Sensing its existence had been detected, the vegetation discarded its stealth tactic and gathered its writhing mass into a cohesive shape. Organic arms and legs, formed from tightly wound creepers, slithered from the mass. A tangled throng of vines became a ferocious head with two red glowing eyes and a tooth-filled jaw fashioned for chewing flesh. The creature formed by the writhing mass was as fascinating as it was frightening to witness. When a creeper arm reached out for Richard, five stems grew from the tip to form a large clawed hand.
Richard was up on his feet and running before it grabbed him. Rustling leaves and cracking twigs behind him indicated the creeper was on the move. Richard tripped, rolled down a small slope and splashed into shallow water.
The creeper drew back the foliage at the top of the slope with its huge arms and stared straight at Richard.
Though it was vegetation, Richard was convinced by its addition of such an abundance of sharp teeth that it wasn’t vegetarian. He climbed to his feet and ran through the stream he’d stumbled into. A twist of his head revealed his pursuer hadn’t given up. The carnivorous creeper’s feet splashed with each hurried step as it lurched after its prey. Even though scared, Richard wished he’d time to snap off a photo as no one would believe such a weird creature when he described it. Thick, thorny roots crept ahead of the beast, snaking through the water menacingly. Richard was pleased to notice his legs produced more speed than the creeper’s root-formed appendages and he should easily be able to outrun it.
Piercing shrieks filled the air.
Two Web monsters dropped from the trees and landed directly in front of Richard.
Richard skidded on the wet, slippery stones lining the stream bed when he tried to avoid running into the monsters outstretched claws. Beyond being frightened anymore, he backed away and cocked an ear behind him. He began counting. “Five, four, three…”
Puzzled by the human’s reaction, the creatures tilted their heads from side to side as they wondered why it made no attempt to flee.
“…two, one!” Richard dived to the side.
The quick reaction of one of the Web monsters saved its life; it leapt up the bank and disappeared into the undergrowth. The other wasn’t so fortunate. It saw the advancing deadly creeper too late. It screeched in agony when vines shot out and pierced its flesh. It erupted in a spray of blood and gore when blooms exploded from all over its body. The main bulk of its attacker detached itself and continued its pursuit.
Richard had witnessed the creature’s brutal, and no doubt painful, demise when the carnivorous creeper had propagated its seed. He had no wish to suffer the same fate. He had run up the bank and into the undergrowth in an attempt to escape everything intent on making him their next meal. He ran into a grassy clearing and almost collided with the Web monster fleeing from the vicious vegetation. They looked at each other as they ran. It snarled. Richard swung the rucksack at its head. It fell to the ground. Creeper tendrils snaked out of the undergrowth. Richard vacated the clearing before the ferocious foliage appeared and planted more seeds.
The Web monster also sensed the approaching danger. It climbed to its feet and leapt into the air. Its arms reached for an overhanging branch. The plant monster lashed out a tendril. The Web monster screeched in agony. Its body exploded in bloodstained blooms.
Keen not to become a human grow-bag, Richard hugged the rucksack to his chest to prevent it from becoming snagged on the bushes he barged through, and ran as fast as his tired body would propel him. With the thing hot on his trail, the appearance of the metal wall fashioned to imitate rough stone that blocked his way, was at first a deep concern with the thing hot on his trail, but he quickly surmised, if there was a wall there might be a door. Hopeful that one might be close by, he followed the barrier and found one. A quick search beneath the undergrowth covering parts of the wall revealed the control. The door opened, he rushed through. Though he felt like slamming the door, it wasn’t possible. Instead, he slammed the door button. As the door slid closed the carnivorous creeper rushed at him. Its arm-like tendrils gripped trees and bushes to propel it forward at alarming speed. It slammed against the door a moment too late.
Thankful to be free of the garden from hell, Richard let out a relieved sigh. Panting from his frantic escape, he backed against the wall. Too tired to care if some foul creature dragged from the deepest depths of Hell appeared and feasted on his flesh, he slid to the floor and closed his eyes.
CHAPTER 7
Flee from Paradise
“WE SHOULDN’T HAVE LEFT Eli,” said Henry, his voice tainted with guilt.
Theo placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “There was nothing we could do, the monster had him. If we’d tried to help we’d all be dead.” The sight of his friend’s terrified face would haunt him the rest of his life.
“Though I know it to be true, it does nothing to lessen my guilt.”
“I know, Henry, but we have to concentrate on getting out of here before we suffer the same fate.” Max scanned his flashlight around the surrounding area, but saw little through the dark, overgrown forest surrounding them. They needed to get out of this place as soon as possible and meet up with the others before the monster claimed another victim. There was also a good chance other dangers were hidden amongst the thick foliage waiting to ensnare them. At least in the corridors they could see the nightmares coming.
“Let’s try this way,” said Theo, keen to keep moving. “There might be other exits on the far side.”
Theo led Henry and Max deeper into the dense vegetation.
Though it was difficult moving through the foliage-choked room, they gradually made progress. The screeches of monsters unseen that occasionally pierced the moist air were a constant reminder they weren’t alone.
Intrigued by the unexpected sound of gently flowing water, they manoeuvred around a moss-covered rock and paused at the edge of a shallow stream. Water bubbled over smooth stones covering the streambed. Rough, grey rocks, some quite large, lined the sides of the tranquil stream that was free of mist. All were draped in tendrils of thin vines with orange leaves and red moss grew on their lower craggy surfaces. The stream, which they were seeing for the first time, was a sign they were heading in the right direction, across to the far side of the room. When they crossed the stream, the frantic splashing of water from upstream halted them. Their heads turned toward the sound when shrieks rang out.
“What was that?” said Theo.
“Does it matter?” said Max. Fearful that whatever made the sounds would head their way, Max pushed Henry forward. “Don’t stop.”
They climbed the sloping bank, moved between some rocks and reentered the forest. Their plan was to head in one direction until they reached the edge of the room, and search for an exit along the wall. They hadn’t gone far when the darkness began to fade. They glanced up at the ring of glowing panels around the glass roof section.
“Dawn has broken,” said Theo.