Claws in the Dark | ✔

XXXIV

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Bill counted the number of steps as he ventured towards the entrance of the mine. It felt like forever, and it was getting colder and colder as he neared the opening. Flecks of snow drifted in, landing on the ground, the walls, even on him.

He exhaled a shaky breath and halted when he came around a turn, and the blizzard was visible from where he stood.

"Alright, Bill, nothing to worry about," he said to himself. "Just make noise and lure them in. Shouldn't be too hard..."

His boots crunched the crumbled rocks on the ground and the cold bit at his exposed skin. Bill stood in the centre of the entrance, feet parted, and glared out at the indistinct expanse. He parted his freezing lips and licked them, and then he let out the shrillest scream he could summon.

"AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!"

He stopped, remained silent for a few seconds, then went again. He continued that for about ten seconds, up until the rumbling began. The ground and walls shook violently, chips of rocks crumbled from above the cave, and Bill looked down as snow faltered at his feet.

Bill looked back up, squinting to see through the harsh winter snow. When he noticed the faintest silhouette of Clawdens and their bright-red, haunting eyes, the man backed away until he bumped into a wall. The creatures came to stand at the entrance, shaking off snow from its fur while grunting and scraping its claws against the rocky ground.

The Clawden roared and those behind it followed suit, echoing in the hollow tunnel, causing Bill to stumble when it shook and brace against the wall. The monster made a scratch on the ground like a bull and snorted, blowing up snow. Bill didn't hesitate for another moment when the Clawdens tore off towards him. He ran deeper into the caves with the beasts not too far behind.

He pushed himself, panting as he dodged low-hanging rock sickles and stumps. At one point he collided with a wall and cried out for his shoulder, but he kept moving.

Bill could smell the smoke from the campfire and he saw the glow up ahead. He ran straight past the burning firewood and glanced over his shoulder. The Clawdens stampeded, putting out the fire and rendering the cave dark, save for their glowing eyes. Bill whimpered as he continued forward, wanting to reach the area of the mines where the rest of the group prepared the explosives.

A few more turns later, Bill was at the clearing. "They're coming!" he shouted to Enrico, Miles and Landon.

Enrico and Miles were waiting at an exit on the opposite side of the cave, each with a lit piece of firewood torch in one hand and a dynamite fuse in the other. When Bill was safe across the expanse, he and Landon left through the exit, while Miles and Enrico watched as the monsters file in.

They lit the fuses, dropped the torches, and pushed away two bars of wood that hoisted a large boulder over the exit. The boulder sealed them off from the creatures, trapping them inside with the explosives.

"Go, go, go, go!" Miles shouted, and everyone that was waiting hurried to the secret back entrance of the mines Enrico had told them about.

The Clawdens saw the fuse moving and sniffed it out, following it until it reached the stacked sticks of dynamite. Before they could even roar a warning, there was a loud blast. It shook the ground and caused debris to fall from overhead, killing the beasts that were in the entrapped.

A loud rumble followed the group as they evaded the detonation, shaking the entire tunnel. As with the Clawdens, rocks fell from above and they tried their best to dodge, small yelps heard from Rebecca and Gina when it fell near their feet.

"Look out!" Enrico shouted and lunged to push Miles out of the way, becoming impaled in the back from a fallen sickle.

"Papa!" Antonio exclaimed, pulling away from Landon and running back to get him. He knelt by his side and tried to move him but his father screeched in pain, blood oozing out of the injury like a stream.

"G-go," he said weakly, reaching out to hold his son's hand before it collapsed to the ground and he ceased to breathe.

Miles got up with the help of Bill, while Landon went over to get Antonio. "Tony, I'm sorry, but we have to go," he said in a rushed but sincere voice, and Antonio sniffled as he stood.

There was yet another explosion and everyone's eyes widened when they saw a distant glow quickly approaching.

"Oh, shit, run!" Landon shouted, grabbing Antonio and running behind Miles and the others.

"Come on, we're almost out," Miles said. "I can see the exit up ahead."

The heat did not let up and the flames kicked every part of the wall as it rushed for the same exit.

Gina, Rebecca, George, Nelson, and Bill made it out of the caves and moved to the far side. Miles came out, and just when the flames were about to consume Landon and Antonio, the duo lunged out of the caves and dove into the snow. The blast sent debris flying in all directions, taking Miles down.

"No!" Gina screamed in horror.

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Hey, guys! So, what did you think of this installment to CiTD? Did you like the escape plan? Was it executed to your expectations? And what do you guys think happened to Miles?

Also, as you know, this was the penultimate chapter of this story. So, be prepared for the final chapter, which will be uploaded soon, like in a few days.

Until then, bye, my Claw Fans!

☆ MARDAIS ☆