I found myself running again in the blood-red forest and didn't care about the sharp rocks stabbing into my feet. I was exhausted and wanted to pass out, panting hard from sprinting for so long. But I couldn't stop because of what was behind me.
And they were getting closer. Given that their hollowed roars were so close still. But I couldn't just keep running forever. I quickly looked around and spotted a shallow gorge with the extremely dark river inside not too far away.
These… things hate water, and it could cover me for a while. I made a sharp turn and dashed towards it. They started getting closer, but they all made a sudden stop, and I jumped into the gorge. I quickly hid under some rocks and covered my mouth because I didn't trust myself to stay quiet. But I couldn't stop shaking as they roared in anger at losing me. They continued to roar for what seemed like forever before I could hear them leaving.
After I was sure they were gone before slowly leaving my hiding spot and sighed in relief after hearing nothing. But I was still shaking a little. Mostly because I know it won't last long. Something else will try and get me.
I walked over to the river and went down to take a drink. I need it after running for so long, and the boost will help me in the long run.
Once I got enough, I tried to stand up when something crashed into me. I tried to struggle, but something grabbed my neck and slammed me into the ground. I looked to see a female creature covered in black with bright red eyes and large wings. And who started to choke me.
I again tried to struggle and fought to breathe, but she barely budged. Soon, she opened her jaws with extremely sharp looking teeth. And I knew what was coming.
She went to take a bite, and I screamed.
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Kai POV: I shot up from the nightmare, panting hard. I was shaking hard, but I put a hand to my chest and focused on my breathing. Eventually, I calmed down enough and laid back. I closed my eyes, but I knew I wasn't going back to sleep. It's been a while since I had that nightmare, and that made me rub my neck.
I rolled over and sighed. I hate all my nightmares, but that one is one of the worst. I stared at the wall and again rubbed my neck, counting in my head a little to calm down some more. I sighed once my heart wasn't pounding as much and got up. I went to the bathroom and splashed water on my face. I tried to rub the weariness from my eyes before I glanced in the mirror. And flinched at the sight of the scars.
So many scratches and cuts scattered across my body along with a couple of bite marks. Along with the one on my eye, and that one was deep enough to affect my eye. That eye was noticeably paler than the other one and had to use colored contacts to hide that fact. The others were mostly healed, and there wasn't any red anywhere in them. But I knew they weren't going to leave ever. I hated it, but I tried to ignore them. Though I couldn't help but touch the bite mark that lay between my shoulder and neck. But I forced myself to drop my hand and grabbed my uniform.
The sooner I covered them, the better. And I did feel more relaxed once I finished and they were out of sight. I left as soon as I was done and headed to the kitchen. It was a little early, but I know it was Zane's turn for breakfast. He would appreciate the help, and I needed the distraction. Sure enough, there he was, making some french toast.
He turned to me and said, "Thought someone was here."
"Here I am. And I can help if you need it." I said, walking over to him. But he looked like he was already almost done.
"The food is ready, but I could use some help setting the table." He said, and I nodded.
It didn't take too long to do that, but it was simple enough to steady myself some more. Though I know that nightmare is going to haunt me all day. The others joined us not too long after, and we all started to eat.
I couldn't eat too much because I wasn't all that hungry. Nya noticed this and gave me a silent look. I'm not sure if the others noticed this, but no one said anything outside of our normal chatting. We all helped out with the dishes before Nya tapped my arm.
"You okay? You didn't eat much." She whispered, but I could tell the others were listening.
"I'm alright. I'm just not that hungry." I said, lying right through my teeth.
I don't like lying to her about things like this, but I can't tell about… this. She seemed to buy it and gave me a small side hug.
Then we all left and were heading to the deck when Zane stopped suddenly. Clearly receiving a message from PIXAL, at least that's what I think from his expression.
"There's a mission for us." He said after a few moments and we quickly moved to the computer room.
PIXAL was already there and pulling up many different things that I didn't immediately understand. All I could tell is that they were important.
"What's going on?" Lloyd asked as he and Zane walked over to her.
"There was a small break-out in an isolated prison. We are sure how many escaped, but the police are concerned." she answered, and then pulled up a list of names.
"All of these guys escaped?" I asked, though mostly to myself.
"They are currently unaccounted for, but some of the prisoners could still be on the grounds. The police and guards don't want to take any chances." she explained.
Given other break-outs we've had to deal with, I really can't blame them for that.
"Alright, we'll go and help. Tell them we're on our way." Lloyd said, and she nodded. Starting up the Bounty.
Honestly, I was kind of looking forward to this mission, despite it sounding like someone was being paranoid. The nightmare was still lingering in my head and was bothering me a lot. I just hope that this will distract me for a little while at least. I need to ignore it so that it will go away. It's worked before and it will work now.
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? POV: In the very tight tunnel the two men and I quietly crawled under the guards feet, probably running around trying to find us. Not that it will do them any good. We have been working to gain access to this tunnel for nearly six months, and they didn't even know it existed. I smiled a little at that fact and continued to crawl. Soon the footsteps fade away, but the end still wasn't in sight just yet. Eventually we reached the end and ended up in an abandoned building, just as I planned. The two didn't know that, but they still jumped out of the tunnel, and the one that was in front of me started yelling.
"Finally! Free from the stupid cell!" he screamed, and the other joined him.
I let them enjoy this moment and looked around. The building was slightly larger than I thought, but that doesn't really matter. It was perfect for my plans, but there was one thing that I needed first.
Just then one of the prisoners with me grabbed my shoulder and said, "Thanks for this. Now we can get back to doing our business."
They clearly looked excited by the thought they would go back to their old life. How foolish.
But I smiled back and said, "Of course. We did share the same cell. It was the least I could do."
They laughed and the first one wrapped his arm around his friend's shoulders and said, "You never did explain what you wanted to do after getting out. What was your plan?"
I turned away and laughed quietly before saying, "I plan to really bring those… ninja to their knees."
I couldn't see them, but I could hear their uneasiness and one of them said, "What? The ninja have powers. Why would you want to fight them?"
"Oh, I don't plan to fight them directly like that. I will take a different approach." I answered. And I will not lie, I didn't smile at that last part.
Thinking of the plan, and getting excited for the expression they will use once they are in my trap.
"You're crazier than I thought. You'll get destroyed like this. You don't even have a home base or an army." the same one said.
"I suppose you're right. At the moment I don't, but once I acquire the last thing I need I will be properly prepared." I said, carefully pulling out the gun I stole from a guard. In a way they couldn't see.
"Seriously? What is it?" The first one asked, and that made me smile.
"This." I answered, turning around and shooting them. Getting them both in the head.
They dropped dead from the headshots and I laughed a little. Their criminal intentions will pool out with their blood and fuel my new and improved labyrinth that will torture the ninja with their own memories.
Oh what a show that will be. I can hardly wait.