The year of the nightmare
Chapter XXIV: Face to face, trying to escape...
The sun was ever-so-slowly making its descent over the horizon. The blue of the sky was turning pink, purple, and that dark, hazy hue that accompanied the sunset. The sun, that giant orb of light and warmth, was a fiery golden-yellow in all its glory. The forest was slowly being cloaked in shadow; the trees, bushes, and tall grasses were beginning to darken with the absence of light, while the first star appeared in the shadowy skies. A herd of white-tailed deer stood tall in the fading light, mothers watching their young while males were kind of fighting. In the distance, the call of a lone wolf made them shiver and run away. No doubt that the night was coming. Animals knew that too well. Many of them were killed by nocturnal predators.
-Where are we going?
Jason was driving the car through the now massive forest. Nate was holding the map, looking at it carefully, trying to find any clue of where they were. Mitchie and Caitlyn, bored of hours spend in the car, were looking through the window. They sighed in unison. Nate was going mad, trying to find the state they were in.
-Jason, when we were on the highway… Did you turn left or right?
-Which highway? We've been on three or four…
-Well, in that case, about the last highway… Was it the 63 or the 84 one?
-I don't know…
-How could you not know!
Nate screamed so loud that the girls jumped. They looked at Nate. They've never seen him like that. Jason was still driving, not bothering looking at him.
-Don't worry, it'll pass. He just dislikes adventure…
-I don't dislike adventure! I dislike the way you go, head over heels, with no precautions! We don't have much food, water, our phones won't last long, there won't be enough fuel to come back, and we're after Shane and a dangerous beast and, after all that, we're lost somewhere in the USA!
They all looked at him. He was panting, sweating, and his eyes were red from anger. He almost fumed. Everything went silent. The girls were trying hard to suppress some laughter.
-Nate…
-What?
He turned, facing his brother. His eyes were burning, and Jason started to shake a bit, frightened by his brother's behavior.
-We're there…
He quickly pointed a part of the map. Nate looked at him, eyes wandering everywhere. Now, he was fuming. He turned around, looking behind the car and saw a board, on the side of the road, showing the state and its number.
-So… What do you say to your amazing big brother who just found where we are?
Nate mumbled, looking back at the map. Jason quickly took it, and threw it in the back, and the girls caught it.
-I didn't hear you… You won't have it back until you say the words…
-Thanks… Now, give it back!
Jason was laughing as Nate was fighting to get the map from the girls. They were so bored before, that they took the opportunity to laugh and play. Then, Jason braked, and Nate flew in the back.
-Nate! Are you alright?
He turned around, dizzy, for his head had just smashed against the seat. Caitlyn and Mitchie gave him some space, while Jason was frozen. Nate smiled quickly at his girlfriend, before climbing back to his front seat. They both giggled when he fell again, on the dashboard. He regained his composure, and looked at Jason, triumphant, showing his the map in his hand.
-Beat ya'!
But his big brother didn't respond. He waved his hand in front of his eyes, and he still didn't move. The girls screamed, making Nate jump. He swiftly turned around, and froze. There, meters away from them, in the shadows… The beast was looking at them with sparkling eyes. Without a warning, Jason started the engine, and drove the other way. It was still following them. He looked at his rear-view mirror. It was getting closer and closer to them. The girls couldn't help but watched it. He was running like a human, on his hind legs, but when Jason sped up, he growled and jumped. This time, he ran like a wolf. He was tall, and thin, but muscular. His body shape was similar to the wolf's, but he was much more like a monster. His eyes were the worst part; they were burning in anger, hate and lust. Nate opened his window, and threw him an empty bottle. It didn't see that coming, and got struck. As it was a glass bottle, it burst in many chunks, and some got struck in its eyes. The beast groaned, but kept running.
-What did you do?
-I just try to stop it!
-But I kept this bottle to build a fountain for birds!
-Jason! Shut up and drive!
It was getting closer… The girls watched it, appalled. The boys were looking at the dashboard anxiously. They were driving at the speed of 80 mph whereas the limit speed was 65 mph. And still, the beast was getting closer!
-Jason! Brake!
Mitchie yelled, and everyone jumped in fright. He brake too late and the car went beyond the road, in a small field. Then, the car stopped, and Jason couldn't start the engine. They all groaned, looking angrily at the dashboard. It wasn't empty yet.
-Jason, you'll push the car with me, to get back on the road. Mitchie and Caitlyn, you'll have to get out for a second. I f anything happens, quickly get in and lock yourself. In general, never look back. Got it?
They all nodded, lost. With the help of the boys, the girls got out, and waited for them on the road. Nate and Jason went behind the car, and started to push with all their might.
-Push, Jason!
-I'm pushing…
-You better be!
-I am pushing!
-Then push harder!
Mitchie couldn't help but laugh with Caitlyn. Brothers fight, but they're still brothers. Then, they heard a growl. They shivered in fear, gulped, and turned around. In the distance, in the dark, it was watching them. It howled. They screamed, and the boys ran quickly to their sides. Nate took their hands, and ran with them towards the car, which was still in the field. Jason faced the beast for second, throwing pebbles, but quickly ran away, yelling. It was following him. Nate opened the doors, and rushed the girls inside. He threw the keys to Mitchie, who started the engine. They all turned around, hearing a yell. Jason had tripped on a rock, and was now falling down the small cliff. The beast stopped, looking at him. He fell hard on a rachitic trunk, smashing it. He groaned, trying to get up but his back hurt. It howled, getting on his four legs, and walked slowly towards him, eyes gleaming. He opened his mouth, as he couldn't get up, but he was so terrified that no sound came out.
-Go away!
The beast received some rocks and branches. Nate quickly came next to his brother, helping him on his feet. But they both fell again, as the beast's huge mouth was just a centimeter away from them. It was groaning, drooling. Nate quickly threw it some sand, and ran with Jason, as fast as they could. The car went past them, hitting the beast. It went miles away, growling very low. Mitchie and Caitlyn got back in the back seats, allowing the boys to climb in. Jason drove back on the road, mouth wide open.
-Look at my car! The hood's destroyed! What am I gonna say to Dad and Mom?
Nate smacked his head in astonishment.
-What? They helped us! A beast is hunting us down and what you are only thinking about is your car? Jason!
-But my car…
-You're a worldwide known popstar! You can buy another one!
-But this one…
-Shut up and drive!
They laughed a bit, trying to calm down a bit but a growl made them shiver. Nate looked at the rear-view mirror while the girls looked back. They went livid, frozen. It was running on four legs, and now was stretching one to get a hold on the car. It was so close that Mitchie and Caitlyn could clearly saw it. Its brown eyes were burning in lust and made them shiver. It was like they took their voices away from them. They were deep brown, so deep that they could catch a glimpse of deep hurt and hate. They felt awkward. These eyes reminded them of someone they've seen sometimes but they couldn't remember who.
-Faster, Jason, faster!
Nate quickly pushed his brother's leg, and they quickly lost the beast behind them, in the growing dark. They all glared behind the car, a bit relieved.
-I hope it lost our tracks…
-I think so, Caity'…
Nate's soft breath on her shoulders made her shiver in delight, and she quickly turned around and met a pair of gleaming eyes. He smiled, kissing her forehead, before getting back on his seat. Mitchie looked at her with a goofy smile. Yep, when everything will be over, she'll hear about it… They giggled a bit, thinking about it, hoping it'll be normal again.
-Nate! Where do we go?
He was still driving fast, and there were two bends only minutes away from them. They haven't read the signs before, and everyone was holding their breath. Nate quickly glared at both directions. The one on the right was quite dark, and it may lead to a highway, while the other was a bit less dark, and they could trick the beast by going on small roads.
-Left!
Jason turned at the last minute, and a horrible rustling made them shiver. The car was surely scratched, and Jason whimpered, groaning. Nate was holding himself mentally to not smack him. He showed him another small road, and they were near some fields, with the wind blowing hard.
-Nate!
They turned around in horror. It was behind them once again, on the trees. He jumped on the car, crushing it. Everyone yelled, and the car was sent in a fence. Mitchie and Caitlyn were thrown away in the process, and fell on the grass in loud thuds.
-No!
Nate's yell filled the air as he fell against a tree. Jason fell on him, with a bit of torn seat in his hands. They had zoned out a bit, but Nate dizzily went to the girls. It growled deeply and very low. They were in danger… They all knew that. The car was only meters away from them; they would have to run to maybe get out alive. It was their only chance…