Corpse
by Samuel Demers
“ELISE, HURRY, THIS WAY!”
“How the hell did one of those things get down in the bunker?!”
“I don’t know, just keep running—!”
Something unnatural and disturbing was in pursuit of the two. It was beastly and clambered on all fours; But one could be mistaken for thinking it was human if it weren’t for the horrifying sounds of frenzied snarling. It wore an uncomfortably-human toothy smile on its face, with blackened pearls for eyes. Its legs resembled that of a person, but were bent at all the wrong places. The monster didn’t run. No, it galloped behind like it was enjoying giving chase. Savoring every fear-filled breath that was huffed.
Elise and Lionel frantically spoke through half-taken breaths as they ran:
“It doesn’t– make any sense–”
“There’s no way it could have gotten in!”
“I know… every door’s been sealed shut all night.”
“Doesn’t— Doesn’t matter now. We gotta find a way to—”
“–The storeroom. We need to reach the storeroom.”
With a plan that was both hushed and hurried, Elise led the escape path through the cramped halls of the underground bunker. Neither of them dared to look behind, they could hear it bound against the walls at each turn. They weren’t sure how close it was, only that it was drawing near. As the two made the final turn, they entered into an expansive warehouse-like storage chamber.
The pair paused their fleeing as Elise pointed to one of the hanging chains near the entrance. Lionel looked up, spotting a metal container suspended in the air.
“Block its path!”
Seeing the broken shape of the creature at the end of the hall, Lionel slashed at the chain with his axe.
CLASH
Sparks scraped off the links, but the chain didn’t shatter. He swung again.
CLASH
The impact echoed throughout the entire chamber, only drowned out by the nearing sound of inhuman footfalls and snarling. The creature spoke as it rapidly approached:
“…You’re both…”
CLASH
“…all alone…”
CLASH
“…down here~!”
CLASH
The fifth swing shattered the weakened chain links into pieces. As the severed chain swiftly rose in the air, the container of metal scrap it was holding up started to fall. The creature charged forward until a decisive crash rang out as the container descended onto its body, crushing the creature into the ground.
“Jesus Christ… stay back, Elise!”
As the monster laid pinned down, it struggled against the shards of metal piercing its body. Its movements only caused more blood to pool. In a final effort to free itself, the creature contorted even more. It strained its neck until they could hear its flesh peeling. It let out what could only be described as pure noise. An incoherent garbled mess of human shrieks, the cries of a cornered animal, and… laughter. The sound was slow and continuous, building until a loud crack echoed through the chamber. All the noise ceased. The creature’s neck went limp, its head soon following as it fell lifelessly to the ground.
All that was left was a corpse.
“Did we… is it..?”
...
“Sorry. That was too much of a risk. The container trap was supposed to allow us to seal the entrance much faster. I didn’t mean for that to be such a close call…”
Elise attempted to steady her breathing. She looked on at Lionel, who was still turned away from her looking at the now deceased creature.
“...Lionel?”
He stared at the beast, ignoring her, the axe gripped to his side.
“...Lionel, it’s– it’s dead… we should try to–”
Elise froze as he turned to face her, his eyes filled like blackened pearls; A hollow expression that slowly twisted into glee. He took a step forward, his body jerking unnaturally.
“…You’re…”
“…all alone…”
“…down here~!”