Page 60 of Their Pretty Little Monster

Fear strangles my lungs, and I start backing away, knowing there’s no one else up here with us. The creature comes at me fast, falling to the ground, slithering toward me, and I scream.

I twist and run into the woods, the only place I can think of. The forest closes in around me, shadows thickening as I push through the underbrush.

That hissing follows me.

My breath comes in short, frantic gasps, and I trip over roots and stumble but keep moving. The trees seem to reach out, branches clawing at my clothes, my skin. The stormy wind picks up, howling around me like it knows I’m in huge danger.

I find a large tree and press myself against it, trying to control my breathing, to hide. My heart pounds so loudly in my ears I’m certain I’ll pass out. Will that creature snake thing try to eat me?

Gods!

Fear’s almost paralyzing, locking my legs in place.

That terrifying hissing grows louder, closer. I flinch, shaking uncontrollably.

So, I peer around the trunk, seeing it slithering through the underbrush, searching at least fifteen feet away. My hands tremble.

This can’t be happening. I thought I was safe here, and why the hell did Wolfe send me up here if it’s dangerous?

All I feel is terror.

I need to move, need to find a way out.

In a heartbeat, I rush forward, heart pounding in my chest, the cold air burning my lungs. The eerie silence is broken only by the sound of my feet crunching on the forest floor. I keep frantically glancing over my shoulder, terrified that the creature’s going to catch me.

Every rustle of leaves makes me jump, but I’ve lost sight of it.

A branch snaps to my left, and I flinch, changing direction in a panic. I dart faster, branches tearing at my clothes and scratching my skin. The darkening shadows are disorienting, and I have no idea where I’m going. My only thought is to escape.

Brighter light ahead catches my attention, and I push harder, desperate to reach it. I keep looking back, my fear growing with every glance. Suddenly, my foot catches on something, and I tumble forward. I hit the ground hard, pain shooting through my knees and palms.

I scramble to get up, only to realize I’ve tripped over a bunch of metal boxes and devices, metal tubes rushing into the ground and snaking up the side of the glass wall that overlooks the great ocean down below.

I’m at the edge of the woods with no way out!

Terror surges through me as I untangle my foot from the cords, pushing the stuff away. One of the devices releases a hissing sound, but I don’t care. I just need to get out of here.

Pivoting, I rush in the direction that will bring me out of the woods… I see the flowers far in the distance.

The snake creature emerges right on the path up ahead, not glancing my way.

I startle, backpedaling, my heart about to rip out of my chest. It’s still not looking my way, and I’m cupping my mouth to stop a scream.

So, I dive back into the woods but trip over a tree root, falling hard to the ground. Shit!

Fear grips me as the crunch of leaves and twigs sounds closer. Scrambling to get up, I frantically scan the woods, spotting a massive tree with a hollowed-out section in the trunk. I sprint forward, and I’m squeezing myself into the dark, cramped space inside the tree. My knees press tight, against my chest, my breath shallow as I hide in the shadow, praying I’m concealed.

Outside, the crunching footsteps grow louder, closer.

I press my hands over my mouth, stifling the urge to gasp. I need to stay silent, stay hidden. The creature—or whatever is hunting me—is too close. The very thought of it finding me squeezes my chest tight with terror.

As the footsteps continue, they seem to head in the direction of the door, to my right. I wait, counting each heavy step as it moves away, letting the silence stretch, my anxiety mounting with each passing second. Finally, when the sound fades to a distant echo, I dare to peek out.

The coast seems clear, but my body shakes as I ease out of the tree’s hollow. Every instinct screams to run, to find another exit, anything that might lead away from this nightmare. I set off in the opposite direction, hoping against hope there’s another way out of the room.

And that means crossing the woods to the other end.

I move as quietly as I can, my steps light on the forest floor, barely breathing. I’m listening for the slightest hint of movement or sound.

---