Ready Or Not

Chapter 3

Eyes On You

XOXOXOXOXO

Author's Note: Things are getting more exciting for the remaining five chipmunks. Let's hope one of them makes some headway.

Thanks for the reviews, guys! We're about halfway through this short story.

XOXOXOXOXO

Simon, Jeanette and Theodore cautiously walked through the unfamiliar city. The area seemed to be alive, with some of the strange machines inflating and contracting as if they were breathing. Every once in a while, a strange booming sound would catch the small group off guard, making them even more tense and nervous than they already were.

"What is that noise?" Jeanette asked timidly, keeping close to her male counterpart.

"I'm not too sure, Jeanette. I think it's just a machine somewhere," Simon reasoned, squeezing her hand to soothe her nerves. "Don't worry, I'm sure it's nothing."

"There doesn't seem to be anyone around," Theodore noted, holding onto Simon's other hand. "Is this place abandoned?"

"It might be, Theodore. But if that's the case, why would they leave all of their technology running? If people abandon their homes, they don't keep using energy," Simon replied. "And, remember, Eleanor and her friends might have run through here. It's a good chance that someone lives here."

"I hope we find Ellie soon. I'm so worried about her," Jeanette said with a sigh. "She must feel the same way."

"Don't worry, we'll find her soon," Simon said reassuringly.

Theodore smiled, his spirits lifted slightly. "Simon's right. We'll find her and be back home by dinnertime."

"Thanks, guys," Jeanette said, smiling at the two of them gratefully. "I feel much –"

A loud crash startled the trio, making them whirl around wildly and point their flashlights in every direction. They stood frozen for a few seconds, listening for it again.

"What was that?" Jeanette whispered.

"I have no idea," Simon answered, swallowing.

"Is... is anyone there?" Theodore asked shakily, looking in the direction the loud noise came from. "Don't be afraid. We won't hurt you."

Another booming sound was his only answer, this time much louder than the previous. Theodore squeaked and ran over to Simon and Jeanette, who huddled together. Another deafening boom. And then another. Whatever it was, it was getting closer...

"Please, show yourself!" Simon yelled, finally losing his nerve. "We want to ask you some questions."

Two dark red orbs suddenly shone through the darkness, making the trio scream and jump back in alarm. For a moment, they thought it might be some headlights of a vehicle. But it seemed way too high to belong to any kind of car.

The owner of the two lights came closer, revealing itself. Jeanette screamed in terror and clung to Simon's arm. Simon stood frozen, not believing his own eyes. Theodore gasped, never seeing anything like it in his whole life. Even the scary movies he sometimes forced himself to watch sometimes had nothing on the hulking form before them.

Slowly creeping towards them was a large, black, pulsating creature with enormous blood-red eyes. It's eyes seemed to be too big for its face, unblinking and constantly bulged out. For a moment, Simon wondered if it was some kind of mutated canine. It's black fur was accompanied by red veins pulsing through the skin. It's mouth was also too large for it face, seeming to split it's face apart in an eternal Cheshire grin. Large, shimmering teeth filled it's smiling maw, dripping with yellow saliva. It's large paws made cracks in the road each time it took a step towards them.

Theodore's knees buckled from the shock and he fell. What is that thing? What is it doing here? Monsters don't exist... right? Right!

"RUN! RUN FOR IT!" Simon finally screamed, getting over his initial shock. He pushed Jeanette ahead of him and quickly pulled Theodore to his feet. "Hurry, come on!"

Theodore snapped out of it and wasted no time in running for his life. The three kids screamed in terror as they ran away from the demonic beast, who soon began to bound after them. They ran back down the way they came, but it was obvious that their efforts would be in vain. The beast was quickly closing in on them with every passing second.

Simon panted and looked around for anywhere they could hide. Anything they could do to escape whatever was after them. His prayers were answered when he spotted a thin alleyway to the left, much too small for their pursuer to squeeze through.

"Jeanette! Theodore! Over there!" Simon yelled, pushing Theodore ahead again when he started to lag behind. Jeanette grabbed Theodore's hand, looking back at Simon with concern. "Hurry up! Don't ask questions, just do it! I'll try to lead it away."

"But, Simon –" Jeanette gasped.

"Do it!"

Jeanette clenched her eyes shut and obeyed. She quickly turned and pulled Theodore with her as she ran into the alleyway. She tripped over a stone and fell over, panting heavily as she struggled to catch her breath. Theodore and Jeanette held each other in fear as they watched in horror as Simon rushed past, with the monster in close pursuit a second later. The two shivering chipmunks listened intently, the sounds of Simon's footsteps and the heavy footfalls of the beast growing fainter and fainter.

Then there was silence.

Jeanette let go of Theodore and ran out into the main road. Theodore tried to pull her back, but she was too fast. What if that thing came back for the two of them next?

"Simon! Simon! Simon, where are you?" Jeanette yelled desperately. She got no answer. Only the rhythmic hum of the machinery greeted her.

Her green eyes widen in fear. It got him. It got Simon. He was gone...

Jeanette fell to her knees and broke down in hysterical tears. This could not be happening. She had already lost her little sister, and now the boy she loved? This was just too much for her to handle. It felt like she was going insane.

Theodore turned away, his own eyes welling up with tears. Not only had he lost Eleanor, he had just lost Simon. His wise, caring older brother. The one who always had sound advice for him whenever he needed help. Two of some of the most important people in his life were gone in little less than a week. Did that thing get Eleanor too? Why was all of this happening to them?

Footsteps again. Jeanette and Theodore snapped their heads around to look at each other, eyes wide. Was it Simon? Or was it something else coming for them? Jeanette stood up quickly and grabbed Theodore's hand to pull him back towards the alleyway, peering around the corner cautiously.

To their immense relief, it was only Alvin and Brittany running towards them. Alvin saw the state they were in, raising his eyebrows in alarm.

"What happened?" he asked, running over to them with Brittany hot on his heels. "What's wrong? Wait, where's Simon?"

Jeanette snapped. She suddenly lunged forward and shoved Alvin to the ground, looking outraged. It took Theodore and Brittany by complete surprise. Jeanette was never one to get too angry, or truly upset at anyone. Yet, at the moment, it looked like she was ready to kill.

"W-What the heck? What did you do that for!" Alvin demanded, standing up quickly and brushing off his jeans. "What did I do?"

"It is all your fault!" Jeanette screamed, tears running down her flushed cheeks. She pointed an accusatory finger in his face, making Alvin backtrack as she stomped forward. "If you didn't come up with the stupid idea of all of us splitting up, Simon would still be here! Instead, he's... he's..." she sobbed, resting her head in her hands. "He was taken by that thing!"

Alvin's eyes widened in bewilderment. He looked towards Theodore, who sniffled softly. "Taken? Theodore, what in the world happened?"

Theodore took a deep breath, mustered up all his courage, and told his brother and Brittany what had happened. How some monster suddenly appeared and gave chase to them. How Simon sacrificed himself in order to buy them more time to escape. How after that, there was nothing.

Alvin and Brittany couldn't believe their ears. Theodore couldn't blame them one bit. All of it sounded so unreal. Yet, it was as real as them standing there. The weight of the situation was almost too much to bear. For any of them.

Alvin looked down at his hands. They were trembling. "This is all my fault. Jeanette's right. I should have never suggested that we split up. If we were all together, Simon would still be here. I'm so sorry..." he said, his voice cracking.

Jeanette looked away from him. Theodore held Alvin's hand reassuringly, and Brittany gently hugged Alvin.

"Alvin, it's not your fault. I'm worried too. But it's not your fault. How could we have known that thing would be in here? We came here not knowing what to expect, you know?" she said, stroking his cheek. "We'll find a way out of this. Together. Okay?"

Alvin and Theodore smiled at her. Brittany was right: this was no time to break down and give up. Two of their own was now missing, and they were going to work hard to get both of them back no matter what it took.

XOXOXOXOXO

Author's Note: Poor Simon! Now he's missing too! X_X

And poor Jeanette as well!

Now they have to contend with that thing on the loose. Next chapter will be up tomorrow!