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Then the creature holding me rammed me against the wall. I moved my hand and jammed my knife into its gut.

It let out a hissing noise, and the claws at my throat tightened until I couldn’t breathe. I felt blood trickle down my neck. I tried to kick the thing. It yanked the knife out of its side, and didn’t seem affected.

The knife clattered to the ground. The second monster stepped closer. There were no eyes, but it seemed to be focused on my face. It cocked its head.

“Come…on. Fight me.”

The hold on my neck loosened and I sucked in air. I filled my burning lungs.

Then the second monster made a noise.

Its snout flared open.What the fuck?Horror froze me. I stared at the strange, small sucker mouth inside.

Then, a sticky substance shot out and sprayed onto my face.

Fuck me. I turned my head and clamped my mouth closed. The sticky web stuck to my face and body. I twisted, trying to get free, but a moment later, I was stuck to the wall.

The first monster stepped back. I kept struggling, but I was stuck in place by the substance.

“Argh.” I shoved against the stuff. I could still hear my squad in the distance. I had to get their attention. They’d come for me.

But the roars and grunts of monsters filled the air.

My thoughts turned to Jess.

God. I hadn’t been looking for her. I didn’t want to have feelings for someone. Not these strong emotions. It hurt to lose someone and I didn’t want to lose her.

I was falling for her, and now, I wish I hadn’t been afraid. I wished I’d grabbed ahold of her and never let go. I wished I’d told her how I felt.

Not giving up. I kept struggling. I didn’t want to die like this. I sure as hell didn’t want to end up as a mummified body in a cocoon.

My squad needed me.

I needed Jess.

More sticky web hit my face. The stuff bound around me until I could barely move.

Soon, I’d be locked in a cocoon.

No. I kept struggling, but more of the substance covered my face until I couldn’t see anymore.

No.

Jess

The monsters cameat us from all directions.

There were lots of the small, possum-like ones that scuttled across the floor and sprung into the air.

I fired on them.

One of the large monsters with a long tail and armor plating leaped at the twins. All the squad were fighting and firing their weapons.

“Take that, you scaly bastard.” Marc’s voice.

Zeke and Marc were working together. Zeke leaped onto the monster, as Marc ducked under the swinging tail. Zeke slapped an explosive charge onto the creature’s neck, then jumped off and rolled.

The charge went off, and gore and scales flew in all directions.