Right, so we cannot get it working again, so we should prepare for the night, won’t be long Pavlov said, as his gaze was fixated on the long shadows of the mountains creeping ever closer. Let’s get a fire going and have something to eat, it can get quite cold out here when the wind picks up. After having an improvised dinner, Smith finally relaxed a bit and they bantered about their past journeys. It was well past nightfall, when the trio went to sleep, Pavlov taking the first watch. He hunkered down on top of the cabin his legs dangling on the side, sporadically scanning the perimeter with his rifle scope which was equipped with a low-res night vision. The sky was clouded, a gentle breeze blew down from the mountains as he was staring into the darkness. Suddenly he spotted movement on a nearby ridge, disappearing behind a rock covered in shadow.
With strained eyes he focused on the area, moving back and forth with his ACR rifle at the ready. To no avail. Again, and again, he moved the focus back and forth as he spotted what appeared to be a pair of eyes staring back at him. Carefully and thoughtful he shifted his weight and moved back on the roof of the tractor, as quietly as possible, constantly aiming right at the glowing spots. A shadowy figure large and bulky emerged from the darkness, slowly creeping closer. A shower ran down his spine as he watched the creature closing in. With a quick grasp he loaded a bullet into the chamber, pushing the silent load mechanism, while his index finger slowly moved to the safety trigger constantly maintaining the lock on it.
Just a little closer he thought as his target was obscured by a brush, when suddenly he was hit in the back, throwing him of the roof. His finger still on the trigger the rifle discharged, waking the two others from their slumber. What the fuck Reagan yelled, as another rifle burst pierced the night, coming from the side of the Tractor followed by a pitched scream. Quickly she turned on the indoor lighting searching for her handgun, as Smith jumped into the driver seat to turn on the front lights. What is going on, he yelled, as Reagan finally got hold of her pistol. I don’t know she replied as she headed for the bulkhead. Just as she wanted to open it, Pavlov appeared in the front lights, his right arm ripped clean of, his uniform drenched in blood, as he was stumbling towards the tractor. Suddenly he tipped over to the front, his eyes filled with terror, as he was pulled into the darkness.
Reagan was about to push the door lever when Smith grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back forcefully, don’t you dare open that door, he yelled. Are you mad, Reagan replied at him? Let me go, we need to help Pavlov. Smith did not let go of her shoulder and she was about to raise her voice again as she noticed it in his eyes, their companion was gone. Something took him and ripped him to shreds right before my eyes he finally said. If you set a foot out there, you’re done for.
Fuck this, she yelled and with a leap she pushed open the door guns blazing into the night. Gun in the left, torch in the right, she quickly moved her sight from left to right, slowly moving to the front of the truck. Smith hesitantly followed suit, mumbling six months, six months. In the darkness Reagan stumbled over Pavlov the service rifle, his right arm still holding it firmly. What, the, fuck… she stammered as she gazed on the mauled arm the ground soaked with blood. Quickly she refocused on the perimeter constantly moving back and forth, trying to cover the exposed flank.
As they were closing in to the front, Smith suddenly felt a firm grip on his left leg followed by agonizing pain as something grabbed his lower calf. Screaming in pain he reared around and stumbled to the ground firing at his attacker. Reagan turned around as she catches a glimpse of a large catlike creature that quickly disappeared, leaving Smith cursing and screaming in pain, his leg badly maimed. I told you dammit, quick help me up he yelled. She holstered her gun and grabbed Smith under his shoulders, dragging him towards the door. Quickly he yelled, I can see it, as he fired twice towards a brush hedge. Common you fat bastard, use your good leg, as she slowly lifted the 200-pound man of the ground. With her last strength she supported and pulled him up as they made a break for the door. As they reached the door, Reagan pushed him up the three steps to the hatch, as she too was hit from behind by a large paw ripping up her entire right shoulder. Tumbling to the side she emptied her magazine as she went down onto the ground while screaming in agony. Again, there was no sign of the attacker. Reagan, Reagan, Smith asked, are you still there?
Still here, barely she managed to squeeze out as the pain was about to overwhelm her. Grinding her teeth, slowly pushing herself up against the tractor, shaking barely able to stand. With her back pressed against the wall she slowly moved to the side, almost in reach of the handle as Smith grabbed her hand and lifted her petite body up, causing her to scream in agony, as he pulled her up on her right arm into the cabin. With a final effort he managed to close the hatch before he his consciousness faded. Six months he mumbled, six…