The being raised one smooth, straight arm, an unearthly roar issuing from its gaping mouth.

Beth stayed still. She would not shrink away in fear, not this time. She may have held just a herring in her hand, but it would have to do. She looked down at it, determined.

The creature moved with shocking speed, its outstretched claw taking a large piece out of Beth’s stomach, right below her ribs. She hadn’t expected that. Falling forward, Beth landed hard on her knees, feeling the wetness of her blood soaking into her shirt. Gently, she reached for the wound with one shaking hand.

Beth reached out and toppled face-down to the rough ground. She was fading fast, the monsters had finally won. One more time, she was able to force some air out of her lungs before that passage closed forever.