Lonely Boy (B×B)

Chapter 4 - Creature

××Stormy××

It was almost nightfall when Fallow and I reached my next hideout. It was another cave, bigger than the last cave and more secluded. The cave was located up in a rocky hill side and only accessible by flight or some intense climbing. It made me feel a little safer when we touched down on the edge rock jutting out of the caves mouth. I was still worried that Niton would show up again.

Pebbles tapped down the side of the hill but I paid them no mind. It was common for mini rockslides caused by animals up top or loud sounds. The ledge rock was buried so deep that I was sure it would be there decades from now; one day it would probably make a home for a flying family of some sort.

I slid off Fallow's back and took a step into the darkness of the cave, already swinging my back around to grab out a torch.

I paused.

I held my own breath as I listened to the sounds rumbling from the cave. Breathing made its way to my ears. Very loud breathing.

It was way too loud to just be a humanoid and I was 100% sure the sounds did not belong to Fallow who was still idle behind me.

My mind went into overdrive a second too late as two large yellow eyes blinked open. They grew wide, honing in on my unmoving form. A gasp left my lips and my hand reached back to grip onto Fallows short fur.

"Go. Go!" I screamed as slapping steps came forward from the cave and the eyes grew in size. From the sound the create made when moving, it had webbed feet and was probably way too slimy for my liking.

Fallow lifted off uneasily, having nothing to help him gain speed and height. He wasn't fast enough and I was only making it harder by hanging off his side. Fallow tipped to the side, my body causing an unevenness in his balance.

A red, slimy tongue wrapped around my ankle and yanked us back to the ground. The tongue pulling me and my grip on Fallow pulling him.

Fallow grunted when his hooves hit the rock below and I let out one of my own as the tongue continued to pull me. My back hit the ground with a hard thump, forcing the air from my lungs. I wheezed, trying to bring air back into my body. My hands had given up on pulling Fallow down with me.

My now free hands fumbled for my knife and as soon as I had it in my grip, I brought it down on the organ pulling me into the darkness of the cave.

It sliced through easily, spilling dark blue blood onto the ground and myself. A wail came from inside the cave as the monster pulled its rope like tongue back into the black depths. A line of blood trailed behind it. The liquid acted like acid and sizzled against the grey rock.

It was only in that moment of calm that I felt the searing pain. I reached down and pried the end of the disconnected tongue off my leg to find it had burned through my tight pants and into my skin, leaving behind bright red, bubbling skin.

My fingers burned too from the contact they had with the slimy organ. I bit back the pain as I pulled myself up and stood on wobbly legs. There must have been some kind of poison injected into my bloodstream to cause this bad of a reaction. This time Fallow was crouched down so I could get a better position.

As I reached over, grasping at his side, his grunts of panic met my ears. I looked back in time to see the monster lurking out of the cave. Its wild yellow eyes angrily aimed at my struggling form. It knew I was weak. It faintly resembled a large frog. Dark green but it was covered in bubble-like pockets of what looked like acid. Most likely what the thing had wounded me with.

A dark silver sword came down on its head just a foot away from my face. I shut my eyes tightly and flinched as hot blood splattered my face and clothes. Fallow pranced backwards with an unhappy grunt at being covered as well.

I cracked my eyes open and met the dark orbs of Niton. In his hand sat the wicked sword. Sharp, jagged edges and a hilt lined with silver skulls and intricate designs. It was covered in the ugly blue blood of the creature, still steaming from the heat.

"I..." My mouth hung open as I stared at the scene. The dead frog creature was slowly losing its color as the blood flooded the rocky surface. I didn't know what to say.

My eyes met his again and soon enough, Nitons signature smirk was reappearing. Niton swung his arm out, the sword along with it, letting the blood dripping off the sword splatter to the ground.

The sound was louder due to the absolute silence around us. It was loud enough to bring me back. My brows furrowed and a glare replaced my dazed expression.

"What are you doing here? Are you following me?" I spat the questions out quickly, backing up a little more and trying to keep the weight off of my injured ankle.

Niton glanced down at it, taking in the burning flesh, his eyes gaining a strange glint but it was gone quickly.

"Of course I am." The sword in his hand disappeared much like the knife did earlier. I almost wished to ask him to bring it out again so I could examine it up close but refrained, pushing my weapon obsession down. This was not the time.

"Why?" I inquired. I wasn't exactly surprised he was stalking me.

"I told you my secret. Now I have to make sure you keep it to yourself," Niton said as he once again took a spot leaning against the caves outside wall. He grimaced when a rock lodged itself in his back and forced him to readjust. I smiled inwardly at the small victory against him.

"What secret?" I asked with clear confusion, thinking back to our previous conversation. Why would he even say anything if it was a secret?

"The demon blood, cutie."

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