Jose loomed near the closet, his gaunt frame moving with unnatural stiffness as he sniffed at the air, his bony fingers grazing the door's edge. His jaw slackened, emitting a low, guttural growl that made Charlie's skin crawl. The faint creak of floorboards filled the silence, each sound amplifying the oppressive tension in the room.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ10u5urpa
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3Y9rZ3VBA
Charlie's eyes darted to the window on their left, where the corpse of the coyote lay sprawled on the dusty ground outside. His heart raced, his pulse pounding in his ears. Without thinking, he whispered, "Uncle, we need to make a run for it. To our horses."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfMYQXUBrO
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiulIIoeyBd
Jed, standing as still as a statue beside him, raised an eyebrow but didn't look away from Jose. "Run for it? Sure, kid. Got any bright ideas on how to not get our asses torn apart first?"
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2krsCigwh2
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0ZDmlUfb4
Charlie nodded toward the window. "That's our way out."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4XNgKJGnn
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtvpYNFdXz
Jed allowed his gaze to shift briefly, taking in the cracked glass and the coyote below. His lips twisted into a grimace. "And you figure that's better than waiting for him to tear us limb from limb?"
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bb2IQx3A3
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8O9QPoGKK
Charlie bit his lip. "It's all we've got."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OtVCFyUJ9
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqE60kPABUs
Jed sighed deeply. "Alright, fine. But how about we try movin' nice and slow? Maybe he don't see us slinkin' over there."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWozTAZHFyJ
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY67fltJmGg
Charlie's voice was tense. "Yeah, I think he'll still notice."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLUkciJIjf
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16xG2G3UBL
"Well, kid, we're screwed either way," Jed muttered. "I got no aim left, and I don't reckon you've got much fight left in you either."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtmYwLbFwy
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3vpZo0P0D
Charlie swallowed hard. "Let's just do it."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ipatuPzV3
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRKeKX08Bg
Without another word, they bolted toward the window.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdEpPAttlB
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJZuQK8Vz6
Jose's head snapped toward them, his bloodshot eyes widening. "Sangreeeeeeeeee!" he howled, launching himself across the room in a frenzy.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e7bnkGBIc
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsviXSpdmu
Jed and Charlie didn't stop. Jed's injured leg buckled slightly as they reached the window, but he gritted his teeth and leaped through the cracked glass. The sound of shattering shards filled the air as they tumbled onto the ground below, landing with a wet thud on the mangled corpse of the coyote.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3CFpi9fhV
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5cKkQFtFt
Charlie groaned, struggling to push himself up. Blood smeared across his clothes as he realized where they'd landed. "My clothes are covered in blood!"
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KUjidVgVo
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDKZaaXhYK
Jed, wincing as he stood, shot him a glare. "Kid, I think we've got bigger problems than your damn laundry." He gestured with his chin toward the rooftops.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw2EeIpCPQ
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpEAeHGHC7
Charlie's breath hitched as he looked up. Half a dozen creatures were perched on the edges of the roof, their gaunt faces and twisted bodies silhouetted against the darkening sky. They crouched low, their hollow eyes fixed on the two of them like predators ready to strike.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjrzKAtTJF
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoF7L4AUqQk
Jose's growls grew louder as he appeared in the broken window above them, his face twisted in rage. He snarled, his lips curling back to reveal rows of jagged teeth.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmqIKQSBQi
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4KqY9ewmU
Charlie's voice trembled. "Uncle, they're everywhere."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQUn9neJpV
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ9E27A0Ha
"No kidding," Jed muttered, reaching for his revolver. His hand hovered over the holster before he let out a resigned sigh. "Hell, this ain't worth a damn. I'm outta bullets, and even if I wasn't, my aim's shot to hell."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Sknx7m1k3
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NNSHlzo4A
Charlie glanced at his arm, counting the faint glow of marks. "I've got five shots left."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEy8zmzgRG
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGD7SSiXSw
Jed chuckled darkly, the sound bitter and self-deprecating. "Oh, great. Five shots and about a dozen of them lookin' to rip us apart. You're really gonna turn the tide here, kid."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL7JKzGhXo
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EgDxCoaQg
Jose growled again, his gaze darting to the monsters on the roof. The creatures hissed in response, their bony limbs skittering across the shingles as they began to move.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmulvXbpdI
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLz7UEJ5rU
Jed flexed his injured leg and gritted his teeth. "Alright, kid. Got any more bright ideas?"
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KEOCjVz4P
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadxde91Zzc
Charlie's eyes scanned their surroundings, his mind racing. The faint rustle of movement on the roof grew louder, the sound of claws scraping against wood filling the air.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5Iej3MHbj
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIDFypNcAl
"I'm thinking," Charlie muttered.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeegJCkU2rV
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLo0G8Q42F
"Well, think faster," Jed growled.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrkhX4T2K5
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEr0ippkm8
Jose's voice cut through the chaos, guttural and raw. "Sangreeee…"
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fU68aqMfP
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6Sqy1OpOJ
Jed rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, we heard you the first damn time."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDIRlzfLf5
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8EMxrv4EC
The creatures on the roof tensed, their bodies coiled like springs, ready to pounce. Jed tightened his grip on Charlie's shoulder.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87KryFAP7N
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1fVApkEjM
The monsters moved with unsettling precision, their gaunt, twisted bodies sniffing the air. Jed and Charlie pressed themselves against the wall, staying deathly still as the creatures' hollow eyes scanned the room. Their jagged teeth clacked together softly, a noise that seemed to echo like a ticking clock.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddbHW0RqLc
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXaryczCdD
Jed leaned down, his voice a barely audible whisper. "Don't move. Don't even breathe too loud."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMOTq6ziOD
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQo0kXOgWk
Charlie's wide eyes darted between the creatures and Jed, his hand trembling as he gripped his uncle's coat sleeve. "Jed… I think they can smell us."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrH41FV4QX
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4gu9rJE61
Jed's jaw tightened, and he muttered, "Yeah, kid. I got that impression when they started sniffin' like a pack of bloodhounds. Got any other obvious observations?"
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EQPG7xn3L
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM9EawlEqh
Before Charlie could respond, one of the monsters let out a low growl, its head jerking in their direction. Jed didn't wait. He grabbed Charlie by the back of his shirt and yanked him toward the window.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq2v9qVxPX
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SX7kCVz1d
"Move!" Jed hissed, his voice sharp and commanding.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5bT0sgNX8
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWL8FQYxqq
The creatures reacted instantly, their inhuman screeches piercing the air as they lunged. Jed and Charlie scrambled toward the window, their boots sliding on the worn wooden floor. Charlie felt the rush of air as a clawed hand swiped inches from his face.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20Kwvuoy8m
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGbxu9bX7h
They made it to the window, and Jed shoved Charlie through first. But as Charlie tumbled out, Jose—quicker and more vicious than the others—reached them. With a guttural roar, he slashed at Charlie, his claws raking across the boy's leg. Charlie cried out, clutching his bleeding calf as Jed hauled him to his feet.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4tIHTZ7jL
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNdRLSVBKF
"Keep movin', kid!" Jed barked, his eyes darting between Charlie and the monsters closing in.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQFLQfYw9o
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk3YM1hdob
Jed slammed the window shut with a rickety wooden table from the corner of the room. With a grunt, he shoved it against the window frame, pressing his weight against it. The creatures slammed against the other side, their claws scraping against the wood. One of them let out an earsplitting howl, and a fist punched clean through the table, splinters flying everywhere.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXKm94wDq6
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy1Wo8lTAT
Jed stared at the hole, his face twisting into an exasperated grimace. "Well, so much for that plan." He threw his weight against the table again, buying them a few precious seconds. "Kid, you see a way outta this mess?"
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ90dHU5jJq
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a2JBJbMGV
Charlie's eyes darted around the room, searching frantically. The monsters' howls grew louder, and the table shook violently under the pressure of their assault. Then, he saw it—a chimney on the far side of the room, its narrow opening leading up and out.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAYwVFMghT
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT4px8Xhyl
"The chimney!" Charlie shouted, pointing. "We can climb up through the chimney!"
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxFfWq89er
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLk6weA8e2
Jed's gaze followed Charlie's outstretched hand, and he nodded grimly. "Alright. I'll hold 'em off. You get in there first."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxLi2ZLp2u
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW3VdKKk9o
Charlie hesitated, but Jed shoved him toward the chimney. "Go! Now!"
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNR12r4vbM
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06MwAlXin9
Charlie scrambled to the chimney, his hands slipping on the soot-streaked bricks as he hoisted himself up. Jed held the table for another agonizing moment, the wood cracking and splintering under the relentless assault of the monsters.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡht5ugddCF0
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2Z2x2eKJs
"Hope you're in, kid, 'cause I'm done babysittin' this table!" Jed shouted, releasing his hold.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaPjPYkrYJ
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAViD1TQlo
The table flew backward as the creatures surged forward, but Jed was already running. His boots pounded against the floor as he dove toward the chimney. One of the monsters swiped at him, its claws catching the hem of his coat, but Jed slipped free, pulling himself into the narrow space just as the creatures reached them.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQGoIIiqPY
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn6CkjZfD1
Jed's breath came in ragged gasps as he pressed his back against the soot-covered wall, his legs wedged against the opposite side to brace himself. He looked up to see Charlie struggling to climb, his hands trembling as he gripped the uneven bricks.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ttTboEg4D
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cRvcROCIA
"Great. Just great," Jed muttered, wiping sweat and soot from his forehead. "Boy, keep climbin'. I ain't keen on dyin' down here with you."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMovpmCIujr
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSTAhxo7p7
Charlie gritted his teeth, his voice strained. "It's kinda hard! The bricks are all slippery!"
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgYmDUGVyh
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAZKUhCYSx
Jed glanced down at the monsters below. Their claws scraped against the bottom of the chimney, their guttural growls echoing upward. "Well, it's gonna get a helluva lot harder if you don't move faster. C'mon, kid, put some muscle into it!"
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebmE903Vi8
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpn6y6WVTxI
Charlie's legs trembled, but he climbed higher, his hands finding purchase on a protruding brick. "I'm trying, alright?"
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabwgVdHvGN
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DVRo0RKkh
Jed chuckled darkly, the sound tinged with exhaustion. "Try harder, or I'm usin' you as a distraction."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKtGoBLRqv
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMNhUk6Goy
The monsters roared below, their clawed hands reaching into the chimney. Jed pressed himself tighter against the wall, his sharp blue eyes scanning for any way to slow them down.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7I3QQZsFUp
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42caZkHgMp
"Kid," he called up, his voice carrying a surprising softness beneath the gruffness. "You keep goin'. Don't stop till you see daylight."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LLu06oKjJ
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sv0ttNVgw
Charlie glanced down, his face streaked with sweat and soot. "What about you?"
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Nh5CTpyy8
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprRYwLjXeF
Jed smirked, his expression grim but determined. "I'll be right behind you. Ain't leavin' you to deal with this mess alone. Now climb, damn it."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgweu3aNYUd
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYajvubC2r6
As the boy pushed himself higher, Jed adjusted his position, bracing his arms and legs more firmly against the walls. He looked down at the snarling faces of the monsters below and let out a low, bitter laugh.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxrklah2H2
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nW5V5qvOk
"Y'know," he muttered, half to himself, "there's a lesson in all this. Don't ever trust an old house with a perfectly good window. It's probably a damn trap."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YRT3Mkhpf
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLmn2BAz9C
Above him, Charlie's voice carried down, shaky but determined. "I see light, Uncle! I see it!"
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugHv1aY3E6
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArJAvvRNrC
Jed allowed himself a faint smile. "Good. Now get your ass outta here before I regret every decision I've made today."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIo6Ib5ijsn
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYzNhnLImp
The chimney opened to the cool night air, and Charlie hoisted himself out with a grunt, collapsing onto the rooftop. He lay there for a moment, staring up at the night sky, where countless stars twinkled like scattered diamonds. The air was crisp, almost serene, in stark contrast to the chaos they'd just escaped.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUB1OdP90ul
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3fv3OrxJT
Jed followed seconds later, hauling himself out with a growl of exertion. He landed heavily beside Charlie, his breathing labored. "Well, that was a fine mess," Jed muttered, dusting soot off his coat.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCyFrevHqj
Charlie pushed himself up on his elbows, his chest still heaving. "Uncle Jed... look at the stars," he said, his voice soft, almost childlike. "They're... beautiful."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyhSWG3UUE
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6PZzXyCcV
Jed gave him a sidelong glance, his lips twitching into a faint smirk. "Sure, kid. Stars are real nice. Real nice,
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaehDlMQ4sK
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGPeJPjo83
Charlie turned to face him fully, his expression shifting from wonder to something more troubled. "Uncle Jed... your skin..." His voice faltered, his hand pointing hesitantly. "It's... pale. And your eyes... they're glowing."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK80EGRCQN
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq2y5lh7AZ
Jed stiffened, his hand instinctively going to his face. "What the hell're you talkin' about?" he snapped, though there was an edge of unease in his tone.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QWtNtRMnc
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8qM09qJ30
Charlie's voice rose, panic creeping in. "Uncle Jed, you're turning into them! Your eyes... they're purple! And you smell... you smell like... like..."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXsygWLNvH
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFSMnCvNe2
"Rot," Jed finished grimly, his hand falling away. He looked down at his arms, the veins dark and prominent under unnaturally pale skin. His fingers trembled as he brought them closer to his face. The glow of his eyes reflected faintly in Charlie's terrified gaze.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqMh0keL9l
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfhuzYtDG5
Jed let out a sharp, bitter laugh, though there was no humor in it. "Ah, shit. Figures." He clenched his fists, his voice dropping to a rough whisper. "Guess those bastards didn't just scratch the kid."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJEsZKL1Zi
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyreuJS8n9
Charlie scrambled backward, his leg dragging uselessly from the earlier wound. "No... no, this can't be happening. You're—" His voice cracked, tears stinging his eyes. "You're you. You're not like them!"
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwn1cKYRs5
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVXWl2Bi8Y
Jed's jaw tightened, his expression hardening despite the fear flickering in his glowing eyes. "Pull yourself together, boy. Ain't got time for tears." His voice was sharp but cracked under its weight. "I ain't gone yet."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1N9ujhkVb
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qNdfr1LDO
Charlie shook his head, his breaths coming fast and shallow. "But what if you do? What if—"
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eiew8tb3Q
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPmKdvsekT
"Enough!" Jed's voice boomed, silencing him. He took a shaky breath, steadying himself. "Listen to me, Charlie. You keep movin'. You keep fightin'. No matter what happens to me. You hear me?"
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVxKg2hpOA
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4XAQ5ITGP
Charlie's lip trembled, but he nodded, his voice barely a whisper. "I hear you."
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8blbmnDRYv
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD37ArQdVq
Jed gave him a grim smile, his sharp wit dimmed by the shadow of his transformation. "Good. 'Cause I ain't lettin' some rotten corpse version of me be the end of your story."
ns 15.158.61.48da2
