The spear whistled through the air.
Riko barely had time to react. While Takeshi was still confused as to Why Riko studdenly turned back.
But before Takeshi could turn around.
Riko threw himself back, tackling Takeshi to the ground just as the jagged weapon slammed into the rooftop where he had stood. The impact sent a shower of stone and dust into the air, a deep crack spiderwebbing across the concrete beneath them.
Takeshi coughed, pushing himself up. "What the hell was—"
Then he saw it.
The leader.
It stood at the far edge of the rooftop, illuminated by the cold glow of the moon. Taller than the others, its body was a twisted mockery of human form.
Its glowing eyes burned with something different—amusement, hunger, the thrill of watching its prey. The creatures beside it remained unnervingly still, as if waiting.
The spear it had thrown still quivered where it had struck, embedded deep in the concrete.
Takeshi's mind raced as he gasped for air, his chest heaving as he stumbled behind Riko. His legs burned, the second they landed on the broken walkway, he made the mistake of looking up.
His vision blurred, his thoughts spiraling into chaos. He couldn't look away. He couldn't move. His hands trembled violently as raw, animalistic fear surged through his body.
"We can't win this." He thought
They had been at deaths door Barely surviving.
And yet—
It's still here.
His chest tightened. His breathing turned shallow, erratic. A choked, broken sound escaped his throat. His legs felt weak—he couldn't tell if he was standing or sinking.
A deep, raw panic surged through his body, twisting his stomach into knots. He let out a strangled noise, something between a gasp and a whimper. His hands clawed at his own hair as his thoughts spiraled.
"We can't do this. We can't—" His voice broke, his breathing coming in short, frantic gasps. "I—I can't—"
His vision blurred. His heartbeat pounded against his skull.
"We're dead—We're already dead."
Takeshi sank onto his knees, unable to stop shaking.
Riko didn't bother with Takeshis state but he felt it in his gut. That spear wasn't meant to kill but to cripple him.
The leader tilted its head, its glowing eyes narrowing while it's smile grew brighter as if amused.
"It seems to like it's enjoying it's pray breakdown i need to play along to buy more time"
Then—Riko moved forward and grabbed Takeshi's collar.
"Takeshi!"
Takeshi barely heard him. His ears rang, his fingers digging into his scalp as if trying to rip himself out of this nightmare.
"Takeshi! Look at me!"
Riko's voice cut through the haze, sharp and grounding. Takeshi's wild, unfocused eyes locked onto his.
"Breathe."
Takeshi sucked in a shuddering breath.
"Again."
Another breath. Then another. His chest still rose and fell too quickly, but at least he could feel something again.
Riko's grip didn't loosen. "We're not dead yet," he said, his tone firm and unwavering. "But we will be if you lose it now."
Takeshi swallowed hard. His body still shook, but he forced himself to nod. "O—okay…"
Riko held his gaze for a second longer, making sure he wasn't going to collapse again. Then, finally, he let go.
While Takeshi struggled to regain himself, Riko looked up—analyzing the situation.
The leader still stood at the rooftop's edge, its gaze locked on them. It wasn't rushing in for the kill. It was taking its time, studying them and Enjoying this.
That was the worst part.
This wasn't just another mindless creature.
It was playing with them.
It wanted them to run. It wanted the thrill of the hunt.
Then Riko saw it.
It put itself in a sort of jumping position and turned towards the wall connecting to the bridge it's claws scraping against the gravel as it traveld down. Behind it, the other creatures followed, pouring onto the bridge like a flood of shadow.
The rooftop of the bride stretched before them, a flat expanse with nowhere to hide. Riko's mind raced, calculating their only options.
They had crossed onto an old apartment complex. If they could get inside, they might be able to lose them.
His eyes locked onto a rusted metal door near the stairwell. Their only shot.
"TAKESHI!" Riko shouted. "THE DOOR—GO!"
Takeshi snapped out of his panic just long enough to register what he said. They sprinted across the rooftop, every step threatening to send them crashing through the unstable structure.
Riko hit the door first.
He yanked the handle.
It didn't budge.
"FUCK!"
Takeshi slammed his shoulder into it.
Nothing.
The creatures were almost on them.
Riko spun facing the enemys while gripping his pipe. "COME ALL OF YOU, IF I'M TOO GO DOWN I WILL KILL AS MANY OF YOU AS I CAN" His face was full of determination
The leader lunged.
Then—
The rooftop shook.
A loud creak echoed through the air.
The bridge already fragile had too many creatures swarmed onto it, and now the rusted metal couldn't hold out anymore.
For a split second, the leader realized it too.
The walkway beneath it groaned—then snapped.
A deafening crash tore through the night.
The bridge crumbled, dragging half the creatures down with it.
The leader lunged forward, claws digging into the edge of the rooftop's bridge, barely stopping itself from plummeting into the darkness below.
Riko didn't waste the opportunity.
He rushed in with his pipe in hand and swung with everything he had.
The metal pipe slammed into the leader's face. Again and again.
The leader tried to get back up with its claws scraping desperately against the concrete. But Riko stomped it's fingers, feeling bones crack beneath his foot.
And with a guttural snarl, it lost its grip.
For a second, Riko saw its glowing eyes widen—not in rage, but in surprise.
Then—it fell.
Silently.
Swallowed by the shadows below.
The few remaining creatures in the rooftop that still havn't joined hesitated, staring at the gap where their leader had vanished. Then, without a sound, they turned and disappeared into the night.
Riko and Takeshi stood frozen, gasping for breath.
Finally, Takeshi mustered his will to speak "Holy… shit"
Riko dropped the pipe, his hands still shaking. He didn't believe it either.
The leader was finnaly gone
Takeshi's breath hitched. Then—laughter. A broken, breathless laugh, almost hysterical. He clutched his knees, shaking his head. 'Holy shit…' he wheezed between gasps. 'We actually lived.'"
"Haaa HHHaaA HAaaahhahaha" Riko also started laughing and that was the only sound that could be heard in this quiet night, 2 madmen laughing.