Darkness had fallen before Ashley heard the faint creak of the back door as it opened. Launching herself upwards, she squinted at the silhouetted figure that entered the room. It moved slowly, almost shambling into the room. As the figure drew closer, Ashley recognized them. It was one of the young men who had started this hunt.

Ashley raised her fists, ready to defend herself but stood frozen as she watched Alex approach. There was no aggression in his hunched shoulders and haggard face. He was like a soldier driven from the battlefield in defeat. Alex made his way to her, his broken eyes locking with her own. Wordlessly, he raised his hand and lightly grasped her shoulder.

They both stood there, caught in this peculiar moment. Neither one breaking eye contact with the other. Then suddenly, Alex lowered his hand. Moving to the front door and unlocking it, he left.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Only a moment after hearing the click of the front door, Ashley once again heard the creak of the rear door as it opened. There was no mistaking the figure that casually walked in. The narrow build of the man in the lab coat was clearly visible before the light illuminated his face.

He smiled broadly as he approached her, drawing a thin blade from his coat. Ashley didn’t move as he approached, still frozen by the broken man she had just seen. The man advanced until he was standing just in front of his prey, before pausing, soaking the moment in.

It was then that Ashley reacted, pushing at her adversary. A wall of yellow light erupted from her palms, pushing the doctor back. He looked surprised at first, but his face soon erupted into a massive grin. This was soon followed by hysterical laughter. Turning, Ashley fled with the insane howling of the doctor following hauntingly behind her.