The Thing from beyond

The first find.

I had walked for what seemed like hours in a barren dry tunnel, my feet ached in my heavy rigged boots as it crunched on the packed red earth that was this hell scape we call mars. A faint crackle rumbles through my helmet as my radio echoes the transmission reminds me of the crew that is orbiting this planet while we explore the subterranean tunnel that seems to go on forever.

My flashlight flickers and lands on something gleaming white and I look up to see a colossal fossilised of some some long dead creature that faintly resembles a rex but only dozens of times bigger, it's open maw seemed to devour the cave to be its final resting place, I stuffle closer pulling out the knife attached to my thigh and begin to cut part of one of the larger teeth, after what seems like hours I finally cut through and examine the piece quickly before placing it in a small bag attached to my back and I press a small button on my wrist and hears nothing but feedback and I press again "This is scout Pristis! Come in command?" Nothing comes back and I repeat the message again and get no answer.

Then like a star in the darkest of night where it seems the abyss of space has swallowed all light, a glimmer of hope spreads through me as I hear through layers of static "Hello? Hello? This is ARK, we can hear you loud and clear Ash. what is going on down there?" My mouth became as dry as the barren wasteland on the surface of this miserable desolate grave and I began to panic, "would they believe me?" "Would they claim that I have went mad?" All these throughs flew into my mind at once but then like a sunrise on a star less night my thoughts collected and I looked once more at the gigantic skeleton before me. "I think it's a grave for some sort of creature, I collected a sample but I'm almost out so I should start heading back." Then a faint explosion erupted from the cave wall beside the skull and out came this slithering mass but as it landed on the ground its claws scraped the ground and its forked reptilian tounge searched for its next meal and its body dripping a thick black ooze but I remained still, slowing my breathing to not to alert the beast but I could hear several more cracks forming, that could only mean one thing. There was more.

I turn and start running, it was the only option. I couldn't fight it because I dont know how many more of these creatures are lurking in the walls of the cave but also I have no idea what that black sludge is dripping off the creatures skin. Was it acid? Or explosive? As I reached a fork and see a flashing red light disappear down the throat of the beast as it looks at me with cruel intent in its eyes, was I next? Or was is maybe waiting for more to arrive to attack me in a pack. All I know is I'm not waiting to find out which.

I stood facing the beast, dead still and hardly breathing but as my hand brushed my thigh I found my saving grace. A flare, maybe it would distract them long enough for me to get to my rover on the surface. But would I survive?