This is a dark fiction, thriller, horror story with violence.
Nora whirls around, her heart catching in her throat as she stares into a dismal, deserted street. Horrible snarls echo in her ears, filling her with trepidation and dread. Nothing is familiar; it's like an entire new world has come to take its place. The tiny island appeared completely abandoned, devoid of life or any signs of civilization. No voices could be heard, but the menacing growls and no cars could be seen parked on the streets--this wasn't the same place she knew anymore. Is this a nightmare?
"Daddy, please! Where do I go?"
The monstrous snarls were deafening as they barreled toward her with relentless speed. Nora could feel the icy raindrops etching burning lines into her skin, each illuminated by lightning that lit up the night. With a raging fire in her veins, Nora stood motionless, not knowing what was coming but ready to fight whatever it might be.
She closed her eyes and listened incessantly as the hooves beat at the crumbling ground around her. When she opened them again, she found herself face to face with creatures that surpassed even her darkest nightmares, but not the animals she had expected.
"Men?"
All her instincts screamed at her to run, yet she stayed still. Her gaze darted across the streets, searching for an escape route. Then she remembered her father's voice - 'Fight, Nora!' She took a deep breath and steeled her courage. With no weapons in hand and skills that only her father had trained her in, she prepared to face the first man who approached her.
With her eyes closed, she took her stance. He brandished a sword with a loud metallic scrape and swung it toward her. Its whistling wind slicing through the air reached her ears moments before the blade nearly grazed her arm. Acting instinctually, she kicked him in the chest and reached for his weapon, tugging hard until his grip loosened. She snapped his wrist and sent him staggering back with a cry of pain. Taking up the sword herself, Nora lunged forward and brought it down on him in one unyielding stroke, severing his head from his shoulders.
She heard the pattering of feet getting closer and spun around quickly, bringing the sword up with a loud yell. The blade sliced through the air, but she could not make contact, and an intense pain blared across her back. A grunt escaped her lips before nausea overcame her from the searing heat of the knife wound. She shook her head to clear it, then kicked, punched, and swung her way to victory with adrenaline coursing through her veins. When she was sure her attacker lay dead on the ground, she opened her eyes and whispered, "Two down."
Her attention quickly shifted to a beast with blazing eyes and sharp teeth charging toward her. She took a deep breath as it barreled closer until a man's voice claimed her attention.
"About ten more to go."
Nora glanced at the man beside her, his stance fierce and weapon-ready. He raised his weapon and massacred all the attackers within seconds, but more were coming down the street too quickly for two people to handle alone. Nora swayed unsteadily as she tried to steady herself against the dizziness.
"Are you all right?" The man's voice was coated with concern.
"Where did you come from?" She sluggishly asked, staggering.
"Nora, run!"
Nora tightened her grip on the sword and watched as the horde of red-eyed demons snarled, tramping down the cobbled street toward her. The air was thick with their putrid stench. She narrowed her eyes and braced herself for battle.
"My dad. He needs me."
"Nora, run! Now!"
"Where? I have nowhere to go! You run. This is my fight. Don't get hurt fighting for a stranger."
The man's worry-filled gaze fixed on her so tenderly when he noticed the blood dripping from her shirt.
"Are you hurt?" he asked.
"I'm fine," she lied, adjusting her stance even though her body was sluggish and her voice was weak.
"Can you feel your father?"
Nora squinted against the glare of oncoming headlights, her chest tight as she nodded. With every step, she felt her legs weaken from the nerves that seemed to sap her strength. Despite her best efforts, Nora squinted and tried to focus on the figure across from her, but she could only make out a distorted blur. Her legs trembled.
"I feel…"
She stumbled backward, her body dropping limply as her feet left the ground. Before she could hit the cocreate, strong arms caught her and held her close against a muscular chest.
"I'm sorry I was late," he said.
Noah jumped out of the car.
"Is she…"
"No, but she's hurt."
. . . . . . . . . .
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