Not A Small-Town Girl

----

“It made sense Jaden was suspicious. Since they’d arrived,

the place didn’t seem like anyone had been there. No signs

of a struggle, nothing that said people had passed through.

“Then, as soon as they stepped in, they were met with all

kinds of danger. If they weren’t as skilled as they were,

things could’ve gone bad.

"David and Jaden both had the same doubt. If the village

head had been lying, then the Darling family’s bodyguards

shouldn’t be any more trustworthy.

“Like Jaden said, the place didn’t look like anyone had

been there at all.

----

“Let’s keep moving," David said.

“They kept going, but soon, he noticed something off. The

fog ahead was getting thicker, turning into a white cloud

that swallowed up the path.

“Stop!" he commanded again.

“Where is all this fog coming from?" Jaden asked, gripping

his gun and scanning the mist.

“Stay close," David said quietly, tightening his grip on his

knife.

"A dozen bodyguards immediately moved in front of David,

guns ready and eyes sharp, watching every corner for

movement.

----

“You hear that?" Nathan asked, peering into the fog.

“[ hear it. It’s coming from up ahead," Aran, the mercenary

captain, said, stepping in front of David, his face set with

determination. "Everyone be ready."

“Jaden’s bodyguards took up positions at the back, just as

alert, scanning the surroundings.

“All of the bodyguards formed a protective barrier around

David and Jaden, prepared to keep their employers safe.

“The hissing sound kept getting louder, and the

bodyguards instinctively lined up, ready for whatever was

coming.

----

“Then, out of the fog, five long tongues shot straight at

them.

“Fire!" Aran ordered. In a flash, the bodyguards fired, their

bullets slicing through the air toward the tongues.

"The tongues noved like they had

minds of thelrown, dodging and

darting even’as bullets tore into ¢~

them. N&thing seemed to slow them

downy he bodyguards hackecdéand

shotdesperately, but the slimy

thisgs just kept coming.

----

“What are these things?" Jaden growled, holstering his gunnoveldrama

and pulling out his knife.

“David shook his head, his jaw tight. "No clue."

“One of the tongues lashed out, coiling around a

bodyguard’s leg. With a startled yell, he went down,

scraping at the ground as the tongue dragged him toward

the fog.

“Hang on!" Aran barked, lunging forward.

"He grabbed the fallen guard by the

arms andttried to pull him back, butt

the tongue was too strong. Witla

frustrated grunt, Aran yanked.fis

knifesand plunged it into theGlimy

appendage.

----

“The tongue shuddered, loosening just enough for Aran to

drag the man to safety.

“Knives! Use your knives!" David yelled, backing up a step

as more tongues slithered toward them.

"The bodyguards didn’t need to be

told twicesThey slashed and go

stabbedyat the writhing mass, the

metaltie clang of blades mixing with

screeches that cut through the air

likesnails on a chalkboard.

----

“Then came a deep rumble, low and guttural, making the

ground tremble beneath their feet.

“The monsters are coming, they must be huge!” Nathan

muttered, eyes darting around as the fog in front of them

seemed to ripple.

The tremors grew stronger, the sound louder, until five

enormous lizards emerged from the mist.