Chapter 179

Aria

I can literally feel the breath of the creature on our backs as we run through the thick forest. The darkness is nearly blinding, and Lucas and I aren’t even holding a torch, which makes it worse. I can’t see Shiva or Mark, but I know they’re behind us. At least I hope they are.

Suddenly, a scream tears through the air. It’s Mark.

I whip around and spot the beast standing over him. Mark is on the ground, and Shiva is close by, frozen with terror written all over her face. The creature doesn’t make a move right away. It just stands there, growling low and deep, staring down at Mark like he’s its next meal. Mark is still, but I can tell he’s panicking. His chest is rising and falling fast, and he’s gripping a torch like it’s the only thing keeping him sane.

“Fuck. Lucas, what do we do?” I whisper, my voice shaky as hell.

Lucas shakes his head slowly, his eyes locked on the nightmare unfolding in front of us. He looks just as helpless as I feel