Nightmares Within Me

Night 2 Part 5

I sat in the same area until someone found me. Donni came up from behind me, tapping me on the shoulder, avoiding my rifle.

" That's a big gun for such a small girl," i laughed. We all made fun of each other, it was our thing but right now i was just imagining the thousands of things that could go wrong in ten seconds. That's was when we heard a scream.

" That's why i have it. Stay low, and behind me," i said as i crouched down and moved along the tree line. When i found where the scream came from i stood up and slammed my fist on the nearest thing, which was sadly Donni's chest. I looked at him and saw he was frozen, just looking up.

" Now you know why such a small girl has such a big gun," I said walking past him, " Because the thing doing this requires a big gun. And a whole lot more." i walked into camp, to my friends who we're huddled together by the fire. Donni walked up beside me as i looked at everyone standing there, Nicoli now there with them from his sight a few twenty yards away. They we're all looking around, though unable to see what caused the scream.

" Who here isn't squeamish, can look at something thoroughly disturbing and help get rid of it?" i asked. Sure i was not reacting to this but i had one friend hanging on a tree held by one of the creatures claws. Justyn was the first to step forward. He gave me a knowing look before walking to my side and slipping a comforting arm around my shoulder. I looked up at him and he had the look of ask later so i dropped it. Nicoli and Ryder we're the only other two. I turned to Donni who was pale.

" Lillian?" i said motioning to him. She nodded and came to lead him away while the guys and i walked to the tree.

" Brace yourselves," i said before pointing up. Justyn had no reaction other than grabbing my shoulder tighter. Nicoli grabbed Ryder's shoulder as Ryder slipped a arm around my waist.

" I'll climb up, this tree is easy. Be ready to catch him. Under no circumstance can you let that claw touch you i said as i rubbed the back of my neck. The skin was there, everything was there now but i won't lose that feeling. Hell it was still awkward to walk but also so normal. I just jumped onto the lowest branch and began the climb.

" How's your leg feel?" Justyn called up. I looked down at him with a curious look. He nodded his head and i slammed mine on the tree.

" Hey what the hell!?" Ryder yelled. I ignored it. Within the next ten minutes we had James down and we're carrying him back to the site. We were gonna cremate him as well as we could. I was holding the claw. I found a tree that was already dying ad poked it. The spot disappeared. I nodded.

" That thing causes damage. I remember," Justyn said. I pulled him away from the group.

" One my leg is fucking weird thanks, two if you remember don't say anything. They don't need to know." he nodded but gave me a hug.

" Well protect them this time," he said. I shook my head.

" THis is my 5th round. We won't. Spend as much time with her as you can. We don't know who goes next or when." and with that i walked to Ryder and gave him a hug. He asked what i talked with Justyn about and i simply said about what just happened. With that we all went to bed. Accept Justyn and I.

I walked out of my tent after Ryder had gone to sleep, Justyn was out about twenty minutes after me. He sat beside me as i cleaned and reloaded my rifle. Nicoli walked over, took one look at me and just sat down across from Justyn. I knew that i had no motion on my face. Justyn knew it to. We knew what was going down, Justyn knew a little of what it could do. I knew the most of everyone. Suddenly i hear Ryder screaming and immediately i'm up. I had the rifle chambered and was opening the tent in less than ten seconds. I opened it with Justyn beside me to see Ryder holding a spot on his chest. He was looking right at me. I looked up at Justyn and he nodded, then Lillian screamed. Ryder followed up. THis time she was holding the front of her forehead. Justyn looked at me questioning as i looked at her. He didn't know yet so i whispered to him.

" I think it was two rounds ago i shot her in the head. I shot a lot of people," he just nodded, though i saw the anger in his eyes. Those were the only nightmares tonight. Lillian described the scene perfectly, with me included. I just looked blankly ahead before walking to the water bank. About ten minutes later Ryder was with me, Nicoli behind him staying in the shadows.

" What's going on. You and Justyn know, i want to know," he said. I looked up at him and just shook my head. I reached up and ran my fingers through his hair trying to tame it, and with that he slumped over into my lap. Nicoli walked forward but i held a hand up to see what would happen. A minute later Ryder shot up holding his entire stomach.

" What have you done?! What's going on? What did i do to you?" Ryder yeled. I asked what he meant. He replied everything and with that i was running back to the camp. I touched Justyns head to test it. He woke backup better than Ryder did, asking why he was chained up the first time. Ryder wouldn't let go of me, he kept looking everywhere, every place i'd once had an injury.

" I'm fine. For now" he nodded but didn't let go. I just went to sit in the tent for a little bit, as did everyone who decided to see what the screams we're.

" Why did i blame you? WHy did i hurt you? Why did i chase you with a gun?" he kept asking questions but i tuned it out. I was falling asleep, still with my gun strapped around me. Ryder laughed and removed it, placing it beside me before he kissed my forehead and we fall asleep.