Touched By A Beast

Chapter 2

Set in my tracks, I could hear several screams from down the hall. There were fewer students than what I had seen before. The echos of soft growls faded down hallways and rooms. I held my fist tightly, ready to pounce on anyone who dared to attack me. The low growls were close with each step I had taken. The entrance was just around the corner, surely I could make it. Whatever was down the next hall to my right had low moans, almost as if they were hurt.

I had gotten to the end of the hall. Wishing I had turned back, this was my chance.' The only thing standing in my way as I peeked around the corner was a large creature-like beast. Larger than a bear. Scales almost like a fish with cuts and lashes on its back. Skin like a human. Claws replaced their fingers, blood dripping from the claws. Holding what only looked to be flesh. My heartbeat was rapid.

Was I dreaming? Was this a hallucination?

My eyes widened as I watched the large beast rip into the thick bloody flesh. The face of the beast turned my way slightly. The features of the beast were far from normal. Glowing reddish eyes pierced into my soul. I felt as if I wasn't breathing the entire time, only being fifteen feet away from the large beast. I still held my breath watching their teeth sink into the thick bloody skin. They looked to be just like vampire teeth. But far from what books and fairytales had said. The jawline was sharply aligned beautifully with the pointed elf-like ears.

I felt the fear pass, as I was more shocked. As the beast feasted, another growl came from the long hallway the beast was in. Echoing down the hallway, the beast's pointed ears perked up. Still holding the flash in their clawed-like hands, they walked down the hall to the distant growls. 

Taking a large inhale, I placed my hand over my heart. I have to find Alex, No other mission was more important than the one true blood I had called my family. I peeked out from the corner once more before taking a step out. The beast was nowhere to be seen. I couldn't waste my time here much longer. Imagining Alex alone and scared, hiding from the beast I saw was just one fear I had thought. I quickly ran out of the exit not turning back to see what had been or was behind me.

Holding the car keys out in front of me I searched the parking lot for the car. I hoped Mrs. Stanley made it to her Husband. I hit the unlock button on the car keys, hearing the sound of a red Ford Explorer beep as the headlights flickered and unlocked. Running to the driver's side, light rain sprinkled over my head. Alex, I could only think of Alex. Scared and maybe hurt. Hiding in a broom closet somewhere in the school.

I shut the driver's side door, placing the key into the ignition. Turning it, a rumble of the engine had started. Speeding out of the parking lot, I drove down the long road that felt like several miles long. The destruction from the beasts faded behind me. Families and several people on the streets panicked. Homes ripped away from them. I thought of Mom, wishing she made it. But I knew her fate was low. Even my father's fate had been limited.

The grade school was just in my view, as I watched the road covered with small pieces of debris. Pulling into the grade school parking lot to see children scattered and crying into school buses and their parent's cars. Several beasts roamed along the edges of the road. Opening the door I saw Alex, headed into a school bus. My heart felt less of panic. Yelling his name in relief. "Alex!" he ran to me crying. Jumping into my arms, I watched as a Teacher rushed children into the school bus.  "Alex!, Are you alright, Are you hurt?" I held him in my arms as tightly as I could, His cries muffled into my shoulder, carrying him to the car. My feet were quick, paying attention to every movement anyone had made. My family was in my grasp, holding him close to my heart.

Approaching the car, thunder begins to roar again. The rain poured as I opened the back door, placing Alex into the seat,  he quickly buckled himself in. Shutting the car door I felt a grip of sharp claws clinging to my arm. Alex's face fell hiding himself in his arm, curled into a ball. I could only see his body movement. The grip tightens more, throwing me several feet away from the car. A large beast just as I had seen before was in my view again.