A snort and a scuffle is the one warning I get.

The hog launches itself out of the reeds, my gun going off in that very same second. My bullet tears by means of it, however my intention is off and it retains coming. Not solely that, nevertheless it isn’t alone, and it’s indignant. Two others come proper after it, one in all them sporting a bloody crimson gash alongside its aspect.

I fling myself out of the way in which, touchdown in a puddle. The rain is coming down more durable, making it onerous to see and even more durable to maintain a grip on my rifle. I roll over and line up a shot, then I hearth.

I take out one of many hogs, however the different two are nonetheless on their ft—they usually aren’t considering working away. No matter attacked them earlier than they got here at me will need to have actually pissed them off. One in all them lowers its tusks and runs at me, and my finger slips when I attempt to pull the set off.

It will get me within the thigh, searing ache emanating from the place the creature hit me. I let loose a scream and seize my thigh, and plainly’s lastly what scares the hogs off. They run in the wrong way, clearly fleeing from one thing.

I want that factor was me…nevertheless it’s not.

I hear it a second later—the telltale stirring of water, then footsteps within the mud. No matter it’s, it sounds prefer it’s dragging one thing with it, however I can’t see it by means of the reeds but. I attempt to get to my ft to flee, however the wound in my leg is bleeding sufficient that I can’t run.

It’s hopeless.

No matter has been searching me has lastly seen its alternative.

2

Nyrik

I’ve been watching her since she arrived.

The Order of the Hunt tasked my squadron with monitoring down remaining survivors who could have fled into the swamp, our expertise and biology uniquely suited to touring throughout this terrain. I adopted this human feminine out of a small city on the Louisiana coast, remaining underwater whereas she traveled. She has been searching ever since, shoring up her defenses round a bit of hut within the woods.

I ought to have caught her a very long time in the past. It could be straightforward; I’m a predator, and she or he is prey. However I loved watching her stalk across the swamp, expert in her personal proper. I think about that, had I come in search of her earlier, she would have put up fairly the struggle.

Now that she is wounded, she may have no method to escape.

I emerge slowly from the reeds, my claws out and my kinetic protect up in case she decides to assault. The human’s brown eyes go vast, her pale pores and skin splattered with mud, her blonde hair slicked to her cranium.

“Who…what are you?” she asks, her phrases translating slowly in my earpiece.

I don’t reply; she wouldn’t be capable of perceive me anyway. I simply hold transferring ahead slowly, my tail sweeping throughout the mud with out regard for hiding any hint.

She is aware of I’m right here now.

There’s no use hiding.

3

Fawn

This ain’t no gator.

I watch in horror because the swamp monster emerges from the reeds, its golden eyes shining within the gray gentle of the storm. I scramble backward, my wound throbbing as I transfer, and the factor retains getting nearer.

“Keep again!” I scream, aiming my weapon. I’m about to fireplace, nevertheless it raises its scaly arms within the common signal of give up.

It’s sentient.

My abdomen churns as I take within the creature’s look, figuring out I’ve to defend myself and reeling on the prospect of killing one thing sentient. I’ve by no means shot an individual. I don’t…I don’t suppose I can…

“Cease coming towards me!” I say. “I’ll kill you.”

It stops.

It may well perceive me.

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