Wasteland

-3-

Norah huffed as she sprinted down the hallway, her backpack crashing against her back with every stride she took. One of the boys was in trouble, and Norah was assuming it was Pox. It wouldn't have been the first time that stupid guy had gotten himself in a pickle, and it certainly wasn't the last.

With her kamas in her hands, she pushed herself down the stairs to the third floor. Just two more floors, Norah thought to herself, come on Norah, they need your help!

As she neared the bottom floor, the gun shots rang out louder and louder. Norah ran through the potential threats: Gens? That was most likely the answer.

With one final leap, Norah pushed off the steps and leaped towards the first floor. Upon impact, Norah bent her knees and landed at the bottom of the stairs, and she continued to run towards the entrance.

Suddenly, something swiped her on her left side, knocking her kamas out of her hands as she flew clear across the room and into a wall with a smack. Norah winced in pain as she collapsed onto her hands and knees. The blow was enough to stun her, but not enough to knock her out. She raised her head to get a look at her assailant, but it only made her gasp at its appearence.

The Gen was a bipedal at least seven feet tall with matted brown fur and an elongated jaw. It had long limps thick paws and long claws. Norah could see rows of knarled incisors and sharp canine teeth, perfect for tearing apart flesh. Its long and skinny black tail flicked side to side behind it, as if it were wagging it with excitement. The Gen seemed to be smiling wickedly at her as it made its way towards her, with its glowing red eyes staring at her.

This was a Lycan, a type of Gen that shared the mutated DNA of wolves, rats, and the most frightening-- humans. It was vicious and deadly, hunting not only for food, but for the pleasure, for the thrill of the hunt. They only displayed sinister emotions, such as rage, hunger, displeasure, and lust.

The Lycan lunged for Norah, but she acted quickly on her feet and rolled to the right. The momentum from its leap caused its head to pierce through the wall. Norah jumped back on her feet, and pain shot through her side where the tail had hit her. She cursed the animal and pushed the thoughts away. Her head swiveled from side to side, looking for her kamas. She needed them, and fast.

Behind her, the Lycan was still trying to free its head from the wall, but Lycans were not the most intelligent creatures. They were strong enough to survive, but even though they were about one third human, they couldn't seem to solve problems or make wise decisions. That was their greatest weakness.

After a moment, Norah spotted her kamas and quickly rushed to them. She scooped them up into her hands. She rushed over to the Lycan stuck in the wall and sliced it in the chest a couple times. She stabbed it in the heart, blood spattering all over the Lycan and her clothes. Norah flicked the blood off the blade of her kama and sprinted through the doors.

The gun shots were louder than ever. Norah could feel her heart racing in her chest, the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Her lungs were working double time now to get oxygen to her body, making Norah breathe heavily.

"Liko!" She called out. "Pox!" Even though the two got on her nerves, she couldn't bear the thought of loosing them. Niether of them carried heavy artillery, just simple rifles and pistols. So when Norah heard multiple gunshots firing, she knew that both of them were still alive.

"Norah, over here!" Liko called out.

Norah spun around towards the noise and saw Liko ducking behind a large pile of cement blocks. She picked up her feet and began to sprint as fast as she could towards him. Her she gripped the handle of her kamas tightly, her palms were sweating as she pumped her arms hard. She was running so fast she felt like she was floating.