Free *Editing*

Chapter 18

Birdy leaps into action and scoops up the rope in both her arms. She cradles the weapons like a newborn baby and bounds into the trees while the audience provides an intense background music.

The branches and thick bushes that hang from the tree tops are unrealistically thick. She bee-lines past them and lifts her hand to shove past hanging branches.

To her left. The dragon lumbers and topples over the thick base of the nature surrounding it. She catches a glimpse of a competitor jumping over a log and they slip on the dirt, twisting their ankle and shouting as they land face first into the turf. The crowd roars in excitement. A large jaw the size of her body comes crashing down from the air. It snatches the man up and he is flung through the air. She ducks onto the ground and the body whips! Past her head and slams into a tree snapped in half like a glow stick.

She looks up at the dragon in horror. It tries to fit it's large, black wings towards her and it's hind legs crush everything underneath it. She screams and gets off the ground deciding to high tail it out of danger. She highly doubts that she will be able to outrun a dragon, but it's worth a shot.

Markus and Barn hear her scream from a distance. They each hold their ropes over each shoulder but were not lucky enough to wield a bomb. Markus's sword is dangling in his other hand.

They managed to pass by a few other prisoners whom blindly run and dash through the trees hoping they are lucky enough to avoid the dragon.

"Did you see that fuckin thing!?" Barn shouts at Markus. He gulps in turn and nods. "You better hope your sister is as smart as she thinks she is!"

They reach a tiny clearing, were the trees part into a small semi-circle and grant some space to see their surroundings. The men jump over a large bush, and Birdy comes barreling out from the trees. They collide, Birdy smacks her nose against Markus's shoulder and Barn catches them before they fall to the ground.

"Run!" She screams and tries to shove them out of the way.

Nightmare explodes into the clearing and they all go into shock. It is covered with a thick, leathery black hide and has no eyes. It's jaw is long and dripping with saliva. It's tail swings through the air and has a sharp end that can cut through stone. It backtracks to a tree and the sharp end snaps the wood in half. Nightmare raises its head and let's out another high pitched bellow.

The trio scream and are blinded by the stabbing sensation in their ears. Birdy gasps and falls backwards into Markus and Barn. They are both in the same position. Crouched over, shouting in agony.

This is Nightmares famous hunting technique. Now that they are paralized, is sweeps in to bite them in half.

Shove!

Markus manages to foresee the attack and tackles her to the ground, Barn is left in the way. Nightmare lunges past him, but swings his head and hits the man square in the chest with its bulbous head. Barn flies ten feet away and lands on his back coughing and wheezing. His arm, which was semi-healed is now broken against a bush. He blinks away the white hot pain and tries to stay conscious.

A pair of feet jump over Birdy and Markus. A pale hand grabs Markus's sword and raises it in the air. The weapon alights with a burning hot flame and blurs their vision.

"Over here!!"

She shouts. Birdy stares in amazement. It's Ardenia! Her hair is wild and eyes filled with determination.

"Don't!" Birdy reaches forward but Markus grabs her hand and stops her advance. Nightmare peers at the small woman and licks its lips with a long red forked tongue. It's left food slams into the dirt and it's claws gleam in the light. Ardenia bolts into the forest waving Markus's sword like a beacon. Nightmare rushes at barrels into the trees. They both disappear into the greenery and the trio stumble to their feet.