Page 79 of Marc
Hunter Squad all looked ahead, where several semi-collapsed doorway openings yawned like hungry mouths.
“Hunter Squad,” Jameson said slowly.
Kai and North dropped the threader and reached for their carbines. Marc shifted closer to me, whipping his weapon up.
We all stared at the doorways, everyone tense. The fluttering sound increased.
Suddenly, a huge black cloud rushed at us.
I gasped, but Marc shifted, shielding me with his body. In a flash, I realized they were batlike monsters with sharp beaks. They swarmed us.
Hunter Squad opened fire.
The sharp beaks and claws tore at me, and I threw my arms up. The monsters screeched and dived at us. I heard all of Hunter Squad cursing.
“Get down.” Marc shoved me to the floor, firing upward.
“Everyone, get into the closest doorway.” Jameson pointed, firing at the bats. “Get into cover.”
Marc hauled me up. “Go.”
We left the threader, shuffling together as a group. We ducked into a wide doorway. Jameson, Kai, and Zeke fired at the creatures on the left. Jess, North, and Marc fired to the right.
The door didn’t lead anywhere. The hallway behind it was blocked by rubble. It could give us some cover, but it wasn’t an exit.
“The corridor’s blocked,” I yelled.
Jameson cursed.
A black bat monster flew in with a high-pitched screech, wings flapping.
It landed at my feet and I kicked it. It skidded across the floor and Marc shot it.
“Watch out.” Zeke stepped forward and pulled a grenade off his belt. I watched him yank the pin.
“Close your eyes,” Marc warned, pulling me close. “It’s a light grenade.” He tugged me to his chest and wrapped his body around me.
Zeke tossed the grenade and I closed my eyes.
One. Two. Three.
There was a flare of blinding light and deafening screeching filled the space around us.
“Most of them are down,” Jameson said. “But more are flying in. We need to get out of here.” He checked his carbine charge. “Marc, take point with Colbie. North and Kai, I’ll help you carry the threader. Zeke and Jess, cover our asses.”
All around, Hunter Squad nodded.
“Let’s show these monsters we mean business,” Marc said.
“Go!” Jameson ordered.
Marc pulled me forward. “Stay close.”
“Roger that.” I moved quickly to keep up with his long strides. I didn’t distract him.
Marc fired on the bat monsters. North and Kai scooped up the captured threader. Jameson gripped the net and helped.
Zeke and Jess fired behind us as more of the bats poured in from the open doorways. I wished I still had my blaster.
