Flash Fiction

Adrenaline Rush

justwriteit               ... 8 April 2018 - #AdrenalineRush ... Flash fiction challenge ... (500 words or less) ... A #JustWriteDay Prompt: Adrenaline Rush

"Go into the city," they said. "Prove yourself worthy," they taunted.

With my back pressed up against a crumbling brick wall and a hulking 8 or 9 armed Cana Varlik lurking somewhere just on the other side, I knew I was way out of my league here. Demir, a seasoned City Raider, crouched beside me holding his XM-25 Grenade Launcher firmly to his left shoulder ready to fire at any moment.

"Don't chicken out now Rookie," he goaded.

I didn't get a chance to give him a nasty retort like I intended because the wall I was leaning on crumbled without warning. I fell backwards with a gasp of shock. My stomach clenched with sheer terror when the massive torso of a Cana Varlik loomed over my prostrate form. I had never been this close to a dead one let alone one on the hunt.

The words 'Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap,' kept running through my mind on a loop as I scrambled to find my XM-25, which had fallen from my grasp. I half expected Demir to fire his launcher at the stupid thing but, if he did, the blast would kill all three of us. We were just too close.

So panic, like a searing fire, tore through my insides as I looked around frantically for my XM-25. Demir had to have a plan. He was a veteran Cana Varlik killer after all. If I could just grab my weapon and catch his eye, he'd let me know what to do I promised myself.

No sooner had my trembling fingers gripped my grenade launcher then I finally looked up. Demir was struggling for his life while dangling several feet above the ground in the powerful grip of the Cana Varlik. Before I could even react, the monstrosity ripped Demir's head from his shoulders in one swift movement and dropped his lifeless body to the ground.

I gagged at the gruesome sight and watched in disbelief as the Cana Varlik walked right over me like I wasn't even there. It was only interested in its kill. Repulsed by the thought of it tearing into Demir's flesh and eating him, and spurred on by my intense fright, I picked up my weapon and fired at the filthy, rotten, abomination without thinking my actions through.

I was too close when I fired the launcher and hadn't taken cover. Both were rookie mistakes for sure. The 25mm projectile exploded upon impact as it was designed and the force of the detonation sent me hurtling backwards. My body slammed into something solid, knocking the wind out of me instantly. I coughed and gasped desperately for air as I tumbled to the ground.

My first thought was 'I survived!'  and relief like a flood of cool water washed over me. Sadly, the sensation was short lived. A cold, leathery, clawed hand gripped my neck in the next moment and began to squeeze. All I could think then was 'Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap!'

(499)