Pete sped up. Then, suddenly, the creature appeared from between two trees. It picked Pete up and threw him over its shoulder as if Pete weighed no more than rag doll, before it raced into the forest.
For a moment the friends were frozen in terror, unable to believe what they’d seen. Then, an agonized scream rent the air, cutting off seconds later. Dave and Jake took off toward the place where the creature had disappeared with Pete, coming to a stop where Tyler called out, “Don’t! That’s what it wants.” Obviously torn between continuing on or heeding Tyler’s words, they finally started back to join him.
Meanwhile, Neil was kneeling next to Bart, who was sitting, cradling his wrist to his chest. “Broken?” Neil asked.
“I don’t think so.” Grimacing, Bart carefully moved it. “Sprained I thi
