†SIGN†

Ryan's chest heaved up and down as he regained his balance, his lungs was burning from all their running.

Aria's arms remained wrapped tightly around his neck, her face was drenched in sweats even when she wasn't the one running.

Their breaths was coming out in ragged gasps, the creature's roar resounding not too far in the distance. The sound waves vibrating through the air, causing the windows of the surrounding buildings to shake slightly.

Ryan's eyes scanned the horizon, his eyes squinting from the fading sun.

The setting sun cast a golden glow over the devastated city, indicating that the night would soon be here.

He spotted an abandoned office building several blocks away, its windows already shattered but the structure of the office was still intact.

"See that?" Ryan asked, pointing to the building.

Aria lifted her head, scanning the horizon to find what he was saying.

"Where?" she asked.

Ryan guided her eyes to the place.

"That office building," he said, "If we can make it there before the sun goes out, it will be our best chance."

Aria's eyes followed to the building

"Why before sun goes down?" she asked in concern. The sun was already dropping below the horizon.

Ryan's expression turned serious, night time always guaranteed death.

"You don't want to know," Ryan said, his voice laced with a warning.

"Tell me," she pressed,all her questions haven't been answered since.

Ryan's jaw clenched, can't this girl just shut up and let me save her.

"Trust me,. You don't want to know what happens after dark," he said instead,not wanting to appear mean.

"Hold on tight," he said suddenly,

"What are you—Aaaahhh" Aria's arms quickly wrapped her hands around his neck tight as Ryan took off in a sprint, leaping from building to building with ease.

"Ryan!" she exclaimed.

They landed hard on the next rooftop but that didn't pause Ryan or slow him down.

He kept running and leaping.

"Grrrrrrr"the creatures gave them a reminder of it's presence.

Ryan breathing was coming out in ragged gasp.

"Grrrrrrr" The creature's roar echoed again through the distance.

Getting closer.

Ryan's pace quickened.

Aria's sighted the creatures again " it's gaining!" she exclaimed.

"Almost there!"Ryan replied.

The office building was the next for them to jump on and it was the wider one.

"Ready?" Ryan asked, seeing the distance between the two buildings.

Aria nodded, her brown ponytail bouncing.

Just as Ryan prepared to leap, the roof ground shook beneath his feet.

The building they stood cracked beneath the force of the creature's assault.

"BAM!"

The sound echoed through the air, the creature's massive body slammed into the building again, the walls cracking more.

Ryan stumbled, his feet balance shaking.

Aria held his neck tight almost choking him.

He launched his body into the air with Aria clinging to him, the rooftop rushing toward them with alarming speed.

They landed on it, barely.

The creature's roar echoed below, Ryan scrambled to his feet back.

They sprinted across the rooftop, running to the entrance, their footsteps pounding hard on concrete.

The door was the only solid barrier between them and their potential safety. The fading sun was casting long shadows across the roof.

Aria clings to his back,Her face pressed into his shoulder, praying for them to safety.

They reached the entrance door, and Ryan stepped back, assessing the situation.

"it's fucking locked," he muttered with frustration.

He kicked the door with all his might.

"BAM" The sound echoed through the air, but it didn't bulge.

"BAM" Again he kicked it.

"BAM" And again but the door refused to budge.

"Hold on," he said, gently lowering Aria to the ground. His hands supported her waist, ensuring she didn't strain her injured leg more.

Aria rested her back against the wall heaving.

"Be careful," she warned

Ryan nodded, taking a deep breath, steeling himself for the next move.

Using his body as a human ram, he slammed himself into the door. The sound of crashing things, echos through the wind.

Finally, the door was opened.

"What the...?" Ryan muttered seeing all the furnitures, Chairs,Tables and Desks all at the staircase.

It was as if people had intentionally blocked the entrance, desperately to keep something out or to keep something in.

The air was heavy with tension, thick with the scent of sweat and fear.

Aria's voice broke the silence, "What is it" she asked, her eyes on Ryan's, searching for answers.

Ryan walked back to her and gently lifted her onto his back, carrying her towards the door.

"It means we are not alone," he said as Aria saw the furnitures scattered

"Someone or something – was desperate to keep whatever is inside, inside."

Aria's brow furrowed, "Or keep whatever is outside, out," she countered.

Ryan nodded, his gaze scanning the area.

"Either way, we need to be careful," he said, his hands securing her on his back

"Hold tight," he whispered, adjusting his grip.

Aria wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Grrrrrrr"

"We need to keep moving," Ryan said hearing the creatures roar.

"I can walk," she protested, she doesn't want to be a burden since he had saved her.

Ryan's grip on her tightened."Save your strength," he said. "Because you would need it ."

Aria pressed her face into his shoulder.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Ryan walks deeper, going down the stairs, his senses were on high alert, scanning for any sign of danger.

The silence between them grew, as they moved quietly, the only sound that could be heard was their labored breathing.