The moon still shone brightly over the clearing, clouds creeping slowly like a curtain about to fall. Indra and Ben knew every second was precious. They limped toward the lit edge, where the tallest pines stretched their crowns skyward.
Indra leaned Ben against the thickest trunk. His own arm throbbed with pain, but he tried to ignore the burning sensation deep in the cut. With a flashlight hanging around his neck, he scanned the branches above: there were spots they could climb, but the risk was enormous—any fall would be fatal, and they were weak.
"Ben, listen," Indra whispered, alert to the sounds of the forest. "You'll have to follow me closely. Use your legs, not your arms. I'll climb first and help you up."
Ben nodded, breathing hard. His head spun, the gauze bandage already stained with blood. They began the climb: Indra hauled himself up, planting his feet in cracks in the bark. With each movement, the cut on his forearm reopened, blood dripping onto the pine roots below. Ben followed behind, groaning softly, fingers slipping on the sticky sap of the trunk.
A roar echoed beneath them, so close it froze them in place. Among the trees, the creature paced in circles within the darkness. They saw only a colossal silhouette, moving with restrained fury. But whenever it got too close, the moonlight held it back—like an invisible barrier keeping it outside the silver circle.
"It's waiting…" Ben whispered, gasping. "Waiting for the moon to disappear…"
"Then we have to be faster than the clouds," Indra growled, his jaw clenched in pain.
With every meter they climbed, the wind shook them, threatening to throw them down. The rustling leaves sounded like a crowd whispering terrible things. Moonlight wrapped around them, casting pale reflections on the tears of fear rolling down Ben's cheeks.
When they reached a thick branch about five meters up, Indra helped Ben sit, braced against the trunk. From up here, they could see the whole lit clearing—the destroyed tents, gear scattered like bones of a carcass. Outside the circle of light, shadows pulsed with the creature's presence, pacing back and forth like a predator held only by a leash of moonlight.
Indra drew the revolver from the makeshift holster at his waist. His hand trembled. With his other hand, he gripped Ben's shoulders.
"You're going to hold on?"
He asked, staring at his friend with intensity.
Ben gave a weak smile, eyes glistening.
"Only if you do."
Indra returned the smile briefly but didn't take his eyes off the shadows. The monstrous, silent creature was only waiting for the moon to vanish to invade the clearing and finish what it had started.
High in the pine, they both breathed fast, hearts racing, every cold gust carrying the scent of blood and impending death. They knew the moon wouldn't stay forever—but as long as it shone, they had a chance.
And so, caught between branches and fear, they waited for the night's next move.
---
The moonlight still illuminated the clearing like a lifeline, but clouds piled up on the horizon, slowly advancing like a dark tide. The wind grew colder, carrying the metallic smell of the blood dripping from Indra and Ben's wounds.
Up in the pine, they were already trembling from weakness. The makeshift bandage on Indra's arm was soaked through with blood. Ben's head throbbed so much he could barely keep his eyes open. Hunger was draining their strength; every movement felt like their bodies were breaking apart.
A growl echoed through the forest. Then another sound, different this time: something like bones snapping, wood breaking. The creature let out a deafening roar, but it wasn't alone—another sound, lower and hoarser, like something equally monstrous, reverberated through the trees.
They felt the pine shake with the impacts of the beasts fighting in the shadows. Branches snapped to the ground, dark blood splattered the leaves. With every roar, the forest seemed to shudder, and even the moon, once serene, flickered under the encroaching clouds.
"You… you hear that, right?"
Ben whispered, voice barely audible. His lips were pale, and he clung to the trunk as if it was his only anchor against fainting.
Indra nodded, straining to see through the trees. The creature chasing them limped briefly into the circle of light: its back was torn open, flesh gaping in deep wounds, and one broken horn hung crookedly to the side.
"This is our chance…" Indra murmured, drawing the revolver with the last silver bullet. His arm shook so badly he could barely hold the gun.
"If we can hit her heart, we end this."
Ben inhaled sharply, trying to ignore the dizziness making the world spin.
"But the clouds… they're coming…" he pointed to the sky: the moon was gradually being covered by gray veils, growing thicker.
Indra looked up, sweat mixing with blood running down his face. The moonlight still bathed the clearing, but dense shadows danced on the edges as the clouds advanced, slowly covering the only protection they had.
"I'm going to need you to cover me," Indra said, trying to keep his voice steady. "If she senses we're going to attack, she'll try to run or kill us first."
Ben just nodded, breathing hard. His eyes shone with fear—and determination.
The creature roared in pain once more. She was on her knees, chest heaving as black blood dripped onto the ground. It was now or never.
Indra positioned himself on the branch, aiming carefully. His arm burned like fire, his vision blurred. The moon, not yet fully covered, cast a sharp silhouette of the monster—but the clouds pressed on, threatening to plunge everything into darkness at any moment.
The wind howled louder, branches creaked. They didn't know who or what had wounded the creature, but if they didn't act fast, the last silver bullet would be useless.
Indra swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and aimed for the creature's chest—right where he knew the heart was.
The moon flickered, struggling to shine through the clouds.
They had seconds before the night swallowed them whole.