[The Circle Tightens - Horror Intensifies]
Rain fell harder.
Mud was ankle-deep now, mixed with blood, making every movement exhausting.
Lightning illuminated frozen moments of horror.
A boy watching his best friend being eaten alive, unable to help, legs trembling so badly he couldn't move.
A girl curled in a fetal position, hands over her ears, rocking back and forth, mind broken by the screaming.
A student just standing with his weapon lowered, tears streaming, whispering "I want to go home" over and over.
****
CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH
A student went down.
Ten creatures piled on him.
Time seemed to slow down as all nearby students watched.
His ribs breaking one by one as they tore into his chest.
His lungs visible, still expanding and contracting, trying to breathe even as claws ripped them out.
His heart beating in a creature's hand for three seconds before it stopped.
His mouth opening and closing, trying to scream but having no lungs to push air through.
