and heard about the dreams of the people whom he came with. He wants them to live a happy life just before all this happened. Life for sure has favorites at this point.

No one seems to talk about the weird encounter they had just before. All of them moving forward walking slowly arguing about idiot reasons. A weak attempt to lighten up the mood, and ignoring the fact that they have life threatening thing in this jungle running freely.

Lavinia pov:

my heart rate hasn't slowed down yet, after that terrifying encounter. just a moment ago we all were on the verge of death by an unknown creature. Hell, I even doubt that it gave up on us. It is surely waiting for the perfect time. I can sense Lukes tight grip on my wrist loosen. He looks equally afraid, exhausted but still on high alert. If he didn't notice, we would have been a dinner to that thing. Taking in a deep breath I looked up the forest. the sun is soon going to set.

"We should head back, its going get dark." Ken murmured.

"So, what, go back!! Who knows that thing isn't waiting for us." Luke snaped at him.

He clearly isn't fond of going back the way we came from. He is right, there is a chance that thing might wait for us. But this lifeless Forrest isn't an idle place to spend the night and we don't have any foods. It's better to go back to others and tell them about this. His grip on my hand tightens again. Shit. He is angry.

"You both calm down. Last thing we want is fight here." I said looking at Luke.

"Like I will do that." He rolled his eyes at me.

"Did you just roll your eyes on me." I blurted out in disbelief. "Out of all people here, you are most likely start it."

"Are you supporting them. Last thing I will do is walking back there."

"Suit yourself then, because I am not going to spend the night in here."

"Gosh, why can't you understand. Going back could kill us." he shouted disappointedly.

"You are the one who isn't understanding. Staying here at night, there is much more likely that we would die before we see tomorrow's sunlight." I shouted back.

It's not that I am favoring anyone, but staying here could get us killed. True, I am afraid of going back the path we came but there isn't any other way. We would get lost if we went further than this. We don't even know if we aren't lost now also. Here I am doing the last thing I wanted to do, fighting with Luke. But he needs to know that. He isn't thinking rationally. I know that he wants us to be safe. For that he needs to think with his brain not from his heart. The fear of losing someone isn't just as simple as it sounds. I have been through it, and he knows that.

"Ok, ok enough. Cut it out guys." Arlo said trying to calm the situation before it gets more intense.

"How about we go back by a different rout." Kane suggested.

"We could get lost... how about we go back the way we came but this time be more defensive." Arlo said grabbing a fallen branch near the tree.

"That should do, right?" I asked Luke, but he ignored me. Damn this shit hurts.

He thinks he can play this game. He is wrong. Two can play this and I will show him who can do it better. If he is the alpha male, I will be the omega female who will take him. I have the right to be angry with him as much as he does.

"Let's go." I said turning around and moving forward faster.

I don't care if three of them are following me or not. I just want to get out of here. All of this wouldn't happen if I agreed with others, rather than what I have done. It's true that they all want me to express what I want and feel. But this is one of the main reasons I never have shared my opinion to others expect the seven of them. Shit goes wrong so much when they consider what I say. It's true they have adjusted back in the days. But this was, my idea. Even though Zeke recommended this, it's all on me. Only if-

"Hey... is that a human?" my thoughts stopped when I heard Arlo say.

I quickly wiped the tears rolling on my cheeks and turn around. Only to see three of them looking to right. I am glad Luke came with us. A small smile cracked up. Taking a breath of relief, I turned to where they are looking only for the smile that showed up to become a frown.

Yes, that looks like a human. But something is off. Like how they have survived till this long, that too alone. Maybe others got caught by the thing. Or they just got here like us. But its behavior isn't humane. Like its all wiggly and walking weirdly. But that might be from the injuries, it isn't that far away from us, and I can clearly see the blood everywhere.

"Maybe that is... we should help." Kane commented worriedly.

Before I could say anything, Arlo rushed towards them, shouting to get their attention. It became on a halt, like completely stopped. Arlo fasted his speed as I took a step back. And another. This is wrong. It's very wrong. That thing isn't a human. I looked at Luke who was looking at me. Like he could read my mind he shouted to Arlo to come back.

Fear visible in his eyes as he sprinted towards me and grabbed my hand along with Kane's. pulling us towards him as he shouted again. Arlo heard the shout, but it is too late. That thing suddenly turned around swiftly grabbing Arlo's arm, and bites in to it.

A loud scream echoed through the forest as I looked at the scene happening before my eyes. That thing is feeding on Arlo's now lifeless body letting out weird loud screeches every two bites. I don't know what happened, I wanted to scream but my throat is dry, whole body shaking. Mind screaming me to run away like a chant. But I can't get my legs to move. Witnessing a ghor some death was not on by bucket list, neither I was looking forward to it in my life.

I can feel the air hitting my face, but I can't focus on anything.my mind keeps repeating the tragic scene again and again. My legs are moving but they are numb. Like it's not in my control. My vision is getting blurry, but the tears aren't falling. I can't hear anything except my own heartbeats and thoughts. Am I going to die. Is this what it feels like to die. It's so peaceful. Except it's not. I looked up the sky to see the vibrant colors of the sunset which is becoming blurry time by time. I can hear someone talking to me. But I can't really comprehend what.

"You are strong--- you can—"

End of chapter eight