Silver Rain

Chapter 28

Each step the shadow bodies took towards Olivia and Felix hammered in her mind, even if their steps were as light as a feather. Each advance caused her stomach to drop and her heart to thud in her chest.

One shadow body was bad enough, but two? That was like dancing with the devil.

The leathery dark skin and winding limbs moved with a terrifying purpose, their fluid, unnatural movements making it clear that this wasn't a battle they could easily win. It had been a few days, two weeks almost, since the last time they encountered a shadow body. Last time, Felix was able to shield her scent from the creatures, this time, there was no way to avoid them. There was no hiding from them now. The shadow bodies were locked onto them, their glowing eyes piercing through the darkness with a malevolent hunger. Each step they took seemed to make the air thicker, and more oppressive, as if the very atmosphere was conspiring against Olivia and Felix.

"Liv, at the first chance you get, you need to run." Felix's hand squeezed against her.

"No, I won't-"

"I'm not asking you to." Felix's voice turned into a near growl. "I think I can hold them off long enough for you to get into the SUV and try to drive far enough to call Calvin."

"Felix, they're after me." Olivia tried holding the tremor in her voice, but even she knew it was a terrible job. "You know what they're capable of. And I can't drive!"

Felix's eyes softened for a moment, despite the grim situation. "I know, Liv. That's why I'm telling you to run. You're what matters. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

Olivia's chest tightened. She could feel her eyes burn, but she instead focused on the task at hand. "I'm not going to let you sacrifice yourself for me," she said, her voice firm despite the quiver in her heart. "We face this together, just like we always do."

The shadow bodies drew closer, their movements eerily synchronized, like predators closing in for the kill. Their unnatural forms twisted and shifted in the dim light, their empty eyes glowing with a sickly, otherworldly hue. They seemed to feed off the fear in the air, growing stronger with every passing second.

Felix's jaw tightened, his gaze flicking between the advancing creatures and Olivia. "We don't have time to argue, Liv. They're almost on us. Please, just—" He cut himself off, his grip on her arm tightening, as if he was trying to anchor her to the moment. "I can't lose you."

Olivia swallowed hard, her mind racing. She knew Felix was right; their chances were slim if they stayed and fought. But the thought of running, of leaving him to face the shadow bodies alone, was too much to bear. She had to find another way, something that didn't involve either of them sacrificing themselves.

Before she could react, one of the shadow bodies lunged at them, its elongated, sinewy limbs reaching out with unnatural speed. Felix pushed Olivia behind him, his body coiled and ready to fight as he pushed it with inhuman stregenth against the wall. Felix's attempt to stun the shadow body barely fazed it. 

The creature's sinewy limbs twisted and contorted as it pushed itself back up, its glowing eyes fixed on Felix with an unnerving intensity. The second shadow body, seizing the opportunity, darted around Felix, its movements unnaturally fast as it made a beeline for Olivia.

Felix—her hero—was already on it.

Felix moved with a speed that was almost impossible to track, his body a blur as he intercepted the second shadow body. He slammed into it with full force, knocking it away from Olivia before it could reach her. The creature hissed, its limbs flailing as it tried to regain its balance, but Felix didn't give it a chance. He was relentless, his every movement fueled by a fierce determination to protect Olivia.