Several more minutes passed before either of them spoke. Finally Ryder turned to apologize to Brooklyn. “Look Brooklyn, I’m really sorry, it’s just that,” but before he could finish, he realized she wasn’t where he had left her. She was gone. His heart began to race and sweat dampened his brow.
“Brooklyn? Brooklyn! Where are you?” he yelled frantically. He searched for her high and low but he could find her anywhere. He began to fan out and search a larger area. That’s when he found her, sitting next to a pond, with her head in her hands sobbing. He felt terrible. Her tear-streaked face reminded him of when his little sister Brianna would cry. “Brooklyn, hey, Brooklyn, look, I’m really sorry! I was just being an ass, please, stop crying.”
She looked up at him, but before she could utter a single word, a horrifying shriek filled the air. Her hands slammed to cover her ears to protect herself form the deafening sound. She felt blood trickling through her fingers as she attempted to run to Ryder.
Before she had made it two steps she felt something grab at her legs. She tripped and crashed to the ground. Pain shot through her injured foot and up through her arm. As she attempted to get up, it was as if her nightmares were coming true. That’s when she felt the Grishma’s hot and retched breath on the back of her neck.
Brooklyn was too terrified to attempt to turn and face her attacker. So this is what it’s like to die… she thought to herself.
“Brooklyn!” she could hear Ryder’s pleading and frantic cries, but it was too late. She knew it was over.
As she felt the Grishma inhale deeply she could only guess what was coming next. She weakly attempted to cover her ears as it unleashed the worst sound she had ever heard. As the pain overcame her senses she looked out to see Ryder charging them, then everything went black.
What a great cover! Love the eyes. Thanks for sharing the excerpt.
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