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Different predators made different sounds depending on their hunting technique. Some would yip, some would howl, and some would shriek. But only one kind of predator hummed.
If someone heard that hum, their time alive was already counting down on a golden pocket watch. They were now between unstoppable hands that would close in to decapitate their head on the twelfth notch, a snake slowly curling in tighter to constrict its prey.
Their blood froze to ice as they heard that horrific sound fill the air. Instead of washing over them, the hum sliced through their body and stopped them in their tracks, as if rendering all of their joints useless. The hairs on the back of their neck and their arms rose with an unnatural chill. Was it just their imagination, or could they see the cloudy puffs of their breath?
Stop worrying about that. They snapped back to their surroundings, forcing themselves back to reality and the new danger. A long concrete hall stretched out in front of them, leading off into a light-speckled darkness. Who knew this place of work and solace would someday become their tomb? What a horrific place to die. No. No, they were going to be the one out of there, the one who could remember the tune of the hum.
They weren’t going to be afraid now.
Before they fully comprehended it, doors zipped past them as their legs finally regained mastery again. Shadows danced in front of them as light after light sailed over their heads. Each time the burning brilliance shot by their eyes, the hallway ahead suddenly dimmed into more darkness. Over the pounding of their feet and the harsh breathing in their ears, they could still hear the leisurely humming.
They couldn’t look back and see how far behind the source was, not when they already knew their way out of this place. The physical strain began to finally throw its claws over their lungs and kick their heart into full gear. That predator would have to work to get them.
But why, why did the humming sound like it was getting closer? It grew louder and louder in their ears, echoing down the hall and giving the impression as if the source was in front of them. But they knew better. This was some sort of mind trick to get them to panic. They couldn’t-- weren’t-- going to give it that satisfaction. It kept getting easy chases, so surely now it would grow complacent and lose its edge.
Just ahead of them, a light suddenly exploded as an ear-piercing bang added to the din. At that same moment, their heart jumped into their throat with shock and surprise. The white light suddenly sparked and fizzled out, shards of glass falling down on top of them as they passed under. Pieces landed in their hair and onto their clothes, clinking onto the ground.
Crunch. Only two seconds after they passed, they heard the broken glass under the predator’s foot. If they stopped to think about it, then they would’ve paid more attention to how leisurely the step was, as if it was gingerly done. But they didn’t think about that. The only thing on their mind was a harsh reality check. That thing had a gun.
Not that would matter. Mind racing faster than their own steps could carry them, they made a risky move. Adrenaline coursing through their limbs, they jumped to the side, grabbing the handle of one of the doors and pulling it open as they ran. That would slow it down. That had to be it!
“Clever little thing, aren’t you?”
The humming stopped entirely, but the voice of the predator was far more terrifying than any other noise it could make. However, what made their breath catch in their throat was that they realized why the voice felt as if he were speaking right behind them. For out of the corner of their eye, they caught a flash of black and yellow hair.
Then their feet were suddenly swept out from under them.
With a skid, their legs shot off to the side as the thing tripped them, their shoulder hitting the ground hard. Pain exploded up their arm, arching into their back as the grating noise of fabric catching on concrete filled their ears. Their legs uselessly tumbled to the side, sending them in a rolling motion.
How did he get there so fast? Heart hammering faster than ever as adrenaline attempted to keep the pain at bay, they struggled to their feet again. Their eyes caught sight of a pair of boots but they didn’t let their increasingly terrified stare linger.
A grunt left from between clenched teeth as they hauled themselves back onto their feet, kicking back into a renewed sprint. It didn’t even cross their mind to wonder why he stood there to let them get up.
They still couldn’t understand how he managed to get behind them so fast. That didn’t make any sense! Stop! Stop thinking! Just move! The faster they moved, the less chances it would have to catch them again. If they fell again, they’d never get up after that.
More sharp bangs erupted behind them, filling the hallway with echoing blasts. A whistle shot past their left ear and a glittering bullet sailed through their hair. What-? They were almost shot. The concrete beside their hammering feet suddenly lost small chunks, shooting dust and pieces of rock into the air.
They were being shot at! Doors… they needed a shield!
The second they focused their eyes on the nearest handle was a second they should’ve spent watching the space ahead of them. A flash of yellow met the corner of their eye as they grappled for a handle. Just another light getting shot by a bullet-- just another--
Stars exploded in their vision as something blunt and heavy slammed into the side of their head. Their ears rang as balance evaded them entirely, their feet staggering from beneath their weight. Pain throbbed sharply in the soft part of their head, the image of a towering figure split into two. Were there two of them?! No! They were just hit in the head!
Escape. Escape! It was right there!
Their feet kicked against the smooth concrete floor, their hands scrambling for any holds to push them away faster. Through an agape mouth, labored breaths and drool heavily fell out, almost impossible to take back in. How did he get there? They left him behind.
“Don’t tell me you’re giving up yet,” he crooned. With each inch they managed to scramble back, he took a step forward, sending spikes of panic shooting through both their mind and heart. “I thought this was going to be fun, but you’ve made me disappointed. Run, rabbit!”
He raised one of his hands as they continued to stare blearily up at him, fighting to take control over their body again. With a newly added rush of horror, they saw the barrel of a gun catch the pinpricks of light hanging above their heads. No! Not like this!
Ignore the blinding pain! Ignore it! A noise they never imagined themselves making broke free from behind their throat. A cry of resilience and defiance as they struggled against the throbbing pain that kept them rooted to the ground. Their legs kicked again and they were back on their feet, although stumbling over a wave of dizziness.
Run! Run! They had to run! Their exit was blocked, but there were other ways.
Their breath burned their lungs, sending spikes of aches throughout their chest and up their throat. They had to keep going. There could still be a chance! He’d lose interest.
They didn’t even make it ten paces before the sounds of gunshots rang out again. They didn’t even get ten paces before they were back on the ground, a scream of agony tearing through a sore throat as their leg crumpled beneath them. Renewed pain clawed its way back through them, all stemming from their calf.
No, they couldn’t fall! Adrenaline continued to do their job, spurring new life into their muscles to work through the injury even as their leg became warm and wet.
A shrill laugh, marred and distorted by the golden mask, burst out from the predator behind them. Even through their ringing ears and their loud breathing, they could hear the spinning of the magazine. Each click sounded clearer than the last, ticking and ticking as if it were the hands of a clock.
Another few steps and a desperate bid for freedom another gunshot rang out. Their other leg gave a jerk and their weight carried them to the ground with a crash. Their chin hit the concrete and their teeth slammed together, cracking beneath the pressure.
It was done. They didn’t bother getting up as hopelessness doused them like ice water. They didn’t want to die. No, this wasn’t supposed to happen. They were supposed to get away from him and escape, being able to tell the tale. But he ran them down like they were nothing more than a mouse in a maze. Was this how it would end? Just a pathetic end?
Footsteps filled the air, cutting into their thoughts as each step was more deafening than the last. Their survival instincts took over their consciousness, making their arms move if their legs couldn’t push them along. Closer and closer, the sound crept.
“You need to get up.” His voice sliced through the air again, sending jolts throughout their body. Was that glee they heard? “You won’t like what happens when I get you~! Get up!”
In his hand, the predator spun the gun by the trigger, the humming rumbling back to life in his throat, distorted just like his voice. It sunk into their skin, worming its way into their mind. Nothing else could reach their mind, just that haunting noise.
He was right next to them.
A knee softly touched the ground to their side as he kneeled down, the humming still ringing loudly. The hairs on the back of their neck rose at the cold and unnatural presence beside them, begging for them to scramble away, to make a last bid for safety. The predator was right there… he was getting closer to them. Reaching…
Get away! Move!
They couldn’t move.
Gloved fingers curled around their hair, fingertips dragging across their scalp. Once more, terror gripped at their heart, closing around them like an iron-tight fist and in retaliation, they attempted to struggle. In a bid for freedom, they squirmed in his grip, trying to tear their head away but the more they moved, the less they actually could. He needed to let go!
Their brain spun as they tried to jerk their head away again, but the predator’s hold on them tightened before he finally lifted their head. Hair strands pulled taught as a soundless cry turned into a gasp between their teeth, their chin throbbing.
Through dizzying sights, they finally met the thing face to face. Piercing yellow eyes glared back at them, alight with amusement and something more sinister glittering behind those hourglass pupils. His cheeks were turned up, betraying the bright smile underneath the mask. They didn’t want to look at that face. They wanted to turn away.
His tongue clicked with metallic sounds, each noise reverberating through their aching head, sending more stars dancing in the corners of their vision. Make it stop. Make him stop. Their cheeks felt wet from tears they only just realized they were shedding, their breaths shaking.
“Awe, you poor thing,” he said sympathetically, tilting his head to the side in a horrible attempt to sell the sentiment. It was like he didn’t even try. With a shake of his head, he averted his eyes, looking down at the ground as if feeling genuinely sorry for them. That only made them more terrified, their heart seizing at the thought that he felt this high above them.
Did they really mean nothing to him? Their chase had really been something for him to feel pity on. It was that pathetic. It didn’t matter anymore, why were they letting their pride try leaking back in when they had nothing else left? Probably for that reason.
“This isn’t over,” he continued, still not letting go, “You’ve been boring me so far. Let’s start this little chase again.”
Another strangled noise left their throat as the predator rose to his feet, dragging them with him. Their hair was pulled again and it felt as if their entire scalp would rip off of their skull by the force. More hot tears dripped from their cheeks as the mixture of terror and pain became something more horrible. Below them, their legs attempted to move, but they buckled and screamed to stay limp. Why couldn’t they move? They needed to stand! They could still try living!
“I said let’s start again!”
He brought his leg up sharply as irritation leaked into his voice. They didn’t even get a chance to comprehend what was happening before they collapsed to the ground again, resisting the urge to lose everything in their stomach. Even moaning in agony on the ground, they could still feel where his sharp boot had made contact with their gut. It hurt… everything hurt.
Make it stop already. He proved his point and they were paying the price for their pride. Please make it swift.
“You’re not getting up?”
No, they weren’t. They gave another quiet cry as they tried to move again, but their entire body felt as if they were beaten to a bloody pulp. Their legs laid limp to the side as they set a numb hand over their stomach, any more moving out of the window. They couldn’t die like this, not to a nightmare.
The footsteps approached again and the lanky figure of the creature stood above them, blazing yellow eyes staring down at them like some angel of death. But angels were merciful and swift, this one was cruel and playful. Something that reveled in a long and painful chase that ended up with blood on the ground. Like all of those times before, the terror began to mount again, the thought of death to something like this becoming an unfathomable fate.
Through shaking breaths, they tried to inch back. Trembling hands slid across smooth concrete, making their already frantic heartbeat begin to pick up faster and faster. Anything to get away, even if they had to crawl out. They couldn’t completely give up on their pride just yet.
The creature took a deliberate step forward, foot raising higher than it had before. Their mind was spinning, the only thing that they could think of was escaping. It continued to tumble and flee, so distractingly that they didn’t realize the pressure on their chest until they were pinned to the ground by his boot.
A grating laugh sounded from behind the laugh as the predator spun the magazine once more, the flipping bullets catching the light. He stooped low over them, hair falling from his shoulders with a smile almost visible from behind the mask. Slowly, he lowered the gun toward their face, their eyes struggling to track its progress, but they never needed to.
Gingerly, the cold tip of the barrel touched their forehead and in a split second, their fate rushed up to meet them with the pull of a trigger.
Click.
“Oh dear,” the thing said, retreating the gun from their head and examining it with mild interest. Their stomach twisted even more, the recesses of fear beginning to call upon adrenaline once again. It failed, and he’d let them go! Or… he’d be even more angry. “Looks like you get off this time.”
He leaned over, his free hand reaching out and stroking their cheek. They immediately froze, their heart not even daring to beat as the cold gloves glided over their skin. His eyes grew wider, but his pupils grew smaller as he almost swelled from a giggle. It was clear how much he savored this moment, hanging on to each shuddering breath, each tremble.
“Too bad,” he breathed, “You could’ve had a far quicker death.”
The soft and ginger touches suddenly turned violent as his hand quickly withdrew and struck again, grabbing them by the collar. They couldn’t even scream, even as their terror reached a new height as he began to drag them across the ground. They didn’t want to find out what happened next, they wanted to die here and now!
Why did they have to keep going? What was he going to do to them?
But there was nothing more they could do. All they could do was dread.