Claws in the Dark | ✔

XIV

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Dolph sat on one of the massive gray pipes nestled in place on the roof of Grandville PD, a small shed to shelter him from the rain as he smoked a cigarette. He puffed out small rings of smoke, smiling as he did. After his fight with Landon, he needed something to calm his nerves. He observed the buildings surrounding the precinct, and the forest that spread out beyond their small town. The sun hid behind the fluffy, gray clouds in the sky, as rain pelted against everything he could see.

It was a sight that suited his current mood. He was upset that he and Landon fought, but at the same time enraged that his partner was being unreasonable about him being hauled off by some monster.

He took a pull of the cigarette and puffed out a cloud of white smoke, "...the fuck he thinks he is? He doesn't need me? Fine! It's hard enough to think we actually loved each other." The word love felt bitter on his tongue as he spoke to himself, but maybe Dolph did love Landon. He wouldn't be fretting if he didn't. He rubbed circles on his temples and sighed, taking another pull from the cigarette and flicking the stub away, off the roof.

When he was about to lie back on the pipe and meditate, shrilling screams sounded from in the distance. Squinting, he saw people running through the street, followed by wild-looking beasts. A man from the crowd was, unfortunately, snatched up in one monster's arms, and his head was severed from his body with one slash.

"HELP US!!" the civilians screamed as they drew nearer to the precinct. More and more of them fell victim to the claws of these beasts.

Dolph paled but snapped himself out of his daze as he scrambled down from the gray pipe and rushed through the patter of rain to the elevator. He stepped in and continuously punched the button for Chief Summers' floor.

He didn't even wait for the door to open properly, and burst through, running to her office. The eyes of his co-workers were on him as he fled from the elevator, trying to avoid bumping into any busybodies.

Dolph entered Kelly Summers' office without hesitation and said, "They're killing everyone!"

"What the hell are you talking about? And who the hell gave you the authority to enter my office just like that?" she stood up, scowling.

"Didn't you hear what I just said? Those monsters are killing people out there?"

She furrowed her brows while walking out from behind the desk.

"What's going on?" Daniel Vitnor, another detective, asked from behind Dolph, entering the office.

Their co-workers' screams made them run out of Kelly's office. They were all at the windows, staring at the hideous Clawdens slaying the people in the street.

"Oh no. Not again," Kelly mumbled to herself.

Dolph looked at her, "Is there something you're not telling us?"

"Let's go," she instructed, ignoring Dolph's question.

She, Dolph, Daniel, and many other detectives and police officers, exited the building and ran through the parking lot until they were out on the road. The rain had eased a bit, only sprinkles lightly touching their cheeks as they observed the bloodbath that was occurring: many beheaded bodies surrounded by huge, black, hairy creatures feeding on them, blood staining the walls of buildings and the sidewalks, as well as in the middle of the street.

Fear was visible on everyone's face, the thought of imminent death stabbing at their minds.

Some of the detectives were already shooting at the Clawdens; others ran amok to escape the deadly beasts but didn't make it very far. Their hope for survival was looking slim at the rate these monsters were killing people.

"Well don't just stand there!" Daniel shouted at Kelly and Dolph as he took five steps ahead of them. "Shoot the fucking bastards!" He whipped out his pistol and fired off a few rounds at each of the three Clawdens that approached him, the bullets going straight through their heads. The creatures slumped to the floor, letting out a huff of air before dying.

Dolph and Kelly were still staring off into space as everyone around them was being slaughtered.

"Will you two stop staring and shoot?" Daniel turned around and shouted. He didn't see it coming, but a Clawden stuck its claws in his neck from behind. He choked on his blood as he was lifted from the ground as it gnawed at his intestines and other organs, now hanging out of his body, like a display of Sloppy Joe's.

Another Clawden appeared in front of Kelly and Dolph, unexpectedly, which earned a scream from Kelly's throat.

Dolph put three bullets into the monster before it could nab them, and it fell to the ground. More of the vicious creatures continued to approach them, so they both started shooting while running towards one of the squad cars parked on the road.

Dolph made it into the car first, this time, but Kelly was unfortunate when one of the hideous beasts grabbed her by the waist, yanking her away as she reached for the front passenger-side door. She was thrown to the ground and it stood on top of her, roaring loudly before it slashed at her chest.

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◀ MARDAIS ▶