340 Slim Chances

"We… we need to go get her back. We need to-" Boss muttered to himself. 

He turned back to the other children, Maribelle and Jos were amongst them waiting eagerly for his decision. 

"We need to form a team and get back over the wall. We need to get Vyrena back," he said to them. 

Mara, who was amongst the last of the humans who made it through, overheard their conversation. She walked up to them. 

"Are you talking about going back in?" She asked. 

"Yes," Boss replied. 

"You can't! Are you crazy?! You're just children!" She exclaimed. 

"Then who's going to? You?" Maribelle argued. 

"Of course not! It's a suicide mission! No one should go, she's probably dea-"

Before Mara could even finish her sentence, she found herself on the ground with a bruise on her cheek. A shadow cast down upon her, it was El with a tear-stained face. 

"Don't you dare say those words!" She screamed at Mara. 

The other humans noticed the commotion and came forward to put distance between them. Some of the humans held El back from attacking Mara. Others helped Mara up. 

Boss was shocked, taking a few steps back while taking El's side. 

Anger burned in Mara's eyes. 

"What was that for?! It is the truth, is it now?!" Mara shouted back, ready to fight El one on one if not for the people who were holding her back. The hybrids could not care less about the fighting that was ongoing. 

But Ronni, who was amongst them, was worried about Vyrena's situation as well. If it was not for her efforts, none of them would have made it safely through. Queen Willow was saddened too. 

However, she had to put the safety of her kind first. As queen, she had tough choices to make. Red Silk wondered if Vyrena was even still alive. The drakes were relentless and if she was alone. 

Her chances of survival were slim. 

Looking all around them, their situation was not any better either. No one ever knew what truly laid beyond the wall. They had hoped for freedom into the open world. However, looking around, that clearly did not seem like it was the case. 

Red Silk looked around to see tall sky-high buildings all around them, casting shadows down upon the land. It was a complete change of landscape from the lush green forest of the Jungle. 

"We're not free," he muttered to himself. 

El was not having any of Mara's words. Not after what she had pulled. If it had not been for them, Fendrif would have still been alive. Vyrena would have made it past the wall. 

"If it was not for you and the rest who decided to turn up at the last minute, she would be here! Fendrif would still be alive!" El cried in rage. 

Looking out into the landscape around them, they also had more important matters to take care of. Being out in the open like this, having just escaped, made him feel uneasy. 

Anything could be lurking out here. He wanted to get to a higher vantage point to see what laid beyond the tall, seemingly abandoned buildings. But he did not want to leave the group either. 

Before the argument could continue, a rumble through the area caught everyone's' attention. All of them were on high alert. Everyone fell silent, in fear that they might attract the attention of unknown predators. 

Just then, a loud blaring of horns echoed throughout the abandoned cityscape they were in. The blaring horns were so loud and intrusive that all of them covered their ears with both hands. 

But they were still able to hear it ringing in their ears. 

"What is going on?!" Boss shouted. 

"It sounds like some sort of alarm or siren is going off!" Maribelle shouted her reply. 

The blaring horns lasted for fifteen agonising seconds, followed by a soothing musical jingle. The jingle was accompanied by a melodious yet sinister singing voice. 

~It is a wonderful day today! A wonderful day indeed!~

~The lovely little mice have escaped from their playpen, it is time for the rabbits to come out to play.~

~Some are tall, some are short. Some are big, some are small.~

~Some climb, walk and crawl. Some fly above in the sky, some burrow down below.~

~In the endless roulette merry go round, everyone is happy, everyone is smiling.~

~It is time for the rabbits to come out and play.~

~It is time for the rabbits to have some fun.~

The singing voice continued to repeat the lyrics, each rendition more haunting than the last before fades away. 

"What on earth was that?" Maribelle asked in horror and disbelief. 

"We're not free yet. This isn't the outside." Boss realised. 

Just then, the ground beneath them trembled and shook. Something was coming towards them. All of the survivors huddled closely together, waiting for what was coming towards them. 

A shadow appeared on the ground, growing larger and larger as it got closer and closer. The creature did not walk on the ground, it was climbing one of the many tall abandoned buildings that surrounded them. 

As it revealed itself to them, it's mere size was enough to send chills down all of their spines. Even the spider beasts stood in awe of the monstrous creature before them. They were the size of a mouse compared to the reptilian looking creature. 

It had three pairs of legs, covered entirely in dark coloured scales. Its ribcage bones showed through it's exposed stomach. Everyone could see its muscles twitching and contracting as the creature moved. 

It's sharpened claws clung on to the side of the building as it reared its head towards them. It's head was covered entirely in rugged matted fur. It had a long snout, just like a crocodile. 

No one dared to move, everyone was paralysed in fear. 

Just then, a sinister voice rang in all of their minds. 

-Well well well, look at what we have here? Fresh blood?-

The children were shaking in fear, Boss was at a loss at what to do. The hybrids raised their weapons immediately, firing at the creature. Boss instructed the children to do the same, firing their shooter weapons at it. 

The children even used the larger shooter weapon collectively, aiming at the creature. All of them hit their target on the bullseye, bringing them some ease. But as soon as the smoke cleared, and the voice laughed in their minds, they knew their efforts were for nought. 

-Is that all you can do?-

"No... nothing affects it," Cass gasped in horror. 

"Not even our shooter weapons are working," Jos lamented in defeat.

What were they going to do?