It's close... Laura thought, her footsteps echoing off the subway walls. For the last hour, she had been following a strange scent, her search having led her into the disused subway system beneath Tokyo.
Whatever this is, it smells...wrong. Almost like it's...wait.
'I can hear you breathing.' She said, stopping and glancing over her shoulder. 'Show yourself.'
There was silence for a second and then two figures stepped out of the shadows. One was male, the other female, both a least three years older than her. The man was carrying a flick knife in one hand, while the girl held a length of metal pipe which she was casually twirling like an escrima stick.
'This is our patch.' The boy said, flicking the knife through the air. 'You'd better get out or...'
Whatever he was going to say was lost as a low growl came from the tunnel behind them and Laura's nostrils flared.
It's here... She thought, whirling round just as a feline figure emerged from the shadows. It was crouched low to the ground, it's yellow fur tangled and matted, it's claws stained dark red.
'What the hell...?!' The boy exclaimed and the creature hissed, turning it's head towards him.
'Run!' Laura yelled, extending her claws with a sharp snikt as she darted forward, slashing at the creature. Faster than she expected, it dodged her blow, it's own claws raking across her stomach. Gritting her teeth against the pain, Laura elbow it hard across the jaw and plunged her claws into it's shoulder. With a howl of pain, the creature turned and fled, disappearing down the tunnel from where it appeared. Laura was about to go after it when a wave of dizziness overcame her and she felt herself pitching forward, darkness rushing up to claim her...