I thought jumping into the fissure with that monster would buy Javier enough time. A suicide play, sure, but better than letting that thing chase him down. I didn't expect the damn rift to close behind me.
The second I hit the ground on the other side, my vision blurred. My skull felt like it was splitting open, a white-hot drill boring into my brain. I tried to move—had to move—but my body refused. Not out of fear. Pure, agonizing pain.
Get up. Get up!
Through the haze, I saw the brute. Six and a half feet of scarred muscle, tusks bared, its chest heaving with rage. It stalked toward me, each step shaking the ground.
Move. MOVE!
My fingers twitched. My legs stayed locked.
The brute stopped inches from my face, its breath reeking of blood and rot. Then—smack.
Its palm cracked against my jaw like a sledgehammer.
I flew.
The world spun. My helmet tore free, clattering somewhere in the darkness. I hit the ground hard, ribs screaming. Blood filled my mouth.
