Boom! Thunder rolled across the sky, waking me up with a start. I peeped out of my tent at the ominous clouds overhead and shuddered. “Looks like we’re going to get a storm,” said Josh, who was keeping watch, then added, “You should go back to bed.”636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO9FovRYi8
“I can’t sleep,” I replied, and crept out. I plopped myself next to him and gazed at the sky. Lightning flashed. I glanced over at Josh, only to realize the poor dude was nodding off. “Hey,” I said, lightly touching his shoulder, “Want me to take over?” I didn’t need a reply. He was already fast asleep.
That’s when I saw something shining in the foliage a good 30 feet away. I doubted it was anything much - anything I needed to bother my squad about. But it certainly fired my curiosity, so I thought I go check it out. As I neared the reflective object, I suddenly heard something rustle the bushes behind me. I froze right in the middle of a step, then peered behind myself. There, heading straight towards camp, was a level 5 nephropidae-scorpion!
Josh was fast asleep - he’d never notice it in time. Crap, what should I do? How will I warn them before it’s too late? Ugh. Think, Nim, think! Suddenly I had it. It was a crazy idea, but it just might work. I picked up the shiny object (of course I went to all this trouble over a rock!) and began waving it around in the air while calling, “Hey you! Over here!” The monster stopped in its tracks, then slowly turned around, its attention on me. Yes, I distracted it!
The monster’s joints creaked and its nose hissed steam as it set its beady red eyes on me. Crap. Oh-crap-oh-crap-oh-crap-oh-CRAP! I slowly backed up, then panicked and broke out into a run. The scorpion tore after me, its poisoned tail waving back and forth. I threw the reflective thing over to the side in attempt to distract the beast, but it only chased the rock for a few moments before it lost interest and came after me again. WHAT WAS I THINKING, CALLING OUT TO IT LIKE THAT?!?!
I ran fast. My legs pumped and I pushed myself past the point of pain. I needed to get away! Any moment now the nephropidae-scorpion would catch up to me, and I’d be done for! Suddenly, some hope sparked inside me as I heard the rushing of a river. I ran towards the sound and stopped a few feet away from the river’s edge. Turning around and facing the woods, I readied my sword. The monster emerged, but came up short to avoid impaling itself on my weapon.
Its striking speed was so great I barely managed to dodge and deflect its stinger as it charged me the first time. I struck at its head but it easily avoided the blow. It struck at me again, and this time I swung towards its tail, but my sword glanced off of a patch of its armour. It tried to snap at me with its pincers, but I ducked beneath it and pricked its underside. Then I leapt back towards the river. Angered, it charged me, and I barely side-stepped in time, and as it passed me I swung with all my might at its hindquarters.
Along with the force of its running and the heaviness of my blow, the monster went flying into the river. It had a hard time turning around to face me while swimming against the current. I picked up my javelin, aimed right for its evil eyes, and threw with all my force. Luck was with me and I hit the target. I didn’t kill it, but I did wound it badly enough that it shouldn’t bother me for awhile. I headed back into the forest just as the clouds began clearing up and the sun peeped over the mountains.
I started on my way back to camp when I suddenly realized I didn’t know the way. Really though, who’s paying exact attention to where they are and what direction they’re going when they’re being chased down by a giant lobster-scorpion?! I wandered around in the direction I thought the the camp was in, but I couldn’t seem to find it, and eventually ended right about where I started from. I almost despaired, but then a new thought came to me. I’d follow the trail of broken foliage the monster made while following me.
Why didn’t I think of it before? It didn’t take me long to find the path. I followed to carefully, watching for broken branches, trampled grass and footprints. I never thought how happy I’d be to see that glittery rock - a sure sign that I was on the right track. I picked it up for a better look later. Finally, I spotted the place we had set up camp. My heart leapt with joy as I rushed forward to greet my squad and tell them of my adventures.
And they were gone.
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