FanStory.com - Lackingby Erika Whittle

Having gathered the appropriate supplies, Jer, Brandy, Derek and Dave, loaded up the buggy and set off for the village of Tal. They navigated the dirt roads and found themselves travelling through a heavily wooded area.

"Did you guys hear that?” Derek asked.

“Here what?”

“It sounds like a wounded beast screaming.”

They stopped the buggy and quietly listened to their surroundings. All of a sudden something dashed to the back of the buggy.

“What the-”, Brandy jumped in surprise. A tainted, looking half crazed, was standing before them and baring its teeth at Jer. “Crazy!”

Brandy and Jer both jumped back and reached for their weapons. The creature was still focused on Jer, all the while scratching itself. Long red marks were seen covering its arms, neck and face. It jumped into the air, landing in the buggy, inches away from Jer’s face. Fortunately, both Brandy and Jer have good reflexes. They simultaneously pulled out their swords, crossing them to block the tainted’s approach. Derek jumped out of the driver’s seat, sword in hand, while Dave worked hard to calm the horse. Derek reached the sword high, slicing downwards above it’s head. He split the creature in half in one fell swoop. Brandy and Jer sighed in relief, their hearts racing. But it was too early to feel at ease. All of a sudden the buggy shook. The sound of a horse’s neigh permeated the air. The buggy lurched forward and tilted to the side, toppling over. Free from it’s restraints, the horse ran off.

“Dave! What the hell happened?” Derek shouted. He ran to the front of the fallen buggy, only to see Dave, engaging with yet another tainted. “Brandy, Jer! There’s another one! Get your shit together and come help!”

The tainted had it’s jaws latched onto Dave’s arm, looking just as crazed as the last one. Dave was vigorously punching in its head, yet it refused to let go. Derek approached in an attempt to help his partner, but a backwards kick sent him flying. Bam, Derek crashed into one of the surrounding trees. Jer and Brandy managed to pick themselves up from the wreckage, fortunately with only a few scrapes. By this time, Dave had changed his strategy. Now he was grasping its neck, trying to pull it off his arm. He roared in pain as its teeth ripped off his flesh. He managed to pry it off himself but it was now scratching at his face like a wild cat. Jer and Brandy tried to secure its arms. Brandy managed to grab one and was holding on for dear life. She put all of her body weight in pulling it’s arm back. Jer, unable to secure it’s arm, opted for stabbing it in the side. The creature screamed and black mist pushed all of them back, including Dave. Dave was finally free of its grasp but his face was a bloody mess. Having been clawed at relentlessly, one of his eyes was sealed shut. The crazy thing was screaming, clawing at itself. Jer and Brandy simultaneously lunged towards it. Jer swung his sword towards it’s neck, and Brandy towards it’s ankles. The tainted stopped Jer’s attack, but not Brandy’s. It fell forward, pulling Jer with it. Now on top of Jer, It wrapped it’s arms around his neck. Mist rose as the life began draining from his eyes. Right before Jer ascended to the great expanse, the ground shook. The earth moved, sending spikes of rock through the creature. Jer coughed violently, trying hard to breathe. Brandy took her sword, and removed the skewered creature’s head.

“What was that?” She asked Jer.

“I don’t know, but right before I lost consciousness I felt something, some power, surge through me.”

By this time, Dave had managed to make his way towards them. Brandy helped Jer up, and went to check on Derek. A few moments later, Brandy came back, supporting her limping comrade. “Now what should we do?” Brandy’s voice quivered. She was trying hard not to panic.

“The horse is gone and we need help. We passed some soldiers on patrol a little while back. Brandy, see if you can find them and get help.” Brandy nodded at Jer and then quickly left.

“Well, we’re a rough looking bunch aren’t we?” Derek tried to lighten the mood.

Jer looked at Derek, who clearly had broken bones, and Dave, who was a bloody mess. “What we are, is lacking.” With that statement, the three remained silent until help arrived.