The Slug

My suspicions are proven correct while the monster stops to absorb a portion of the scattered blood before it lurches toward the next target.

'This is my chance,'

I hurriedly climb down the ladder, uncaring for the noise due to my lower volume perk. I don't know what kind of senses it uses, but it obviously detects blood somehow. My cut hand is going to hinder any attempt at hiding.

So an assault it is.

Skipping the last rungs, I drop to the ground absorbing the extra impact while scrambling to remove the dagger from my backpack. My gaze never leaves the threat before my fingers feel the familiar ivory handle of my blade.

I drop my backpack to the ground and pull the knife out in one swift motion, raising it toward the slug across the alley. Squeezing it tight in both hands causes blood to ooze from my wound and drip down the previously pristine grip. Crouching to accept the expected attack, I await the creature's notice.

'Huh? I must not be in range of its ability,' I think as I steel myself to rush the target, unsure of when it will notice.

Each step brings me closer to confrontation while the slug-like being seems to be ignoring my presence completely. It moves from droplet to droplet with the speed of a house cat, pausing at each. This unintentional evasion makes it difficult to approach slowly.

My knees shake as I gather strength in my legs. There are only two strides left, and I'm still undetected—It won't continue.

I lunge forward with all my might, closing the distance in a flash, and swing my dagger at the disgusting foe—but it is too late.

The moment my speed increases, the vibrations stop coming from the strange slug, and it changes its behavior. It compresses itself as my blade nears it and leaps toward the host's body.

"Fuck, this can't be good." I drop all pretenses of being in control and begin to panic, rushing toward the corpse.

I thought it was just a shell of its evolution, sort of like a cocoon. I realized I was wrong when I saw the slimy beast nestle itself in its previous bed and compact itself.

The hands start twitching immediately as the unwrapped head takes on a life of its own and stitches itself back closed.

'It's wearing it like a suit of armor.' It's worse than I thought.

Way worse.

If I allowed it to regain control of its puppet, I would surely meet my end. Sweat pours down my face, stinging my eyes as I increase my pace to the maximum.

I arrive in time and slide my dagger deep into the skull of the monster. Hopefully, if I damage the parasite, it will be enough. I slide my blade out as putrid blood follows and hunch over, gagging. The overwhelming stench is worse than previously experienced, which didn't make sense.

Praying that my attack was enough, I continue to cough as I'm overwhelmed by the odor. Seconds pass and no movement happens, causing a cold sense of relief to wash over my body, accompanied by a sense of fatigue.

It's now that I notice the creature's arm limp at my foot. A cut on my jeans at the kneecap shows how close I was to death.

'Would it have killed me quickly, or would it have drained me? That thing can obviously absorb a lot of blood.

I drop backward and crawl away from the monstrosity. The vile stench seems to have penetrated my sense of smell, causing me to puke when my back reaches the wall on the far side of the alley.

I take some time to recover from the incident while attempting to remain alert to my surroundings. Although, dying might bring me back in better condition and get rid of the sense of disgust that surrounds me.

"So, don't bleed around the lanky cutter. Lesson learned." I make a mental note of this important information and climb to my feet.

The first thing I do is retrieve my bat from near the corpse in case I have another surprise visitor. I follow up that by gathering my backpack and collecting a few pieces of trash paper from the alley to wipe the rotten fluids off my weapons before storing the knife safely in its home.

It seems I have finally arrived at the time to commit to my decision. I could still head toward Ali and take another vacation. Perhaps I could scout the local area while she provides oversight from the apartment.

The police officer would be easier to eliminate, at least.

"I can't do it." Remembering the intense moments, I shared with her before this cycle began was too much. Returning to someone so early when they had no recollection of prior events is out of the question.

Looking down the unknown part of the alley, only one choice remains.

I have to venture into this new path. Saving Elaine was still the priority, and I still didn't know what she looked like. All I have is a notion of the direction she's in that comes from somewhere within myself.

'Determining what danger lies down is essential for success. It's possible I'll have to take it with Ali. Hell, I might even find new allies.' My mind ponders the possibilities as I walk through the dank corridor.

The emptiness allows for easy identification of threats, but I don't have anywhere to hide if necessary.

This eased my nervousness.

The slug's ability to sense blood was an unknown variance. I'm no longer confident in hiding from anything I see and would much rather be able to detect them at a greater distance. An evolved version of the creature that tried to take me out by the tractor/trailer would result in immediate death—or worse, infection.

The end of the alley is within sight as I begin to slow my pace. I approach the intersection carefully like I did on the other side, but it is unnecessary.

When the street comes into my view, it is completely empty and desolate.

What really grabs my attention is a constant beeping that runs for a moment before cutting off abruptly.

Just like a forklift backing up.