Beneath the Surface [Yandere Creature x Reader]

Chapter 15 - Unexpected Ally

The tent flap opened, revealing my boss flanked by two specialists. Their faces were grim, and I felt a chill run down my spine.

"Y/N," my boss began, his voice unnervingly calm, "we've come to a decision."

I struggled to sit up, my casted leg making it difficult. "What decision?" I asked, unable to keep the tremor out of my voice.

One of the specialists stepped forward. "The creature hasn't revealed itself, despite our best efforts. We believe... we may need to use you as bait."

Bait?

No.

No, they can't be serious.

"What? No!" I protested, panic rising in my chest. "You can't do that! It's too dangerous!"

My boss's expression hardened. "I'm afraid this isn't up for discussion, Y/N. The potential knowledge we could gain from this creature is too valuable to pass up. Sometimes, sacrifices must be made in the name of progress."

I opened my mouth to argue further, but before I could utter a word, I saw one of the specialists approaching with a syringe. "Wait, please—" I began, but it was too late. A sharp prick in my arm, and the world began to fade away.

"I'm sorry, Y/N," I heard my boss say, his voice growing distant. "But this is bigger than any of us."

Darkness claimed me, and I knew no more.

When I finally regained consciousness, the first thing I noticed was the silence. Gone was the constant hum of equipment, the murmur of voices, the bustle of the camp. I blinked, trying to clear my foggy vision, and slowly sat up.

The tent was empty. Not just of people, but of everything. The medical equipment, the monitoring devices – all gone. I was on my bed, my casted leg stretched out before me.

What's going on?

Where is everyone?

With great effort, I managed to drag myself to the tent flap and push it open. What I saw outside made my heart skip a beat. The entire camp was deserted. No guards, no researchers, no equipment. It was as if everyone had simply vanished.

They left me.

They actually left me here alone.

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. I remembered my boss's words about using me as bait, and suddenly the emptiness of the camp took on a sinister new meaning. They hadn't just abandoned me – they had deliberately left me here, alone and vulnerable, to draw out the creature.

Panic threatened to overwhelm me, but I forced myself to take deep breaths.

Think, Y/N.

You need to find help.

As I scanned the area, I noticed movement at the edge of the clearing. People – not my team, but locals. They seemed to be going about their daily routines, paying little attention to the abandoned camp or to me.

Maybe they can help.

But how do I communicate with them?

As if in answer to my unspoken question, I spotted a young woman about my age approaching the camp. Unlike the others, she seemed curious about the deserted site. When she saw me, her eyes widened in surprise.

"Hello?" I called out, hoping against hope that she might understand English. "Please, can you help me?"

To my immense relief, she responded in accented but clear English. "You're one of the researchers? What happened here? Where is everyone?"

I quickly explained the situation – or at least, as much as I understood of it. The expedition, the creature, my injury, and finally, being left behind as bait. As I spoke, I watched the young woman's expression change from curiosity to concern to something I couldn't quite read.

When I finished, she was quiet for a moment, processing everything I'd told her. Then, to my surprise, she said, "Yeah... I guess it would be weird."

I blinked, taken aback by her casual response. "Weird? It's terrifying! There's some kind of shapeshifting creature out there, and it could be anyone!"

The young woman tilted her head, a strange smile playing at her lips. "But is it really that horrifying? It could be anyone of you, true. But have you considered... maybe that's not such a bad thing?"

Her words sent a chill down my spine. There was something off about her tone, about the way she was looking at me now. I suddenly remembered the creature's ability to take on different forms, and I felt my heart begin to race.

Could she be...?

No, that's impossible.

Isn't it?

"W-what do you mean?" I stammered, trying to keep my voice steady.

She took a step closer, her eyes never leaving mine. "Maybe, Y/N, it's time you started seeing things from a different perspective. After all, you're part of something much bigger now."

As she spoke, I noticed a faint shimmer in the air around her, like heat haze on a hot day. And in that moment, I realized that my ordeal was far from over. In fact, it might have only just begun.