SPARK OF SURVIVAL
Oluwagbenga Abiola@oluwagbengaabiola322369
1 month ago
Chapter 4: The Shadow in the Night
The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, casting a dark and foreboding shadow over the land. The tribe huddled together, their eyes fixed on the fire that crackled and spat in the center of their camp. Akira's discovery of the mysterious liquid had given them a newfound sense of hope, but they knew that they were far from safe.
As they sat there, listening to the distant howling of wolves, a sense of unease began to creep over them. It started as a faint rustling in the underbrush, a soft snapping of twigs and leaves. But as the moments ticked by, the sounds grew louder and more intense, until it sounded like something was moving through the forest, something big.
The tribe exchanged nervous glances, their hearts pounding in their chests. Kanaq stood up, his eyes scanning the darkness beyond the firelight. "What's out there?" he whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of his own heartbeat.
And then, without warning, a figure emerged from the darkness. It was tall and imposing, its body a mass of twisted, elongated limbs. Its skin was deathly pale, and its eyes glowed with an otherworldly light.
The tribe froze in terror, unable to move or speak. The figure began to move closer, its limbs twitching and jerking in a way that seemed almost... unnatural.
Akira was the first to break the spell, her voice shaking as she whispered, "What is that thing?"
Kanaq's eyes were fixed on the figure, his mind racing with thoughts of how to protect his tribe. "I don't know," he whispered back, "but we need to get out of here, now."
The tribe didn't need to be told twice. They scrambled to their feet, grabbing their belongings and fleeing into the darkness. The figure gave chase, its limbs moving with an unnatural speed and agility.
As they ran, the tribe could hear the figure's labored breathing, its twisted limbs pounding against the earth. They knew that they couldn't outrun it forever, and that eventually, they would have to face their terror head-on.
But for now, they just kept running, their hearts pounding in their chests, their lungs burning with exhaustion. They didn't dare look back, fearing what they might see.
And so they fled, into the darkness, with the shadow of the unknown terror lurking just behind.
As they ran, the tribe stumbled and tripped over roots and rocks, their breathless gasps echoing through the forest. Kanaq's eyes scanned the darkness, desperate to find a place to hide. But the figure was relentless, its twisted limbs pounding against the earth with an unnatural speed.
Just when it seemed like all was lost, Akira spotted a narrow opening between two massive boulders. "In here!" she shouted, grabbing Kanaq's arm and pulling him towards the opening.
The tribe squeezed through the narrow opening, their hearts racing with fear. But as they emerged on the other side, they found themselves face to face with a fast-moving river. The water was icy cold and swollen from recent rains, and the tribe's eyes widened in horror as they realized they had to cross it.
"Well, this is just great," Kanaq muttered, his eyes scanning the riverbank for a way across. "We escape the monster, only to drown in the river."
Akira shot him a withering look. "You're not exactly filling me with confidence, Kanaq."
But before they could come up with a plan, the figure emerged from the opening between the boulders. Its eyes fixed on the tribe, and it let out a blood-curdling scream.
The tribe didn't need any further encouragement. With a collective shout, they plunged into the icy waters of the river. The shock of the cold water took their breath away, but they kicked and paddled with all their might, desperate to reach the other side.
As they struggled through the water, the figure waded into the river behind them, its twisted limbs thrashing against the current. The tribe's screams echoed through the forest, mingling with the sound of rushing water and the figure's unearthly howls.
But just when it seemed like all was lost, Kanaq spotted a massive tree trunk floating downstream. With a swift kick, he sent the trunk hurtling towards the figure. The trunk struck the figure with a resounding crash, sending it tumbling beneath the waves.
The tribe reached the riverbank, gasping and shivering with cold. They looked back at the river, half-expecting to see the figure emerge from the depths. But there was nothing. Just the peaceful flow of the river, and the distant sound of birds singing in the trees.
As they caught their breath and warmed themselves up, Akira turned to Kanaq with a mischievous glint in her eye. "You know, for a guy who's always getting us into trouble, you're not too bad in a crisis."
Kanaq grinned, his teeth chattering with cold. "Hey, someone's got to keep you on your toes."
The tribe laughed, their exhaustion and fear momentarily forgotten. They knew they still had a long way to go, but for now, they were alive. And that was all that mattered.
Written by Abiola Oluwagbenga
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