Things that go bump in the eternal night.

The worms seem to have given you both greatly needed energy. Indeed the hills may have looked close, but they are easily fifty miles away. Yet, the two of you are far more than half way there already.

You continue on the hills growing ever closer. They are so close now you feel like you could be there in a quick sprint. The truth is that they are probably ten miles away still and you and Melody are growing tired. Out of the corner of your eye you spot movement.

"Shit, something is tracking us."

The moment you finish speaking you see it. It is tall, maybe six foot five, with flat black skin that perfectly matches the landscape. Perhaps it's most unique feature is what it lacks. It's genital region is flat, devoid of anything. It looks at you with a mix of hate and hunger and you see it's face. It is nearly featureless as well. Only a pair of slits where it's nose would be and large flat black eyes having only the tiniest contrast with the color of its face. Most disturbing is it's mouth. It's jaws open much wider than a humans, and there are rows and rows of sharp teeth.

It charges you. Fast. Only your training and superior reflexes allow you to avoid it's rather sharp black talons. It charges you again. You barely have time to step aside and use a judo move to send it sprawling. You turn to face it again and realize you got lucky. It is impaled on a sharp rock, black ooze pouring from its midsection.

You lick you lips, it's carcass looks tasty.

Melody, as if reading your mind speaks. "I...I don't think we should. Look at me Jody."

You turn and look at her. The whites of her eyes seem to have darkened and her skin has begun to take on a washed out grey color. Most disturbingly her fingernails have lengthened into to claws. You examine yourself and realize you are changing too.

A sound in the distance breaks your self examination.

"Shit. Melody, there are more coming."