Turning around to look at Horaz, a sheen of sweat was on his forehead. She intended to wipe it when she suddenly noticed a patch of skin peeking behind his ears. Horaz hair had grown long enough, which she had told him that it was becoming of him despite him cutting it in different styles that were popular for men for so long.Touching the patch of skin made Perri pull herself up. The patch of skin burnt as if forming into a scale.She looked at Horaz with inquiring eyes but found him looking back at her with a sheepish smile.Something in her turned pale. The color of the skin was the same kind as the ones from the creature. No words could escape her as she felt herself crumble. Biting, her lips, ready to cry.She felt his arms wrap around her and say, “Don’t... I’m not worried, and so should you.”“Ho—how can I not be worried??” Her voice was in an angry whisper.“So far, that’s the onl

Excusing herself, she left Lena to eat on her own. Climbing back to the second floor, she met with noise from beside the staircase.Looking at the door, it was ajar and creepily so, enough for Bernice to notice right away. Though eerie, it was not enough for her to be creeped out, the peeking eyes of Horaz did. Her reflex was to escape right away, but she found his face looking guilty like a sinner in church. The two held a silent conversation, internally embarrassed from a suggestive mention that Perri “needed to rest with him.”Thinking it’s no time to think deeply of her friend’s activities, she let them be concluding that their “adults” already. At least, a blanket thought. Once inside the room, Bernice quickly checked all the available smartphones.Two ones were on the bed; one must be from Lena and the other from Perri. She looked for Lena’s other phone, the one she least used, still plugged into the charger. Openi

Brows furrowing, it squirmed from being squeezed and motioned its head to the side, closer to the cloth that nestled it. Covering its nose, it seems, from the smell. The woman smiled; the stress lines from lack of sleep appeared less around her eyes. It made her face brighten for a moment. The man saw this and sighed before looking out again, listening for anyone to hinder their escape.A few minutes counted before he decided to go out of the dumpster. He held his hand, telling the woman with one look to stay put while he looked around. Since the shadows of other people disappeared and had not shown again, he assumed that they had escaped farther away or scattered. But, there were no other people seen, so he told himself that it was alright and safe.The two hurriedly exited the dumpster, went in the opposite direction of the sound of people screaming and of any other chaos happening. They arrived at another corner where they encountered another group of people. This g

Rows of fashionable but aged, spread-out condominiums welcomed them. Like imposing walls caging towards the “residentials” where houses are supposed to be parted by gardens and greenery. Only, they’ve become clustered with private homes side by side with little leeway for structures to breathe.Walking through streets, surrounded by a mix of silence or escaping steps, their movements were not as inconspicuous. Considering the number of people or persons they meet along the way that greets them nicely or dismisses them without a second glance could be counted in one hand.Busying themselves with their safety makes for a better choice to each one than caring to bother having extra burden in a world where a roaming monster can attack any time and without rhyme. Putting useless effort to spiral into a fruitless assumption pit of hell would only lead anyone in this catastrophe depression and death without effort. Instead, they’d rather survive and le

Reaching three blocks away, the people suddenly stop and the creature paused its movements as the quartet ran farther. Finally, in a safe space again. It was a simple encounter of a unique group of people that, seem to cater to the creature, something Anton said he’s seen someone do but never thought to see in such a large number.As if those people sucked up to the creature, knowing it had enough intellect to trick it. Maybe they were treating it like a wild animal and currying favor by sacrificing themselves bit by bit, at the thought, mayhaps it was good they didn’t get to those people or be captured by them.Rounding another corner, Anton and Tacio finally showed signs of tiredness. They come across rows of houses with well-spaced yards, still with no one around. Tomas still pedaled with his might, but he soo tired that he gasped every pedal, losing his breath from the effort to move forward. All the men had lost their adrenaline, with nothing but their