There were no signs of life onboard the locomotives or any movement outside either. "That individual... he stopped the centipede from moving with a mere frequency." Seren started theorizing.
"Marcus, how is your injury?"
Marcus chuckled wryly, "It's alright. I patched it up with a cloth and used a torniquet to stop the bleeding."
Suddenly a loud screech pierced their ears causing everyone in the group to freeze, holding their heads tightly as the piercing sounds pounded through them.
"AGGGHHH! FUCK OFF, CAN'T THIS WORLD STOP YELLING FOR A FUCKING SECOND?!" Marcus screamed.
The three of them peeked over a window that was open and looked around for anything that would tell them where that damn noise originated from. Eventually, they noticed an odd dark shape near the edge of the forest.
Something moved slightly, revealing two yellowish green eyes peering from beneath its shadows, glowing with malevolence, which only amplified its terrifying appearance. Then another set appeared next to it.
Two figures emerged from beneath the darkness; these were a pair of monstrous beasts. Their features were visible as they advanced into the sunlight revealing twisted horns protruding outwards, spiked bones and tattered, filthy clothing hung upon their skeletons and blood dripping from the tips.
"You have to be joking..." Seren exhaled with terror.
One creature let out a series of high-pitched squeals that sent chills running down her spine, while another growled with aggression. "Well at least that thing back there couldn't make noises this horrific," said Seren, clutching his sides, wincing.
"We're basically pinned now, at this point we have to make a sprint for the market, no matter what. There's a giant centipede in the city and we have whatever these things are walking out of a forest." Marcus's tone was low but clear.
"I agree, let us head to the supermarket." Seren nodded.
The creature screamed a high-pitched screech while slowly advancing upon its target. Its front legs lifted off the ground as it arched back, extending its arms outward, exposing its underbelly. The creature's hands grasped the air before curling around a chunk of rock, squeezing tightly before chucking at them.
Anne squealed in terror.
"What are you doing, stay down!," Marcus grabbed the other side of the broken glass shield and hurled it out the shattered train window.
The projectile hit one beast squarely in the chest sending him stumbling backward.
"Fuck!" Marcus muttered, struggling to control his anger.
Seren scrambled into the next train car and started looking around for weapons. He found an iron pipe leaning against an engine door. He yanked it out and quickly turned to face the others. Anne let out a gasp of surprise, causing him to smile and say, "We've got an idea," pointing at himself and Marcus.
He dashed outside the broken window and ran toward the monsters with his makeshift torch raised over his head. The nearest creature, closest to the pair of them charged forward on its four legs screaming loudly, before lifting its arm back to strike at its opponent.
"Come on, you ugly fucker," Marcus muttered through gritted teeth.
The beast swung its massive arm directly at Seren. He reacted swiftly by spinning around on his heel. Seren managed to land a perfect counterattack against the beast's left shoulder knocking the monstrosity backwards while at same time catching its balance, leaving it temporarily stunned and vulnerable to another hit.
"Don't stand there! Let's get back inside the train!" Seren yelled.
The remaining creature jumped into the air from behind Seren, grabbing onto his back as it attempted to sink its teeth into his flesh. Seren dropped the torch and grabbed both its horns firmly in an attempt to stop it.
Marcus screamed and leaped on top of the creature before grabbing hold of one of the horns.
Anne peered out from the broken window, unable to move or do anything else except watch as the struggle unfolded before her. Seren was fighting desperately against the monster that clung to his body, attempting to tear at his skin with its razor-sharp talons.
The monster screeched while thrashing violently in its restrained state. It had managed to loosen Seren's hold on the horn allowing itself to be pulled forward. It struggled harder trying to escape its prison.
Seren couldn't maintain his grip, however, and let go.
Seren rolled backwards to the ground in front of her. His back slamming harshly against the hard ground below. The wind was knocked out of him and momentarily paralyzed. He stared up at the grey clouds overhead. The sight above reminding him that they were no longer in the safety of their home.
They were stuck on this planet and surrounded. Seren quickly regained himself and scrambled to grab his discarded pipe. He steadied himself, focusing his breathing as he prepared a second attack, this time bringing the weapon above his head..
He leaped into the air aiming for its exposed neck, hoping to strike hard enough that it'd fall limp instantly. It landed perfectly, leaving behind a smoldering line along the underside of the creature's chin. He grabbed the pipe in both hands tightly, pulling up towards his chest in preparation. The creature coughed harshly and released a loud painful roar as it writhed in agony.
Hate and disgust washed over him in equal measure. He gripped his weapon tighter and pressed down. The pain-filled scream abruptly ended in a sickly wet gurgle. His boots dug deep into the dusty ground as he stomped forwards, increasing his pace slightly before thrusting forward into the corpse once more.
Blood flowed freely out of the monster's wounds and spread into the dry earth beneath them. It stained the ground red. The stink of spilled blood filled the air as well. It mixed horribly with the smell of rotten meat.
He finally stepped back away and breathed deeply. The scent stung his nostrils. A breeze swept through the clearing making goose bumps prickle across his flesh. A soft whir sounded somewhere above the canopy. The sound intensified becoming a deafening buzz that had him pressing a hand over his ears protectively.
"I did it..." He panted weakly, smiling softly.
"We did it," Marcus corrected, having run to his side, looking weary and ready to collapse.
The silence made them both tense and anxious. There wasn't any sound at all except for their harsh breaths, the faint breeze whistling through leaves, and the humming of the machinery far overhead. It sent a shiver down both their spines.
"Let's just head for the supermarket, I'm tired of this."