The gas station looked like it was pulled out of some road movie of the 70s - cracked asphalt, faded sign, rusty gas stations and a small shop with dusty shop windows. The perfect place to start a horror movie.
When the bus stopped, the teenagers jumped out with joyful screams, rejoicing at the opportunity to stretch their legs. Alexander came out last, squinting from the bright setting sun. The day was on the evening, and this caused him growing anxiety.
"Night is Creeper's time," he thought, looking around the desert landscape. The space around the gas station was open from all sides - no shelters, no opportunities to hide. "Ideal hunting ground".
- Fifteen minutes! - coach Barnes announced, addressing the team. - Go to the toilet, buy a snack, and we're going back to the bus!
Minxi approached Alexander, who was standing a little away from the noisy group.
- Do you want to buy something? - she asked. - I have extra money.
Alexander noticed how she nervously rubbed a strand of blond hair. A classic teenage flirt, which in another situation could seem cute.
"Thank you, but I'm not hungry," he replied, trying to sound polite but detached.
- Then I can just keep you company, - she didn't say. - You seem interesting.
Alexander sighed. In any other context, he would just coldly sew the girl away, but now the situation was special. This girl will most likely not live to see the dawn if he does not intervene.
- Okay, - he agreed. - Let's go for a walk.
They slowly walked around the gas station building. Minxi chatted about the team, school, her plans for the future - an ordinary teenage life, which was soon to be tragically interrupted.
- And you? - she asked suddenly. - What are your plans? Except for hunting monsters, she smiled playfully.
Alexander thought for a second. What are his plans? Survive in this movie. Defeat Creeper. Complete the Devil's task. And then what?
- I live today, - he finally replied. - Long-term planning does not always work.
- It's deep, - Minxi nodded with a serious look. - I like your approach. Everyone around is just talking about college, career, future... What if all this doesn't matter?
"Smarter than it seems," Alexander said to himself.
- Listen, Minxi, - he suddenly stopped, looking into her eyes. - I want to ask you something.
- Yes? - she blushed slightly, obviously expecting something romantic.
- Have you ever heard of a creature called Creeper?
Her face reflected disappointment, then bewilderment:
- No, but what is it?
- A local legend, - Alexander carefully watched her reaction. - About a creature that wakes up every 23 years for 23 days to hunt. They say she can hear her victim from afar if she needs something from this person.
- It sounds creepy, - Minxi shuddered, although it was still hot outside. - And what does she do with her victims?
- She uses their body parts to replace her own," Alexander replied, watching her eyes expand. - Wings, eyes, organs - everything she needs.
- My God, - the girl laughed nervously. - You're really scaring me now. It's all fiction, isn't it?
Alexander looked away, looking at the setting sun:
- I hope so.
At that moment, they were interrupted by a loud whistle of the coach:
- Everyone on the bus! We're leaving!
- Let's go, - Minxi pulled Alexander by the sleeve. - I don't want them to leave without us.
Returning to the bus, Alexander reflected feverishly. He had to do something. Warn them? But who would believe in delusional stories about a flying monster? Convince them to stay here, at the gas station? But this will only delay the inevitable.
"Who is the main character of this movie?" he thought, climbing on the bus. "Who do I need to save first?"
He remembered the plot. Several people survived in the movie, but which of them was really important? Dane? Minxi? Or maybe Jake is the brother of the guy killed at the beginning of the movie?
"I'll have to protect everyone I can," he decided. - "Starting with those who are near."
The bus moved, continuing along the deserted highway. The sun has almost disappeared behind the horizon, painting the sky in sinister red-orange tones. Alexander was sitting, staring out the window, ready for what was supposed to happen.
Minxi, noticing his anxiety, put her hand on his shoulder:
- Hey, is everything okay?
- Yes, - he lied. - It's just... I don't like roads at night.
- Are you afraid of the dark? - she smiled, obviously finding it cute.
- It's not dark, - Alexander replied quietly. - What's hidden in it.
Minxi wanted to say something, but at that moment there was a loud bang, and the bus jerked sharply, moving aside. Frightened screams were heard, the driver desperately tried to keep control of the car.
- What's going on?! - someone shouted.
- Tire! - shouted the driver, struggling with the steering wheel. - The tire burst!
The bus finally stopped, tilting to one side. There was an alarming silence, which was interrupted by the voice of coach Barnes:
- Everything is calm! Sit in your seats!
He approached the driver, talking to him about something quietly. Alexander knew what they were talking about. There is no spare wheel. Help won't come soon. They're stuck.
"It's started," he thought, feeling a chill running down his back.
- Ladies and gentlemen, we have a small problem, - the coach announced, addressing the team. - We have a flat tire, and there is no spare. Mr. Zimmerman is trying to contact the tow tow, but the signal is bad here.
- And what should we do? - Dane asked. - Sit here all night?
- If necessary, yes, - Barnes answered firmly. - We can't walk in the dark, it's too dangerous. We'll figure it out in the morning.
Disgruntled muttering was heard, but the majority accepted the situation calmly. They were tired after the competition, and the prospect of sleeping on the bus didn't seem so terrible.
Alexander knew that he had to act. He turned to Minxi:
- Listen to me carefully, - he said quietly, but seriously. - We are in danger.
- What are you talking about? - she frowned.
- Do you remember the legend I was talking about? About Creeper? It's not a legend. He's real, and he hunts on this highway.
Minxi stared at him in disbelief:
- You're kidding, aren't you? It's not funny, Alexander.
- I wish it was a joke, - he shook his head. - But no. We have to get ready. Gather everyone together, barricade the windows, come up with weapons...
- Are you crazy? - Minxi moved away from him. - Seriously, it's not funny anymore.
Alexander realized that he was acting wrong. Of course, she won't believe him. No one will believe it. He needs proof.
- Okay, forget it, - he raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture. - Just... be careful, okay? Don't go far from the bus.
Minxi still looked at him suspiciously, but nodded:
- Okay. But you scare me, you know?
Alexander didn't answer. He turned away from the window, watching the last rays of the sun disappear behind the horizon, plunging the world into darkness. The darkness in which the hunt will begin.
***
Two hours have passed. The night completely descended on the highway, shrouding the bus in impenetrable darkness. Most teenagers took a nap, having settled down as best they could in uncomfortable seats. Coach Barnes and the driver were talking quietly in front of the bus, periodically trying to catch the signal on the phone.
Alexander didn't sleep. He was sitting, looking intently into the darkness outside the window, trying to catch the slightest signs of movement. Minxi was napping next to him, putting her head on Diryu's shoulder, who was also asleep.
"Where are you, creature?" Alexander thought, feeling the tension growing. - "I know you'll come. I'm ready."
He tested his ability by quietly creating a small electric spark between his fingers. Yes, the electricity is still with him. But will it be enough against an enemy like Creeper?
Alexander tried to concentrate to activate the new ability promised by the Devil. What could it be? Telekinesis? Pyrokinesis? Something that could help in the fight against a flying monster.
He closed his eyes, trying to feel something new inside him. Some kind of force that was waiting to wake up. Nothing.
"Come on," he mentally stured himself on. - "Show up. Whatever you are."
Suddenly, a strange sound was heard outside - something between the crowing of a crow and a human whistle. Alexander instantly opened his eyes and stared at the window.
And at that moment something changed. The darkness behind the glass no longer seemed so impenetrable. He could distinguish the silhouettes of trees, the horizon line, even individual stones on the side of the road.
"Night vision," he realized with sudden delight. "Here it is, my new skill."
Now he saw the world in shades of gray and blue, but clearly and clearly, like during the day. And thanks to this, he was the first to notice a dark figure flying across the sky to the bus.
Creeper.
The creature resembled a man with huge leathery wings, but his head was deformed, with horn-like protrusions. It flew rapidly and purposefully, like a missile aimed at a bus.
- EVERYONE BEND DOWN! - Alexander shouted, jumping up from his place.
His scream woke up the sleepers, causing panic and confusion. But before anyone had time to react, there was a deafening blow to the roof of the bus. The metal bent, I could hear the grinding of claws.
- What the hell?! - exclaimed coach Barnes, jumping up.
- SOMETHING ON THE ROOF! - shouted one of the guys.
Everyone looked up in horror. There was obviously someone on the roof - heavy, big and clearly not a person. The sound of claws scratching the metal made the blood run cold in the veins.
- Everyone stay in place! - Barnes ordered, trying to stay calm. - It's probably some kind of animal. Puma or...
His words were interrupted by a deafening roar, which made the windows of the bus tremble. It was not the sound of an animal - there was something ancient, non-human in it, from which primitive horror rose from the depths of the subconscious.
- What the hell is this?! - Dougi shouted, squeezing into the seat.
Alexander acted quickly. He grabbed Minxi's hand and pulled her into the central aisle:
- Stay closer to the center of the bus! - he ordered. - Everyone move away from the windows!
To his surprise, most of them obeyed, instinctively feeling command notes in his voice. Teenagers huddled in the aisle, looking in fear at the ceiling, where an unknown guest continued to move.
Suddenly, the movement stopped. There was an ominous silence.
- Maybe it's gone? - someone whispered with hope.
Alexander knew he didn't. He saw the outlines of the creature on the roof thanks to his night vision. Creeper froze, as if sniffing, choosing his first victim.
And then it happened. With inhuman force and speed, the creature hit the roof, punching the metal. A hand slipped into the resulting hole - not human, but covered with scales, with long claws. She grabbed the nearest person - one of the coaches - and pulled him up with incredible force.
There was a cry of horror, and the upper part of the coach's body disappeared in the hole. His legs twitched helplessly in the air, while the others recoiled in panic.
- MY GOD! - shouted one of the girls.
- HELP HIM! - Dane shouted, but it was too late.
With a disgusting crunch, the coach's body was completely pulled through the hole, and a sound similar to squeaking sound sounded above the bus.
Panic began. Teenagers screamed, cried, some tried to get out of the bus, others got stuck under the seats.
- QUIET! - Alexander barked with such force that everyone froze for a second. - LISTEN TO ME! This creature is hunting us. It chooses the victims one by one. We must stick together!
- What the fuck is going on?! - Dougi shouted. - What kind of creature is this?!
- It's Creeper," Alexander replied, meeting Minxi, who now looked at him with horror and understanding. - An ancient creature that wakes up every 23 years to eat. And now is the time.
- Did you know? - she whispered. - Did you know all the time?
Alexander nodded:
- I tried to warn you.
At that moment, the roof of the bus trembled again - Creeper was preparing for a new attack.
- Everyone lie down on the floor! - Alexander ordered. - Dane, Diryu - help barricade the front door! Driver, is there anything that can be used as a weapon?
People began to act, driven by fear and desire to survive. Alexander looked back, trying to find something that could help in the fight against Creeper. His eyes fell on the emergency hatch in the ceiling of the bus.
"The creature will break the roof anyway," he thought. "I'd rather meet her on my own terms."
- Minxi, - he turned to the girl who was shaking, but holding on. - I'm going to go out to the roof. When I tell you, open the hatch.
- Are you crazy?! - she blurted out. - This thing will kill you!
- Maybe, - Alexander nodded. - But I'm the only one who has a chance against her.
He didn't explain what he meant by his ability. Instead, he concentrated, collecting electrical energy in his hands. Blue sparks danced between his fingers, causing amazed shouts from others.
- What the... - Diryu started.
- I'll explain later, - Alexander interoved him. - Now is not the time.
He stood under the hatch, preparing for what was supposed to happen.
- Minxi, on my command.
The girl, still shocked by what she saw, nodded uncertainly.
- Three, two, one... NOW!
She pulled the lever, and the hatch opened. Alexander jumped up, grabbing the edges of the hole, and with one powerful movement stretched himself to the roof of the bus.
The cool night air hit his face, but he didn't have time to enjoy it. A few meters away from him, on the edge of the roof, was sitting Creeper.
The creature was even more terrible than he remembered from the movie. Almost two meters tall, with gray-green skin covered with scales and growths. His face was humanoid, but distorted, with sharp teeth protruding from a wide mouth. Huge leathery wings were folded behind the back, but even in this position they impressed with their scope.
Creeper turned his head to Alexander, and their eyes met. A cold, inhuman intelligence was read in the monster's yellow eyes. He tilted his head to the side, as if studying an unexpected opponent.
- Hello, freak, - said Alexander, rising to his feet and taking a fighting stand. - I've wanted to meet you for a long time.
Creeper scaled, exposing rows of sharp teeth, and made a low, uterine sound - something between growling and laughter.
"He understands," Alexander understood. - "He's not just an animal. He's reasonable."
Without wasting time, Alexander threw his hand forward, directing a powerful electric discharge directly into the creature's chest. The blue lightning cut through the night air, hitting Creeper with such force that he flew back, almost falling off the roof.
But, to Alexander's horror, the monster rose almost immediately. His skin was smoking at the place of the impact, but the wound was already tightening before his eyes. Creeper turned even wider, and something new appeared in his eyes - interest.
- Fucking fucked up, - Alexander exhaled, realizing that his attack only angered the creature.
Creeper suddenly spread his wings and rushed forward with incredible speed. Alexander barely had time to create an electric shield, but the monster broke through it, knocking him off his feet. They rolled on the roof of the bus, and Alexander felt a sharp pain when Creeper's claws dug into his shoulder.
Having concentrated through the pain, Alexander created an electric discharge directly from the place of contact. Creeper howled and pulled away, but immediately attacked again, this time aiming at the throat.
Alexander rolled aside, moving away from the deadly claws, and released another category, more powerful. Lightning struck Creeper in the face, blinding him for a moment. The monster recoiled, covering his eyes, and Alexander took advantage of the moment to get back on his feet.
But Creeper was recovering at an alarming speed. His burnt skin regenerated right before his eyes, and the rage in his eyes only intensified.
"He's too strong," Alexander realized with growing despair. - "I can't beat him. At least not now."
Creeper, as if feeling his doubts, attacked with new force. He was moving so fast that Alexander barely had time to react. The claws tore his shirt, leaving deep cuts on his chest. The pain was blinding, but Alexander continued to fight, releasing category after category.
One of the categories hit Creeper's wing, burning a hole in it. The monster howled with pain and rage, retreating for a moment. But Alexander knew that this injury would heal soon.
"I need to protect people on the bus," he thought feverishly. "Even if I can't kill this creature, I have to gain time."
He began to create an electric field around him, hoping that it would at least slow down Creeper. Blue lightning danced around him, illuminating the night with a ghostly light.
Creeper stopped, watching this performance with obvious interest. Then, to Alexander's surprise, he smiled with a creepy, inhuman smile that exposed all his sharp teeth.
And he spoke.
- In-te-re-sno, - he hissed in a voice similar to the rustle of dry leaves. - You... not... ordinary.
Alexander froze in shock. He didn't remember Creeper talking in the movie.
- You too, - he replied, supporting the electric field. - But that won't prevent me from destroying you.
Creeper made a sound similar to laughter:
- Many... have you had.
Suddenly, the monster made a sharp movement with his hand, and something sharp whistled in the air. Alexander felt a burning pain in his side - a throwing knife, similar to a star, plunged deep into his flesh.
He staggered, feeling his strength leaving him. The electric field began to weaken. Creeper, seeing this, prepared for the final attack.
But at that moment, the night cut through a bright beam of light, and a deafening shot was heard. Creeper howled in pain when something hit his back. He turned around, spreading his wings, ready to attack a new enemy.
There was a pickup truck on the road, from which a man with a harpoon gun came out. Even from a distance, Alexander could see him thanks to night vision - an elderly man with a stern face and a determined look.
"Billy's father," Alexander understood. "Farmer Taggart."
Creeper let out a furious cry and soared into the air, preparing to attack a new threat. But Taggart was ready. He shot again, and the harpoon hit Creeper's wing, stitching through the leathery membrane.
The monster howled with pain and anger, but realized that the situation had changed. With the last furious look at Alexander, he waved his damaged wing and disappeared into the darkness of the night.
Alexander, barely standing on his feet from blood loss, slid down to the edge of the roof. Minxi's head appeared from the hatch:
- Alexander! Are you alive?!
- For now, yes, - he replied hoarsely, pressing his hand to the wound in his side. - Help me go down.
With the help of Minxi and Diryu, he went back down to the bus. There was an atmosphere of shock and horror inside. People looked at him with a mixture of fear, distrust and gratitude.
- What the hell was that? - asked coach Barnes, still not recovering from the loss of his colleague.
- I told you, - Alexander fell heavily on the seat, grinching in pain. - It's Creeper. And he will come back.
- How do you know? - Dane asked demandingly. - And what the fuck is this with the zippers from his hands?
Alexander was about to answer, but at that moment the bus door opened with a bang. Farmer Taggart was standing on the threshold, still clutching a harpoon gun in his hands.
- Are you all safe? - he asked in a hoarse voice.
- Not all, - Barnes replied, nodding at the hole in the roof. - It took Charlie.
Taggart nodded grimly:
- The creature will come back. She always comes back. We need to take cover.
- Who are you? - Dane asked.
- Jack Taggart, - replied the farmer. - And this creature killed my son.
He turned to Alexander, looking at his wounds appreciatively:
- And who are you? And how did you make these... lightning?
Alexander smiled faintly:
- It's a long story. But I'm here to help.
Taggart nodded as if this explanation was enough:
- You're hurt. We need to stop the blood.
Minxi has already taken out a first aid kit from under the seat:
- I have bandages and antiseptic.
- Thank you, - Alexander winced when she began to process the deep cuts on his chest.
- What should we do? - the driver asked, looking nervously out the window. - We're stuck here, and this creature...
- My farm is three miles away, - said Taggart. - It's safer there than here. I have a weapon.
- Three miles on foot? In the dark? With this creature flying around? - Barnes asked skeptically.
- I have a pickup truck, - Taggart replied. - He won't pick up everyone, but we can make a few walkers. Let's start with the wounded and children.
Alexander felt his strength slowly returning. The regeneration promised by the Devil has already begun to take effect - the bleeding stopped, the wounds were tightening. Not as fast as Creeper's, but still faster than an ordinary person.
- I'll stay here, - he said, straightening up. - I'll protect those who are waiting for the second walk.
"You can barely stand on your feet," Minxi objected.
- I'm stronger than I seem, - Alexander assured her. - Besides, I'm the only one who can somehow resist this creature.
Taggart looked at him carefully:
- Do you know what it is? This creature?
- I know more than I would like, - Alexander replied gloomily. - It's ancient. He wakes up every 23 years for 23 days to eat. Uses parts of the bodies of his victims to replace his own. And it's smart. Very smart.
- How do you know all this? - Dane asked suspiciously.
Alexander met his gaze:
- Because I hunt for people like it. This is my job.
It wasn't exactly a lie. In a sense, he was really a monster hunter - now that the Devil sent him on this strange journey through horror movies.
- And how to kill him? - Taggart asked with practicality a man who has already decided for himself that he will fight.
- I don't know if he can be killed forever, - Alexander answered honestly. - But he can be hurt. Seriously hurt. So much so that he won't be able to recover in the near future.
- My harpoon gun, - Taggart nodded. - It hurt him.
- Exactly, - Alexander agreed. - We need to do him such damage that even his regeneration can't cope.
The people on the bus looked at each other. Fear was still there, but something new appeared - determination. Plan. Hope.
- Okay, - said coach Barnes, taking on the role of leader. - Here's what we'll do. Mr. Taggart picks up the first group - the wounded, girls and the youngest. The rest are waiting here under protection... - he looked at Alexander, as if he did not dare to say his name.
- Alexander, - he suggested. - You can just be Alex.
- Under Alex's protection, - Barnes nodded. - As soon as the first group is safe, Mr. Taggart will return for the others.
- Sounds like a plan, - Taggart agreed. - But you have to hurry. The creature will come back soon.
They quickly organized the first group - four girls, including Minxi, two junior team members and a wounded driver who was hit during the first attack.
"I don't want to leave you," Minxi said when it was time to leave.
- I'll be fine, - Alexander assured her. - Go. I'll join you soon.
She hesitated, then suddenly went forward and quickly kissed him on the cheek:
- Be careful.
Alexander, caught by surprise by this gesture, just nodded. Taggart had already adjusted the first group to the pickup.
- I'll be back in twenty minutes, - he told Alexander. - Hold on.
"We'll wait," he replied, looking at the departing pickup truck.
The people left on the bus looked at him with expectation and hope. He had to protect them. But can he do it? Creeper was stronger, faster and had incredible regeneration. Their only advantage was that now they knew what they were dealing with.
"Devil, what did you drag me into?" Alexander thought, preparing for a new fight with ancient horror.