CHAPTER FOUR (PART FOUR) - BREEDEN AZALAZAR Nick gaped at the creature, he started breathing hard. “Um……….okay! This is okay!” He tried to assure his terrified friend but in all actuality, he wanted to turn, and run like hell. “Um……..stay calm.” He advised lamely. “How the hell am I supposed to stay calm!?” Brian asked shrilly, really wishing he and Nick hadn’t decided to volunteer to go find the good old doctor. He had no idea that this thing was this scary! “Sssssssshhhhhhh! It’s sleeping!” Nick said looking up fearfully. “It is not sleeping! If its sleeping how the hell could it have been talking to you!?” Brian hissed terrified. Shit, that was a good point. Nick bit his lip and looked at it again, he couldn’t see its eye, and it wasn’t moving, its breathing was deep and regular, as if it were sleeping. But it could have been faking it. “Nick.” Brian said in a small voice. “Yeah?” Nick asked still looking up. “Remember when I told you that I wasn’t afraid of dying?” Nick nodded as he tried to think of what to do. Brian let out a little hysterical laugh, “I kinda lied.” Nick looked down and gave him a forced grin, “Man, everyone dose.” He said looking back up uneasily. “Okay, now, what-“ Brian gulped. “What do we do? Run? Or, or walk?” He asked. Nick hesitated, if it was sleeping, then they should walk so they wouldn’t wake it, but if they walked and it wasn’t asleep, they would have wasted a good chance to get a good distance away. Crap, Nick decided to go with the option the it was asleep. Nodding nervously, Nick looked at Brian, as he gripped the gun harder. “Okay,” He said holding his hand out and gesturing for him to come forward. “Walk, walk slowly.” He said carefully. Brian nodded and looked up only once before looking forward, and taking a deep breath stepped forward, after taking two more suddenly, something dropped in front of him making him jump and freeze. The human arm that was jutting from the things back, dangled in front of him lifelessly, blood ran down it in veins that dripped on the floor. Brian gulped afraid that it would suddenly reach out and grab his throat, but it just hung there, taking a deep breath and wincing as he stepped around it, Brian quickly walked out from under it beside Nick who was pointing the gun at the thing. Nick was pretty damn sure that the gun wouldn’t stop it or even slow it down, but it was all they had, even though they did have the gun, it didn’t make him feel anymore confident or safe. “Okay, now walk away right?” Brain asked looking up at the thing as well. “Um…………..” Nick still stared at it. “Yeah.” He decided, Brian nodded and both turned away from it slowly, and they began walking slowly and as silently as they could. Walking rigidly away, they got halfway away from it when suddenly Nick heard that voice in his head. Whispering insanely amused. <<Slinking away, two little boys, gone astray.>> Nick froze and so did Brian as if he had heard the voice as well, but a feeling suddenly went through him, a feeling coming from that thing, slowly, the both turned around wide eyed. The thing suddenly breathed, deep and throaty, the human arm suddenly moved, the hands fingers twitched and curled a little before the arm, slowly began to pull back up to the slimy skin. The thing shifted. “Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh” The moan filled the hall. Nick straightened up remembering the last time he had been chased by this thing, he watched frozen as the things eye suddenly slid open. Both men took a step back as the glossy black eye stared out coldly. They could see their reflections in it. Blood began dripping down from its side; the human face’s mouth dripped it out. TINK! TINK!………TINK! The claw hit automatically against the ceiling that it clung to. Oh crap. <<One, two, out of the blue. Three four, there’s one more! >> “Oh man!” Brian whispered as the thing continued to stare at them as if waiting. He held his breath. Suddenly its gnarled hand snaked out and sank its claws into the soft metal, gasping, both took anther step back as it pulled itself forward a little ways. “Shit!” Nick whispered unable to turn and run, Brian visibly gulped. Suddenly the human arm stretched down again, slowly it dangled there, The Eater pulled itself forward again, suddenly it stopped, watching the two men, it stretched down a little, enough for the arm to reach the floor, the hand felt around for a moment. It fingers snaked around the eyeball and clutched the soft object, the arm raised to the things back once more and it pulled itself up onto the ceiling again. TINK! TINK! TINK! <<Eyes, like marbles, little toys to throw around, I have green, I want blue now.>> You ain’t getting it out of mine or Brian’s head! Nick thought as terror went through him at the child like words coming from a monster. Brian felt his head go dizzy from the fright, breathing hard; he cast a quick look at Nick who looked at him to. “Move, slowly.” Nick whispered and Brian nodded. Slowly they both turned their backs to the creature, whose human hand toyed with the eye, walking agonizing slow, they walked away. <<Eney, Minnie, minny, moe, whose head will I catch and tow?>> “On the count of three start running!” Nick muttered. “You have no argument here!” Brian muttered back as they walked. “One………..” Nick started, “Two………..” <<Three!>> Instantly they shot off, the creature roared and the chase was on. “SHIT!” Nick screamed as they creature crawled after them, Running all out and screaming, both men turned sharply and sprinted on. Nick pointed the weapon blindly and fired off a couple shots, the sound exploded through out the hall, seemingly dull compared to the screamed, roars and metal being ripped apart. The bullets didn’t even slow the monster. Running wildly Brian and Nick turned again, as they ran down the hall, the thing thundering after them, Brian managed to see a com panel coming up. He made a quick decision. “WAIT!” He suddenly screamed to Nick and skidded to a wild stop, Nick hadn’t registered that and ran a little ways ahead before stopping. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?” Nick cried, seeing the thing coming around the corner. Brian hit the button, “A.J.! HELP! THAT THING IS AFTER US!” He screamed and that was all he could get out before he turned and began running again, just as that thing trampled over right where he had been, Nick and he continued running. A.J. yelped as Brian screamed through the COM, his eyes widened when he heard what he said. “Oh shit!” He cried using his mind to track exactly where the COM was, a mental map appeared. “Aw damn!” He said instantly began typing furiously. The robot clicked its fingers. )))What’s wrong?((( It asked. “I have no idea!” A.J. said desperately trying to think what to do. “I think that thing is after them though!” The robot clicked its fingers then did a little bounce. )))Try the sensors!((( It suddenly suggested. “What!?” A.J. cried distracted. )))The sensors! Don’t you remember? The cameras have digital sensors in them that allows it to record sudden weight movements!((( A.J. suddenly brightened up, “Hey yeah! The virus might not have gotten to those! I can track and see where Brian and Nick are!” Instantly A.J.’s mind began to go back to the decayed camera system, the information was completely co rotated, but A.J. instantly went for a hidden file inside the information, instantly, not only was he seeing the deck Kevin and Howie were headed to, but he was inside the digital sensors, it was like a void, A.J. instantly began access all the cameras on this deck, he held his breath and waited. Suddenly it felt like two lightweight objects rush past him, instantly something huge seemed to be descending on A.J. he yelped as suddenly the connection went black. “Damn it!” he said knowing instantly that that thing was chasing his friends, he started working franticly, he accessed the speaker system. They wouldn’t be able to talk to him, but he could at lest guide them. Brian and Nick were running wildly, Nick felt the familiar feeling of terror rushing through him, at lest at the last time, it had been dark for him to hide, and of course Kevin had come along to rescue him, but now with him gone, they were screwed. Panting Brian was beginning to tire; he felt the energy boost he had gotten from that energy discharge quickly draining away. His chest was burning and that sharp stabbing pain was returning. Oh no! He thought crying as he slowed unable to go any faster. Nick looked at Brian and saw him slowing. “COME ON!” He shouted. Brian shook his head, “I CAN”T!” He screamed as he slowed. Nick suddenly slowed as well and grabbed Brian roughly by his arm. He pulled him forward and dragged him. Suddenly from above, they hear A.J.’s voice through the announcing speakers. “Nick! Brian! I can tell where you are! There’s a right turn coming up! It leads to a room! I’ll open it for you!” A.J. cried. Brian suddenly pointed. “There!” He gasped as the turn came into view, Brian wheezed, as he couldn’t breath anymore. Continuing to drag him on, Nick ran to the turn and both ran around it, it was a long hall that lead to a doorway all right, unfortunately, that door way was the dead end as well! They ran towards it, The Eater trampled around the corner. The doorway grew larger and larger as they approached it, it seemed like it was a hell of a lot further away the it actually was, as if it would let them get close then move away again, but finally they reached it. Both slammed into the door screaming and hitting it, as it didn’t open. “OPEN UP! COME ON! OPEN THE DOOR!” They screamed pounding on it with their fists, Brian looked over his shoulder and saw the eater approaching, moans filled the hall as it growled, dragging itself towards them, that renewed their fight. “A.J.! OPEN THE DOOR! HELP! LET US IN! OPEN IT! A.J.!” They screamed pounding on the door harder, but it stayed tightly shut. It came closer, gurgling and moaning it came for them. “A.J! OPEN THE DOOR PLEASE! OPEN THE DOOR!” They screamed in terror, Nick turned and saw the thing suddenly in front of them, he screamed and lurched backward, Brian who had been pounding on the door pleading for it to open suddenly fell through when it opened up abruptly, Nick fell through and franticly crawled backward. The door began to slide shut when suddenly the things claws shot through preventing it from closing, it clutched it door, screeching. Its eye filled the open space as it peered it, Nick pointed the gun and fired. The thing suddenly screamed a human scream, the women’s scream chilled Brian as the claws were ripped away and the door slide shut, leaving the two in silence. Breathing hard in the darkness, Nick lowered the gun. Brian sat up, both stared at the door tensely, waiting for it try and get through, for two minutes they waited in agonizing silence, staring. Noises could be heard through the metal, faint movement. They held their breath, suddenly, Nick heard the whisper in his mind, and gasped as blood began to push through the crack in the door and slide down smoothly. <<Another time then. Luck will always run out.>> Silence, for a few minutes they sat staring at the blood as it slowly dripped through the door. Brian stared ahead numbly as Nick sighed and looked down. “It’s gone.” He said quietly. Brian nodded. ```( )``` Kevin and Howie road down the elevator that they had only come up and out of ten hours ago, impatiently Kevin looked around through the glass cylinder, even though they had three hours he still felt uneasy just knowing that the report was there and ready to leave in three hours. Howie was a little less impatient seeing as which he was being cautious about The Eater. The platform landed in the office that they had fled from earlier, as the tube slid away, Kevin could see the lights were off and the damage that The Eater had done to the door. As Howie stepped off he clicked the flashlight on and Kevin stepped off, the platform’s light abruptly turned off, leaving the two in sudden darkness, Kevin blinked trying to adjust his eyes. The light did little to help. “Okay, this is creepy.” Howie said looking around. “You’re just now beginning to realize that?” Kevin asked raising his eyebrows. Howie opened his mouth to say something when suddenly a piece of the ripped away metal from the torn door fell to the door, clattering over the floor, making the two jump. They listened to the sound die off. “Okay, that was creepy.” Kevin admitted and Howie nodded. “Well let’s go.” He said and began walking towards the torn door, Howie trailed behind pointing the flashlight at the door. Kevin examined the door then his eyes rested on the side panel, he pressed the button but nothing happened, pressing it a couple more times he sighed and looked at the sharp metal. “Were going to have to climb through.” He said thoughtfully. “Oh yeah. Lookin forward to that!” Howie said sarcastically as Kevin found an opening big enough to slid through, it took a little effort, but Kevin managed to get through, as he did, his arm scraped up against a sharp jagged piece of metal. He felt a stinging pain race up his arm. “Shit!” He hissed in pain as he raised his arm to look at it, in the dim light he could see a black spot on his arm dripping on the floor. Great. Howie grunted and squeezed through the opening, he stumbled but managed to stay on his feet, he pointed the light at Kevin who was still examining his arm. “Yeesh!” He said seeing the blood seeping through his shirtsleeve. “No kidding, hurts like hell!” Kevin groaned and lowered his arm, oh well, he had gotten worse at the academy. Howie shrugged, as long as Kevin wasn’t bothered by it, quickly he looked over his shoulder at the light spilling out of the tunnel hallway a ways down. He nodded at Kevin. “This way!” He said turning and beginning to walk towards the tunnel. The deck was very dark, Howie was used to the power being on from being on the other deck, with the light coming out of the tunnel, it looked like some sort of night light. “HELLO ALL!” A.J. gleeful voice suddenly exploded through out the entire deck, Howie yelped and instinctively threw himself to the side then paused when it registered, Kevin just looked around confused. “This is your guide for today’s journey straight into hell! A.J. McLean! Feel free to ask questions for as which I am watching you right now! Through your delightfully useful surveillance system! Courtesy of The Corporation!” A.J. said, Kevin could picture on the man’s face. He looked off to the side and up towards the ceiling where he could see the reflection of light coming off from the lens of the camera, he glared at it. “Grow up!” He growled at the camera as Howie stepped next to him and peered at the camera. “There’s gratitude for you!” A.J. snorted through the speaker system, his voice booming out all over the place. Kevin rolled his eyes as he turned to walk to the tunnel. “Shut up.” He said disgusted as he walked away. “Oh! Sleep did your attitude some real good!” A.J. said as Howie looked at the camera more closely before realizing that Kevin was walking away. He quickly hurried after him. Kevin looked into the mirrored tunnel, it still had a very weird feeling when you stepped inside and saw disordered images of yourself all over it, made it feel like it was small then it really was. “Come on,” Kevin said taking a step in. “Lets hurry up and get this over with.” He said looking around uneasily. Howie stepped in and looked around, feeling dizzy in such a place, he quickly looked over his should as fear settled in his stomach, even though A.J. was monitoring them, that brought little comfort. Walking down the mirroring tunnel Howie saw the images of himself shift and twist, he looked over his shoulder again at the entrance that was getting farther and farther away, he still felt scared. He accidentally bumped into Kevin who had stopped at the doorway. “Sorry!” he said stepping back when Kevin looked at him, he shrugged and looked forward again, he stood there for a minute. After nothing happened he waved his arms around. “A.J.!” He said impatiently. “Chill! Jeez Mr. “Patience isn’t my strong suite!”” A.J. said as the door opened up, Howie snorted back laughter. Kevin stepped through the door and stepped down to find himself in the control room right outside from where A.J. had spent most of his life. The monitors were still on, but this time, A.J.’s face filled them all, a metallic purple background behind him. “Hey A.J., have Brian and Nick found Azalazar yet?” Kevin asked pausing to look up at the screens. “Dudes, I keep saying this to you all, the man’s eater meat! Considering that that thing was on this deck five minutes ago, I’d say his chances of still being alive are now nill.” “What!?” Kevin asked horrified. “That thing is on the same deck as you and the rest of the guys?” Howie asked just as horrified. “Was man, I said was!” A.J. said quickly. “It gone now, as far as I can tell.” “What about Nick and Brian?” Kevin demanded. “There fine, that thing chased them but there now hiding in one of the rooms.” A.J. assured. Kevin and Howie let out huge breaths of relief. Suddenly A.J.’s image swam, his eyes widened in surprise. “Hey!” He exclaimed as he continued to fade in and out. “A.J.?” Kevin said cautiously, he had better get the signal back! A.J. was the only one here who knew who to work that room they were going to. Suddenly A.J. returned, he was looking around. “What the hell!?” He said furiously, the speaker system crackled as a new voice rang out. )))Hi! I down loaded myself into the system!((( The robot’s excited voice rang out. “You did what!?” A.J. said shrilly, suddenly he disordered. “Hey!” He cried angrily, “Don’t touch that! I’m in there!” )))Sorry! Let me into some of the cameras! I want to see!((( Howie started laughing as A.J. started to fade away, snow slowly replacing it and going away, then coming back. Even Kevin grinned amused as the two voices rang out through the speaker system. “Cut that out!” )))I’m trying to help!((( “YOUR NOT SECCEDING! HEY! STOP THAT! )))If you connect that stream of data with that stream, you will get a power boost!((( “ I don’t want a power boost! Stop touching that!” Suddenly a shrill wail went through the speakers, Howie clutched the computer consol laughing wildly as Kevin started to laugh. “LOOK WHAT YOU DID!” )))But you’re the one who cut the connection!((( “STOP MESSING WITH EVERYTHING! I LIKE IT THE WAY IT IS!” )))Watch out for that.((( “Watch out for what?” Another shrill whine went through the speakers. Howie was laughing so hard he couldn’t breath, Kevin was laughing even harder as well. “ I am going to kill you!” A.J. said slowly and furiously. )))But I didn’t do that!((( The robot protested. “Get away from me!” A.J. roared and suddenly his face reappeared on the screen’s looking good and pissed off. )))I’ll monitor the weight sensors if you would like me to!((( “Fine! You do that! Go monitor the weight sensors! Go monitor them far, far! Away from me!” Howie whipped away tears from his eyes as he managed to barely stand up, still laughing; A.J. glared at him and leaned forward glaring through the monitors. “Howard! If you don’t get your ass back here and get this damn robot away from me I will disassemble it myself! Do you hear me!?” He snarled, which just started to make Howie laugh all over again. Kevin was still laughing a little to as he looked at the monitors. “Open the door.” He said grinning and gesturing to the slanted doorway. A.J. looked down muttering, suddenly his head shot up. “DON’T TOUCH THAT! I WILL DO IT!” He snapped at probably the robot, he looked back down again. “Try to be nice to the damn thing.” He said to himself as Howie laughed more. Kevin looked at the door as it spiraled open, the darkness taking over the inside. Howie walked behind Kevin and pointed the light inside, but it didn’t even dent the thick blanket of black, Kevin frowned, his amusement gone. “Hey, aren’t there any lights in there?” He asked still looking in. “Nope!” A.J. replied. “Don’t ask me why it’s like that, just is!” “Great.” Kevin muttered, looking forward. He shook his head and stepped forward to the gaping hole. Howie watched as Kevin disappeared into the tunnel, he hesitated and looked at over his shoulder as if longing to leave, when Kevin’ voice called out. “Come on Howie!” Howie jumped and then scuttled forward into the tunnel quickly, fear was like something you really didn’t want to do, do sooner and you’ll be over it sooner. He reasoned, then had second thoughts, wait a minute, he thought horrified, my second grade teacher said that to me and it was about homework! I hated my second grade teacher! That temporarily distracted him as he and Kevin descended into the tunnel further, their footsteps echoing all around them. Kevin listened as they walked, he couldn’t hear anything, or see anything. Taking a deep breath, Kevin saw the exit suddenly appeared a little ways; the faint unknown light didn’t even light the first few feet of the tunnel. As he stepped out, he stopped when he saw some blood splattered on the ground. He suddenly remembered that he had shot the creature, blood must be from it. Looking up quickly with that thought, Kevin walked in allowing Howie to come out. The place was still the same, minus the thing; it was cold and deserted, completely empty. “God, I hate this place.” Kevin said under his breath as he looked around. “Yeah, no kidding.” Came A.J.’s voice through out the room. Howie walked past Kevin as he looked around. “So, what do we do now?” Howie asked both A.J. and Kevin as he turned around. Kevin looked up. “Well?” He asked the ceiling, “Where’s the report stored?” Suddenly from the cat walk that circled around the large dome room, halfway to the left of where the men stood, a blue block suddenly slide out of the wall and spun, it stopped on one side, a computer attached to it. “There.” Came the simple reply from A.J. Kevin and Howie exchanged looks before they began heading towards it. Howie was struck with how desolate this place was; it was incredibly empty, to empty. Tubes dangled from the ceiling, swaying slightly. Kevin reached the block and kneeled in front of it, Howie stood behind him and watched as he began typing. He stopped when the computer wailed. “Shit!” he said, he pressed a button. “There a code needed!” He said dismayed. BACK NEXT |
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