The Long 7 Days

The first beast lunged toward the ridge with an explosive burst of speed, its hulking form barreling through the underbrush. Its growl reverberated like thunder, shaking the resolve of anyone not prepared for such raw power. Alex stood at the front, his knife drawn and eyes locked on its every movement. He felt the familiar surge of adrenaline sharpening his senses, slowing time just enough for him to calculate.

"Eve, focus on the second one!" Alex barked. "Jack, don't waste your shots—make them count!"

Eve didn't need further instruction. She was already drawing her bowstring, the fletching of her arrow brushing her cheek as she aimed at the second creature emerging from the shadows. Jack scrambled to position himself behind cover, his rifle trembling in his hands as he took aim at the closest beast.

The first creature charged straight into the crude barricade Alex and Eve had constructed. The barrier of sharp stakes and loose branches slowed it down but didn't stop it entirely. Its massive claws raked through the obstacles, sending splinters flying. Alex waited until it was within striking distance before springing into action.

He darted to the side, using his agility to avoid the beast's massive claws. With a practiced motion, he slashed at its hind leg, his knife biting deep into muscle. The creature roared in pain, whipping around to swipe at him, but Alex was already moving, staying one step ahead.

Jack fired his rifle, the shot echoing through the forest. The bullet struck the creature in the shoulder, staggering it but failing to bring it down. "Aim for the head or vital points!" Alex shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Body shots won't stop it!"

Meanwhile, the second beast charged up the ridge, its glowing eyes locked onto Eve. She loosed her first arrow, the projectile sinking into its chest. It roared but didn't slow, forcing her to retreat higher up the slope to maintain her distance.

Alex and the first creature circled each other, both predators sizing up their opponent. The beast lunged again, its claws swiping dangerously close. Alex rolled under its attack, slashing at its belly as he passed. Blood splattered the ground, but the creature barely flinched. Its endurance was maddening.

Jack fired again, this time hitting its flank. The beast roared and turned its attention toward him. Alex seized the opportunity, plunging his knife into the base of its neck. The creature thrashed violently, throwing him off, but the wound was deep. Blood poured from the gash, staining the forest floor.

"Keep it distracted!" Alex yelled, picking himself up. He could feel the sting of a few cuts and bruises, but adrenaline kept him moving.

Eve faced the second creature with unflinching determination. She climbed higher up the ridge, using the natural terrain to her advantage. The beast struggled to navigate the rocky slope, giving her just enough time to fire another arrow. This one struck its eye, eliciting an earsplitting screech.

She nocked another arrow, her hands steady despite the chaos. "Come on," she muttered under her breath, her sharp eyes watching its every move.

The beast lunged upward, its claws gouging deep into the rocks. Eve sidestepped its charge, drawing her hunting knife in one swift motion. As the creature passed, she slashed at its exposed neck, leaving a deep, ragged wound.

It whipped around, its movements erratic from the injury. Blood poured from its eye socket, blinding it on one side. Eve kept her distance, firing another arrow into its chest. The beast stumbled but didn't fall, its fury driving it forward.

The first creature was weakening, its movements slower and less precise as blood loss took its toll. Alex pressed his advantage, landing calculated strikes on its legs and sides. Finally, as it lunged one last time, he sidestepped and drove his knife into the base of its skull. The beast let out a final, guttural growl before collapsing in a heap.

Alex didn't stop to celebrate. He turned his attention to the second creature, which was still pursuing Eve. She had managed to wound it severely, but it was far from finished.

"Eve, down!" Alex shouted, sprinting toward them.

Eve dove to the side as Alex hurled a large rock at the beast, striking it in the head. The distraction gave her just enough time to fire one more arrow, this one sinking into its exposed throat. The creature gagged, blood gushing from the wound. It staggered, its massive body swaying before it finally collapsed.

The ridge fell silent, save for the labored breathing of the three survivors. The two creatures lay dead, their massive forms sprawled across the rocky terrain. Blood soaked the ground, a grim reminder of the battle they had just endured.

Alex leaned against a boulder, his chest heaving as he wiped sweat and blood from his face. Eve crouched nearby, inspecting the arrows she had managed to recover. Jack sat slumped against a rock, his rifle still in his hands, his face pale but his eyes wide with a mix of relief and disbelief.

"Are they... really dead?" Jack asked, his voice shaky.

Alex nodded, his gaze hard. "They're not getting up again."

Eve glanced at the bodies, her expression unreadable. "Two in one night. That's no coincidence."

Alex agreed. "Something's drawing them here. Or maybe we've stumbled into their territory."

"Either way," Eve said, standing and shouldering her bow, "we can't stay. Even if this ridge is defensible, it won't matter if more of those things show up."

Alex pushed off the boulder, his exhaustion overridden by the need to act. "She's right. We need to move before nightfall. Gather what we can and stay sharp."

As they prepared to leave, Alex took a moment to examine the bodies more closely. The creatures were unlike anything he had ever seen—part beast, part nightmare. Their fur was coarse and matted with blood, their claws like jagged blades. But what struck him most was their eyes, which, even in death, retained a faint, unnatural glow.

"These things aren't normal," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "They're not just animals."

Eve knelt beside him, her gaze fixed on the larger of the two creatures. "Look at the wounds. They've been in fights before—recent ones."

Alex frowned, his mind racing. "You think there are others like them?"

Eve's expression darkened. "I think we've only seen the beginning."

As they descended the ridge, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Every rustle of leaves, every distant sound, set his nerves on edge. But he didn't let it show. He had to stay strong—for himself, for Eve, and for Jack.

They moved quickly, putting as much distance as possible between themselves and the ridge. The forest seemed to close in around them, the shadows deeper and more oppressive than before. But Alex refused to let fear dictate his actions.

"We'll find somewhere safe," he said, his voice firm. "And we'll figure out what we're dealing with."

Eve nodded, her expression resolute. "Whatever comes next, we'll be ready."

Jack said nothing, but his silence spoke volumes. He was scared, but he was still here. And for now, that was enough.

As the group pressed on into the unknown, Alex couldn't help but feel a spark of defiance. The world was dangerous, unpredictable, and full of horrors. But he wasn't just surviving—he was fighting back. And he wasn't going to stop until he uncovered the truth about what was out there.

The hunt wasn't over. It had only just begun.