Jose loomed near the closet, his gaunt frame moving with unnatural stiffness as he sniffed at the air, his bony fingers grazing the door's edge. His jaw slackened, emitting a low, guttural growl that made Charlie's skin crawl. The faint creak of floorboards filled the silence, each sound amplifying the oppressive tension in the room.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJzRvFDCQ7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yEMLveY7v
Charlie's eyes darted to the window on their left, where the corpse of the coyote lay sprawled on the dusty ground outside. His heart raced, his pulse pounding in his ears. Without thinking, he whispered, "Uncle, we need to make a run for it. To our horses."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrtuyOdaMX
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3I2x5ubph
Jed, standing as still as a statue beside him, raised an eyebrow but didn't look away from Jose. "Run for it? Sure, kid. Got any bright ideas on how to not get our asses torn apart first?"
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoYHnlWz9x
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LUWhJcaF6
Charlie nodded toward the window. "That's our way out."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPvw9yNOby
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRO4VTneqM
Jed allowed his gaze to shift briefly, taking in the cracked glass and the coyote below. His lips twisted into a grimace. "And you figure that's better than waiting for him to tear us limb from limb?"
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdxR1cJYAt
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIVOEW410a
Charlie bit his lip. "It's all we've got."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPRL25XnFx
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3n05vjFQZ
Jed sighed deeply. "Alright, fine. But how about we try movin' nice and slow? Maybe he don't see us slinkin' over there."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1Ov6kVZuF
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9a1cJbxhM
Charlie's voice was tense. "Yeah, I think he'll still notice."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3BRRz0KCR
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQBkAaSGpp
"Well, kid, we're screwed either way," Jed muttered. "I got no aim left, and I don't reckon you've got much fight left in you either."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNRvbWaU1k
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjAxYbgHPd
Charlie swallowed hard. "Let's just do it."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AguDbZwTM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tgvVvKCo1
Without another word, they bolted toward the window.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NYSopbHcl
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1ZNij6fAh
Jose's head snapped toward them, his bloodshot eyes widening. "Sangreeeeeeeeee!" he howled, launching himself across the room in a frenzy.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48x2FGm2f2
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQamKWlACW
Jed and Charlie didn't stop. Jed's injured leg buckled slightly as they reached the window, but he gritted his teeth and leaped through the cracked glass. The sound of shattering shards filled the air as they tumbled onto the ground below, landing with a wet thud on the mangled corpse of the coyote.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQUJe9yHju
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAVPXqis09
Charlie groaned, struggling to push himself up. Blood smeared across his clothes as he realized where they'd landed. "My clothes are covered in blood!"
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC7oBkct8E
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDhOs35Nzt
Jed, wincing as he stood, shot him a glare. "Kid, I think we've got bigger problems than your damn laundry." He gestured with his chin toward the rooftops.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMQ8DT96Pr
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5GWTkC40a
Charlie's breath hitched as he looked up. Half a dozen creatures were perched on the edges of the roof, their gaunt faces and twisted bodies silhouetted against the darkening sky. They crouched low, their hollow eyes fixed on the two of them like predators ready to strike.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hoeAeHnkD
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYPmwGMvuF
Jose's growls grew louder as he appeared in the broken window above them, his face twisted in rage. He snarled, his lips curling back to reveal rows of jagged teeth.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXLjwAAiNu
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXt87Jg8xoD
Charlie's voice trembled. "Uncle, they're everywhere."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMol5xmwih
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSat8Xa5V3R
"No kidding," Jed muttered, reaching for his revolver. His hand hovered over the holster before he let out a resigned sigh. "Hell, this ain't worth a damn. I'm outta bullets, and even if I wasn't, my aim's shot to hell."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IeHW7H3Vq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc56aBaAtb
Charlie glanced at his arm, counting the faint glow of marks. "I've got five shots left."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3pJ6Xr91O
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy5ck5XFOk
Jed chuckled darkly, the sound bitter and self-deprecating. "Oh, great. Five shots and about a dozen of them lookin' to rip us apart. You're really gonna turn the tide here, kid."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeVWiRj0L3
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4XHF8QB9z
Jose growled again, his gaze darting to the monsters on the roof. The creatures hissed in response, their bony limbs skittering across the shingles as they began to move.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyZueJajOa
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3LOvFqUNn
Jed flexed his injured leg and gritted his teeth. "Alright, kid. Got any more bright ideas?"
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZeVhn6jxI
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zX4YM8af3
Charlie's eyes scanned their surroundings, his mind racing. The faint rustle of movement on the roof grew louder, the sound of claws scraping against wood filling the air.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqRALAKfxq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWfry9upYq
"I'm thinking," Charlie muttered.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yPbGpcOWY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS6IoJqhFo
"Well, think faster," Jed growled.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO27WJfXSF9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62S9wyN7cz
Jose's voice cut through the chaos, guttural and raw. "Sangreeee…"
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPETLRpBmP
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC6aEzIbkb
Jed rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, we heard you the first damn time."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY33g44iAZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DYS6PycgE
The creatures on the roof tensed, their bodies coiled like springs, ready to pounce. Jed tightened his grip on Charlie's shoulder.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNizTQ4sbA
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngLpNajjhZ
The monsters moved with unsettling precision, their gaunt, twisted bodies sniffing the air. Jed and Charlie pressed themselves against the wall, staying deathly still as the creatures' hollow eyes scanned the room. Their jagged teeth clacked together softly, a noise that seemed to echo like a ticking clock.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefuIwIsJnv
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUL55cCUIE
Jed leaned down, his voice a barely audible whisper. "Don't move. Don't even breathe too loud."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDD8BM7WIel
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsEyGl1A4F
Charlie's wide eyes darted between the creatures and Jed, his hand trembling as he gripped his uncle's coat sleeve. "Jed… I think they can smell us."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxeOUTM0hN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCWajoJ6EW
Jed's jaw tightened, and he muttered, "Yeah, kid. I got that impression when they started sniffin' like a pack of bloodhounds. Got any other obvious observations?"
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DHYxbmWx6
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBWqh6ScOF
Before Charlie could respond, one of the monsters let out a low growl, its head jerking in their direction. Jed didn't wait. He grabbed Charlie by the back of his shirt and yanked him toward the window.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFspjs9jrGq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPD8kgproO8
"Move!" Jed hissed, his voice sharp and commanding.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Nnbt46qal
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzofgqFvneJ
The creatures reacted instantly, their inhuman screeches piercing the air as they lunged. Jed and Charlie scrambled toward the window, their boots sliding on the worn wooden floor. Charlie felt the rush of air as a clawed hand swiped inches from his face.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ5yzXhpSn
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9jHG7j2hq
They made it to the window, and Jed shoved Charlie through first. But as Charlie tumbled out, Jose—quicker and more vicious than the others—reached them. With a guttural roar, he slashed at Charlie, his claws raking across the boy's leg. Charlie cried out, clutching his bleeding calf as Jed hauled him to his feet.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XQEFxjP5k
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Y0VBSyuuH
"Keep movin', kid!" Jed barked, his eyes darting between Charlie and the monsters closing in.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuH2iZXflcm
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFJLHm0zIL
Jed slammed the window shut with a rickety wooden table from the corner of the room. With a grunt, he shoved it against the window frame, pressing his weight against it. The creatures slammed against the other side, their claws scraping against the wood. One of them let out an earsplitting howl, and a fist punched clean through the table, splinters flying everywhere.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNFp8n2zzc
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMfKRAJ2QK
Jed stared at the hole, his face twisting into an exasperated grimace. "Well, so much for that plan." He threw his weight against the table again, buying them a few precious seconds. "Kid, you see a way outta this mess?"
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3W0Arnkqm
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSrPwBCA0b
Charlie's eyes darted around the room, searching frantically. The monsters' howls grew louder, and the table shook violently under the pressure of their assault. Then, he saw it—a chimney on the far side of the room, its narrow opening leading up and out.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBpD3VUjOz
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpAQ6nRwj8
"The chimney!" Charlie shouted, pointing. "We can climb up through the chimney!"
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3bquNM2m7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE82EDP6J8
Jed's gaze followed Charlie's outstretched hand, and he nodded grimly. "Alright. I'll hold 'em off. You get in there first."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp2UYsgg2t
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwM7ZsxB8p
Charlie hesitated, but Jed shoved him toward the chimney. "Go! Now!"
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1cMraQPgM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiMxfgy8b0
Charlie scrambled to the chimney, his hands slipping on the soot-streaked bricks as he hoisted himself up. Jed held the table for another agonizing moment, the wood cracking and splintering under the relentless assault of the monsters.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9WYNJBadm
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagWMMAKgJ2
"Hope you're in, kid, 'cause I'm done babysittin' this table!" Jed shouted, releasing his hold.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLiZrLPbdg
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqwVUV3vXZ
The table flew backward as the creatures surged forward, but Jed was already running. His boots pounded against the floor as he dove toward the chimney. One of the monsters swiped at him, its claws catching the hem of his coat, but Jed slipped free, pulling himself into the narrow space just as the creatures reached them.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HT8C6oj0Y
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNCcwzDouP
Jed's breath came in ragged gasps as he pressed his back against the soot-covered wall, his legs wedged against the opposite side to brace himself. He looked up to see Charlie struggling to climb, his hands trembling as he gripped the uneven bricks.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UIlVtpoxE
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANpkzfcHEq
"Great. Just great," Jed muttered, wiping sweat and soot from his forehead. "Boy, keep climbin'. I ain't keen on dyin' down here with you."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQattftQk1o
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmB0Dyp3sSF
Charlie gritted his teeth, his voice strained. "It's kinda hard! The bricks are all slippery!"
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KgNZvRjpS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmHMR3EAaD
Jed glanced down at the monsters below. Their claws scraped against the bottom of the chimney, their guttural growls echoing upward. "Well, it's gonna get a helluva lot harder if you don't move faster. C'mon, kid, put some muscle into it!"
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlSDXeBJtN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j3dG1OBU0
Charlie's legs trembled, but he climbed higher, his hands finding purchase on a protruding brick. "I'm trying, alright?"
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBxpBdjJ9b
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnSDZWsxKU
Jed chuckled darkly, the sound tinged with exhaustion. "Try harder, or I'm usin' you as a distraction."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkv4Sl3v4F
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyhUyF3LW4
The monsters roared below, their clawed hands reaching into the chimney. Jed pressed himself tighter against the wall, his sharp blue eyes scanning for any way to slow them down.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMH6UlhTbx
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORc8V9sOuR
"Kid," he called up, his voice carrying a surprising softness beneath the gruffness. "You keep goin'. Don't stop till you see daylight."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOkttescX2
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUQzpNub1n
Charlie glanced down, his face streaked with sweat and soot. "What about you?"
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vDBHAcPcL
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoHhdXrusF
Jed smirked, his expression grim but determined. "I'll be right behind you. Ain't leavin' you to deal with this mess alone. Now climb, damn it."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbTbEoEnOJ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ709ULaUTGm
As the boy pushed himself higher, Jed adjusted his position, bracing his arms and legs more firmly against the walls. He looked down at the snarling faces of the monsters below and let out a low, bitter laugh.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QVS9pb0HO
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1OjgxYKaN
"Y'know," he muttered, half to himself, "there's a lesson in all this. Don't ever trust an old house with a perfectly good window. It's probably a damn trap."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7un7f56WY3
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucaZzMgGFt
Above him, Charlie's voice carried down, shaky but determined. "I see light, Uncle! I see it!"
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubE7SkJ93M
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9YRRLlYax
Jed allowed himself a faint smile. "Good. Now get your ass outta here before I regret every decision I've made today."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXytOrpR6Y8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8827Dy7St
The chimney opened to the cool night air, and Charlie hoisted himself out with a grunt, collapsing onto the rooftop. He lay there for a moment, staring up at the night sky, where countless stars twinkled like scattered diamonds. The air was crisp, almost serene, in stark contrast to the chaos they'd just escaped.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrOEYL3CMV
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxvxY12ZuE
Jed followed seconds later, hauling himself out with a growl of exertion. He landed heavily beside Charlie, his breathing labored. "Well, that was a fine mess," Jed muttered, dusting soot off his coat.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM2lEx8c5O
Charlie pushed himself up on his elbows, his chest still heaving. "Uncle Jed... look at the stars," he said, his voice soft, almost childlike. "They're... beautiful."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhZjGMqu0P
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNitLJppJHn
Jed gave him a sidelong glance, his lips twitching into a faint smirk. "Sure, kid. Stars are real nice. Real nice,
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzgSHZKWSi
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6hvbgdv37
Charlie turned to face him fully, his expression shifting from wonder to something more troubled. "Uncle Jed... your skin..." His voice faltered, his hand pointing hesitantly. "It's... pale. And your eyes... they're glowing."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTaGLSY0rL
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOK2zIo2RT
Jed stiffened, his hand instinctively going to his face. "What the hell're you talkin' about?" he snapped, though there was an edge of unease in his tone.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wvF02dxM2
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJvlCq8RRY
Charlie's voice rose, panic creeping in. "Uncle Jed, you're turning into them! Your eyes... they're purple! And you smell... you smell like... like..."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSYONLYVfp
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WeDsNkmZm
"Rot," Jed finished grimly, his hand falling away. He looked down at his arms, the veins dark and prominent under unnaturally pale skin. His fingers trembled as he brought them closer to his face. The glow of his eyes reflected faintly in Charlie's terrified gaze.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN7NoSI3kq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS7vtM4JIM
Jed let out a sharp, bitter laugh, though there was no humor in it. "Ah, shit. Figures." He clenched his fists, his voice dropping to a rough whisper. "Guess those bastards didn't just scratch the kid."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbtawFc11n
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pMWn0Xaob
Charlie scrambled backward, his leg dragging uselessly from the earlier wound. "No... no, this can't be happening. You're—" His voice cracked, tears stinging his eyes. "You're you. You're not like them!"
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFUu1J29vD
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQEKOmtbr7
Jed's jaw tightened, his expression hardening despite the fear flickering in his glowing eyes. "Pull yourself together, boy. Ain't got time for tears." His voice was sharp but cracked under its weight. "I ain't gone yet."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGqy6Gdq26
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrv6qWxuZaP
Charlie shook his head, his breaths coming fast and shallow. "But what if you do? What if—"
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJMpO4PbU5
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhKxC8vOci
"Enough!" Jed's voice boomed, silencing him. He took a shaky breath, steadying himself. "Listen to me, Charlie. You keep movin'. You keep fightin'. No matter what happens to me. You hear me?"
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSA5hP5v34Q
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlYy9YgDCm
Charlie's lip trembled, but he nodded, his voice barely a whisper. "I hear you."
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPh77O75yq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllH2pqGtm2
Jed gave him a grim smile, his sharp wit dimmed by the shadow of his transformation. "Good. 'Cause I ain't lettin' some rotten corpse version of me be the end of your story."
ns216.73.216.166da2
