We Lay Strangers

Chapter 3

The ground rumbled under Carter's feet. Celebratory cheers turned into fearful mutterings. Carter looked to the maze.

The doors were slowly reopening. 

"Amelia!" Ernie called. "What's going-

"I don't know." Amelia said. "Nothing was different today, this isn't supposed to be-"

A metallic scream echoed from the walls. 

"Stalkers." Ernie cursed. "Everyone grab a weapon, they aren't going to stay put!"

The group broke, scrambling to grab anything that was remotely dangerous. Ernie pushed his way through the mess to Carter, grabbing her hand. 

"There're some knives in the main, we've got to protect-" He started.

Metal, scraping against stone. They were closer.

They took off across the field, running for the main pavilion. Carter could hear the whirring and clicking of the Stalkers echoing through the entrance. 

"Protect the maps!" Ernie said. "We cant lose them now."

Carter nodded. They arrived at the main pavilion. Ernie started stuffing papers in boxes, shoving them under the table. Carter grabbed a long knife from a crate nearby, passing one to Ernie too. Hambone came rushing down the hill.

"Just locked all the animals inside the 'block." He breathed. "What do you need me-"

"Grab a knife, we're protecting the maps." Carter said, gesturing to the crate. Hambone nodded.

Carter could still see the flickering bonfire in the distance. The Base was silent, everyone crouched and waiting. 

"Marie and Ore are-"

Carter spun around, brandishing her knife. Victorie held her hands up, panic flashing through her eyes.

"Oh, Vic, sorry, I'm just-" Carter said, lowering the knife. 

"It's fine." Victorie said. "Marie just wanted me to come tell you guys that she and Ore have the meds taken care of."

Ernie nodded, handing Victorie a knife and lacing her fingers with his. He pulled her close to him, pressing a hasty kiss to her forehead. 

In the twilight, Carter saw a shadow move behind the fire.

She gripped her knife a little tighter.

A shrill scream, coming from the gardens, and then a roar. Metal clicked together in the distance. 

Hambone shuddered.

A hiss from behind them. Carter whipped around as Ernie lunged forward, snarling. He brought his knife down across the things face, causing it to retreat. 

The roof shook above them. Carter reached over, grabbing a torch from its holder on the table. 

The Stalker landed in front of them now, and Carter chucked the torch at it, the slime it secreted catching on fire, Hambone stabbed it in the head as Ernie kicked it backward. It rolled away, metal limbs flailing.

Another scream, and some shouting, this time Carter couldn't tell from where. Fear wound its claws around her stomach.

Victorie screamed. 

Carter jumped at the Stalker, slicing at its metal limbs as Victorie batted its arm away. A syringe popped out of the arm, reaching towards Carter. She backed away, stumbling over a box.

Ernie came from the side, swinging a stool at the arm, knocking the syringe off. It rolled away into the darkness.

Hambone stabbed the thing, kicking it away.