Book One: Chapter Five

This forest shrouded in mystery begins to reveal it's terrors within... God these two are entertaining, though.

"Zaaaaaaaaaaaak!"

I stumbled over a giant root, again, as I continued to search around the area. Button waddled around clumsily beside me, apparently trying to keep up with my pace. ...I didn't think I was walking that quickly...

I had only woken up moments ago. The fire was out, Button was curled up beside me, but Zak was no where in sight.

And just when I thought things couldn't get any worse. I swear to f**k if he left me all alone...

Sighing, I shoved away a low branch in my way... with more force than intended. The wood split violently upon contact, followed by an ear-piercing crackle and a crashing thud, as the branch hit the ground several yards away.

Man I have got to get used to using my strength again.

"Will you god damn f*****g watch yourself?" 

From the harsh tone and use of profanity, I could identify the voice as Zak's. The black haired boy leaped down from above... almost landing on Button, if I hadn't grabbed the lion in time. He was carrying a load of small branches and ivy in one arm.

"Hey watch where you're landing!" I warned, setting Button back on the ground.

Zak rolled his eyes and huffed, turning away. "You think that was an accident?"

"But how could you even-!" He cut me off before even listening.

"Tough f*****g nuts, we have more important things to take care of, and that little demon of fluff isn't necessary!" Zak pointed an accusing finger to Button. There was a moment of silence; the lion only responded with a slightly drifting left eye.

The frustrated boy groaned, facepalming. "Whatever..." He divided his load of branches and ivy into another hand, and said, "I'm not dying out here due to carelessness. If I'm stuck with you, you've got a lot to learn. And just remember..." Zak shoved one pile into my hands, getting close to my face, "...I don't have much patience."

Then he walked away. Button nudged me after a few seconds; I just sighed and tried to catch up with him.

""""""" · ♥ · """"""" 

"Lucy what the f**k is this."

Zak stared at the pile of branch pieces and wrapped up ivy between us. Well.. it was supposed to be an animal trap, but honestly it just looked like a mound of forest debris wrapped together.

"I.. I can do better! Just let me try again, it's kind of complicated!" I begged, as I squat down and took the branches apart from their ivy.

Zak had begun to teach me different hunting methods. Since I didn't have a weapon yet, he could only teach me about trap usage. At the moment, I was creating something similar to a bear trap, that would catch the animal when weight was applied. Except.. much larger than a normal bear trap. With more teeth... much, MUCH sharper teeth. Definitely one of the most dangerous looking objects I have ever laid eyes on.

And in my defense, it was difficult for a beginner.

"This is the most atrocious thing I have ever seen created by human hands-LUCY WHAT ARE YOU DOING."

"WHAT?!" I shrieked, as I slammed a long branch against the dry earth. A piece cracked and flew off, hitting Zak right in the forehead.

There was a long, heavy silence. We stared blankly at each other for the longest moment... until a drop of blood slowly started trickling down his cheek from underneath his bangs. He stiffened, slowly raising a shaking fist in the air.

"No no no no NO NO NO NO THAT IS NOT NECESSARY PLEASE CALM DOWN I'M SO SORRY!" I panicked, rushing to my feet and grabbing his shoulders. "I'M SORRY I'M SORRY I'M SORRY," I repeated endlessly, brushing his bangs away to examine the wound. There was a large gash, and the blood seemed to run more quickly when I moved his hair. I gasped, holding back a hysteric scream. Zak hadn't said a word, or even moved. He just stared with the most terrifying, icy glare. "I'M SORRY ARE YOU OKAY UGH BLOOD IS ALL OVER YOUR FACE WHAT DO I D-"

"How about you STOP RAMBLING AND DO SOMETHING!" Zak finally exclaimed.

"PLEASEEEEE DON'T KILL MEEEEEEEE!!"

"OF ALL THINGS YOU COULD FREAK OUT ABOUT..." Then he pulled off his shirt in one swift movement. Just threw it off. In a moment like this.

"SO NOW WE'RE STRIPPING?!" I screamed, trying to hide my face with my hands. Was it rude to look or look away?!

"Where the HELL DID YOU GET THAT IDEA."

"Well you're just TEARING YOUR SHIRT OFF FOR NO REASON I MEAN IT'S NOT THAT IT'S NOT OKAY IT'S JUST-"

"FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST I NEEDED SOMETHING TO STOP THE BLEEDING."

....Duh.

Deadpanning, Zak pressed his shirt against his bleeding forehead. Honestly I don't think all that hysteria made it any better. He sighed, then looked at me, raising an eyebrow. "...What are you gonna just stare? And wipe that dumb look off your face, your cheeks are blood red. It's annoying me."

I flinched, hiding my face in my hands immediately. 

What did he mean my cheeks were blood red? Hmph. He can't act like I didn't see the rosy color in his complexion either...

And then suddenly, a deafening roar boomed through the forest. Zak and I both froze in place.

Heart beat quickening, hair standing on end...

I looked at Zak, and he glanced at me, his blue eyes filled with concern.

"Get moving."

And then he grabbed my hand, and sprinted into the underbrush.

"What was that?!" I huffed, trying to keep up as I was dragged along.

"Couldn't you sense it? It's an animal."

An animal? But animals are just like Button here... whom of which had been sleeping moments before, he must have hid somewhere. "And that roar was..?" I asked, confused.

"Something that came from the animal? The details can wait, we have to go now." He answered bluntly, tightening his grip and increasing speed.

I couldn't understand a thing. We couldn't be running from this, it didn't make sense.

There was another roar, much louder than before... it didn't sound happy.

"S**t, it's getting close." Zak stopped abruptly, I nearly dodged running into him. "I think I know what it is, and there's not much time - hold this," he tossed his shirt to me, and I barely caught it in my shaking hands. My hand touched something damp; I turned the shirt over to see a large, red blood stain near the torn sleeve.

Was it really that bad...?

"Wait here a second," Zak ordered, and took off in another direction. I just stared at the shirt, and my blood stained hand, guilt washing over me; I honestly felt a bit sick.

Zak returned just a moment later, carrying a large load of purple-flowered stems.

"You went flower picking at a time like this?!" I exclaimed in disbelief.

Zak gave me a death stare. "Just shut the hell up and hold the god damn flowers," he replied, passing some stems to me. I held the flowers, raising my eyebrow as he smothered himself in the purple plants.

Yeah this guy is f*****g crazy. I knew I was the sane one here.

He stopped, noticing the, 'you are out of your f*****g mind' look I had given him. "What's the look for?! Throw the s**t on yourself already!"

"Wha.. why?!"

The black haired delinquent was about to reply, but another thundering roar cut him off. There was no time to talk.

Zak grabbed me by the waist without another word, and I was carried to an overturned tree. He crouched down by the dead roots, under a canopy of ferns and other large plants.

"The plant is lavender," he whispered quickly, "it should be strong enough to cover the scent."

"The scent of what?!" I whispered in response, absolutely sure he couldn't be mentally stable.

"That!" Zak pointed to his bloody forehead, and my attention moved to the stain on his shirt I was holding. "The animal must have caught the scent of the blood, it has to be a bullfrog."

That's when I lost it.

"A bullfrog?!?!" I exclaimed, my voice dripping with disbelief. "Right, I bet a little tree frog is really terrifying!"

"Lucy..." Zak growled, lowering his voice to a murmur.

I couldn't help but laugh. "You can't be serious! You made me think Button was scary? Pfft, this oughta be good." I rolled my eyes, letting out a false sigh of relief. 

As much as I wanted to believe him, it was getting difficult. How ridiculous can you get?

But then I felt the slow, pounding feet behind us. The earth beneath me vibrated violently with each step, with a deep roar that thudded against our ear drums. I could hear the snorting, and sniffing, as the bloodthirsty beast searched for the source of the bloody odor. The odor that was on the two of us, and us only.

I was terribly, terribly wrong.

The next few seconds went by in a blur.

The bullfrog roared once more, and Zak lunged for me. The beast burst through the uprooted tree, causing the area to explode in wood shards and splinters. But Zak was one step ahead; he had taken cover in one swift charge, holding me close to him. I had shut my eyes, but I opened them to view the ferocious animal before us.

It was gigantic, towering at at least over 20 feet tall. It stood on two short, wide legs, it's arms were narrow and slightly longer; both had large, sharp talons. Greenish-black scales smothered it's entire body, they grew sharper around the wide torso. It's eyes were wide and yellow, blood colored irises surrounded the black pupils. And it's teeth? More horrifying than the traps I had made earlier.

"Zak..." I murmured, in a shaky voice that was much lower than intended.

The bullfrog's head whipped around, his blood red eyes focusing on us.

"Move!" Zak shouted. The bullfrog thrashed towards us, but we leaped out of the way. It sliced two trees in pieces, and let out an angered snarl. The beast faced us again, and lunged forward. Zak shoved me out of the way, and sprung towards the monster. I stumbled out of the beast's reach, but regained my balance quickly.

"Zak?!" I shouted as I turned, seeing the black haired boy land on the bullfrog's head, summoning his guns. It snorted and thrashed his head in an attempt to throw him off, but Zak just jumped up higher, and shot into it's skull from above. The bullfrog howled in pain and fury, whirling out of the way. Zak landed in front of the monster as it swung it's arm, but he rolled and dodged it's deadly talons, just to fall back for another round of bullets. The bullfrog was shot several times in the face, and dove for the boy again. Zak grabbed onto it's arm, and climbed up to it's head. 

But the beast was too fast this time. It swung it's head violently, and Zak flew towards me. I rushed forward and caught him just before he hit the ground. Zak shook his head, and got back to his feet in a hurry.

"I don't need your help!" he growled, then ran back to battle. He shot a few rounds, but the beast dodged in a quick movement, advancing towards him with outstretched claws. Zak leapt forward, just as the claws brushed his bare torso. He let out a string of curses, as the bullfrog licked the blood off the few talons.

"You sick b*****d..." Zak muttered harshly, and shot him twice in it's open mouth. The bullfrog screeched wildly; the bullet holes could be seen in the side of his cheeks. "You like blood, you dirty c**t? Well how the f**k does that taste?!"

The bullfrog whirled, smacking Zak several feet away. I dashed over to him immediately, he was on his side, covered in dirt and blood. I brushed the dirt off his face, and the hair out of his eyes.

"Zak? Are you okay?!" I panicked, shaking his arm.

The boy groaned in pain, but sat up nonetheless. The wound on his head left blood trickling down the left side of his face, and there were three deep slashes on the side of his chest. Not to mention all of the red marks that were soon-to-be bruises. He was becoming a total mess in a battle we couldn't seem to win.

We wouldn't be able to run, it'd be on our tail in an instant with all this blood. My best guess is, once it's had a taste, it won't stop till it's finished. But there's no way a continued battle would end well, either.

"Go for the eyes." Zak said, staring intently at the beast.

"What?"

"Did I stutter? Destroy it's eyes." He stood up then, stretching his arms a bit.

I got up also, and questioned, "But I can't do tha-"

My sentence was cut off as Zak faced me, his icy eyes staring into me. "I thought I told you to remember, I don't have much patience."

And with that, he ran towards the monster again, shouting, "Hurry up, you damned princess!"

I shook my head, took a deep breath, and ran after Zak. He dodged a swinging claw, and latched onto the arm again. Before he could be thrown off, I lunged for it's leg, and using all of the strength I've hidden for years, I threw the hardest punch I could throw. There was a loud crack upon contact, I had hit what I had guessed was it's ankle. The bullfrog wailed and kneeled to one side, favoring the opposite leg. 

Zak climbed up to it's head, and I rolled out of the way before it's free hands could catch me. It thrashed and roared, and Zak jumped off it's head again. He flipped and pulled out his guns, shooting several bullets right into the beast's left eye. Blood splattered everywhere, sprinkling over us both. What remained of it's eye was just mounds of dark blood in a socket, it poured down it's mouth. 

The bullfrog screeched wildly, and thrashed about in the most violent matter. The ground rumbled under it's heaving weight, and the surrounding trees shook.

Zak landed several feet away from me, shouting at the animal, "You stupid a*****e, I'm gonna f*****g kill you!"

But he had spoken too soon. The bullfrog lashed out suddenly, and knocked him aside with a single arm. Zak was thrown across the area, and smacked right into a tree. He fell to the earth limply with a soft thud, and ceased all movement.

"No, Zak!!" I shrieked, my voice cutting off short as I felt my throat tighten. I could feel my heart sink as I waited those few, horrifying seconds. 

"D****t, get up! Move! Say something!! ZAK!!"

But nothing happened. Zak was completely motionless, I was alone... and the bullfrog was advancing towards him.

I choked back another scream, my blood began to run hot through my veins. I dashed forward without thinking, pounding the ground with each step towards the bullfrog.

"Don't you dare touch him!!" 

I threw myself into the side of the animal, with enough force to throw it aside. It snarled and regained it's normal stance, throwing slashes at me. I rolled through them and kicked it in the gut, just to jump back again as it leaned over in pain.

"You're f*****g disgusting." I muttered harshly, eyeing the beast's second eye. If Zak was right, it was the only chance I had of getting out of this alive. And now would be the time to take it.

There was a flash, and when I looked down, there was a black blade with a silver lasso in my hand.

F**k what. WHAT. WHAT IS THIS?!

The bullfrog groaned, and focused it's single eye on me.

"Well I guess I just go with it..."

I raised the blade, as the lasso stretched down and hooked to the other side, creating a bow-like weapon. An arrow appeared in my hand, and I swung the bow around, aiming right for it's eye, and let the arrow fly. It struck his eye powerfully, and blood splattered around us again. 

The bullfrog screeched in agony, lashing it's head in all directions.

But it still didn't stop.

I gasped, terrified, watching as the animal turned to me and roared.

"Uh, more arrows?!" I shot more arrows to his eyes, but nothing happened- most missed him completely. I stopped shooting, and stared in horror as the beast moved to pounce on me. I rolled behind him less than a second before his claws mutilated the ground where I was just standing. I shot arrows to his back, but it only seemed to anger him more.

I was going to die. Zak isn't concious, I don't have a damn clue how to fight.

We're going to f*****g die.

"Lucy!!"

I jumped a little, and turned to where the voice came from. It was Zak. He laying on the ground, but held up his head, focused on me.

"..Zak!" I responded happily, feeling my heart fill and rise again. "You're okay!!"

"F**k that!" He cursed, "Hit the back of his neck!"

"But arrows aren't doing anything!"

"Well turn your fancy s**t into a f*****g blade and make use of what it's made for, dumbass!"

I grimaced, muttering darkly, "You're just too kind, aren't you."

I turned to the bullfrog again, and ran towards it's front. It's claws lashed out towards me, but I barely dodged them with a few leaps, sliding between it's feet.

"You're gonna get us f*****g killed with moves like that!" Zak yelled from afar.

I lunged into the beast's lower back with as much force as I could, knocking it off balance. It fell forward, and landed on it's front with a deafening thud. "Well maybe if you shut the hell up, I can focus better!"

"Like you really know what you're doing?!"

I swung the bow back around, as the string curled into a lasso again. "Do you expect me to know anything?!"

The beast snarled, but it was too slow to move. I raised the blade and slashed deep into the back of it's neck, cutting off it's screeches as it fell limp underneath me. Deep red blood poured out from it's wound, and the entire area grew dead silent. Blood was splattered on the trees, the ground... us. Most trees and plants were just mutilated by the bullfrog. It wasn't the prettiest sight to see.

I hopped off of the deceased bullfrog's back, stopping by it's massive side. I inhaled deeply, it was only then when I realized how heavily I was breathing, I almost felt like gasping for air. 

There was a sudden stinging on my arms and hip; there were cuts through my clothes, revealing deep slashes in my skin. My best guess was, I didn't miss all of the beast's attacks. But that didn't matter, at least I was alive. 

My eyes scanned the area again, and stopped at the injured boy. He was silent, completely motionless again on the ground. I smiled a bit to myself, and began to drag myself over to him.

"It's about time you shut your damn mouth..."

""""""" · ♥ · """"""" 

It had been several hours since we killed the bullfrog. I had carried him to the clearing where we had our makeshift camp before, and he hasn't woken up since. Button was already here waiting for us when I returned with Zak - at least he didn't run into harm's way.

I was sitting against a tree trunk that I had dragged out from nearby, with Button curled up next to me asleep. I had the fire going, even though it had only just begun to grow dark. Zak was laying on the other side of me, silent as ever. I brushed his hair aside to check his forehead wound, and I looked at his others marks on his chest and arms - they were pretty close to healing. It looked as if he healed as quickly as I seemed to, although his injuries were worse.

Button stretched out and yawned, before sitting up beside me. I pat his head gently, smiling. "Hello, Button. How was your nap?" 

The lion purred, then turned his attention to the fire. That was when I noticed, it was kind of running low. And I hadn't found extra wood.

"D****t, thanks for pointing that out. I'll go get more wood for that." I got to my feet, and began to leave the clearing. "You stay here, okay Button? I won't be far, and I'll be back soon."

I entered the wall of underbrush, leaving the little camp behind. As I walked around, I picked up decent sticks and small branches on the way. It was a lot easier walking through here now, since I have a weapon at my disposal, and I know a little about fighting...

As I walked past some lavender patches, I let my mind wander, free of worry.

I always figured that my 'super strength and agility etc etc' were in me for a reason, but... I never thought it'd be used for fighting monstrous things in a place like this. And it's weird, actually using it after so many years. Keeping it under control just got so easy, I don't think I'm still used to it...

As I grabbed the next stick, I heard loud rustling over me. I froze in place, I could swear I felt my heart stop. I waited a few moments, but nothing happened. I stood back up and shrugged it off.

Eh, if it wanted to kill me it would have done it by no-

As I thought this, something popped out out of no where, right in front of my face. I jumped back, dropping all the collected wood and choking back a scream. I looked up, almost terrified of seeing what it was.

There was a boy hanging in front of me... upside down... staring at me...

He smiled a bit, and spoke to me.

"How you doin', sexy?"

Author's Note

Oh god this chapter was too much fun to write...

I FINALLY WROTE AFTER LIKE 6 MONTHS. YAYYYY.♥

I was just thinking, while writing, wouldn't that suck if the bullfrog just ate one of them, and so the other died, and the book just ended right there? :D LOLOKAYTHATWOULDBEREALLYFUCKEDUP. But I wouldn't be able to do that, I love them both too much. :D

Anyway I hope you like the ending cause OHOHOHO I'VE BEEN PLANNING THAT FOREVER, DAMN IT FEELS GOOD TO WRITE THIS SHIT DAMN.

Anyway, please ignore the fact that some parts are rushed, I had been writing for hours and it was getting late. I'm probably going to fix those later.

Writing this chapter got kind of difficult further in, considering that wikipedia was blacked out for the SOPA/PIPA thing, and that's my source of most information I need for details... Also just the fact that I haven't written in months, I feel like I lost my flow. I couldn't word some things as I usually do and it got really frustrating.

Actually, the reason I started writing again is because of my friend Andy. He mentioned a book he was reading during government class, and it reminded me of When The Heavens Fall. ...Then I felt bad cause I haven't updated a book on here in months OTL. But Superhuman is my favorite out of my books, so I started to continue this one. I even FINALLY figured out the specific ending to the series yesterday! Hopefully now it will be a bit easier to plan things out as I get closer to that point. [You know after like three books asdfghjkl.]

Annieways. I hope this isn't absolutely terrible and I at least entertained a few of you with my totally normal characters. Good day, sir.

Reviews

[Gretchen Clarke]

I read this a while ago, but for some reason I didn't think to give a review at the time. Sorry...
Anyways...
This story is really engaging, fast-paced, and entertaining, especially with Lucy and Zak's reactions to things that surprise them.
Please keep up the great work!!

[Rayne~Drop.]

F**k. Didn't show up...
let's be thankful for copy and paste!

You need to hug whoever this Andy person is for me the next time you see him.
GJIFHNGDKGF HN[LKGNJFX;LKH.RLHKFOGTJT,J;FLKDJHGKLD;LHFD;LHJGRWPLKHT
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. You WROTE! hgihophigih ohmygodholyshitiloveyou.
-goes to read story-
Oh Hades. For the love of all that is unholy and frowned upon the dialog is just amazing.
"F**k what. WHAT. WHAT IS THIS?!" I love her reactions. They're so amusing!