In_Darkness_Dwells
Date: 3/11/2024,
Categories:
Fiction
Horror,
Non-Erotic,
Author: Sage_of_the_Forlorn_Path
... sides, continuing to slash and hammer with endless ferocity.
Those with guns once more began firing, aiming for openings in the attacks. Rathodor’s tough exterior was being burned and hacked away, and their bullets drove in deeper. Volker, back on his feet despite his fractured ribs, was putting round after round in the monster's chest, filling its torso with nails. Finally, Rathodor turned and began to hobble off, putting all its remaining strength into escape.
"Don't let him get away!" Sam shouted.
They tried to chase it down, but despite it wounds and heavy body, the burning demon was moving with great speed, like a fiery meteor. Sorine and the men got on horses and followed Rathodor up the nearby mountain, winging his back with shotguns and rifles. Then, as the sky began to brighten, they spotted Rathodor approaching a cave, dropping vertically like a mineshaft. They managed to get ahead of him and continued the assault from all directions. Sam raised his pistol and fired one round, striking Rathodor’s remaining eye and blinding it. The monster released a wild swing, slashing him across the chest. Sam was knocked aside with his blood flowing freely, and the monster dove into the pit, disappearing beneath the mountain.
----------
Sam didn't know when he woke up, only that it was with a groan of pain. He was in his room at the tavern, and the sun shone right into his eyes. He tried to sit up but felt hands push him back down.
"You shouldn't be moving ...
... yet," said Sorine.
"How long have I been out?"
"Most of the day. Rathodor got you across the chest, but fortunately, it was just a flesh wound. You have a lot of stitches, but you'll be fine."
Sam looked at the thick layers of bandages wrapped around his chest and huffed.
"What happened?"
"He disappeared down that tunnel, but going in after him just wasn't feasible, so we retreated. Right now, we're all praying that he died from his wounds beneath the mountain, but I suppose we won't know if that's the case until nightfall."
"Where is my gun?"
"What?"
"My gun, do you have my gun?"
"Yes, it's right here."
She handed him his revolver, and he checked it. He had two bullets left. He released a deep sigh of relief. "Do you think he's dead?"
"I don't know. Volker doesn't think so. He's still working on those papers from Danut's house. Anyway, that's not something for you to worry about. Right now, you just need to focus on getting better."
"Some whiskey would really help."
"Fine, fine, I'd say you'd earned it."
She left the room and came back with a bottle and two glasses. "A toast," she said after filling them with amber brew. "To victorious Runa." She downed her whiskey and immediately broke into a coughing fit.
"You're not much of a drinker, are you?" Sam asked,
"No, but with these last several days, I feel like it's a good time to start. If my past self could see what I've become, I don't think she'd recognize me. I don't think my ...