Run!

You take one look at the huge swamp beast gliding quickly towards you through the water and you realize there is no way your bow could bring it down in time. Your only hope is that your smaller size might allow you to lose the creature in the dense willow woods. You turn and run, splashing through the water, the mud sucking at your boots and slowing you terribly. The swamp beast is quiet, but you can still hear it coming after you, the water rippling in its wake.

You reach the willow woods and glance back, terrified by how close it has come. You dart into the trees, turning and zig-zagging through the ancient woods as quickly as you can. You can no longer hear the swamp beast and you think that you have lost it. You lean against a willow tree, your breath coming in ragged gasps as you try to listen for the creature.

Suddenly, the trees seem to explode as dozens of fat tentacles stream through the hanging branches. You turn to run, but it is too late. One tentacle seizes your wrist. You reach for your knife, but before your other hand can even find the handle that wrist is also seized by a tentacle. You are dragged backwards, more tentacles wrapping around your ankles. Then a tentacle encircles your throat and you know you have been caught. Your heart sinks as you are lifted into the air and brought face-to-monstrous-face with the creature.

Its lips curl and it exposes its many jagged teeth. Your stomach churns in terror as you realize it has easily defeated you. The yellow eyes look at you and you almost think the sound it is making is laughter.