Hollow

Kazu cautiously ventured out of the old shop, cautiously making his way in the dark. Thankfully, his prosthetic arm had a built-in flashlight, offering a faint light to guide him. Despite the limited illumination, it was still sufficient for him to navigate their surroundings.

He held his handgun in his right hand, tightly. Looking behind him, he used his other hand to make a sign for sachiko to come out too. She emerged from the shop, clutching a knife for protection. Although it wasn't much, it was better than nothing.

They walked for a little bit, not talking physically, not knowing if the creature was following their trail again.

They were making their way back to their truck. Running was out of the question, and escaping on foot was not an option. They needed a vehicle, and fortunately, their truck was the only functioning one they knew of. Their best hope was to reaching it as quickly as possible.

Sachiko glanced around as they progressed, taking in the sight of the desolate streets that formed the remains of Tokyo. This was Tokyo, a city she had only heard stories about from her grandmother who had lived there and spoke fondly of the city in the past but this was her first time experiencing the devastation first hand.

The buildings of the city looked like skeletons, the tall structures having collapsed entirely, some fallen into crumbling heaps, and others partially buried into the ground. Debris had covered the streets to the extent that it was hard to imagine anyone could traverse them at all.

It felt like an eternity before Kazu and Sachiko finally caught sight of their truck in the distance, its lights illuminating the otherwise dark surroundings. Relief washed over them and they ran over to it, a small victory.

Kazu and Sachiko allowed themselves a brief moment of relief. They cautiously checked the area, ensuring no signs of the creature.

Kazu made his way to the driver's seat but halted in his tracks.

His gaze fell upon the gruesome sight before him.

Two corpses lying lifelessly on the snowy ground surrounded by a pool of blood staining the snow crimson. He stood motionless, paying his respects to his fallen comrades.

Sachiko noticed Kazu's frozen state and silently approached. When she saw what he was staring at, her stomach lurched. She placed a hand over her mouth, holding back a gasp. It was their colleagues, their friends. Their lives had now come to an abrupt end.

Kazu forced himself to look away and quickly composed himself. It wasn't the time to grieve. They could do that later. Right now, their primary concern had to be survival.

He muttered a soft farewell to them, hoping that wherever they were now, they were at peace.

With a heavy heart, Kazu forced himself to turn away from the sight, he had to get moving.

He walked over and sat in the driver's seat of the truck. Kazu let out a sigh of relief. He made sure to lock all the doors. Though the creature could potentially break through the reinforced glass window, for now they were safe.

Kazu reached over, starting the engine. The vehicle roared to life, a reassuring sound. The heater turned on, emitting warm air, a stark contrast to the freezing cold of the outside. Sachiko settled into the passenger seat next to him, still shaken by what they had witnessed. The two of them sat in silence for a moment as Kazu let the engine idle.

Setting it back to manual as previously he had set it to automatic. He stomped his feet on the accelerator, the truck revved to life, its powerful engine roaring as it gained speed, pushing the vehicle to its limit. The speedometer climbed and in less than a minute, reaching a dizzying 140 km/h in mere minutes.

With the pedal nearly pressed down to the floor, the truck surged forth on the desolate streets, leaving the old shop far behind. The engine roared furiously and the tires grinded against the cracked pavement.

Kazu focused on the road ahead, his eyes constantly scanning his surroundings. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, veins popping out on his knuckles. They needed to create as much distance as possible from that nightmarish creature.

After a few minutes of driving in silence, Kazu glanced at Sachiko, who sat quietly in her passenger seat. He couldn't help but wonder how she was handling everything that had happened so far. She had stayed strong and level-headed, but he knew everyone had a limit.

Looking at the speedometer again, he smiled internally.

No animal in the world could run this fast, he assured himself. They were finally safe. Sachiko reached out to Kazu, her fingers gently resting on his shoulder. A warm smile spread across her face as she reassured him, her voice steady and confident. "See? I told you, you're not going to die. We made it, Kazu."

He reached over with his prosthetic arm, gently placing his hand on hers, grateful for her support.

But he didn't respond to Sachiko's words. Instead, he focused on the road ahead.

Though he didn't want to dampen Sachiko's spirits, he struggled to share her optimism. Their escape from the creature was a temporary win, but the broader picture was just as bad.

Kazu knew that returning to home would not be an option, not without facing significant backlash.

He knew that with the loss of an employee, the Kusonoki conglomerate would undoubtedly be furious, not because they cared about one particular individual. No, it was just to maintain an image. They would undoubtedly be questioned and blamed for the loss.

In the worst-case scenario, they might even be imprisoned or faced with capital punishment.

Escaping Japan was going to be hard, but compared to facing the wrath of the megacorp, it seemed a lesser evil. And Kazu knew that no one would believe his story. The story was too outlandish, too far-fetched.

Who could believe that the megacorp employee who was supposed to be accompanying them turned into a monstrous being that slaughtered their team?

It sounded like the plot of a horror movie, and not even a good one at that.

But Kazu had lived it.

As Kazu pondered the logistics of their escape, he mentally sifted through his assets. He had a small fortune in cash. Kazu's cash stash was a lifeline borne from his line of work. Hence, he had adopted the habit of opting for cash when receiving payments. It allowed him to maintain a degree of anonymity, untethering himself from digital financial trails that could potentially be used to trace him. While cash had become nearly obsolete it was still a legal means of transaction.

In numerous black markets scattered across poorer domed cities, he was acquainted with some trustworthy acquaintances, who could discreetly sell all his assets and belongings without suspicion, taking a modest 20% cut, while he would receive the remaining earnings.

In terms of his living arrangements, he rented an apartment, which alleviated any concerns about property liquidation.

Moreover, he recalled a person, Mr. Nakamura capable of facilitating their departure from Japan, albeit at a steep fee.

Mr. Nakamura operated what was basically a black market airport with great skill and secrecy. He facilitated the arrival and departure of contraband and illegal individuals into and out of Japan. From passports, visas to tickets, Nakamura had them all. All of that, for the right price of course.

The cost of an illegal flight was high, but Kazu speculated they could opt for an older aircraft to reduce expenses. As for their final destination, he pondered their options, considering the United democratic Republic of Korea, This nation, formed after World War III. It was familiar territory, thanks to a friend he still kept in touch with.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Kazu had to admit, this all sounded like a fantasy story. The idea of them escaping Japan, the country that was once considered utopia, fleeing to South Korea, a country he had only ever visited once, leaving behind everything he had worked towards.

It was all absurd, completely illogical, and he had never thought he would ever have to resort to such measures. But reality had presented itself to him. It was either running away or succumbing to the brutal grip of the Kusonoki corporation. They could very well end up as guinea pigs in a secret laboratory.

Who knows?

He sighed.

And just then, his train of thought was broken by something he never wanted to hear again.

"KHEEEEEEEHHH."

A monstrous roar that he instantly recognized – the same one that haunted his nightmares. The roar of the creature who had slaughtered his team. Adrenaline surged, and he gripped the steering wheel, his eyes darting nervously around the landscape.

The sound echoed once more, closer this time, sending Kazu and Sachiko's pulse into overdrive. Anxiety consumed Kazu; time seemed to slow as he frantically scanned for any signs of the creature's approach.

But before he could comprehend what was happening, a violent impact shook the truck, throwing it off course. Kazu fought hard to regain control, his knuckles whitening as he held onto the steering wheel, struggling to keep the vehicle steady.

The truck careered uncontrollably forward, the wheels skidding against the icy road. Kazu could hear the panicked screams of Sachiko beside him. He tried to calm her but his own voice trembled with fear. "It's okay," he managed to say, though his own words lacked conviction.

"Hold on to something," he instructed, sensing another impending collision. Indeed, as though summoned by Kazu's words, the truck was hit again, this time with even greater force. The impact sent them crashing into a nearby building.

The truck came to a shuddering halt, its front end crumpled against the structure. Kazu shook his head, trying to clear the haze that clouded his vision from the collision. He looked over at Sachiko, relieved to find her sitting up, dazed but seemingly uninjured, apart from a few scrapes and bumps.

Smoke billowed around them, obscuring their vision. Kazu reached out, his trembling fingers finding Sachiko's hand.

Sachiko turned her head to look at him and when she did, the sound of her scream shattered the silence. His breath hitched in his throat as he followed her gaze to his own chest. A sharp, jagged shard of broken glass from the shattered windshield had pierced his flesh. Blood seeped out of the wound, staining his suit.

The pain was excruciating, but Kazu gritted his teeth through it. His hand instinctively moved to slow the bleeding, his fingers tightening against the wound. Every movement sent waves of pain coursing through his body.

Kazu winced as he fought against the pain.

He was used to feeling pain. It was an occupational hazard. It didn't mean he had to enjoy it, though. And this particular pain, while familiar, was agonizing.

"Sachiko," he managed to croak through the haze of pain. "We... need... to... move. Now." His voice trembled, his body struggling to hold on. But he knew they had no time to lose, not with that creature outside.

With grim determination, Kazu began to unbuckle his seatbelt, wincing as the simple act of removing the safety restraint caused the glass shard lodged in his chest to shift, the pain flaring intensely. He clenched his jaw, forcing back a cry of pain. Once released from his seat, Kazu turned to Sachiko, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Can you move?" he asked, his eyes searching her face for any sign of serious injury.

Sachiko's gaze met his. Her hands trembled as she unbuckled her own seatbelt, the sound of the buckle clicking echoing in the tense silence. As she moved to extricate herself from the vehicle, her body tensed up, a soft whimper escaping her lips.

She was hurt, no doubt. But there wasn't time to assess the injuries.

Kazu gripped her hand firmly, his fingers intertwining with hers.

He hastily checked if the truck's engine was operational. Thankfully, it still worked. But just as his relief began to take hold, a chilling sound pierced through the air from the roof of the vehicle. Something had landed on top, and it was now clawing and tearing through the metal

Kazu's eyes darted to the heavy-duty rifle nearby, set on automatic mode and fully loaded.

He took the heavy-duty rifle, checking its settings and ammunition count. With grim resolve, he turned to Sachiko and placed her head gently on the steering wheel. "Drive," he commanded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Do not look back, no matter what."

As Sachiko nodded, fear evident in her wide eyes, Kazu leaned in and kissed her on her cheeks.

The tender moment, though brief, was a promise of their survival, at least on Kazu's part. But in his heart, Kazu wasn't sure if this was a promise he could keep.

"I'll buy you time," he said, his mouth close to her ear.

"I won't let that thing hurt you again. You have to get out of here. Understand?"

Sachiko nodded. She reached up and touched his cheek with a trembling hand, her eyes filled with tears.

"Stay safe," she managed to say, her voice unsteady.

Kazu gave her another kiss before turning away. With a swift kick, Kazu burst from the truck, the cold air hitting him as he emerged into the open.

He stepped out, his gun aimed at the creature looming atop the vehicle. With a resolute sigh, he set the weapon to single-fire mode, his finger hovering over the trigger. Kazu aimed the rifle at the monster and fired. The bullet narrowly missed, but it succeeded in capturing the creature's attention.

There was no turning back now. His team had paid the ultimate price, and he was willing to follow them to their fate if it meant Sachiko's survival.

With a monstrous leap, the creature descended from the truck, its imposing form now directly facing Kazu. Kazu braced himself as the creature descended from the truck, standing ominously before him. He watched as Sachiko shifted to the driver's seat, her hands trembling while holding the steering wheel. The truck roared to life and drove off.

As the truck sped away, Kazu watched it disappear into the distance.

He was all alone now.

Kazu's body trembled. He wanted to believe she'd make it, that she'd find safety. But he knew this might be the last time he'd ever see her.

Undeterred, Kazu fired rapidly, his gun roaring to life as he targeted the creature's exposed stomach. Six bullets struck the same spot, yet to his horror, there was no reaction from the creature. It remained motionless, as though unaffected.

"What in God's name—"

The creature pounced, launching itself at Kazu at an incredible speed. Kazu dodged to the side, barely escaping the brunt of the attack. He hit the ground hard, his weapon slipping from his grasp. Despite the situation, Kazu managed a bitter smile.

"Not even a flinch... What the hell is this creature?" he muttered.

He picked himself off the ground, his fingers brushing against the weapon that had slipped from his grasp. His eyes darted back up to the creature, now a few feet away.

Desperation set in as Kazu targeted the creature's head, firing three bullets in quick succession. The outcome was the same, devoid of any impact. He aimed at its sprawling limbs, four bullet per arm, four bullet per leg, but still, the creature showed no sign of injury.

He had only four bullets left.

The creature lunged at Kazu, its long arms stretched towards him. Instinctively, he evaded the attack, dodging its deadly claws.

The creature's legs were now exposed, and he seized the opportunity, shooting two bullet into its right leg and one into its left, hoping to cripple its movement. But to his horror, the bullets merely bounced off, as if the creature was shielded by a force field. No amount of conventional weaponry seemed to be effective.

Only one bullet remained.

The creature attacked once more, Kazu in frustration, punched the creature's right on its face with his metal arm. The blow was powerful, and the creature stumbled back, seemingly stunned. Kazu's heart fluttered with hope before being dashed, as the creature, far from deterred, gathered itself, its eyes fixated on Kazu. It was now even more enraged, its body trembling with fury.

He lunged at Kazu once more, this time Kazu attempted to parry it with his prosthetic arm. However, the creature's razor-sharp claws sliced through the metal, shattering any hope of defense.

Kazu used that chance to fire his final bullet towards its neck but it had no effect against the creature's impenetrable hide.

With his ammo exhausted, he found himself with only one option left: the grenade he had concealed as a failsafe. Gritting his teeth, he reached into his pocket, his fingers finding the grenade, its smooth surface cold against his touch.

Kazu retrieved it, his fingers quivering as he held it tightly. As the creature lunged towards him again, he pulled the pin. Kazu flung the grenade at the creature, his arm trembling with the force of the throw. He watched as the explosive soared through the air.

"Burn in hell, fucker."

A sudden burst of light and sound engulfed Kazu as the grenade detonated. The shockwave sent him flying backward, his body flung against the cold, snowy ground. A small explosion rocked the area, producing a loud deafening sound and a blinding flash of light rattling Kazu's senses and obscuring his vision temporarily.

Smoke swirled around him, obscuring his vision even more. He attempted to scramble to his feet, but he found himself disoriented and stumbling, his body protesting against the violence it had just undergone. Kazu's ears were ringing, and everything around him seemed hazy. Meanwhile, the creature, caught in the blast, stumbled back, momentarily disoriented by the force of the explosion. His vision cleared to reveal that the creature remained standing, seemingly unscathed despite the violent explosion. A small wound marred its left arm, oozing just a few drops of blood.

Disappointment washed over him, yet there was a glimmer of satisfaction in the fact that he had inflicted some amount of damage, even if it seemed insignificant.

The adrenaline that had fuelled him moments ago slowly ebbed away. Though he had failed to vanquish the creature, he knew it was now only a matter of time before he would succumb to his own injuries. His arm now lay useless, and his body weakened from his wounds.

"I guess this is it," he thought.

"It was a good life."

The creature approached Kazu, towering over him with an ominous presence. Its gaze locked onto his face, seemingly scrutinizing his every feature. He could feel its rancid breath upon his face as it inspected him, as if to confirm that he was no longer a threat to it.

He braced himself, knowing that his end would be far from merciful.