original

MENDI

Tác giả: lext02

Chương 1: MENDI

Chapter 1: The Midnight Chase

The moon hung low in the sky, casting a pale, silvery light over the dense forest. Shadows danced and flickered, creating the illusion of movement where there was none. The boy's heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing the relentless rhythm of his footsteps. Branches scratched at his face and clothes as he sprinted through the undergrowth, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Fear drove him onward, a primal force that overpowered exhaustion and pain.

Liam had never run this fast in his life. Behind him, the growls and snapping jaws of the creatures in pursuit grew louder, a grim reminder of the danger he was in. He didn't dare look back; there was no time for hesitation. The stories he had heard about these woods played in his mind, tales of beasts that hunted in packs, relentless and ruthless.

He stumbled over a root, barely catching himself before he hit the ground. The momentary loss of balance cost him precious seconds. He could hear the creatures closing in, their heavy breaths mingling with the rustling leaves. Panic surged through him, and he pushed himself harder, his legs burning with the effort.

Up ahead, the trees thinned slightly, revealing a narrow path. Liam darted onto it, hoping it would lead him to safety. The path twisted and turned, its course unpredictable, but it was easier to navigate than the dense forest. He could only pray that it didn't lead to a dead end.

A howl pierced the night air, chilling Liam to the bone. He knew that sound; it was the signal for the pack to close in. His thoughts raced, searching for a strategy, a way out. He remembered his father's advice about these woods: always keep moving, never let them corner you.

The path veered to the left, and Liam followed it, his eyes scanning for any sign of escape. He spotted a fallen tree ahead, its massive trunk creating a makeshift barrier. With a desperate burst of speed, he reached it and vaulted over, landing awkwardly on the other side. Pain shot through his ankle, but he gritted his teeth and kept running. There was no time to assess the damage.

The path widened, revealing a clearing bathed in moonlight. For a moment, Liam felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe he could find shelter or a place to hide. But the clearing also made him vulnerable, exposed. He could hear the creatures crashing through the undergrowth, relentless in their pursuit.

At the far end of the clearing, he saw the dark outline of a cabin. It was old and dilapidated, but it was his only hope. Liam sprinted towards it, his lungs burning, his vision blurred with sweat and tears. As he reached the cabin, he threw himself against the door, praying it would open.

The door creaked open just as the first of the creatures burst into the clearing. Liam slammed it shut behind him and fumbled for a lock, his fingers trembling. He found a heavy wooden bar and slid it into place, bracing himself against the door as the creatures threw themselves at it. The impact nearly knocked him off his feet, but the door held.

For a moment, there was silence. Liam leaned against the door, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He could hear the creatures outside, their growls low and menacing. He knew the door wouldn't hold forever. He needed to find another way out.

The cabin was small and cluttered, filled with the remnants of someone's life. Dusty furniture, old newspapers, and broken tools were scattered around. In the dim light, he could see a small window on the opposite wall. It was too high to reach without something to stand on.

Liam moved quickly, grabbing an old chair and dragging it over to the window. He climbed up and pushed the window open, peering out into the night. The ground outside was only a few feet below. He could make it.

As he prepared to climb through, he heard a sound behind him. He turned to see one of the creatures had forced its way through a gap in the door. It was larger than he had imagined, with glowing eyes and matted fur. Its lips curled back in a snarl, revealing sharp, yellowed teeth.

Liam didn't hesitate. He scrambled through the window, dropping to the ground outside. He landed awkwardly on his injured ankle and pain shot through his leg, but he forced himself to keep moving. The creature followed, squeezing through the window with a snarl of frustration.

He limped away from the cabin, heading towards the thicker part of the forest. He could hear the creature behind him, its breath hot and foul. He knew he couldn't outrun it. He needed a plan, something to slow it down.

His eyes scanned the forest floor, searching for anything he could use. He spotted a fallen branch, thick and sturdy. He grabbed it, turning to face the creature. It lunged at him, and he swung the branch with all his might. The impact sent a shockwave up his arms, but the creature yelped and stumbled back.

Liam didn't wait to see if it would recover. He turned and ran, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The forest seemed to close in around him, the trees towering and oppressive. He could feel the creature's presence behind him, relentless and unstoppable.

He pushed through the undergrowth, his legs burning, his vision blurring. He could hear the creature gaining on him, its growls growing louder. He knew he couldn't keep this up much longer. He needed to find a way to escape, to outsmart the creature.

Up ahead, he saw a river, its dark waters rushing over rocks. He knew he had to cross it, to put some distance between himself and the creature. He ran towards the water, his mind racing. He remembered his father's stories about the river, about the hidden paths and the dangerous currents.

As he reached the riverbank, he didn't hesitate. He plunged into the cold water, the shock of it stealing his breath. He fought against the current, his arms and legs straining. The water pulled at him, trying to drag him downstream, but he kept moving, his eyes fixed on the opposite bank.

Behind him, the creature hesitated at the water's edge. It paced back and forth, snarling and snapping. Liam forced himself to keep swimming, his muscles burning with the effort. The current was strong, pulling him off course, but he fought against it, inch by inch.

Finally, he reached the far bank. He dragged himself out of the water, his body trembling with exhaustion. He looked back to see the creature still on the other side, its eyes glowing in the darkness. It let out a frustrated howl, unable to follow him across the rushing water.

Liam didn't wait to see if it would find another way. He forced himself to his feet and stumbled into the forest, his injured ankle throbbing with every step. He knew he wasn't safe yet. The creatures were cunning and relentless. They would find another way to track him.

The forest closed in around him, the trees casting long shadows in the moonlight. He moved as quickly as he could, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He could hear the distant howls of the creatures, a reminder of the danger that still lurked.

As he stumbled through the undergrowth, he spotted a small cave nestled in the side of a hill. It was barely visible, hidden by thick vines and foliage. He pushed through the vegetation, crawling into the narrow entrance. The cave was dark and damp, but it was a place to hide, to rest.

He collapsed onto the cold stone floor, his body trembling with exhaustion. His breath came in ragged gasps, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew he couldn't stay here forever, but he needed to rest, to gather his strength.

The cave was silent, the only sound his own ragged breathing. He closed his eyes, letting the darkness surround him. For the first time in hours, he allowed himself to relax, if only for a moment. He knew he couldn't let his guard down completely, but he needed this brief respite.

As he lay there, he thought of his family, of his father's stories about the forest. He remembered the lessons he had been taught, the skills he had learned. He knew he had to be strong, to be smart. He couldn't let fear consume him.

Liam took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. He knew the creatures were still out there, hunting him. But he also knew he had the will to survive, the determination to keep going. He would find a way to escape, to outsmart them.

For now, he would rest. He would gather his strength and prepare for the next part of his journey. The forest was a dangerous place, but he was determined to make it through. He had no other choice.

The boy closed his eyes, letting the darkness envelop him. He knew the chase was far from over, but he was ready. He would keep running, keep fighting, until he was free.