The Skylar Experiment : The "X" in Apex

Chapter Forty-One - A Prey's Despair

Dear readers, we have made it to the last sequence of this book. It's been quite a ride since I came back to WP with the story. I've met amazing fellow writers who have helped me since Day 1, awesome readers (that includes all of you 😉) and just stumbled across hilarious accounts. My writing is, of course, still a work in progress and I wish to continue improving it. 

Time to grab a snack, get comfy with a blanket and scroll away! 

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Once the waterfall had inched into view and the—I almost thought poor creature—started to twitch, it was Luc's cue.

"Good luck," I dropped, wishing with all my heart nobody would get hurt. "Tell Ethan, Ben and Devin that."

He sported a smirk, the same kind after he kicked down the Wanderer on his back. Just this time, it was the reaction I preferred. "I'll tell them, but we won't need it." And he turned to Amelia, whose arms were crossed. "Try not to get bored."

"Task failed."

Well, then. "Guess I'll do a cartwheel every chance I get."

"Damn, and I can't watch that," Luc lamented and snuck a glance at the woman.

She smiled stiffly, but it seemed like it was her general mannerisms rather than aggravation. She had that sharp bone structure and hollow cheeks. "We're going to manage without you, so relax."

Once we'd gotten close enough on our walk, I could detail her mean boots and cargo pants. It was topped off by a leather vest full of pockets. She didn't play around.

After one last blood-smeared leaf for him to carry, Luc walked down to the base of the wall we'd visited in broad daylight and followed the riverbank. It'd lead to the mouth of the river, and I'd be just above them, somewhere in the trees, probably.

I waited for him to disappear, with fingers outlining the shape of the knife under my jacket.

If this worked, what would become of them, and will I forever have no idea?

"Come on," Amelia coaxed. "Others might show up sooner than we think."

Can't disagree there.

We waded through grass uphill where the roar of the waterfall made it impossible to listen to the night. It'd be all too easy to creep up on us, then I remembered that mutants could sense them nearby.

My foot cracked a freshly frozen mud puddle. The temperature must be lower at this altitude.

We didn't talk much even after we found two tall oaks alongside one another. She had a clear view of me and the ground. The branch under me was so thick I could fit in twice. I could tell by the difference of warmth between my hands and core just how chilly it'd be without my layers.

Thankfully, the blood in my extremities returned with new heat.

If only I could close my eyes and wake up home. But we were at the finish line. I gazed at the pretty stars. All in all, I was far too lucky to deserve getting here, but I'll take it.

The first lone howls echoed beyond the cliff. My muscles tensed.

"Luc told me these monsters were the original experiment," I said. "Is there still anything human deep inside?"

"I'm not sure what you mean there."

"I mean, the fetuses the scientists used... or the babies... How can it just be an animal now?"