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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9r1HXL6dG
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vlzIkOx60
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."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6cotTpBJR
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBw7dgDK40H
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?"
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDa0V5XHmX
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlikJ26wgkT
Charlie nodded toward the window. "That's our way out."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vU2eoheBB
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1JClXX4QZ
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?"
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2m9X9xB2FA
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHmKZvTzIy
Charlie bit his lip. "It's all we've got."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXUBRSgh8i
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOcHuZPgen
Jed sighed deeply. "Alright, fine. But how about we try movin' nice and slow? Maybe he don't see us slinkin' over there."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63eihOsJGa
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwh1dElr14Q
Charlie's voice was tense. "Yeah, I think he'll still notice."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcRLzIJcIk
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiNzoiO4jn
"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."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIQW0dVEzM
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU1pl1TSf1
Charlie swallowed hard. "Let's just do it."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIhqJhZBfG
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8xBgAVGmq
Without another word, they bolted toward the window.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjctPqT5dP
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEYUtQxLli
Jose's head snapped toward them, his bloodshot eyes widening. "Sangreeeeeeeeee!" he howled, launching himself across the room in a frenzy.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O49vDcJdK
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrbRDFDv7O
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFRpvlrNDn
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0MYmd5zuo
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!"
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmy8ElCRx1
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn9eFmlSU0
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAzdIWfraN
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaZmxjdlks
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf99rxGWfhJ
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Th3jslSoy
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bVAeKGyq5
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbwBcMnRYX
Charlie's voice trembled. "Uncle, they're everywhere."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMD7Re4sut
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTIZXUvs2f
"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."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIhGFGQv3X
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3ziNk5t5g
Charlie glanced at his arm, counting the faint glow of marks. "I've got five shots left."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pVCaxIhWX
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEl5ULewqCI
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."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jM3sk7vfo
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Q2ny65hyc
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPEjckEdbl
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uuzXW8D3Z
Jed flexed his injured leg and gritted his teeth. "Alright, kid. Got any more bright ideas?"
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy89j45NGyE
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSt5tGolutV
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIch11HP1VN
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV6aASCy0L
"I'm thinking," Charlie muttered.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0VJPb1Zj2
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4dUbJD5dC
"Well, think faster," Jed growled.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXSBGpyxYd
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFel0b9jdB
Jose's voice cut through the chaos, guttural and raw. "Sangreeee…"
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQECtApzGb
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuKpe5i2rI
Jed rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, we heard you the first damn time."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOARSs56d3s
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45g8fratxJ
The creatures on the roof tensed, their bodies coiled like springs, ready to pounce. Jed tightened his grip on Charlie's shoulder.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo2pGSr0bD
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFIfICQeHk
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1R8BoGoI1
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF7Ff9LL7w
Jed leaned down, his voice a barely audible whisper. "Don't move. Don't even breathe too loud."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdnvNdiU0o
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMRTDIpMZj
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."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo51ELTEtei
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDH0pa2qJo
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?"
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAgBN3pZw1
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeraMjZqOt
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2njHwp7fJ
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyprBq4jcUp
"Move!" Jed hissed, his voice sharp and commanding.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZTJt9VPNW
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg6UoI0Qrf
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuz37jSwjh
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V1It1NT7h
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ541kfchtNW
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0aH9Lcsxg
"Keep movin', kid!" Jed barked, his eyes darting between Charlie and the monsters closing in.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgg2snuevuS
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxAMWQfqE9
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIjRnpmshP
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9N8wbKFgH
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?"
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vzybLcV9m
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQct7hDzYP
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGYDftl8xh
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyE6R9LaoA
"The chimney!" Charlie shouted, pointing. "We can climb up through the chimney!"
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDy6r4YxiB
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMicOhQq8i5
Jed's gaze followed Charlie's outstretched hand, and he nodded grimly. "Alright. I'll hold 'em off. You get in there first."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPSX72ISa8
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKLFVgDRQm
Charlie hesitated, but Jed shoved him toward the chimney. "Go! Now!"
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGElMTDeAX
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23LGG0N5ZL
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmqD7wzoua
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuBeSF2lNh
"Hope you're in, kid, 'cause I'm done babysittin' this table!" Jed shouted, releasing his hold.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3MM6AMKTx
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvu6GB6LjLf
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LST8jfahw
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrERv6OP1R0
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mHzt9WX4Z
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAIQB9BzBL
"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."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCX9TYr5n5
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI08p6FHtYX
Charlie gritted his teeth, his voice strained. "It's kinda hard! The bricks are all slippery!"
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE37IwIeFL
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizDcsRZf8c
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!"
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJiWeb7e6L
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbRHhiaSK5
Charlie's legs trembled, but he climbed higher, his hands finding purchase on a protruding brick. "I'm trying, alright?"
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoeOAdioiv
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xK7EGqqXr
Jed chuckled darkly, the sound tinged with exhaustion. "Try harder, or I'm usin' you as a distraction."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5HABU4jSq
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavlbwWGJgy
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2ExWvtGAn
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKn58XpCkr
"Kid," he called up, his voice carrying a surprising softness beneath the gruffness. "You keep goin'. Don't stop till you see daylight."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWND2o0RQ3
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6toQVXAtqe
Charlie glanced down, his face streaked with sweat and soot. "What about you?"
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9iWbGel7B
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17hh2Nvpi9
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."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKfqExsxCD
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeqqdc9LOT
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXNkDbXB1f
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru80PhEpVB
"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."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nIdIpeqjK
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEXrr2oYAP
Above him, Charlie's voice carried down, shaky but determined. "I see light, Uncle! I see it!"
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNJcSxYaFH
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcmvTaWQdW
Jed allowed himself a faint smile. "Good. Now get your ass outta here before I regret every decision I've made today."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6bySYv2h9
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBZ8Yv3xR9
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpub0jOUqO
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQh3bDxNrQ
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobkWAGmFwj
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."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh3BXUdheS
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KMCQXQ7bP
Jed gave him a sidelong glance, his lips twitching into a faint smirk. "Sure, kid. Stars are real nice. Real nice,
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJmiYfGntn
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNQjjwLVVK
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."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxt9OzIxpRt
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t3YSBvS2F
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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTQkdPAshe
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfevuYsLVM
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..."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYRQPNMK5M
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAsNUKK1xK
"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.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0hNWfVC2f
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9kegNfv6e
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."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUfqqKN9oD
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnM1J0ib9F
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!"
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZXNAXwFfc
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ3dxSb36y
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."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp6hFgt3Vd
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcDvATaf99
Charlie shook his head, his breaths coming fast and shallow. "But what if you do? What if—"
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEfEiMGtQg
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2C0dRHoDN
"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?"
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0k3JFYEG4
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfntjDq2mT
Charlie's lip trembled, but he nodded, his voice barely a whisper. "I hear you."
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HwA50K6eI
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JFJZkGXuC
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 15.158.61.38da2
