The surface isn’t what I expect. There’s so much more of, well, everything that I become disoriented whenever my light hits a green surface. Vines, thick and gnarled, suffocate wide trees. They string from one to another creating a giant web that looks like something you’d find in a nightmarish fairytale. I thought the forest was thick close to the compound, but this is ridiculous!
“How are we going to get through?” I ask. Everywhere I look, the path is blocked. With enough time we could get through, but our time is limited.
“Over here,” Link calls in a loud whisper.
I swivel around but can’t see him. The movement makes me slightly nauseous.
“This way,” Tank says and tugs on my arm. He takes hold of several vines as thick as my wrist and snaps them in half. I go through them and have to duck under several more. On the other side is Link. He must’ve climbed over the ones Tank just broke.
I illuminate the area with my headlamp. The ground beneath my feet is worn, and all around trees are snapped in half or splintered on their sides. Vines are torn and cut, and when I shine my light just right, it looks like we are in a corridor of sorts—one cutting through the forest.
“It’s an animal trail,” I say.
“You mean a monster trail,” Smoke says next to me. Behind him, Renny takes Layla’s hand and whispers something in her ear.
“Do you think it leads to the beach?” Tank asks.
“I can’t tell,” Jerry says. He’s several feet ahead looking down at a compass in his hands. “But we should stay close to the tunnel in case we can find a way back in. Let’s follow this path for a little ways then cut back over.”
“But if we run this,” Tank says, “we could be at the beach in less than an hour.”
Smoke snorts. “Stupid idea. We don’t know what kind of creatures run this path.”
"It's worth the risk." Tank stretches tall, his head almost skimming the top of the vine ceiling.
“And what about the rest of us, Tank?” Jerry asks. “Right now we’re a team, and we stay together.”
Tank moans. “Then let’s hurry, whatever we’re doing.”
“Back in formation,” Jerry says. “Stay close and heads on a swivel. Keep as quiet as possible.”
I obey along with the others. Smoke and I are at the back again. Our pace is quick, but not quite a full run. It feels good to be free of the tunnel walls hurrying through a darkened forest, my hair lifting behind me. It reminds me of my home in Maine where I used to run for hours without a care in the world. Those memories feel like another lifetime.
Tank drops back from the front until he is next to Smoke. “Trade me.”
“Let the old guy take the heat at the front,” Smoke says. “I get it.”
“Just go,” Tank says.
Smoke spits but picks up his pace to join Jerry. Link looks back at me questioningly, but I just shrug my shoulders.
“This is taking forever,” Tank says quietly to me. “Colt probably thinks I’m still at the Institute so we either need to run, or I need to find a way to communicate with him before he does something stupid.”
A sudden coldness that has nothing to do with the outside air hits my core. “What do you mean? What would he do?”
“What did you do when the Institute held Max or Anthony?”
I grit my teeth together remembering how I had convinced the others to save Max. It wasn’t too difficult considering he was an Original, but when the Institute captured Anthony during the rescue, Colt and the others weren’t even going to try and save him. With Anthony having less than five years left to live, despite being in his early twenties, they didn’t think it was worth risking their own lives. But I did. Anthony was important to me, and I didn’t care when he might die.
“There might be a communication device on the sub,” I say. “As soon as we get back into the tunnel—” I shiver at the thought “—we can run the rest of the way.”
I rub my hands against my arms, the chill inside me warming slightly. In a way, I was glad to know Colt was willing to sacrifice his life for someone else, even though I couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to him. It meant he valued life, which meant others probably did too. When people sacrifice for someone else that means there’s love, and where there’s love, there’s hope. Could people on the outside have changed that much?
Jerry stops the group ahead. “Go check the tunnel, Link. And hurry.”
Link nods and disappears into the forest by jumping up and taking hold of a thick vine. He swings himself into the darkness.
“I can’t take this waiting,” Tank says. “I can probably pound my way back into the tunnel.”
“Not without making a bunch of noise.” Jerry squats to the ground and places his hand onto the dirt.
I wonder what he’s doing, but then I feel it too—a small vibration. I swivel around and shine my light onto the darkened path behind us.
“What is it?” Layla asks.
The vibration grows, bouncing the dirt floor. Pieces of dirt clods near my feet crumble apart. Something is coming.
12
The ground beneath my feet continues to bounce. The vibration shakes free several leaves from the canopy above us. They fall slowly to the earth, unaware of the approaching danger.
“Everybody off the trail!” Jerry says. “Hurry! Get under the trees, wherever you can hide. And turn off your lights.”
No one hesitates. I dive to my left, close to where Link disappeared. I barely manage to squeeze between the base of a thick, mossy tree and a patch of tall ferns. Just before I shut off my light, I search the tree line for the others. Layla and Renny have wedged themselves inside a big leafy bush. Branches are bowed back and sticking in every direction. It can’t be comfortable.
I don’t see Smoke or Jerry, but it’s not them I’m worried about. I catch a glimpse of Tank’s shoulders. He’s managed to hide part of himself behind a tree, but he’s simply too big to conceal entirely. I just hope that whatever’s coming at us is going fast enough that he won’t be seen.
My light is the last to go off, plunging us into a heavy darkness. It’s broken up by a few random spots of moonlight that have somehow found their way through the gnarled mess above.
When the sound of heavy, galloping footsteps matches the pounding motion on the ground, I cling to the earth, my nails digging into cold, wet dirt. Whatever’s coming is huge, and by the sound of it there are several of them.
My breathing quickens, and I don’t know whether to close my eyes tight or keep them open. I search the darkness hoping to see someone else, but I am alone.
Just then a hand takes hold of my calf, making me jump.
“It’s just me,” a voice whispers.
I gasp for air. Link squeezes his way up to me pushing aside branches and dirt.
“You okay?” he asks.
“A little freaked out is all,” I say. Darkness masks his face even though he’s only inches away.
Link’s hand fumbles in the dark until it finds mine. He gives it a gentle squeeze. If only I could see what’s coming I’d feel better.
The sound and rumbling grows increasingly worse until I think the creatures are right on top of us, and yet I still don’t see anything. I squint my eyes thinking it might help me see through the black when all of a sudden a flash of gray passes directly in front of me. It’s followed by a gust of wind that chills my skin. I quickly bring my hand to my mouth to keep from screaming.
Not even a second passes when several more creatures come crashing by. Because I can’t see much, I can’t tell their size, but by the way the ground is thumping and by the amount of dirt swelling into the air and into my lungs, they must be massive. Link’s hand leaves mine and comes around my back to pull me closer to him as if he might protect me should one of the beasts veer off the path.
“What are they?” I say in his ear, almost yelling to be heard over the stampede.
“Brines, I think.”
My mind races
until the image of a Brine surfaces in my memory. They are similar to elephants in size and appearance, but lack an elephant’s gentle temperament. Their long, pointed tusks are enough to frighten anyone, but they are nothing compared to their razor-sharp bottom teeth that come up and over their top lip by at least a foot. Should just one of them discover our presence, we could be in a lot of trouble.
I hold my breath almost a full minute as the Brines run past us, but as the last one goes by and the sounds of their heavy steps slowly fades, I exhale. It’s the only sound I hear until several moments later Jerry says, “I think it’s safe to come out now.”
I carefully maneuver my way from my cramped hiding spot. Link is right behind me. I turn my light on low, keeping the beam toward the ground. The last thing we need is attention.
Renny and Layla come out of their tangled shrub together. Layla is pale and she’s wiping her mouth with the back of her hand as if she just vomited. Tank steps out from the other side of the trail and says, “I wouldn’t mind fighting one or two of those.”
“I’d pay to see you do it,” Smoke says, his voice low and off to my left. I don't dare shine my light on him.
Jerry turns his light on low too. “Was the tunnel open, Link?”
"Collapsed solid, but maybe if we go another hundred yards, it will open back up."
"Let's hope so," Jerry says. "Back in formation."
"Let's jog," Tank says, and before anyone can argue he takes off, disappearing into the dark.
We keep a steady pace stopping only when Link needs to check the tunnel, but each time we return with him, we are disappointed. The tunnels can only be traveled on for a short distance before we have to return to the animal-made path.
"We can't keep going back and forth like this," Tank says. "We're wasting time."
"I agree," Link says. He has a cut on his cheek, probably from scrambling through the vines coming to or from the tunnel. This forest is the most unforgiving natural place I've ever encountered. My arms have their own cuts to prove it.
Jerry pinches the bridge of his nose. "Fine."
We take off running again. For the most part, the forest is quiet. An occasional rumble on the forest floor, or a loud moan gives us pause, but not for long.
"Just up ahead," Jerry says.
My running picks up when I hear ocean waves crashing to shore. It's the most glorious sound I've heard in months. Behind the others, I burst free from the woods and onto a rocky beach. I don't mean to, but I giggle a little. A salty breeze ruffles my hair, and I inhale deeply. Best smell in the world. I sigh a breath of contentment and joy.
"Hurry!" Jerry says, ruining the moment. He's scrambling over boulders just up ahead.
Light from the full moon illuminates the beach in a silvery haze, but shadows cast from large rocks make it difficult to find sure footing. Ahead of me, Layla slips and takes a hard landing onto her back. Renny helps her to stand, but she is unable to move as quickly.
I catch up to them and ask, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Layla mutters and picks up her speed. She's noticeably limping on her right foot. Renny keeps his hand firmly on her back.
I catch movement off to my right near the edge of the forest. Peering into the darkness, I squint to get a better view. A tall, thin shadow darts from the forest, but disappears behind a rocky mound. It’s human-like in appearance, but with arms and legs that are disproportionately long compared to its core.
"Keep moving," Smoke says as he hurries by me.
I run alongside him. "Did you see it too?"
"Something's following us."
I pick up my pace, but I'm slowed by Layla and Renny. Layla's already running as fast as she can with her injured ankle. Renny keeps his hand on her, but he's scanning the tree line as if he has seen the figure too.
Doing my best to maintain my footing, I risk a few glances back to the forest. This time I don't see one creature, but three. Tall and thin, mere wisps of shadows that seem to disappear and reappear within the moonlight. These things are not familiar to me in any way. I can't recall them from past conversations or any textbooks I've ever read. This scares me.
Smoke glances behind him. I do the same. Two more of the slender humanoids are scampering over the rocks behind us, their long arms stretching out before them like the elongated shadows from a dying sunset. At their tips, razor sharp nails glimmer in the moonlight. I may not recognize these things, but I recognize their behavior—they are a hunting pack surrounding their prey.
13
"We need to go faster, Renny," I say to him. I don't dare yell for Tank; he’s too far ahead to come back and help. Along with Jerry and Link, they are climbing to the top of a small, rocky hill. The other side must be a steep drop off to the ocean. Where is the submarine?
Layla groans. "I'm trying, really I am. Why don't you three go ahead? I'll catch up."
"No way," Renny tells her. "I'm not leaving you, but I am going to pick you up."
Before she can protest, he scoops her up and throws her over his shoulder. She opens her mouth, but quickly shuts it when she spots the creatures. I know she can see them because her face has gone as pale as the moonlight.
"How much further?" I whisper to Smoke.
"Just over that ridge."
I peer up. Jerry has disappeared over the edge, but Tank and Link stand at the top, two dark angels guiding us to safety. They both have blades drawn in each hand, and they’re staring over our heads. I don't dare turn around just yet to see what they are looking at.
"Almost there," Renny says, his breathing ragged. He nearly loses his footing on the slippery rocks, but I steady him just in time. He repositions Layla over his shoulder.
"I'm so sorry," she says. The glimmer of a teardrop falls from her cheek to the ground.
"Hurry up," Tank whispers. "Move!"
We scramble up the slippery rocks. As soon as we reach the top, Renny sets Layla down and together they slide on their bums into what looks like a manmade cove. A section of the rocky cliffs has been blown apart just wide enough to build a covered dock. The roof over the dock has all kinds of plants growing on top to match the nearby terrain. No one flying overhead would ever suspect what lay hidden beneath the bushy foliage.
Before I follow after Renny and Layla, I glance one last time behind me and count at least five of the slender shadows extending their long legs toward us. Clustered together, they look like a giant spider scurrying over the rocky beach.
"Out of time," Smoke says.
He grabs me and together we slide down the slope. Link and Tank are behind us. Tank is so big that he practically creates a landslide. Small pebbles hit me in the back.
"Sorry," Tank says.
At the bottom, Jerry is holding the submarine hatch open as Layla climbs inside.
"Get this thing going and quick," Jerry tells Renny before Renny disappears inside after her.
I jog up to Jerry, my feet pounding on the wooden dock.
"What's coming?" Jerry asks. His eyes are scanning the top of the ridge.
"I don't know. I've never seen anything like them. Tall, thin creatures. Sharp claws."
A cold wind picks up, chilling my already goose bumped flesh.
Jerry glances over my shoulder. "How much time do you think we have?"
"With the way those suckers are moving," Link says, his face noticeably flushed even in the dark, "two minutes at most."
Jerry turns to Smoke who is messing with some sort of electronic box at the end of the dock. "Smoke! Get inside and help the other two. We need to leave now."
Smoke spits a wad into the water. "Coming."
Jerry turns back to Link. "See that red lever where Smoke was just at?"
Link glances down at the end of the dock and nods.
"Pull that when we get this sub running and after everyone has gone inside. It unhooks the sub from the dock. Got it?"
"Got it!" Link says.
"We should only need another minute or so." Jerry hur
ries into the hatch after Smoke.
"I'll go over here," Link says and jogs to the end of the dock off to the left.
I move near Tank, who is blocking the entrance to the dock, and unsheathe two daggers from my boots.
"Do you know what those creatures are?" Tank whispers to me.
"I don't and neither does Jerry."
"They must be super smart to stay undetected for so long. Be careful, Sage."
"I will." I keep my eyes on the ridge, moving them slowly back and forth. For a moment, the dark silhouette of a rock seems to grow, but I must've imagined the movement, because there's nothing there now.
I glance away for a fraction of a second when the submarine's engine roars to life. Ocean bubbles boil up all around it.
"I've got a bad feeling," Tank says. "We better get out of here soon."
Link inches his way toward us, his eyes never leaving the ridge. "Anyone else seeing shadows move from the corners of their eyes?"
"I've thought that a few times," Tank says. "My eyes tell me we're safe, but every other part of me is screaming that we're under attack."
Just as he says it, the shadow of a small bush seems to stretch, but then returns to normal.
"There!" I point halfway up the rise and squint.
"I can't see anything," Link says.
A few pebbles bounce down the hill as if someone or some thing had dislodged them. They stop near my foot. I crouch low into a defensive position, my knives raised high.
"We're ready," Layla whispers from the open hatch. "Let's go!"
I let out a breath I had been holding, but before I can turn around, a thin wisp of shadow cuts through the darkness and slashes at Tank's leg. Tank yells and drops to the ground. The creature is gone before I have a chance to react.
"Are you okay?" Link asks.
"That thing got me good," Tank growls.
"What's going on?" Layla asks. She moves a little further from the opening of the submarine.
"Can you walk?" I ask. I lift his arm over my shoulders. Link does the same on the other side. Despite his heavy weight, we manage to help him to his feet, but the moment he takes a step, he collapses again.
Escape from Eden (Original Series book 2) Page 8