Page 16 of Red Fire

I pray that Creed wins.

One of them snarls, sounding like a ferocious lion. Then, they come together all at once. Branches snap, there are growls, snarls, and grunts of exertion. I strain my ears, trying to discern who has the upper hand in this deadly battle taking place just a few feet away from where I cower. If I didn’t know better, I would say that it was two predators fighting tooth and nail. They sound savage and untamed.

Should I run?

Find a better hiding spot?

Shit! I don’t know what to do. I’m going to have to trust that Creed has the situation under control. I’ll move if I have to, but without a flashlight, I might hurt myself in the dark. I’ll trip and fall. I’ll run straight into a tree or a thorn bush.

Nope, for now, I’m staying right here.

There is a sickening crunch, and I can’t help it; I gasp. Then, one of the two men falls. They fall hard onto solid ground with a thump.

Oh no!

No!

Please let Creed be okay. Please!

There’s silence. Complete quiet. It’s disconcerting.

Mounting tension crackles through me. I dare not move, barely even breathe. I’m waiting for some sign of what has just happened. The darkness seemed to press in on me, suffocating in its intensity. I peer around the tree but can’t see anything.

“Creed?” I whisper. I can’t help it.

“Shhhhhhh,” he says, suddenly there right next to me. “Not a sound,” he whispers into my ear. “They’ll be here soon.” He hoists me onto his back in one swift move.

They?

I have to work to keep myself from yelping as we melt back into the shadows of the forest. I get a whiff of a coppery scent that I suspect is blood. I’m hoping he isn’t injured.

As Creed moves silently through the undergrowth, I can’t shake off the fear that lingers in the pit of my stomach.

They!

Just as I think it, the sound of footfalls in the distance sends a jolt of panic through me. Creed quickens his pace, his movements fluid and purposeful. I bury my face in his shoulder, trying to muffle the erratic rhythm of my breathing. Every nerve in my body is on edge as I wait for the next threat to reveal itself.

Crap! Crap! What are we going to do?

Soon, the sound of footfalls seems to come from all around us. There is more than one of them and although they’re still far, they’re moving quickly.

We’re in real trouble.

8

Creed

This is dia-fucking-bolical!

It can’t get too much worse.

There are at least six males after us right now. I am sure there will be more soon. I have to think of something, and fast. I can’t fight so many of them off. With the human on my back, I am slower than they are. I need to come up with another plan yesterday.

As we continue to dodge through the dense foliage, my mind races with possible strategies. The footsteps behind us are getting closer, their heavy thuds echoing ominously through the night.

Fuck!

Think! Think! Think!

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