"OW!" Evan slammed his head against an overhanging rock. "Ok, maybe that wasn't the best idea" he groaned rubbing the growing welt, he couldn't see his hand but he could feel it come away sticky. He grimaced, I Need to be more careful. He stumbled to his feet steadying himself on the oddly smooth walls. Overall, he discovered that the cave was smooth and polished most of the way through, but it had random stalactites and rock hangings which had grown over time.
Most likely from water seeping through the ground.
Making it much harder to run through without bouncing off a few walls or impaling himself on these hanging daggers. He had already cut his shoulder, from tripping into another stalagmite. The bleeding had stopped quickly, but it still stung. The dim light from the desert had faded quickly. He couldn't even see his fingers when he waved them right in front of his face. "K This isn't working," Evan said to himself. if he continued to just stumble his way through he would be shredded. I need to go more slowly, he thought. Biting back his fear he began to walk forward. keeping one hand on the wall while using the other as protection.
Even with this method he still managed to get a few more cuts and bruises but nothing serious. He soon noticed that he could see his hands again. Finally, Jogging forward he ran towards the growing light eager to get out of this hellhole. Breaking through the opening, He squinted his eyes still adjusting from the dark tunnel.
He gaped dumbstruck at the most beautiful place he had ever seen. "I never knew that…life could be this incredible…"
Frogs, birds, and lizards. Colorful creatures fly through the trees. The leaves a deep, lush green filtering a steady stream of sunlight onto the ground below. Bright toucans and sloths moved steadily through the branches. Insects and other wildlife buzz over the clear blue pond.
Glancing back he noticed the small trickling waterfall that fed into the small pond. Looks almost exactly like the graphic novel scene in book 3, he noted.
"CRACK!" something snapped overhead. Carving away any sense of safety.
The forest sounds had gone still.
The animals were gone.
Evan straightened sweat and blood mixing as it dripped off his face. , "No, no, no, no, please." he slowly glanced up, toward the direction of the sound.
A dark Shadow leered back, a Smile widening on its glittering teeth.
Evan was many things, smart, reasonably strong, and fast. But there was no way in hell he was about to try to fight a full-grown Nightwing. He bolted,
ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME, OF COURSE, FREAKING, OF COURSE, THE SECOND I GET INTO THE JUNGLE I RUN INTO SOME JUMANJI BULLSH-!
He sprinted through the forest, trees and branches whipping past him. Cobwebs and twigs ripped into his face. Glancing back, he saw the Nightwing easily keeping pace with him, flying through the branches like A living shadow.
It's toying with me… he realized. Heart sinking.
It doesn't matter. If I can find a hideout or hole of some kind. He thought determined.
Tearing through the bushes, he sprinted into a clearing. Stopping briefly, lungs heaving he searched desperately for somewhere, anywhere to hide. A roar echoed behind him a mountain of darkness tearing through the jungle behind him.
His gaze landed on a hole at the base of a tree.
"THERE, YES!' He ran for the opening, Stitch knotting deeper into his side. He was never good at long-distance running like this.
The shadow exploded into the clearing barreling toward him. He sprinted harder trying to reach the hole. That thing could have shredded me apart ages ago, it only hasn't because it's playing with me. If it realizes where I'm going, I'm dead…" Blood streaming down his torn-up face, he ran. The ground around began to grow dark, turning his head he screamed as the Nightwing leaped forward ready to shred him to pieces.
He dived, scraping his body against the rough dirt as he fell into the hole. It was too small.
He spun towards the entrance, claws shredding the ground behind him.
this is it, he thought, shoulders slumping as he watched the dark talon claw at the entrance, getting close and closer. Like a rabbit in its den, there's nothing I can do. Sorry, Dad. Evan watched the world get dark as death roared triumphantly in his ears ready to claim him.