The moment the aching ringing faded from my ears, I pushed myself up and rushed towards the destroyed shutters. Three of the Ghouls lay on the ground, torn to shreds—flesh opened like split sacks, innards cooked black and melted into the concrete.
But two shadows—
I saw them dart.
Fast. Limping. One clawed its way along the wall, the other practically leapt down the stairwell.
Like terrified lambs.
No.
Like intelligent predators retreating to adapt.
"Hurry…" My voice barely carried. I couldn't hear it, not clearly, but I felt the weight of it in my throat, low and sharp.
Behind me, Roulan was already pulling herself upright, blood streaking her sleeve, her hair matted to one side. Tang Wei was checking Deng Hua's arm, burned, but not bleeding. Chen Xun crouched beside Qinglan, offering her water. She didn't take it.
I took two steps toward the shredded Ghoul closest to the shutter.
