Killer monster's Arc

Chapter 3 of 4

The mate hissed on the far bank. Killer monster had crossed the deep water and the burning zoo to reach it. Now the larger creature crouched low, teeth bared, ready to drive the stranger off its ground. Behind Killer monster, the fire climbed the old cabin's vines. There was no way back. Killer monster had to show it meant no harm, or the two would tear each other apart. Killer monster lowered its head. It pressed its wounded tail flat in the mud. It did not rush. It did not snap. The mate watched every move, muscles tight. Killer monster let the firelight show the gash John's machete had left along its tail. It made itself small and still. The mate stepped closer. It smelled the burnt reeds on Killer monster's scales. It smelled blood. For a moment the hiss softened. Then a branch cracked above them both. A shape moved in a twisted tree at the water's edge. Its bare limbs held a shadow that seemed to watch. Something clung there, high in the dark branches. Killer monster froze. The mate's head whipped up. Then the thing dropped. It was no beast of the bog. It landed on two legs, wrapped in black rags that hung like torn skin. A pale mask hid its face. In one hand it gripped a knife, the blade already dark with old blood. It had hidden in the tree, waiting. Now it crept toward the two creatures, knife raised. The mate spun to face the new threat. So did Killer monster. For the first time, they stood shoulder to shoulder. The masked thing lunged at the larger creature's flank. The knife bit scales. The mate roared and twisted away. Killer monster did not think. It struck. Its jaws closed on the arm that held the knife. It wrenched the figure off its feet and slammed it into the mud. The mate pounced too, pinning the black rags with its weight. The knife spun loose into a pool of green acid and sank. The masked thing thrashed. Killer monster bit down harder. The mate raked it with heavy claws. Together they dragged the struggling shape to the edge of the deep water and let it go. It sank, rags filling, and did not rise. Quiet came back. Only the fire crackled behind them. Killer monster and the mate stood close, both bleeding, both breathing hard. The mate did not hiss now. It lowered its head and touched its snout to Killer monster's neck. The fight for acceptance was over. Killer monster had won the creature on the far bank. But the zoo still burned at their backs. The fire was spreading to the dry grass of this shore now, pushing toward the only dry ground the two had. Killer monster had found its mate. Now it had to lead them both away from the flames before the far mire itself caught fire.