Jump. Roll. Strike. Retreat.
Again and again.
Each hit chipped away a little more. The axe started cutting deeper. The monster's movements slowed just slightly.
But Ethan was worse off.
His legs burned. His arms trembled. His breathing was ragged.
He could feel himself reaching the limit.
The Walking Mutant slammed him into the ground again.
This time, Ethan didn't bounce back up.
He lay there, staring at the dark sky, ears ringing.
The monster raised its claw.
Images flashed through Ethan's mind. The university. The girls. The fire. The road. The promise he had made without realizing it.
Not like this.
He roared and rolled aside just as the claw smashed into the ground, inches from his head.
Using the last of his strength, Ethan forced himself up and ran straight at the monster.
It laughed.
A deep, ugly sound.
Ethan jumped higher than he thought he could.
The axe came down with everything he had left.
This time, it went in deep.
Right through the neck.
