Page 26 of Beauty and the Grendel

I pushed the ATV to its limits with the tires churning up dirt and leaves as I sped through the undergrowth. My eyes scanned the forest ahead, searching for any sign of Griiq or the Camazotz.

And then I saw them. The Camazotz had Griiq cornered against a rocky outcropping, its massive wings spread wide, its teeth bared in a snarl. Griiq stood his ground, a large branch clutched in his hands, ready to fight.

I didn’t hesitate. I slammed on the brakes as the ATV skidded to a stop and leaped out of the vehicle. “Hey!” I yelled, waving my arms frantically. “Over here, you ugly bastard!”

The Camazotz whirled around, its glowing red eyes fixing on me. It let out a deafening screech and charged, its claws outstretched.

I turned and ran, my legs pumping, my lungs burning. I could hear the creature behind me, gaining ground with every second. But I didn’t look back. I couldn’t. I had to lead it away from Griiq, back to the trap.

I dodged around trees and leaped over fallen logs, my heart hammering in my chest. The forest blurred around me, a green and brown kaleidoscope. I could feel the Camazotz’s hot breath on the back of my neck, could hear its ragged panting as it closed in.

Just a little further, I thought desperately. Just a little further and we’ll have it.

But then, just as I caught sight of the clearing where the sheriff and his deputies waited, a searing pain hit my shoulder. I stumbled, nearly falling, as the Camazotz’s claws dug into my flesh.

I cried out in pain and fear as the creature yanked me backwards, its grip like iron. I struggled against it, kicking and thrashing, but it was no use. The Camazotz had me in its grasp, its teeth inches from my face.

“Harlow!” Griiq’s voice rang out behind us, raw with terror. “No!”

I twisted in the Camazotz’s grip, trying to glimpse Griiq. He was running towards us, his face contorted with fear and rage.

“Griiq, stay back!” I yelled, my voice cracking with pain. “It’s too dangerous!”

But Griiq didn’t listen. He charged forward, his eyes locked on the Camazotz, his jaw set with determination.

The creature snarled and tightened its grip on me, its claws digging deeper into my shoulder. I screamed in agony, black spots dancing before my eyes.

“Let her go!” Griiq roared as he closed in on us. “Let her go, you monster!”

The Camazotz hissed in response, its wings flaring out behind it. It took a step back, dragging me with it, as Griiq advanced.

My consciousness slipped away, the pain and fear overwhelming me. But I clung to it, desperate to stay awake, to find a way out of this nightmare.

“Griiq,” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart. “Griiq, please...”

And then the world went black. The last thing I heard was Griiq’s anguished cry echoing through the forest.

Chapter 18

Griiq

The horror that gripped my heart as I saw the Camazotz’s claws wrap around Harlow’s body was unlike anything I had ever experienced. My breath caught in my throat, a silent scream trapped within me as I watched her go limp in the creature’s grasp.

“No!” I roared, my voice echoing through the night. I lunged forward, desperate to reach her, but the sheriff’s shout stopped me in my tracks.

A blinding jet of electricity shot from his weapon, striking the Camazotz directly in the chest. The creature let out an ear-splitting shriek, its grip on Harlow loosening as it stumbled back. Harlow tumbled to the ground, her body hitting the earth with a sickening thud.

For a moment, everything stood still. My heart pounded in my ears, drowning out the surrounding chaos. Then, as if jolted by the same electricity that had struck the Camazotz, Harlow’s eyes snapped open. She leaped to her feet with a speed that defied her human limitations.

The Camazotz, recovering from the shock, lunged for her once more. Its razor-sharp claws glinted in the moonlight, hungry for her flesh. But Harlow was faster. She darted to the side, her movements a blur as she raced towards the trap we had set.

“Now!” I shouted to the deputies, my voice hoarse with desperation.

They heaved the silver-mirrored trap into position, its reflective surface gleaming like a beacon of hope. Harlow sprinted past it, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The Camazotz, blinded by its own rage, leaped after her, its massive form hurtling through the air.

The moment seemed to stretch into an eternity as the creature’s body crossed the threshold of the trap. Then, with a resounding clang, the deputies slammed the door shut behind it, sealing the Camazotz within its mirrored prison.

I stood frozen, my eyes locked on Harlow as she stumbled, her legs giving out beneath her. She hit the ground hard, a cry of pain escaping her lips. In an instant, I was by her side, my arms wrapping around her trembling form.

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