Wormwood Dawn (Episode IV) by Edward Crae Read Free Book Online Page B

Well, met, anyway.”
    One of the other people began to stir; moaning and struggling as they awoke. Dan and Mike stared through the shadows, watching in the moonlight as the woman began to open her eyes and look around in terror.
    “Oh my god,” she said. “Oh my god.”
    “Quiet,” Dan said.
    “ What the fuck!?” she screamed, thrashing and wailing.
    “ Shut the fuck up!” Mike hissed.
    Screams filled the room as the woman went into a panic. Her thrashing disrupted the chains around them, and Dan felt the bite of sharp hooks scrape against his skin.
    “Fuckin’ stop, you stupid bitch,” he cursed. “You’ll tear us all up.”
    “ Help me!” she continued screaming. “ Let me the fuck out of here.”
    “Jesus, man,” Mike said. “She’s gonna get us fuckin’ killed.”
    Dan wrapped his fingers around the chains, just above the rusted cuffs. With all the strength he could summon, he pulled himself up, swinging his legs up and pulling his knees to his chest. He watched the woman struggle and panic, taking aim at her head. With a grunt, he let loose a kick, smacking her right in the face and knocking her back into oblivion. She slumped down into a limp, hanging position again.
    “Stupid fuckin’ bitch,” Mike said.
    As soon as Mike finished his sentence, the metal panel door clanked. Dan froze, his eyes focused on the shadowy gap that opened.
    “Fuck,” he said. “Get ready.”
    Mike tensed up, his face turned toward the door. In the darkness, the other two victims began to stir. Dan fell silent; hoping that whatever came through the door would get to them first. As selfish as it was, this was no time to be a hero. It was survival of the fittest; the way it was meant to be.
    As a low hiss issued from the door, Dan gripped his chains again, reaching out with his feet to wrap his ankles in the nearby chains as high as possible. He spider-climbed up them, nodding to Mike to do the same. Mike was hesitant at first, but realized what Dan was doing and began lifting himself up, too.
    “Stay quiet,” Dan whispered.
    He hung there horizontally, straining against his own weight. He could see the metallic glint of the metal chains in the moonlight, and noticed that the movements of the waking victims caused them to sway slightly. Their moans began to grow louder as they awoke, and Dan held his breath when he heard the hissing increase in volume.
    Something was coming.
    Clopping footsteps echoed down the tunnel, growing louder with every step. The familiar cackling sound followed, and the smell of mold became overpowering. Then, the outline of two figures appeared. They were hunched over, sniffing the air and listening to the faint swaying of the chains. When one of the waking victims gasped in realization, the two Shamblers squawked.
    They immediately fell upon the victim closest to the door. The man’s screams pierced the darkness as his flesh was ripped apart, and Dan held his breath again to avoid screaming as well. He eyed Mike, whose eyes were obviously wide with terror; even through the darkness.
    He heard another scream as the next victim awoke. The Shamblers cackled with delight, ripping into him and tearing him limb from limb. Dan felt the splash of blood on the small of his back, and heard the glopping sounds of guts being spilled onto the floor. The sounds of chewing and gurgling sickened him. He pictured the revolting creatures ripping into his own flesh with their crooked, rotting teeth. A lump rose in his throat, but he resisted the urge to let it loose.
    Dan turned his head to look toward the Shamblers. Mike suddenly swallowed, and the gulping sound alerted the monsters. They froze, turning in Mike's direction. Dan gritted his teeth in anticipation. He watched one of the Shamblers rise up into a crouching position, sniffing and cackling as it scanned the room.
    The fucking bitch moaned.
    The alert Shambler pounced, sinking its teeth into her flesh. She struggled wildly, screaming and clanking