Goal: Find supplies.

Conflict: City is overrun.

Disaster: Heard by a creature.

Emotion: Fear, despair.

Thought: I’m going to lose my sister.

Decision: Believe in self.

Action: Fight.

Our supplies were running low, and we needed to rest. We stood at the edge of the alley, looking up and down the street for any signs of the things that owned them, only distant howls and the echo of reply. In the street in front of us were three abandoned cars, I wanted to search them for bottled water, I asked Luna to wait in the alley while I moved forward, scanning left and right for any danger. I reached the first vehicle, its driver’s door left open, there were no signs of life in the car, so I decided to open the rear door. I pulled the handle and the lock clicked as it disengaged, the car didn't look very old, made in the last five years, maybe?

So, my surprise when it creaked and screeched as metal scrapped against metal sent chills running down my spine. Crouching against the car, I was now facing Luna, her head tilted as she listened, returning my gaze and shrugging her shoulders, I nodded and returned my attention to the car. The sound of glass shattering stole my attention, I looked up to the first floor catching the movement of the creature as it moved through the air, landing gracefully and raising once more, it stared at Luna, sniffing and grunting. Luna's eyes were fixed on mine, I wanted to tell her to run, I wanted the thing to go away. It roared its sentinel howl, my eyes pleaded with Luna to run, she just stood there, the edges of her lips raised in a stupid grin.

The thing began its charge towards her, one foot in front of the other it barrelled toward her, raising a clawed hand ready to strike her down. I noticed something odd, I was moving, running, but not away, no, at the creature. I realised I began moving at the time it did, I was already so close to it, dropping my shoulder, I crashed into its rib cage, it was enough, the clawed hand missing Luna's neck by a fraction, it's momentum carrying it forward, it's claws scrapping the concrete for purchase. I rose to my feet looking at Luna, she nodded her head in the direction of the creature, it found its feet and began to rise, I search the alley for a weapon, anything, an empty milk crate and a plastic bottle, Luna said something, I turned to her "You are the weapon" she said. The hell did that mean?

I contemplated Luna's fall into madness when the creature charged, at me this time, and like before, I was already moving. We closed the distance, it swung its claws and I ducked, clenching my fist I spun and rose, launching it in a wild arch. I hit it, I actually hit it, the creature staggered to the side, shaking its head, its jaw flopping side to side, I… broke its jaw? I turned to Luna, still she had that stupid grin "Do it again" she said, I clenched both fists "Show it your fury" she said. She was right, it was burning, I bared my teeth and snarled at the thing, and this time I moved first, I throw a punch, with more control and aim, and again, over and over, the creature fell to the ground and still I hit, a cracking sound and its movements ceased. I looked around for my next target, it grabbed me from behind, wrapping its arms around my chest, it spoke to me in Luna's voice "You did it, I'm proud of you".

And the fury left, adrenaline with it, I slumped in Luna's embrace. I looked from the creature on the ground, to my fists soaked in its blood, with everything that happened over the past day, this was my breaking point. Hot streaks rolled their way down my face, and I sobbed, Luna's lips were against my ear "It's okay Phoebe, it will all be okay" I tested my voice "What am I?" I asked, "Fucks me" she said, the sound I made was undignified and I won't repeat it, of all the times she could have sworn it was now. "Not the answer I was looking for" I said, "What am I?" she asked, I shrugged "Fucks me" I said. There was only one person that could answer this question, and we didn't know if we would see her again. Luna asked if I could stand, I tried and although shaky, I could. "We should find somewhere to hide for the night" I said, "I agree, and I bet there's nocturnal versions of these things" she said. I was about to respond when a roar echoed off the walls of the alley, it was in the street, it was time to move.

Daniel Horsten

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