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the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

The creature screamed in pain and tore more viciously at Andrew. He caused as much damage as he could until the wound caught up with him and the creature gave a fading growl and collapsed lifeless atop his final victim.

Andrew's cries of pain turned to discusst and desperation as the massive weight atop him began to absorb into him. Water was refreshing this feels like trying to swallow pond slime. He would have gagged if he could even breathe. But he couldn't get a breath through the wounds and the weight atop him. He welcomed the blackness that seemed to gobble up his consciousness. He knew no more.

The Stars of Soot

Mrs. Dorrsett did not take time for a full explanation, but agreed Octavia was in no mood for further mingling. She permitted her daughter to take her headache off to bed and was surprised by the fervor with which Octavia thanked her and hugged her goodnight.

By the time Octavia approached the garage, her gown had been exchanged for flying clothes. Much like a bathing costume with it's skirt over more practical trousers.

Most importantly, a satchel hung from her shoulders. Inside were the blueprints and designs Octavia had spent the last several weeks aquiriing from the PAS to redistribute to other companies. It was the one thing not packed on the little airship in front of the garage. She would never have altered her own plans if it had meant losing control of these documents. But Mr. Fischer's suggestions seemed to be working out so far.

Octavia had made final preparations for the little airship earlier that evening when she was supposed to be doing her hair. She had manufactured sheaths for the lights around the garage to shadow the ship, making its disappearance less noticeable. But the lights would still be shining across the yard and visible from the house as usual. She didn't want anyone else sneaking around their home undetected.

Octavia crossed between the lights into shadow. Her fingers tingling with excitement that mimicked the sound of her feet dancing up the rungs to the platform. The scent of smoke welcomed her and promised a quick ascent into this adventure.

"I'm ready. I trust you've found everything in order?" Octavia asked, careful not to use Mr. Fischer's name lest it carry on some breeze to Huber's ear.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

"Angel, now!" Andrew managed to groan out from underneath the creature. The monster was on hands and knees to hold Andrew down. Andrew struggled but knew he had more chance of being ripped limb from limb than of escaping from the monster's grasp. He squirmed anyway, keeping the monster completely occupied and focused on himself. That meant the monster was oblivious to Angel. Andrew desperately hoped that was true.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

The creature had snarled at the cuts on its fingers when Angel fought him back. It only made him more determined to end this fight now.

When she stood the creature lunged for her arm trying to get the weapon away from her. He almost tripped over her when Angel fell. But he regained his balance and grabbed for Angels arm to rip the weapon away from her.

Andrew ran and threw himself against the monster's side knocking him sideways onto the ground. The creates hands opened as he fell. He rolled, trying to get on top of Andrew and squish him into the ground until the man stopped squirming forever.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

The creature saw his chance. The moment the woman tripped his heavy feet pounded up the bank to where she had fallen. At last he would be able to get the weapon away from her, better yet he would be able to get rid of her. The creature loomed high over her and reached his waggling fingers for her bare throat.

--

Andrew threw every rock he had at once. The creature thundered toward Angel. Andrew tried to catch up with the monster but was several places behind him.

"Get up! Get up!" He shouted, his voice pleading. She had to get away. She may be ready to sacrifice herself to kill the monster, but Andrew sure wasn't willing to let her perish in the fight. Not her.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

Feel free to kill the monster whenever. He isn't exclusively my character, he's definitely shared, so you are welcome to describe where and how badly you hit him. If he dies instantly or slowly or whatever. Feel free to include all the gory details! (Jk please don't be gross, I don't expect you would be lol.) I mean he doesn't have to go in my post, he can go on one of yours too, feel free to write about it :)

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

Andrew was enormously relieved as Angel was able to get up and he scrambled away. He hadn't hurt her.

The problem was, he hadn't been able to hurt the creature either. It was of little comfort that they're was someone in the world Andrew could touch without draining, when that was the one person he had wanted to exhaust. His greatest weapon was no weapon at all. The creature had all the brute force on his side.

Angel at least had speed and agility.

But as Andrew got to his feet and watched her fresh attack, his heart sank. She was hurt, her leg. She would press on despite it, he knew that without a doubt. But how could they end this now? So she could get off that leg, so he could drink some water, so they could all get to healing?

Two. Perhaps that really was their greatest advantage. Two against one sent the creature fleeing.

Andrew needed to press that, but stay out of arms reach, and out of angel's way.

Andrew started throwing rocks. Not the little pebbles that bounced off the creature's hide. Stones, which made the creature close his lips over his teeth, squint his eyes, and duck his head.

--

The monster could not even scream at them anymore. His big open mouth had been too easy a target for those river rocks assaulting him. He struggled to breathe through his nose, swat away rocks, dodge weapon attacks, and ignore his wounds from where the weapon had made contact.

Overwhelmed he backed to the riverbank. He tried to make his way around the part of the tree washed up on the bank, to let the water carry him farther down stream. To carry him away from these attacks. Away from these people. Away from the pain.

But Andrew rushed behind angel and threw Rick's from the other side of the tree so the monster couldn't get there. A muffled roar escaped him.

Andrew watched Angel, they had him pinned. She would be able to take him from here, and hopefully Andrew wasn't in the way.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

Andrew could not breathe well enough to answer, but he was about to find out how idiotic an idea it had been to put himself in arm's length of the creature.

Roaring the creature turned around to face Angel again and threw Andrew's dangling body at the woman.

Andrew was turned round mid air and saw himself on a collision course with Angel. He didn't have time to think about anything except ducking his head and not reaching forward to brace himself. He jerked his hands behind himself and clenched his jaw for a rough landing. 'please just hit her dress!' he hoped against hope for no direct contact.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

The creature managed to pry off one of Andrew's arms. Then he held the other and tried to spin around unwinding Andrew from him. The creature's back was turned to Angel. The creature had one of Andrew's arms and and his other hand grabbed around his neck. Andrew tried to pry the thick fingers from his throat to resume breathing. His legs kicking madly happened to hit the creature but we're not painful enough to make him release Andrew on their own.

The Stars of Soot

Octavia raised her eyebrows but took a half step sideways to give herself more room to swing.

Two recent suitors had not listened well when Octavia informed them that she, and her inheritance, were not interested in their personal company nor their businesses. Hubert had needed to step in to help convince them to take their interest elsewhere. In those two cases, brother and sister had unanimously agreed. Just thinking of them helped to darken Octavia's countenance with a fierce scowl to pull off the ruse. Mr Fischer's suggestion might work better than he expected.

"I never intended to let you out of my sight, but-"

Octavia's hand flew from her side and slapped across the engineer's face. If Hubert happened to be watching, she could not hold back. The sound drew attention like moths to a flame.

"My father trusted you," Octavia finished. Her eyes ablaze she stepped toward Max. Her hand curled into a fist, ready to swing into his jaw even harder a second time.

If she merely backed away now, in surprise and disgust, she'd have to continue relying on Hubert's intervention. With any luck, this would be a sufficiently public demonstration to keep thick headed admirers and fortune hunters from pushing her too far. Surely Mr. Fischer was coordinated enough to dodge a punch. She hoped. They'd find out. She swung at him again.