I spit out its black, infected blood, but I know it’s pure poison as my muscles start to seize.
Too slow from my wounds and its blood, I can’t get out of the way of its claws, and it gashes me from waist to thigh. My clothes in tatters, blood everywhere, the best I can hope for is that if I kill this monster, Max will find Livi and save her.
Determined, I let the beast inside me surface. Adrenaline rushes through me, fighting off the poison enough that I leap onto the boogeyman and tear at his much larger body. Black hair and blood fly in every direction as I claw and bite with every bit of energy I can muster.
It throws me across the cave, adding more bruises to my battered body, which will no longer heal. My clavicle snaps witha sickening noise, and pain lances through me. Vampire bones are too strong to break, but the poison has weakened all of me.
Pulling myself to my feet, I push the pain aside and face the nightmare. “You’ll not be rid of me, monster. I’ll keep coming until we’re both finished.”
The roar that fills the cave slides over me, filling me with relief. Max. Livi will survive.
The boogeyman looks over its shoulder as my beautiful bigfoot steps into the cavern. Wounded and in agony from my bite, it tries to become shadow and slip past Max.
I use the rest of my strength to push fear and weakness into my venom and sink my teeth once again into the beast.
Max grabs it by the throat. He looks at me, his eyes filled with rage. “Get Livi and get out of here.”
With nothing left to give, I hobble over to the little girl. Taking her hand, I say, “Come on, Livi. Keep those eyes closed.”
My blood and the boogeyman’s cover every inch of the cavern, and I don’t want her to see any of it.
Her little grip is strong as she lets me lead her down the tunnel and out of the cave. It’s full dark. The air is warm, and there’s a slight breeze.
I try to draw in the fresh air, but my lungs hurt. My legs feel as if the bones have gone to rubber. Pain slices through everything. “We’re safe now, Livi.”
At a full run, Mari and Sam reach us just as we clear the mouth. Sam picks up the child and holds her. She looks like a doll in his giant arms.
The motor sounds of four-wheelers fill the woods.
My head feels swollen, and the sounds around me grow muffled. As my legs give out, Mari’s arms come around me, keeping me from hitting the ground too hard. I say, “Go help Max. He has that thing in the cave.”
Ion’s voice replies. “I’ll go. Stay with your sister.”
Eyes filled with worry, Mari looks me up and down. “What did you do, Tilda?”
“Sometimes you have to lose to win.” My focus gets blurry. “I’m not a monster, Mari. I wouldn’t hurt anyone unless they’re evil.”
“Of course, you wouldn’t.” Mari combs my hair out of my face. “Hold on. It’s going to be okay.” Her voice is tight, and I think she’s sad.
At least someone will care that I’m gone.
The sound of Lori screaming Livi’s name.
Crying.
Someone is lifting me.
Voices, though I can’t understand them.
Chapter Eight
MAX
Holding the throat of the boogeyman, I’m filled with temptation to squeeze the life out of the monster who hurt Tilda and kidnapped a child of my friend.
Dripping in black blood as well as covered in bright red blood, if I wait, the creature might die of its wounds. I tighten my grip. “You came to the wrong town.”
Voice grating and strangled, it says, “I go where my nature takes me, forest beast.” It gags. “Kill me. It is what your kind do,” it taunts.
