It stood tall. Taller than anything really should. I could feel breathing going into a manic panic, and there was no way in hell I could stop it. Oh god, I’m really gonna die. I felt myself unconsciously moving behind the yellow head, earning me her comforting look. Right. She promised. She promised, but, is there anyway she actually stands a chance against that thing? It’s a beast. She turned away and walked forward, almost taunting the thing. It growled before rushing forward, leaping down every stair at once before raging ahead on all fours, only to meet…a sword. A sword sharp enough and beautiful enough to pierce even the heavens.
The blade rushed forward, slashing open the right side of the thing’s face. It bounds to the left in a panic, holding its face and screeching. Quickly, the woman grabs my hand and leads me to the stairs and up them, telling me not to think about whatever I hear behind me. Once we’re back on the top floor, I see the field of gore the thing has left in its wake. My mind is so overwhelmed by it that I think I may not have even properly perceived it. I tell her we need to hide, but she shakes her head at me in response.
“The reason I can see you is because that thing has marked you. It can feel you out through an instinct constructed in its brain. Hiding would only be a death wish. We gotta get outside.” Despite the running, she still sounds so calm, causing me to bite my own tongue. Nothing I have to say could be of any benefit, clearly. As we made our way down the bloody hall, the floor ahead of us was destroyed, creating a hole. The thing drags itself through it, cackling like a madman. “Self satisfied bastard…” The woman clicks her tongue before leading me back the way we came and running another way, down a clean hall stained red by the blood on our shoes.
“WHERE THE HELL ARE WE GOING?!” I yelled as the beast haunted close behind us. Jesus, what does she think she’s doing, there’s no exit over here?! It isn’t until I remember what we’re heading towards that I shut my mouth. Just ahead, I can see a flimsy guard that’s supposed to protect students from falling over, but everyone stays far away from it cause of how unreliable it feels when even just touched. How did she know about this? No, not important right now. Aware of her plan, I kick my feet to keep up with her as the thing behind us begins catching up. I can see a corner to turn into and, reading her mind, I pull us into that outcropping.
As expected, the thing is too slow to change direction and slams into the guard, sending it and itself tumbling down to the floor below. A wet, loud crash sounds. We both ran over to survey the damage. Downstairs, the thing appears to be completely still. Just in case, however, the woman next to me summons a smaller blade than before and throws it down, successfully slamming into the thing’s body. It does not react. It’s dead. We both sigh before the woman puts a hand on my shoulder, giving me a satisfied smile. For some reason I feel as though an I told you so is on its way and I am definitely not feeling it.
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“Like I said, I got you.” She says with a wide smile on her face. I nod, breathing a relaxed sigh, before sitting against the wall. Oh god…so much gore. The stuff I had not had time to perceive before has started coursing through my brain. A desire to vomit fills my head until I can’t hold it back, and end up letting it out on the floor in front of me. The burning in my throat helps keep the burning thoughts in my mind going. Blood, intestines, brains, meat meat meat, ah…ah…I keep vomiting until the only thing coming up is bile. I feel a hand on my back, gently rubbing me as I empty my stomach contents.
“Nnn, ngh…ahhh…” I feel tears welling up in my eyes as my body starts to shake. So pathetic. I’m so, so pathetic, but I can’t help it. So I let my pathetic self cry my eyes out as the hand rubbing me continues on unimpeded. How long was I like this? I don’t know. Long enough to feel even worse about myself, but, eventually, the tears were done, and I was left with weak legs and a hollow feeling in my chest. I hear the woman say something, but I can’t hear her. I feel her start to pick me up off the ground and I let her, till I’m back on my feet. Once I am, I bite my tongue, forcing myself back to reality. I’m alive. No matter how much I superficially wish I wasn't, I'm alive. I still have some running away to do. I can’t…let myself stop here.
“Let’s get you out of here.” The woman whispers to me, wrapping an arm around me as we make our way back the way we came. “It’s alright. Close your eyes.” I do as I’m told, doing my best to forget what I’m walking through. As we move forward, I hear her start humming a gentle tune. I think it’s a lullaby? Whatever, it’s making me feel better. Wading through the wet beneath our feet, I hear the woman start talking. “So, what were you doing here so late?” I told her that I was just here because I missed the bus. “Ah. No one to come and get you?” I almost say yes, but halt.
“No one who would bother to.” The response seems to be enough for her to understand. She brings me closer to her, letting my arm squish against hers. I’d feel embarrassed but, right now…I just appreciate the kindness. “Thank you. For everything.” I tell her as we turn the corner finally, making our way to the front entrance if my idea of the building’s layout is correct. She chuckles seemingly at my comment. It would seem it’s not a problem to her at all. Amazing…what an amazing woman. I almost say that out loud but I don’t know if she’d appreciate that comment just as much.
“Go ahead and open your eyes.” I do as I’m told, and see the doors in front of me. Outside, the sky is dark, but twinkling with the light of the stars. I take a deep breath, before walking through the entrance and feeling the cold night air hit my face. “Ahh…wonderful.” The woman says, smiling up at the night sky. I watch her as she does, feeling struck by just how beautiful she looks. She looks back at me, and makes an O face. “I never told you my name! Uhm, I’m Maria. Maria Samson.” She holds out her hand and, eventually, I stick out mine and meet it. Her hand is soft…wait…I realize something, and feel my body start to sweat.
“Uhm, hey, Maria? If that thing is dead, why can I still see you?” The question surprises her. She opens her mouth, but no words come out. She looks down at the ground, back at me, and still, she can’t give me an answer. As such, I come up with my own. One that made my heart freeze. Then I hear it. The automatic double doors behind us open. Turning around, we see it. The thing, standing just as tall, but looking…more muscular. Its nails looked as sharp as its teeth, and it was holding the knife Maria had thrown. It throws it to the ground, and, to both our surprises, speaks.
“The hunger is…gone. Now…how about I just kill you for the hell of it?”