Thread: Monster [ Burke x Arianna  ]

Lexi moved quickly through the stairwell as though chased by the devil himself, her bare feet slapped loudly on the cold concrete steps and whimpering cries escaped her lips as she ran in blind terror. By the time she reached the next landing and paused, a loud, splintering crash signalled that the beast had ripped through upstairs doorway where she had passed through only seconds before. The creature's probing mewling and grunting pierced the semi-darkness, and held the threat of hunger, but memory of the grotesque yellow eyes, and the knowledge it was controlled by some undeniable sentience, created the unholy combination that almost sent Lexis panic beyond the threshold of conscious reason. As the seconds continued to tick by with agonizing slowness, a bizarre dance of predator and prey unfolded in the cell like atmosphere of the concrete staircase, where the ghastly monster seemed to know when Lexi was moving and mirrored every one of her movements exactly. It should have been impossible, and yet there was no other explanation for the sounds she heard. With each gust of chilled air rushing past her body, she feverishly glanced over her shoulder, convinced death was upon her, but there was nothing except emptiness. Nonetheless, there was no mistaking the fact that when Lexi moved, the beast moved, and had she been able to listen to the voice of logic, it would have been obvious that the monster appeared unable to navigate the staircase with ease. However, in her panicked state, she was aware of nothing except mind numbing fear, the pounding beat of her heart, and certain death pressing down upon her like a raging storm. Torn between staying rooted to the spot and continuing to flee, the excruciating choice between life and death weighed heavily on Lexis mind, and in those few harrowing moments, the welcoming peace of surrender and resignation to death beckoned sweetly, promising a swift and painless end to the terrifying agony that seemed infinite in its torment. The urge to give up and be free pulled so strongly, that each new step became a monumental task, and her muscles screamed in protest with each foot forward. Had she not finally reached the ground floor, it is by no means certain that she would not have given up and succumbed to the inevitable fate that awaited her, fatigued as she was from hours of unrelenting pain and torture. Bursting through the door to the lobby, she blinked against the shrill white light that seared her eyes and made it virtually impossible to see anything but lurking shadows. The metal door slammed shut and gave a momentary rush of relief, until she glanced around and realized she was all alone nothing was going to stop the beast from gratifying its ravenous hunger. It was coming for her, and the quickest way out was through the front doors. Sprinting forward into a brisk run, her lungs burned and she panted heavily from the exertion but her eyes were finally able to focus and she saw David then, standing impatiently in the foyer between the two sets of doors, with a reproachful expression in his face for making him worry and wait. It was a look Lexi knew well, and one that rapidly transformed to fatherly concern when he saw her rushing towards him. Davidgoget away! Lexi screamed, her eyes shining with intensity, willing him to hear her and obey, but as her hand struck the door handle, the door gave way, and the wonderfully comforting scent of Bay Rum and spices wafted outwards and tugged at her heart. When their eyes met, years of memories flashed before her the genuine affection and camaraderie shared between them, precious and pure, soothed her broken soul like a healing balm, until a gut wrenching knowing ripped it apart and a psychic dawning of what was to come cruelly took it away, merciless and swift. Lexi gripped the door handle until her knuckles turned white, her eyes searched David's now panicked brown ones, and a silent communication that hinted at final goodbyes and deep affection passed between them until she couldn't bear it and sobbed loudly. No! This is not happening, I will not let this happen! Time stood still for her now and it was as though she were standing in a dark, silent moving tunnel that pulled her farther and farther away from David. Though mere inches away, he was lost to her now, no longer seeing her, but instead focused on the spectre of death looming in the distance, and she frantically tried to reach for him, but it was no use. Instead, he chose her life over his and she screamed when she saw it glowing in his eyes. No! She cried out of sheer frustration and protest when he threw her into the door behind him, but Davids aim was strong and true the powerful thrust of his arm caused her to hit the outer doors with alarming speed and her slim body practically flew outside. The last thing she saw was the swirling of his beige overcoat and thenthose terrible yellow eyes burning with immortal hunger. Finally, in one last fleeting moment, David was yanked downwards by the hulking monster as the ground rushed up to meet her. His one petrified scream and the sickening sounds of teeth meeting flesh and bone echoed in the night as she hit the ground hard on her backside, the jarring impact so hard it knocked the wind out of her, rendering it impossible to cry out against the sorrow and anguish at the horror taking place mere steps away. Gasping for breath as she continued to tumble down the hard steps, the sharp edges and rough concrete pounded and bruised the delicate flesh of her back, ribs and shoulders. When she finally landed on the pavement below still unable to breathe, her scraped and battered body lay as if paralyzed and all was silent save the sucking and gasping sounds from Lexis desperate need for oxygen. As she lay there alone, sprawled on the sidewalk, the merciful shield of shock kept her safe and prevented her from dwelling on the truth of what had happened that night. In that moment she had no memory, only awareness of the physical need to breathe, but there would be a reckoning, and it was certain to be excrutiatingly painful. A wailing siren broke the silence, and red and white strobe lights came to an abrupt halt in front of the building. The ambulance had arrived quickly, and the only explanation for it was one of the neighbours must have heard the screaming and called 911. Two male paramedics, a blond one named Rickers and a dark haired one named Wilkes, as evidenced by their badges, rushed to Lexis side, and placed an oxygen mask on her face while taking her vital signs and shouting questions. Misscan you move? Can you feel your legs? Lexis frightened gaze flew from one to the other but she was unable to speak. It was clear to the paramedics she had numerous contusions and likely a broken rib or two, and within seconds, they had her secured in a neck brace, and gently lifted onto a gurney. Neither man noticed the black Mercedes Benz idling one block away, with two women inside watching the scene intently. Once inside the ambulance, the paramedics started an I.V., but Lexi began to panic and struggled against them wildly, trying in vain to scream. Wilkes, stationed behind her head, looked up and nodded to Rickers, who prepared an injection and jabbed it into the vein on top of her right hand. Lexi gasped, her eyes grew wide and then she went limp, drifting into unconsciousness immediately. Wilkes did a cursory exam and marked down her vital signs. He looked at the sheet and sighed. Better call him. Shes pretty bad and I think she needs a doctor. Hell know what to do. Rickers pulled out a cellphone from his pocket and dialed. Its me. We have the subject. Code 4, please advise. Several moments passed, and then he nodded. Understood. Also, Code 10 at the last location, he said matter of factly, and then snapped the phone shut. Rising to climb into the drivers seat, he glanced back at his partner. We have instructions to bring her to the hospital, and we are expected to keep her sedated at all times. Beta Team will arrive to escort her home as soon as she is released. The ambulance sped down the freeway towards Bay City General, the mysterious black Mercedes following close behind. Several miles outside of the city, an imposing, gray stone manor house stood amidst acres of wooded and perfectly manicured grounds. The house itself had been constructed sometime during the early 1700s, but in the Gothic Style of a medieval castle, and it still stood exactly as it had for over three hundred years. Rumours had circulated for centuries that the manor was originally built in Shropshire England around 1413, but an unknown benefactor brought it to the new world stone by stone, insisting every detail be resurrected exactly as it had been. Interestingly, anyone looking for information about the property or strange dwelling would soon discover there was nary a document or record to be found, and for some reason, none of the citys clerical staff could ever seem to find the deed of ownership, and so it remained shrouded in mystery. A sleek black limousine approached the looming, iron outer gates, and they slowly opened, allowing whomever it was to pass and drive up to park in circular driveway. A cloaked figure exited from the back of the car, and swiftly ran up the front steps, passing through the huge, carved double oak doors and rushing unseeing through the elegant entrance hall, stopping only just outside the door to the homes impressive library, which was slightly ajar, allowing soft yellow light to spill out onto the thick Aubusson carpet. A cultured male voice with the barest hint of an English accent drifted out into the hall, and the mysterious figure pressed up against the wall before carefully peering through the gap in the door framelistening. but do not concern yourselves unduly. Though the situation is unexpected and of course concerning, rest assured I have Alpha team on the ground as we speak and they have never failed, as you well know. He swung around in the big leather chair and leaned his head back, smiling confidently, holding the phones receiver casually against his ear. He was in his mid 50s, about 5 10 with an average build and was moderately handsome. His thick wavy dark blond hair had a dusting of white at the temples lending a distinguished appearance, and his piercing grey blue eyes and hawk like nose spoke to his noble British heritage. A fire blazed in the marble framed hearth at the opposite end of the room, and the mahogany desk where the man was seated, appeared dwarfed by the floor to ceiling bookshelves lining every wall, which housed a collection of books and parchment documents that rivalled those contained in all the greatest libraries in Europe combined. A curious coat of arms mounted on the wall above the fireplace, drew the eye with is dramatic black background and four symbols, a pewter bat with wings spread, a golden snake coiled around a silver sword, a blue Templar cross, a great grey wolf poised to strike, and a curving banner with the motto, Video, Vidi, Visum. Yes, yes, I am well aware of what is at stake. No, I will do nothing of the kind, and implore you not to forget that we must remain impartial. Any misstep on our part would be unconscionable, and would no doubt be perceived as an insult. The mans voice had a hard edge to it now, the kind of tone that conveyed authority and growing impatience. Alpha team will do only what they have been instructed to do by me assess the situation and report back. I will not go to phase two until I am convinced it is necessary, so until then, good evening, he said sharply before slamming the receiver back into the cradle. Sighing wearily, he squeezed his eyes shut and kept them closed while he addressed whomever it was that lurked outside. I know you are there, and I know why youve come. He opened his eyes and fixed them on the door, but there was no movement, nothing to suggest anyone was there at all. We have her now and she is safe and sound. Trust me, no harm will come to her for the moment, but neither can we help her beyond this night, you know that as well as I, he said softly with a hint of regret. I will delay informing the others as long as possible, but if I do not advise them of the truth by morning, it will raise questions, and that is something neither of us can afford. Come, he smiled and beckoned with his hand. The figure stirred, appearing as a shadow in the doorway and the man said, Sit with me, he gestured to an empty chair, and I will tell you what I know.