I silently wonder why we can’t just run off right now. The guards and masters are setting up far away, and nothing prevents us from escaping. Yet we all do as we’ve been trained and taught, even if it may cost us our lives.
No more time to think. I hear a ferocious roaring as a chimera emerges from within a cavern. For a moment I just stand motionless, frozen in fear, watching as the furious animal runs toward me. And the creature isn’t as big as a horse… it’s even bigger. Two long horns project from its wolf-like head, its mouth filled with rows of sharp teeth. Somebody screams. I snap from my stupor, turning and taking off. Amy shouts something. Our group quickly forgets about our decision to stay together as we all split up, running in different directions.
I don’t fully comprehend what’s happening. My consciousness has reduced down to one basic instinct, a flight response. I sprint as fast as I can, jumping over fallen trees and dodging around rocks. My heart pounds so heavily that I’m worried I may pass out. I look straight ahead, trying not to stumble or run into something. I know I’ll be dead within seconds should I stumble and fall. The space around me fills with screams and fierce growling. I don’t know where Amy and my other friends are. I can’t even understand whether the chimera is still following me or not. My head is dizzy and my mind is blank. So I continue running.
My foot gets stuck between fallen branches and I collapse onto the rocky ground below. A huge chimera is only a few yards away, and I freeze, realizing I’m not gonna make it. Amy throws a stone into the chimera’s side, and the beast turns and lunges at her. She quickly climbs a dried-out tree, hanging tightly to the top branches. The chimera rises on its hind legs, scratching at the tree and shaking the trunk. The tree gives, crashing down along with a screaming Amy. I throw a rock, hitting the chimera’s head. It charges at me and I sprint between fallen logs and rocks. My knee hurts and my head feels dizzy again. I’m verging on a blackout, when a small hole in the ground comes in sight. I dive in head-first, jamming myself between the rocks and mud. The chimera crawls in after me but quickly gets stuck as its long horns don’t fit inside the tiny cavern. I lie on my back, my legs pulled to my chest, panting and groaning. The chimera’s jaws snap open and closed near my feet. After several frustrating minutes the beast finally leaves. I continue lying still, now being only half-conscious, listening to the cries of anguish coming from outside my cover.
I can’t stay in this cavern. I must help my friends.
I take a few slow breaths and leave my cover. As soon as I get back to my feet, I hear the sound of a massive body crashing through branches. I don’t risk looking back. I run as fast as possible, zigzagging between multiple obstacles and catching air with my mouth. I don’t even feel scared anymore, only numb and dizzy.
A few moments later I approach an opening and see a row of masters, aiming their bows my direction, ready to shoot. I drop down, sprawling across the ground. I hear a furious growl behind me and then the masters loose their arrows. I sit up, watching as the arrows pierce the chimera’s body. The animal falls over, bleeding and wreathing in agony. It’s already half-dead but the masters loose a second volley. The chimera lets out a miserable cry and finally lies motionless. I rise to my feet and take several steps toward the line of masters.
“Back!” guards yell. “Get back to the caverns!”
I shake my head no. They fire their automatic weapons, hitting the mud close to my feet. I cry out in shock, running back toward the caverns.
Before I make it halfway to the bottom, several other racers sprint past, chimeras giving chase. Screaming, I run toward the nearest dead tree. A beast comes after me but I manage to jump up and grab the lowest branch. I easily pull myself up and climb higher, my skin rubbing against the rough bark. Deep red scratches cover my legs and arms. I’m exhausted and in pain, but at least I’ve escaped the chimera. It stands on its hind legs, shaking the tree and snapping its teeth. I hold onto the branch for dear life, praying silently for the tree not to give.
Martha and Topaz throw stones at the chimera, trying to distract it. The beast charges at them. The girls scream, running in opposite directions. I watch in horror as Martha stumbles and the beast lunges for her. A split second later Topaz leaps in front of the animal, defending her sister. The chimera’s long teeth bury deeply into her arm. She screams. I jump from the tree, hitting the ground hard.
“Here! I’m here!” I yell at the chimera, trying to divert its attention.
The animal tears off Topaz’s arm, spaying a fountain of blood. Martha stands frozen in shock. I flail at the chimera’s side with my arms, but the beast isn’t affected. It bites into Topaz’s head and I hear the awful sound of crunching bone. She’s dead. There’s nothing I can do to help her. I stop moving.
Sandro scoops Martha off the ground and carries her away from the beast. Dennis grabs me by the shoulder, shaking me.
“What are you doing?!” he shouts “Run!”
I take off again, running without any direction. I feel dead inside. It seems like that chimera ripped me apart along with Topaz. No time to think or mourn. I have to keep going.
I slip and fall in a puddle of blood. To
