Page 25 of Beauty and the Grendel

I dragged myself back to the crack, my eyes straining to catch any glimpse of Griiq or the Camazotz. But there was nothing, just the eerie stillness of the forest beyond the cave.

“Griiq,” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart. “Please come back to me.”

I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breathing, trying to hold on to the hope that Griiq would outsmart the Camazotz, that he would defeat it and come back to me.

But the fear that gripped my heart wouldn’t let go, the fear that I might never see him again, that I might live out my days in this cave forever, alone and helpless.

I leaned my head against the stone, exhausted and desperate, my mind racing with possibilities, with prayers, with pleas to whatever higher power might be listening.

“Please,” I whispered again, my voice cracking with emotion. “Please let him be okay. Please let him come back to me.”

And then I waited, my heart in my throat, my eyes fixed on the narrow crack, hoping against hope that Griiq would appear, that he would be safe, that we would find a way out of this nightmare together.

I blinked in surprise as the heavy stone suddenly shifted, revealing the concerned faces of two deputies. They helped me out of the cave, and I stumbled into the open air, my legs shaky from being cramped for so long.

“Thank you,” I gasped, my eyes darting around the forest, searching for any sign of Griiq or the Camazotz. “I have to find Griiq. He’s in danger.”

I ran in the direction I thought Griiq had gone, my heart pounding in my ears. But before I could get far, a powerful hand gripped my arm, stopping me in my tracks.

I spun around to see the sheriff, his face grim. “Miss Adams, wait,” he said, his voice urgent. “We have a trap set up. We could use your help to capture the Camazotz.”

I hesitated, torn between my desire to find Griiq and the realization that the sheriff’s plan might be our best chance at stopping the creature. I nodded, my jaw set with determination.

The sheriff led me through the forest, his deputies close behind. We moved quickly, our footsteps muffled by the thick underbrush. As we walked, the sheriff explained the trap they had set up, a large net hidden beneath a layer of leaves and branches.

“We’re hoping to lure the Camazotz into the trap,” he said, his eyes scanning the surrounding trees. “But we need to be careful. That creature is fast and strong.”

I nodded, my heart racing as we approached the set trap. I could see the camouflaged net now, barely visible beneath the forest floor.

I turned to the sheriff, my voice low. “What do you need me to do?”

He handed me a small whistle, his eyes serious. “When the Camazotz is in position, blow this. It will signal to my men to pull the net tight.”

I took the whistle, my fingers trembling slightly. I knew the plan was risky, but it was our best chance at stopping the Camazotz and saving Griiq.

I moved closer to the trap, my eyes searching the forest for any sign of movement. The deputies fanned out around me, their weapons at the ready.

“Griiq!” I called, my voice echoing through the trees. “Griiq, where are you?”

I waited, my heart in my throat, hoping against hope that he would appear, that he would be safe.

But there was no response, only the eerie stillness of the surrounding forest.

I called again, louder this time, my voice tinged with desperation. “Griiq! It’s Harlow! Please, if you can hear me, come back!”

I stood there with the whistle clutched tightly in my hand, my eyes fixed on the trap before me. Every muscle in my body was tense, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice.

“Griiq!” I yelled, my voice raw with emotion. “Griiq, please! We have a plan to catch the Camazotz! Just come back to me!”

I waited, my breath held, my heart pounding in my chest. The forest seemed to hold its breath with me, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.

And then, from somewhere in the distance, I heard it. A low, guttural growl that sent shivers down my spine. The Camazotz was close, and it was coming our way.

I raised the whistle to my lips, ready to give the signal, ready to end this nightmare once and for all. All I needed now was for Griiq to appear, to be safe, to be by my side as we faced this danger together.

I revved the engine of the ATV, my heart pounding as I tore through the forest, following the direction of the Camazotz’s unearthly wails. Branches whipped against my face, leaving stinging cuts, but I barely noticed. All I could think about was finding Griiq, making sure he was safe.

“Griiq!” I screamed, my voice barely audible over the roar of the engine. “Griiq, where are you?”

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