We had been running for what felt like eternity, each step growing faster as my breath came in short, heavy gasps. Sweat rolled down my forehead, and the ground shook with every tremor, a clear sign that the praying mantis was closing in fast.
"I can't run anymore!" Rebeka panted, her voice was shaking.
Despite her exhaustion, I couldn't help but be impressed by how fast she was running, especially considering she was wearing heels that seemed completely impractical for this kind of chase.
I glanced over at her, my own legs burning from the endless sprint. "We're almost there," I urged, pushing myself harder. "Just a little more!"
I glanced to my back, and the praying mantis was closing the distance fast. Its movements were tremendously fast , built for one purpose—hunting. This thing wasn't just a monster; it was the perfect predator.
"Run, Rebeka! Don't stop! It will kill you, if you do!" I said in between heavy breath.
"I-I can't run anymore! My heels—they're breaking! I need... air—" Rebeka's voice faltered as she stumbled to a stop, gasping for breath.
But the moment she glanced back and saw the praying mantis surging toward us at an alarming speed, her eyes went wide. Without missing a beat, she pushed herself forward again.
"Damn that monster! I don't wanna die!" she shouted.
"Then keep running! We're almost there!" I shouted back, trying to drown out the pounding footsteps behind us.
The entrance of the mall was within reach, but a sudden, thunderous sound made us whip our heads around. That's when my heart sank. Another one of those creatures had joined the chase, its glowing eyes fixed on us, and it was closing in fast.
"Iiickkk!"
"Damn it!"
I glanced at Rebeka. Her pale face was covered with fear, but her legs were still pushing forward with everything she had. She was giving it her all, despite the pain, despite the terror. She didn't want to die—not like this, not at the hands of those monsters.
She was running, and even though running made it more painful for her, it became clear why she was still going. And that's because she wanted to live. Every precise step was a proof to her will to survive.
And now, it has come to this... I don't have a choice either!
"Rebeka, run ahead! I'll buy you some time!" I stopped my legs, halting as I planted myself firmly in the middle of the road.
The sky was now dark, and I'm sure as hell that it's already nightfall, evening.
"B-Beau—" Her voice cracked, panic creeping in.
"Rebeka!" I cut her off immediately. "You want to live right? Then do as I say! Run! Don't look back! Get to the mall! And when you're inside, hide! There's no time!"
I shot her a quick glance and saw her hesitation—her face showing like she was dragging herself through a very complicated situation, and she didn't want to choose.
"But—"
"Run! I'm not going to die at a place like this!" I shouted angrily, commanding, leaving her no choice but to run desperately.
Even though I could see it in her eyes—she didn't want to leave—she did. With an angry grunt, she kicked off her heels, sending them flying, and took off barefoot. Her frustration was clear in every moment, every furious stride.
She was mad—not just at the monster or the situation, but at herself for being powerless to do anything else but run. But run she did.
When her figure began to fade into the distance, nearing the mall's entrance, I shifted my focus back to the two monstrous mantises charging toward me.
