Jose loomed near the closet, his gaunt frame moving with unnatural stiffness as he sniffed at the air, his bony fingers grazing the door's edge. His jaw slackened, emitting a low, guttural growl that made Charlie's skin crawl. The faint creak of floorboards filled the silence, each sound amplifying the oppressive tension in the room.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpGNYeW5Oj
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJjH3PiKEP
Charlie's eyes darted to the window on their left, where the corpse of the coyote lay sprawled on the dusty ground outside. His heart raced, his pulse pounding in his ears. Without thinking, he whispered, "Uncle, we need to make a run for it. To our horses."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiJFKLQXi8
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgciCJ6WUB1
Jed, standing as still as a statue beside him, raised an eyebrow but didn't look away from Jose. "Run for it? Sure, kid. Got any bright ideas on how to not get our asses torn apart first?"
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3X5y0mcfC
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPgXLqdDFS
Charlie nodded toward the window. "That's our way out."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SdCIX3N5j
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLjtdMford
Jed allowed his gaze to shift briefly, taking in the cracked glass and the coyote below. His lips twisted into a grimace. "And you figure that's better than waiting for him to tear us limb from limb?"
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWC4TiszdC
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYfYBzwNz6
Charlie bit his lip. "It's all we've got."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAJlAG2PUR
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xZzBsrSjx
Jed sighed deeply. "Alright, fine. But how about we try movin' nice and slow? Maybe he don't see us slinkin' over there."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfLHLlteXk
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeTC3nvLeU
Charlie's voice was tense. "Yeah, I think he'll still notice."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WFNiCydfm
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qhRO7XqW6
"Well, kid, we're screwed either way," Jed muttered. "I got no aim left, and I don't reckon you've got much fight left in you either."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGdyDC1DWg
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChoGyzEmDI
Charlie swallowed hard. "Let's just do it."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42p6hpFKP1
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1V6BPQrxz
Without another word, they bolted toward the window.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdTWaU461P
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNXttux9Ds
Jose's head snapped toward them, his bloodshot eyes widening. "Sangreeeeeeeeee!" he howled, launching himself across the room in a frenzy.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCuhJferPc
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39jRLHBJwW
Jed and Charlie didn't stop. Jed's injured leg buckled slightly as they reached the window, but he gritted his teeth and leaped through the cracked glass. The sound of shattering shards filled the air as they tumbled onto the ground below, landing with a wet thud on the mangled corpse of the coyote.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEIIZs2NqZ
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwCWXdg94m
Charlie groaned, struggling to push himself up. Blood smeared across his clothes as he realized where they'd landed. "My clothes are covered in blood!"
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjBbFC0SIH
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dV3JcFnT3
Jed, wincing as he stood, shot him a glare. "Kid, I think we've got bigger problems than your damn laundry." He gestured with his chin toward the rooftops.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeRnE4zYtW
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0HN2AKP8j
Charlie's breath hitched as he looked up. Half a dozen creatures were perched on the edges of the roof, their gaunt faces and twisted bodies silhouetted against the darkening sky. They crouched low, their hollow eyes fixed on the two of them like predators ready to strike.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtidZLiawp3
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1sxS79xQA
Jose's growls grew louder as he appeared in the broken window above them, his face twisted in rage. He snarled, his lips curling back to reveal rows of jagged teeth.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYZe3PkMpA
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyTEszsDaZ
Charlie's voice trembled. "Uncle, they're everywhere."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMy5jR4DHm
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jb3faMMzB
"No kidding," Jed muttered, reaching for his revolver. His hand hovered over the holster before he let out a resigned sigh. "Hell, this ain't worth a damn. I'm outta bullets, and even if I wasn't, my aim's shot to hell."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0L8KrvbeW
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoGjojWLfg
Charlie glanced at his arm, counting the faint glow of marks. "I've got five shots left."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaZveoQE3s
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFr2UHNk6n
Jed chuckled darkly, the sound bitter and self-deprecating. "Oh, great. Five shots and about a dozen of them lookin' to rip us apart. You're really gonna turn the tide here, kid."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsEgJfwq93
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRMULO1r4t
Jose growled again, his gaze darting to the monsters on the roof. The creatures hissed in response, their bony limbs skittering across the shingles as they began to move.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4eodZruhl
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeoAIxedTI
Jed flexed his injured leg and gritted his teeth. "Alright, kid. Got any more bright ideas?"
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn6rNVq1Ct
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdT1en4IZq
Charlie's eyes scanned their surroundings, his mind racing. The faint rustle of movement on the roof grew louder, the sound of claws scraping against wood filling the air.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhOPpIMs1O
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3How40vzk
"I'm thinking," Charlie muttered.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTFWdUO7Hm
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRu3i8tAqKW
"Well, think faster," Jed growled.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhzFr8k0b8
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5jIOMLJSu
Jose's voice cut through the chaos, guttural and raw. "Sangreeee…"
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXtyGiFIsc
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwnZ81aIJK
Jed rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, we heard you the first damn time."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDDFYxBn4U
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrlbmtn0rf
The creatures on the roof tensed, their bodies coiled like springs, ready to pounce. Jed tightened his grip on Charlie's shoulder.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmKhfE9R9D
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeZ0M8EZRk
The monsters moved with unsettling precision, their gaunt, twisted bodies sniffing the air. Jed and Charlie pressed themselves against the wall, staying deathly still as the creatures' hollow eyes scanned the room. Their jagged teeth clacked together softly, a noise that seemed to echo like a ticking clock.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzzWeInDcm
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbzDuMDAAl
Jed leaned down, his voice a barely audible whisper. "Don't move. Don't even breathe too loud."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0onkrLrXm
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOhHG4Pznu
Charlie's wide eyes darted between the creatures and Jed, his hand trembling as he gripped his uncle's coat sleeve. "Jed… I think they can smell us."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqiGHyShr6
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBFilxifxN
Jed's jaw tightened, and he muttered, "Yeah, kid. I got that impression when they started sniffin' like a pack of bloodhounds. Got any other obvious observations?"
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuqqukK3gH
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wYHcdp0d4
Before Charlie could respond, one of the monsters let out a low growl, its head jerking in their direction. Jed didn't wait. He grabbed Charlie by the back of his shirt and yanked him toward the window.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDMMI63H6j
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBFtEEQ6A0
"Move!" Jed hissed, his voice sharp and commanding.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA3HsOnFAD
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOlxr0t5kh
The creatures reacted instantly, their inhuman screeches piercing the air as they lunged. Jed and Charlie scrambled toward the window, their boots sliding on the worn wooden floor. Charlie felt the rush of air as a clawed hand swiped inches from his face.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3lZKz1PTO
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyTYnldEk3
They made it to the window, and Jed shoved Charlie through first. But as Charlie tumbled out, Jose—quicker and more vicious than the others—reached them. With a guttural roar, he slashed at Charlie, his claws raking across the boy's leg. Charlie cried out, clutching his bleeding calf as Jed hauled him to his feet.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuFRE2xFUx
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0e11vZMQz
"Keep movin', kid!" Jed barked, his eyes darting between Charlie and the monsters closing in.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtvpChMbTF
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhHPJ7X6k3
Jed slammed the window shut with a rickety wooden table from the corner of the room. With a grunt, he shoved it against the window frame, pressing his weight against it. The creatures slammed against the other side, their claws scraping against the wood. One of them let out an earsplitting howl, and a fist punched clean through the table, splinters flying everywhere.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEX53CBV36i
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThnOrXsOId
Jed stared at the hole, his face twisting into an exasperated grimace. "Well, so much for that plan." He threw his weight against the table again, buying them a few precious seconds. "Kid, you see a way outta this mess?"
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjWrIGLHxX
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a6fd4sA3Y
Charlie's eyes darted around the room, searching frantically. The monsters' howls grew louder, and the table shook violently under the pressure of their assault. Then, he saw it—a chimney on the far side of the room, its narrow opening leading up and out.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt9bphzpsN
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07GZIjHeee
"The chimney!" Charlie shouted, pointing. "We can climb up through the chimney!"
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLHCFlouRq
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsn1undrOHI
Jed's gaze followed Charlie's outstretched hand, and he nodded grimly. "Alright. I'll hold 'em off. You get in there first."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQvkcW5D9y
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9voFLq2OrK
Charlie hesitated, but Jed shoved him toward the chimney. "Go! Now!"
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7GmAqfhCN
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M4rJMV52l
Charlie scrambled to the chimney, his hands slipping on the soot-streaked bricks as he hoisted himself up. Jed held the table for another agonizing moment, the wood cracking and splintering under the relentless assault of the monsters.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS9iCJqGFx
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAAj2izT0f
"Hope you're in, kid, 'cause I'm done babysittin' this table!" Jed shouted, releasing his hold.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlpEeAfDXY
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiDD74djP4
The table flew backward as the creatures surged forward, but Jed was already running. His boots pounded against the floor as he dove toward the chimney. One of the monsters swiped at him, its claws catching the hem of his coat, but Jed slipped free, pulling himself into the narrow space just as the creatures reached them.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMFApocItk
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvQJ1OZ6cz
Jed's breath came in ragged gasps as he pressed his back against the soot-covered wall, his legs wedged against the opposite side to brace himself. He looked up to see Charlie struggling to climb, his hands trembling as he gripped the uneven bricks.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbvwSiypAz
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfqrAYiIUi
"Great. Just great," Jed muttered, wiping sweat and soot from his forehead. "Boy, keep climbin'. I ain't keen on dyin' down here with you."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2UrMly4Kl
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljJ2lWUly7
Charlie gritted his teeth, his voice strained. "It's kinda hard! The bricks are all slippery!"
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFSIUqJnkL
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8PT2pRj6Q
Jed glanced down at the monsters below. Their claws scraped against the bottom of the chimney, their guttural growls echoing upward. "Well, it's gonna get a helluva lot harder if you don't move faster. C'mon, kid, put some muscle into it!"
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5GGqweYh7
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLlcJeQgzh
Charlie's legs trembled, but he climbed higher, his hands finding purchase on a protruding brick. "I'm trying, alright?"
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUK7znbGG8
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsjiY8ydbN
Jed chuckled darkly, the sound tinged with exhaustion. "Try harder, or I'm usin' you as a distraction."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYR4lwSTMo
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBdErikKcK
The monsters roared below, their clawed hands reaching into the chimney. Jed pressed himself tighter against the wall, his sharp blue eyes scanning for any way to slow them down.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMQtce4YGb
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4YDNQDGdT
"Kid," he called up, his voice carrying a surprising softness beneath the gruffness. "You keep goin'. Don't stop till you see daylight."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOuqXOuqxC
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmPVtjkxbE
Charlie glanced down, his face streaked with sweat and soot. "What about you?"
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUWgxYZvJA
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXaUef421H
Jed smirked, his expression grim but determined. "I'll be right behind you. Ain't leavin' you to deal with this mess alone. Now climb, damn it."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUcGWBhg0B
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJwihzfwBP
As the boy pushed himself higher, Jed adjusted his position, bracing his arms and legs more firmly against the walls. He looked down at the snarling faces of the monsters below and let out a low, bitter laugh.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWZPddojOy
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zpPE5uoEV
"Y'know," he muttered, half to himself, "there's a lesson in all this. Don't ever trust an old house with a perfectly good window. It's probably a damn trap."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqY5L2QBQf
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWevht00lZN
Above him, Charlie's voice carried down, shaky but determined. "I see light, Uncle! I see it!"
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v3ogTgi94
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxRR2rQwFe
Jed allowed himself a faint smile. "Good. Now get your ass outta here before I regret every decision I've made today."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rin5f6ScC
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgvsDPlRDA
The chimney opened to the cool night air, and Charlie hoisted himself out with a grunt, collapsing onto the rooftop. He lay there for a moment, staring up at the night sky, where countless stars twinkled like scattered diamonds. The air was crisp, almost serene, in stark contrast to the chaos they'd just escaped.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NeNHuE9U1
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiT4y1WQlom
Jed followed seconds later, hauling himself out with a growl of exertion. He landed heavily beside Charlie, his breathing labored. "Well, that was a fine mess," Jed muttered, dusting soot off his coat.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Erkswi9Nj
Charlie pushed himself up on his elbows, his chest still heaving. "Uncle Jed... look at the stars," he said, his voice soft, almost childlike. "They're... beautiful."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbkOL2oX66
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC1WjUiJIE
Jed gave him a sidelong glance, his lips twitching into a faint smirk. "Sure, kid. Stars are real nice. Real nice,
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0GDdH7jqM
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XkagWhsUa
Charlie turned to face him fully, his expression shifting from wonder to something more troubled. "Uncle Jed... your skin..." His voice faltered, his hand pointing hesitantly. "It's... pale. And your eyes... they're glowing."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcDxpMc87d
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWO2LSRjakp
Jed stiffened, his hand instinctively going to his face. "What the hell're you talkin' about?" he snapped, though there was an edge of unease in his tone.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYwSJCvIur
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeQNv5Cjpd
Charlie's voice rose, panic creeping in. "Uncle Jed, you're turning into them! Your eyes... they're purple! And you smell... you smell like... like..."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnQyhsMZIf
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3qFg9DSjj
"Rot," Jed finished grimly, his hand falling away. He looked down at his arms, the veins dark and prominent under unnaturally pale skin. His fingers trembled as he brought them closer to his face. The glow of his eyes reflected faintly in Charlie's terrified gaze.
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkbDaIToBM
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOcxPMPt0K
Jed let out a sharp, bitter laugh, though there was no humor in it. "Ah, shit. Figures." He clenched his fists, his voice dropping to a rough whisper. "Guess those bastards didn't just scratch the kid."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfEmx1R4WA
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2pmnGIhNs
Charlie scrambled backward, his leg dragging uselessly from the earlier wound. "No... no, this can't be happening. You're—" His voice cracked, tears stinging his eyes. "You're you. You're not like them!"
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlJtNKNPEj
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWoiLgoS8s
Jed's jaw tightened, his expression hardening despite the fear flickering in his glowing eyes. "Pull yourself together, boy. Ain't got time for tears." His voice was sharp but cracked under its weight. "I ain't gone yet."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNztI8xeMc
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFH3HEJb2K
Charlie shook his head, his breaths coming fast and shallow. "But what if you do? What if—"
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRDrIMVQmo
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5hcOGLoDJ
"Enough!" Jed's voice boomed, silencing him. He took a shaky breath, steadying himself. "Listen to me, Charlie. You keep movin'. You keep fightin'. No matter what happens to me. You hear me?"
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7i5LHrjGs
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x7ydGhIko
Charlie's lip trembled, but he nodded, his voice barely a whisper. "I hear you."
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSrYSzHC18
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1efwksKTOl
Jed gave him a grim smile, his sharp wit dimmed by the shadow of his transformation. "Good. 'Cause I ain't lettin' some rotten corpse version of me be the end of your story."
ns216.73.216.206da2
然後按「加至主畫面」