He quickly gestured for the girl to get through the opening, doing his best to help her despite her injuries. It was a struggle—she could barely move, and he had to practically push her through the mangled bars. But eventually, they managed.

Before he could turn back, he heard it—a low growl followed by the rapid splashing of something moving through the water. John spun around just in time to see the creature charging at him. He tried to pull himself out from between the bars, but it wasn't fast enough. Its claws raked across his jacket, slicing through the body armor beneath with ease.Sharp pain shot through him, but he didn't let it slow him down. He gritted his teeth, brought the gun up despite the burning in his side, and fired twice. Bang! Bang!

The creature let out a shriek, stumbling back a step as black ichor dripped from its wounds. But it wasn't done yet. It raised its arms for another strike. John ducked low as the massive claws swiped overhead, narrowly missing him. In the same motion, he drew his dagger from inside his coat and slashed across the creature's waist. More brackish blood spilled into the filthy water.He shifted to his left, circling around the beast as it swiped at him again. This time, instead of ducking, John shifted his position just enough to bring the dagger up, catching the creature's wrist as it swung. The force behind the strike was so great that the blade cut clean through, severing its hand. Black blood gushed from the stump, splattering over John's coat.

Before the creature even had time to react, John raised his gun again and fired two more shots at point-blank range. Bang! Bang!

The creature retreated, staggering back from John but only for a moment before lunging again, this time throwing its full weight into him. John tried to sidestep, but it spread itself too wide. He was slammed against the bars, his back smashing into the brick wall behind him, knocking the wind out of him. Before he could recover, one of the creature's remaining arms came up and slashed under him, its claws slicing through his coat and slowly digging into the body armor underneath. The pressure was intense, unbearable. He fumbled for his dagger, but his position was too awkward—he couldn't maneuver it in time.The creature loomed closer, its mouth widening unnaturally, jaw unhinging as if it intended to swallow him whole. Its claws jammed deeper into his side, and John felt the sharp sting of them piercing his flesh. He stifled the scream building in his throat, letting out only a muffled grunt of pain. Desperately, he angled the gun in his hand, awkward and off-balance, but it was his only shot. He pulled the trigger.

Bang!

The shot rang out, and his gun flew from his grasp, but not before a spray of black ichor hit his face. The creature screeched, stumbling backward as black blood spurted from its head. John collapsed to the ground, landing on his back with a heavy thud. He gasped for air, his arms shaking as he pressed them to the wet ground, trying to regain his senses, his vision blurred by the creature's blood and the strain.

He couldn't see the gun anywhere, but the dagger was still in his hand. Forcing himself up onto his feet, he saw the creature crawling away, its strength seemingly sapped, but it wasn't dead yet. He had to stop it, but he also had to get the girl out of here.

John quickly scanned the ground, searching through the brackish water for his weapon. A glint of metal caught his eye, and he waded toward it, grabbing the Smith & Wesson from beneath the murky surface. He shook it off and turned toward the retreating creature.

Bang!

The shot echoed through the tunnel, hitting the creature in the back. It collapsed, writhing on the ground like a dying insect, but John knew it wasn't enough to kill it. It was down, but not out—and it would come after them soon.

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He hurried back through the wreckage of the bars, turning to the girl. "We need to move. Now," he said, urgency in his voice. "Hurry!"

John helped the girl up, supporting her as they hobbled together down the tunnel. They moved as quickly as they could until they reached an outlet where the pipes ended, leading into another tunnel. Without wasting any time, they made their way through the access tunnel until they finally reached an exit. John helped her climb up the ladder, guiding her until she reached the surface.

Once she was safely above, he spoke to her with urgency. "Listen, if I'm not up in five minutes, you need to go. Get out of here, run if you have to. If I don't make it, you can't stay." He explained that before he came up, he would knock three times as a signal.

With a reluctant nod, the girl helped slide the sewer cover back into place. John took a moment to check the Smith & Wesson, but it wasn't going to help him now. The dagger would have to do.

A sudden splash echoed in the water to his left, pulling him out of his thoughts. His heart raced. Had the creature been following them the whole time? Another splash, closer this time. John tightened his grip on the dagger, readying himself for an attack. Then, there was another splash, this time passing him. He spun his head, but before he could fully turn, the creature's clawed hand slammed over his face, yanking him off his feet and into the filthy water.He struggled beneath the surface, the creature's claws tightening around his face, forcing him down into the putrid water. With no time to think, he kicked out, his boot connecting with the creature's jaw. He felt the crunch of its dagger-like teeth. Another kick, and then another, each one more desperate than the last. The creature's grip loosened enough for John to breathe again.As it pulled back, preparing to slash at him, John didn't hesitate. He brought the dagger down like a sewing needle, stabbing it over and over again. Even as its claws tore into his midsection, pain searing through him, he didn't stop. Blood—his and the creature's—clouded the water. Another kick sent the creature reeling, and John used the moment to push himself up to the surface, gasping for air.

He cleared the water from his eyes, his vision locking onto the beast, sprawled against the bricks. John moved toward it as quickly as his battered body allowed. The creature, though injured, was relentless. It lashed out with a swipe, catching him across the back. The pain was blinding, but John stepped in closer, determined to finish this.

The creature opened its jaws, ready to bite down on him again. But before it could close its gaping maw, John slammed his head up into its chin, forcing its mouth shut with a sickening crunch of teeth. Without hesitation, he drove the dagger into its throat, twisting it as the creature gurgled and finally slumped down, lifeless.

John stood over the body, breathing heavily, blood seeping from his wounds. It was over. At least for now.

2 Hours later.........

John sat on a crate, exhausted, a cigarette hanging loosely from his lips. The stench of the sewers still clung to him, though the fresh air outside was a small relief. Three cars were parked nearby, their engines still softly humming. A man in a long coat strolled up next to him, crossing his arms with a wry grin.

"Damn, you look like shit, John," the man said, pulling his hat off.

John recognized the voice immediately. He pulled the cigarette from his mouth and glanced up. "They still got you dealing with hunters, Lorenzo?"

John tried to stand, but his body wasn't cooperating. Lorenzo placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Ah, yeah, I think it's best you stay seated. You look like you can barely sit, let alone walk. I'll stay in and talk."

John had questions, and he wasn't about to give any answers before he got his. "What's a Childersnatch doing here?"

Lorenzo sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "The commission isn't sure. From everything we've got on record, they don't operate in areas like this. Too big of a city, too many eyes. They usually stick to smaller towns, more isolated spots."

John shook his head. "It was using the tunnels. Made for easy hunting."

"Yeah," Lorenzo nodded. "Can't tell how long it's been lurking here, but it's been a while. You chalked up quite a few missing persons to that thing. And now, with the kidnapping of an OEM council member's daughter... well, things have gotten pretty messy."

John raised an eyebrow. "A council member?"

Lorenzo gestured over his shoulder with his thumb. "Not just any council member. A sitting chair, too. The guy's name is Alfred something—can't remember."

John leaned back, surprised. "You don't say. Well, I'll be damned."