Blamed

Chapter 46

Neither of us moved a muscle, and they only watched us silently. It was as if they were waiting for us to make the first move. It was strange.

"Is there any reason they are just standing there, doing nothing?" I asked quietly. My question was met with silence. I figured Crimson was just thinking of an answer, but the quietness became unnerving and uneasiness fell over me as I glanced at her.

"I... uh."

Heavy breaths left her mouth and she twitched, shaking her head. Her head tilted to the ground and a rush of words left her lips in mumbles. I could barely understand what she was saying.

"Crimson?" The ground vibrated under my feet.

"I can't... Not right now. Just... stop." She gritted out, running her fingers through her hair. Her entire mood had made a swift changed.

"I... Listen to me. I don't want to, okay? I-I don't have to... right?" She whispered. Another vibration rattled me, but this one was stronger than the last one. The creatures growled and I walked closer to her, trying to get her attention.

"I need you to focus, okay?" Her eyes moved up to me before casting back down. She nodded.

"Y-Yeah. There's something off with them. I-I can't pinpoint what it is." She slurred out. She was blinking rapidly, like a person who was trying their best to stay awake.

"Maybe if I... No, but the outcome could be... That's not possible. Is it? No." Her voice was beginning to rise higher.

'Her mind. She's losing it.' Leo whimpered.

"No... be quiet. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it." She spat, pulling her dark strands. My ears picked up the sound of her fastened heart.

"Crimson—"

"Shut up and let me think!" She shouted, her eyes lighting up. The yellow burned brightly, providing a glow in the dark. It was as if she triggered something as a loud roar erupted soon after her shouting. The creatures began advancing towards us. They moved slowly and calculated. Not at all like when they were chasing me.

She seemed to snap out of it and she took a step back. Coughs flowed from her lips and she drew in a deep breath.

"Shit. S-Sorry." She muttered. I stepped closer, standing slightly in front of her.

"What's the plan?" I whispered, my eyes flickering through the sea of creatures.

"I... don't know. I can't think straight right now. I need a minute."

"Crimson, we don't have a minute. They're getting closer. We won't be able to outrun them. There's too many." I rushed out.

"What are they doing? Letting us scramble to save our lives? Why? They haven't attacked us yet. Why?" She rambled.

"Crimson," I strained out.

"Why? Why am I asking why? What the hell is why? Damn it!" She yelled. They growled at us, and I got into a fighting stance.

'She's unstable. We have to get her out of here.' Leo rushed out.

'I know!'

One of the creatures that were closest to us jumped at her. She seemed out of it and I grabbed it by the throat before it could get her. A sharp thud sounded as I slammed it to the ground.

The smell of my burning flesh filled my nostrils, but I ignored the burn. My hand plunged into its' chest. The creature squealed, trying its' best to get away from me. My hand searched around for the other heart, and when I felt something similar to it, I pulled it out.