Claws in the Dark | ✔

VI (Part II)

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Landon and Dolph left a few minutes after Miles. Since the elevators weren't operational at the time, they too had to utilize the stairway.

"You need a ride home," Dolph asked as they descended the stairs.

"Yeah, I'd love that," Landon said, smirking.

Dolph blushed and realization dawned on him when he caught on. "Dude, you're gross," he said, faking a gagging noise.

"Hey, you asked. Don't judge," Landon laughed.

"I'm sorry I did." He wasn't sorry, but he had an awkward feeling now.

"Seriously, though, I do need a lift. My sister took my car out of town to visit her boyfriend. I don't why he couldn't just come and collect her." Landon giggled after he finished speaking.

"What's so funny?" Dolph pushed open the door that led to the parking lot.

"Nothing," he said, giggling again. "Just an inside joke."

"Is it about me?"

"Not everything is about you, Dolph."

Dolph looked hurt but he hid it from Landon. He pushed his hands into his pockets as a chilling breeze blew by. "It's so damn cold," he said as they neared his car, which was parked closer to the exit of the lot.

"Um...you do realize that winter's near, right?" Landon asked. "It's bound to get cold." He giggled again.

"What the hell is so funny?"

"Again...inside joke," he said, smirking at his colleague.

A clanging noise came from their right, behind a car and Landon startled, pushing himself into Dolph's chest. Although he was tall, he was a little shorter than Dolph by a few inches, so his face was snuggled into his overcoat.

"Uh..." Dolph looked down at the man clinging to him; he was shivering vigorously. His body tensed and when Landon pulled away. "What was that all about?" Dolph asked.

"Sorry," Landon blushed and looked anywhere but at him. "It was nothing."

"You're scared," Dolph mocked in a sing-song voice and laughed, unlocking his car with the click of a button on his keys.

"Screw you. Cut it out and let's just go," he said, getting in the car.

Dolph just chuckled some more, but as he opened the door, a creature advanced towards him and grabbed his leg. It pulled him down to the ground and he hit his face on the edge of the car. He groaned as he was about to turn over, but the Clawden dragged him away from the car.

Landon yelped as he saw the monster pulling his friend, but he was too afraid to come out of the car.

Dolph kicked at the monster and it stumbled back. He rose to his feet and ran towards his car.

"Come on! Run!" Landon encouraged him to hurry.

A monster swiped at his back and left four deep claw marks; Dolph stumbled forward and fell. It then stuck its claws into his right ankle and dragged him away again.

"Help! Help me! Landon, help!" he screamed.

"Dolph!" Landon got a burst of courage and finally got out the car. He ran in the direction the creature had taken his partner, but he couldn't keep up. Soon, both Dolph's screams and the beast's growling were gone as they disappeared into the darkness beyond the back of the parking lot.

Landon dropped to his knees and cried for his best friend. The love they never shared was shattered in a matter of moments and there was nothing he could do right now. Tears spilt down his face, staining it, as he tried to control his sobs.

He heard the growls returning and began to panic. He spotted the keys just a few feet ahead and grabbed them. He ran back to the car, hearing the creature's snarls from behind. He barely made it to the car when the creature swiped at the hem of his overcoat but missed.

He shut the door and started the car as the creature rose up and growled by the window. Landon stepped on the gas and drove off, leaving the creature to watch and growl from the parking space.

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◀ MARDAIS ▶