Apex

Chapter 23

•Asher•

"Aud!" I sprinted to my sister. The insect-like creature I'd been struggling against finally collapsed lifelessly onto the ground. But the last one emerged from the behind the Sye's ankle, charging towards her.

Stopping beside Audrey, who was keenly focussed on putting as many holes in the giant as possible, I held my pistol with both hands and aimed it at slimy, snarling monstrosity.

Once it was just a few feet from me, I unloaded my weapon into its head.

Pop, pop, pop...pop, pop!

Click.

It screeched, black blood pouring out of several holes in its face. The thing slowed, but didn't stop. Before it could ram me, a deafening blast sounded far too close to my head. Ears ringing, I watched as the monster's head become an unrecognizable mass of flesh.

It wavered drunkenly, then fell on its side.

Audrey reloaded and rounded back on the Sye. Her aim was sure when she released several more rounds into its throat.

Green streaks littered its cheeks, dripping off its chin. It grunted, baring its teeth at us, swiping its arm across the road. Aud and I both laid on our back as its hand swung towards us.

It didn't matter. Shoving Aud's gun out of her grasp, I wrapped my arms around her to shield her with my body. A wall of grimy blue flesh collided with us. I grunted as I took the brunt of the force. Glass and rocks dug into my arms, and legs. We rolled towards the sidewalk. My back collided with a light pole.

A gasp forced its way up my throat, the impact sending waves of pain up my spine.

Audrey pulled away from me and stood on weak legs. She gripped my arm with trembling hands to pull me to my feet.

Our eyes met. The scowl was gone from her face, determination leaked out of her eyes. Covered in scrapes and cuts and dirt and blood, my baby sister no longer looked like a fierce survivor. She looked like a scared kid. Her expression became even more somber as her eyes ran over my injuries, but she said nothing. My heart clenched when she stumbled back to her gun.

I was fresh out of ammo and knew she couldn't be fairing much better. The last monster was dead, the Sye was blind and bleeding. It was time to retreat.

Audrey must've had the same idea. She picked up her weapon and looked at me pointedly before making her way to the opposite side of the street where the entrance to our escape loomed. Her steps were fast and strategic, avoiding glass as best she could. I followed suit.

The Sye's hand slammed somewhere to my left, the vibration running up my legs. I stayed upright, focusing on Audrey's barely visible form, waiting in the darkness.

            I'd just made it to the sidewalk in front of our refuge when a light in the distance caught my attention. It had to be several dozen of miles away, beyond the heart of downtown. It only lasted a few seconds, starting on the horizon and creating a flash that was visible above the high-rises. Brushing off the distractions I took a step towards Aud.

Then, a quake stronger than anything the giant had caused the far forced me to my knees.

            The tilting structure above us groaned in protest. Windows fell out of their frames, crashing into the ground near us. Even the Sye paused in its searching, surprised by the earthquake.

            Closing the distance between us, I didn't slow when I clutched Aud's arm, pulling her with me to our escape route.

            Wires swung above our heads, ceiling panels crashed to the floor. We leapt over toppled furniture and abandoned office desks, determined to stay on our feet. I  forced Aud behind me when fluorescent lights slammed into the ground in our path. She nearly pushed me down the stairways, making us take the steps four at a time.