Chapter 225: Mutated Scorpion
"WHAT DID YOU TWO DO??" Jack screamed in panic when the uprooting sound became more and more approachably audible, and far ahead, they could see trees falling, as though they were being effortlessly sliced through by something– not just anything, but rather, something deadly.
"Run run run!" Maurice and Jack didn’t have to think twice before picking up their belongings and bolting for their lives into the jungle. They had both been overtaken by fear that they failed to realize that Bryn had been left behind. Meanwhile, Bryn had stood on guard, his sword poised in his grip, looking ready to attack whatever beastly figure headed his way, and when the menacing creature got close, the instant scurrying in his direction stopped.
When the figure within the bushes lifted itself to look at Bryn, the once confident Bryn could feel his bravery facade drop when the creature towered over him, the tail of the creature rose in an attempt to strike, the hook-like tip poised, as if ready to sting the one that had taken away its gemstones. To Bryn’s unfortunate encounter, he had one of the gemstones in the hilt of his blade.
Maurice and Jack continued to run for their lives, staying about their wits. They hardly turned back to steal a peek and confirm if the creature was still after them or not, all their brains could process at that moment was finding a safe place to hide, and after running for a good amount of time, Jack and Maurice took cover behind a tree, their chests heaving, whilst they panted due to the long run, already exhausted.
"Is it coming?" Maurice whispered to Jack, stealing a side-glance in his direction, but the young adult who seemed to be at his age was still too frightened to look. Howbeit, they could no longer hear the sound of the creature coming, and that was enough to give Maurice the chance to take a look.
The Forest was dark as it was already nighttime, and Maurice had to stay cautious before peering out. Aside from the scary-looking wild bushes, he did not see the creature that had been after them, and that made him plop to the ground in relief. He could have sworn he felt his heart at his throat when the creature approached them, but he felt glad to know that they had made it out safely.
"I think it’s gone." He said to Jack who also released a sigh of relief. Dropping to his knees, Jack opened his sack and cross-checked his gemstones. After confirming that they were complete, he glanced at Maurice.
"Did you get your stones?"
"Yes." Maurice whispered back, "what about you Bryn? Did you–" turning his head to look behind him, there was no sign of Bryn.