Survive the Monsters and Breed 5 Chapter 2

“Hoooooooly shit,” Shanice breathed.

“It’s huge!” Sarah shouted.

“Stop yellin’ about it and get it off of me!” Devonna shrieked, and she bounced up and down and waved her arms around frantically as she tried to knock the creature off her back.

“What the hell is that?” Marina asked as she backed against the wall to avoid Devonna’s flailing body.

“It’s a centipede,” I answered, and I pushed through the pain and pulled myself to my feet.

“Da.” Natasha nodded.

“Somebody get it offfffff!” Devonna cried, and when she spun around I could see real tears streaming down her face.

“Okay, okay, hold still,” Shanice urged, and she grabbed a stick from our supplies.

“What do you mean ‘hold still?’” Devonna squealed as she continued to spin and swipe at the creature. “You try holdin’ still with a fuckin’ monster on your back!”

“Devonna, listen to her,” I commanded. “If that thing bites you, it’s going to hurt like hell. Now, hold still so she can get it off.”

“O-okay,” Devonna sniffled, and she stopped spinning and held her arms down as a look of pure strain and terror came over her face.

Hot tears streamed down her cheeks, and her body vibrated with the desire to keep moving, but she did a damn good job of keeping still while Shanice made her way around to her back.

Once Shanice was in position, she slowly moved the stick toward Devonna’s back.

“You’re doing great,” I whispered to the Southern woman.

“Jakeeeeey,” she whimpered, and my heart absolutely broke for her.

The poor woman was completely terrified and violated by this massive myriapod, and as much as I wanted to help her, there was nothing I could do right then but try to comfort her.

Suddenly, Shanice flicked the stick to the right and sent the centipede flying into the open area of the tunnel.

“Okay, it’s off,” she said quickly, but before anybody could even blink, the little creature spun around and headed right toward where Em sat at the edge of the semi-circle.

“Ahhh!” the Asian woman screamed and scurried backward as she kicked at the three-foot-long centipede.

“Shit,” I breathed, and I reached behind me with my good arm and grabbed my sword from where it was leaning against the wall. Then I leapt over the fire and brought my sword down on the centipede, effectively slicing it in half.

“Jesus,” Em breathed, and she looked up at me with huge, dark brown eyes full of terror.

For someone who was a black belt martial artist, I was surprised to see her behave in such a way. But bugs seemed to be a different story for a lot of people. There was something about insects that just sparked an innate fear in humans.

Em gasped as the head of the centipede snapped and scurried forward a couple of inches before falling to the side.

We all watched as it continued to twitch, but after a moment, it stopped, and I used the tip of my sword to knock both ends of it into the fire.

“Oh, God,” Devonna cried, and she shuddered and leapt into my arms.

“You’re okay,” I whispered as I wrapped my good arm around her and pulled her close.

Em’s eyes caught mine, and she nodded and mouthed a quick “thank you.”

I smiled softly and nodded back, and then I held Devonna’s shuddering form against me for another minute until she seemed to calm down.

“Normally, I’d say you were being dramatic,” Shanice said at length. “But that was… unsettling.”

“You’re damn right it was,” Devonna huffed and pulled away from me to look at the burning carcass of the huge centipede. “I feel so violated.”

She shuddered again, and I kissed the top of her head.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” I said.

“Da.” Natasha nodded. “Bite probably would have killed you.”

“What?” Devonna asked, and her dark blue eyes widened as she turned to me. “I thought you said the bite would just hurt like hell.”

“It would have,” I said, and my eyebrows furrowed as I turned to Natasha. “What makes you think it would have killed her?”

“Giant centipedes are usually about thirty centimeters long,” Natasha explained. “Or twelve inches, since majority of you here are American.”

“Pff, imperial system,” Marina scoffed with an eye roll.

“Hey, we didn’t exactly get a say in that, alright?” Sarah chuckled.

“Wait, so you’re tellin’ me that creature on my back was what, five times the size of a regular giant centipede?” Devonna asked.

“I’d say closer to three times,” I corrected.

“Da.” Natasha nodded. “But giant centipede bites have caused issues for many people, including at least one death. So, it stands to reason that one three times as large as normal would have killed you fairly quickly. And that is not taking into account the fact that it was probably mutated to have even stronger venom than what it usually has. You are lucky to be alive at this point. Especially with all the shouting and jumping you were doing. I’m surprised it didn’t bite you right away.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Devonna asked.

“What would that have helped?” Natasha asked. “You would have panicked even more and definitely would have gotten bit. I made executive decision to keep quiet. I may find you annoying, but I don’t want you to actually die.”

We all grew quiet as Natasha’s words sank in.

I knew centipede bites hurt since I could now recall being bitten a couple of times as a kid, but I always knew the bites to be more akin to a bee sting than anything. But I’d also never seen a centipede longer than an inch or so. I had no idea that giant centipedes existed, let alone that a bite from one could literally kill someone.

To think that Devonna could have lost her life for having the wrong reaction to that creature was unsettling, to say the least. If she were bitten, we would have absolutely no way of saving her. It would be like Zori from Shanice’s group all over again.

The woman had been stung by a scorpion and died within a day or so afterward. There was nothing Shanice could do to save her, and I knew it killed her to think about it even now.

“Was it something I said?” Natasha asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Isn’t it always?” Devonna scoffed and threw her hands up.

Then she sat down, pulled her knees to her chest, and scooted closer to the fire.

“How do you know so much about centipedes, anyway?” Sarah asked.

“I read a lot of scientific articles.” The Russian woman shrugged. “Anything venomous is usually studied at some point. Giant centipede is no different.”

“I could have died,” Devonna whispered, and the rest of us looked back and forth between one another as we tried to figure out what to say.

Finally, Marina leaned forward and placed a hand on Devonna’s shoulder.

“We could all die,” the Latin woman said seriously. “At any moment. Especially in here.”

“Is this supposed to make me feel better?” Devonna wiped a tear from her cheek.

“Jake nearly died just earlier,” Marina continued. “You are not special for nearly dying. None of us are. We are not special for dying at all. That is something that all living creatures do eventually. What makes us special is the time that we spend living, seizing the moment. And in the short time I’ve known you, I’ve found you to be the kind of woman who seizes the moment. Do not let fear guide you just because you escaped death. Think of it as another chance at life.”

“Wow,” Devonna sniffed. “Thanks, Marina. I needed that.”

“But also maybe don’t scream and freak out so much next time, eh?” the Latin woman teased.

“You try having a giant worm with legs on your back,” Devonna snorted.

“Maybe we should make some adjustments to the camp,” Shanice suggested. “I mean, where did that thing come from, anyway?”

“I don’t know.” Devonna shook her head. “All of a sudden, it was just on me.”

“You were sitting there,” Shanice said with a point at the tunnel, and she walked over and touched the wall. “The dirt here is really soft.”

Then Shanice walked around the little area we were in and felt the walls before she finally turned to the rest of us and pointed to the wall to the right.

“This one is the firmest as far as I can tell,” she said. “I think maybe we should scoot over this way.”

“Then the fire won’t be blocking us from the rest of the tunnel,” Em pointed out with a frown.

“Yeah, but we’ll be up against the firmest wall,” Shanice countered. “Which means it’s less likely that some creepy crawlies will come out and find their way into our camp.”

“Done,” Devonna huffed, and she stood up, walked over to the wall Shanice pointed to, and plopped down.

“That easy, huh?” Sarah chuckled.

“After what I just went through?” Devonna asked. “You bet your sweet tushy it’s easy. I’ll move wherever I need to to make sure one of those things don’t come for me again.”

“Oh, we can use some of the charcoal, too,” Em said.

“What do you mean?” Shanice asked.

“My dad used to do it whenever we had a picnic,” she explained. “You know, at the park where they have the little grills? He used to always use one, and he’d take some of the charcoal and crumble some up and sprinkle it around our blanket. He said it kept the ants away. I don’t know if it works for centipedes, but–”

“Done,” Devonna said firmly.

“She’s not even sure it works for centipedes,” Sarah laughed.

“It’s done,” Devonna said with a pointed look, and Sarah realized just how terrified she was.

“Alright.” Sarah nodded as her demeanor changed to be more understanding. “It’s done. Now, how are we going to move the fire?”

“There’s only a couple large burning logs right now,” Marina noted. “We should be able to carefully scoot them with a piece of wood. The smaller pieces we can probably kick over there.”

“Good idea,” I agreed, but the quick movement to turn toward Marina reminded me of just how sore my body was.

“Jake, you should sit this one out,” Sarah said with a frown. “You’re still injured, and you’ve gotta keep that shoulder still while the healing begins.”

“Da.” Natasha nodded. “You sit. We will move fire and supplies.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, and my brow furrowed with concern. “I can still help.”

“We know you could still help,” Sarah said. “The question is whether or not you should help. And the answer is no, you shouldn’t.”

“Da,” Natasha chuckled. “Firehead is correct. Now, go sit with scaredy-cat over there.”

“Hey!” Devonna protested at Natasha’s new nickname for her.

“Am only kidding,” the Russian woman said with a sly smile.

Devonna pouted as I made my way over to her and sat down. Then she leaned her head against my good shoulder and sighed deeply.

“Am I a horrible person?” she asked.

“What?” My eyebrows pulled together with concern. “Why would you say that?”

“You nearly died today,” she pointed out, and she looked up at me with serious dark blue eyes. “But I was more concerned with myself nearly dying. I should have been more worried about you.”

“Hey, hey,” I chuckled and draped my arm over her shoulders. “It’s alright. I think you’re just feeling bad because you were in real danger this time.”

“What do you mean?” Devonna asked. “I’m in real danger, like, all the time.”

“Not exactly,” I chuckled. “You’re a really helpful asset to the group, but usually you’re playing matador with the monsters.”

“Is that one of those people with the red capes and the cow?” she asked, and she cocked her head to the side innocently.

“Bull,” Marina huffed and muttered something in Spanish.

“Oops.” Devonna bit her lip.

“I know you’re in danger quite often,” I continued. “We all are. But I think you usually feel a certain sense of security since you’re not usually the one doing most of the fighting. Am I right?”

“Well, yeah,” she agreed. “But I never really thought of it like that.”

“I think you just felt really out of control just now,” I added. “We usually have a plan, but there was no plan for that.”

“Yeah,” she sighed. “You’re right. That just all happened so suddenly.”

“It’s alright,” I assured her. “You’re okay, and that’s all that matters. Besides, now we know that those things are probably more deadly than we originally thought.”

“Well, thank God we know that,” Devonna chuckled and rolled her eyes. Then she leaned her head against my shoulder again and sighed, “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” I smiled and kissed the top of her head.

My body still ached terribly, but Devonna needed me right then, so I wasn’t about to push her away just for my own comfort. As soon as the fire was moved, we’d all settle down for some sleep, anyway.

To my surprise, it didn’t take Marina and Natasha long at all to get the fire resituated. They used a couple of large sticks from the supply cart to carry the larger pieces of wood from the fire to the new area. Then they scooted the remaining pieces over and took the leftover charcoal and scattered it around our makeshift campsite.

Once it was all done, Marina threw a couple more pieces of wood on the fire, and we all watched as the flames grew bigger. We were crowded together with my polar bear coat splayed out on top of us, and after a couple of minutes, I was pretty warm and toasty.

“I’ll take first watch,” Sarah said at length. “You all should get some sleep.”

“No,” Em blurted, and Sarah’s red eyebrows furrowed. “I mean, I’ll take the first watch.”

“Are you alright?” Shanice asked her friend, and she eyed her curiously.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Em nodded and turned back to Sarah. “I got it, really.”

“Um, okay,” Sarah agreed. “If you insist. Just wake me for the second shift, alright?”

“I will,” Em assured her, and then she scooted toward the fire by our feet and looked out into the darkness of the tunnel beyond.

The rest of the women and I laid down, but as soon as I was on my back and surrounded by their sleeping forms, I found myself feeling way too hot.

I pushed the blanket off of me, but then I was too cold. My body ached like a son of a bitch, and I just couldn’t seem to get comfortable. Finally, I forced my eyes closed and just counted up from one. I got to two hundred and fifty-six, but then I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I remember was Em’s hand on my forehead.

“I’m sorry,” the beautiful Asian woman whispered from where she hovered above me. “I didn’t mean to wake you, I was just checking to see if you had a fever. You were twitching like crazy. I’m sorry. Go back to sleep.”

I sat up and looked around at the rest of the women. They were all sleeping so soundly, and I knew I wasn’t going to be able to get that kind of rest, not at the moment. It was best if I stayed up and didn’t wake them.

“It’s okay,” I told Em with a deep sigh. “Actually, can I come sit with you for a bit?”

“Oh.” She blinked. “Of course. Yes, come on over. Here, do you need help getting up?”

“That would be appreciated,” I chuckled softly and allowed her to grab my hand as I gritted my teeth through the pain and pushed myself up.

I could tell that my body was already starting to heal from the injuries because I didn’t have the severe shooting pain I’d had earlier. Now I just felt like I’d been hit by a Mack truck. My entire body was sore as all hell, and I felt stiff and weak from all the energy I’d exerted earlier. But the state of my collarbone was surprisingly improved. I gave a test shrug that only brought a small increase in pain to the area, and as I gently pressed along the bone, it felt surprisingly smooth all the way along.

Damn, this rapid healing rate seemed to only increase more and more the longer I was in this place.

Em and I sat between the rest of the women and the fire in the small clearing where their feet ended and the flames began. It was only about five feet wide, which wasn’t much, but it fit the two of us alright.

“Thanks,” I sighed once we sat down.

“Of course.” Em frowned as she examined my face. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” I nodded. “I’m just sore as hell. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep much, so I figured I’d let everyone else get some good rest. I wouldn’t want to wake them with all my twitching. You could join them if you want. I can keep watch by myself.”

“That’s okay.” Em shook her head. “I’m not going to be able to sleep, either.”

“Are you alright?” I asked, and I was suddenly concerned that she was injured and hadn’t spoken up about it. “You’re not hurt, are you?”

“I’m fine,” she assured me quickly. “I’m just…”

She mumbled something, but I couldn’t make out what she said because she turned away and put her head down.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you,” I said. “You’re what?”

“I’m afraid of the dark, okay?” she hissed quietly, and she looked around to see if she’d woken anybody up before lowering her head again.

“Wait, seriously?” I asked.

I looked at the beautiful Asian warrior woman sitting next to me. She was hands down the most badass fighter I’d ever known, and if I was being honest, in a battle between the two of us, I’d put my money on her. For such an incredible martial artist to say she was afraid of the dark was somewhat shocking.

“I’m not proud of it,” Em sighed. “But yeah. I hate the dark. I always have. It’s just so creepy.”

“But you slept in a cave before,” I pointed out. “You and Shanice and Zori made your desert camp in a cave.”

“Shanice’s idea,” Em explained. “I went along with it because it seemed safe. Plus there was always a fire, and if I got claustrophobic, I could step outside and look at the moon.”

“The fake moon,” I teased with a small smile.

“Yeah, but still,” she chuckled softly.

“You’re feeling claustrophobic in here?” I asked.

“A bit,” Em admitted, and she looked at me and shook her head. “I know, it’s ridiculous for me to be so scared of these little things when I’ve gone head to head with giant monsters. I felt so silly with that centipede earlier, and now here I am telling you I’m afraid of the dark like I’m five or something.”

“I’m pretty sure there’s a lot of adults who are afraid of the dark,” I said. “It’s not just something for kids. And it makes sense.”

“It does?” she asked, and she eyed me curiously.

“Well, yeah.” I nodded. “Biologically, our bodies are still practically cavemen. I mean, the industrial revolution and all that came on so quickly that it’s not like our DNA had time to evolve. Our ancestors were probably terrified of the dark because of the natural threat that came with it. It makes sense that a lot of people still hold that fear.”

“I guess I never considered that,” Em said with a small smile. “Thanks.”

“And as for you feeling silly about the centipede,” I added. “Don’t. That thing was crazy big, and it was coming right at you. I would have backed away, too.”

“No, you would have killed it just like you did,” she chuckled. “I just panicked. I fucking hate bugs.”

Em’s shoulders shimmied as her body shivered with disgust, and I tried to stifle a laugh at how adorable she was.

“I don’t hear you curse that often,” I noted. “You must really dislike bugs.”

“They’re the worst thing that’s ever been created,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Jesus,” I laughed. “And that’s including Hitler?”

“Yes.” She nodded seriously.

“Well, shit,” I chuckled. “I guess I better distract you from the creepy-crawlies and the dark, then, eh?”

“That sounds nice.” Em smiled and scooted closer to me. “What did you have in mind?”

“Hmmm.” I pursed my lips and tried to hide the fact that my heart rate doubled at her closeness. “How about we plan our date?”

“The date we’re going on after we get out of here?” she asked with a shy smile.

“That’s the one,” I agreed.

“Alright,” Em said. “So, where are you taking me on this date?”

“Oh, you’re leaving it all up to me?” I asked.

“Well, isn’t that how it usually is?” she pushed. “You know I’m not experienced in this. You gotta help me out here.”

“Yeah, but you’ve seen movies,” I chuckled. “I’ll plan the date if you want, but if there’s anything in particular you’re after, you should tell me now.”

“Dessert,” she blurted.

“Dessert?” I laughed.

“Something chocolatey and delicious,” Em added with a grin.

“Done,” I agreed. “Anything my lady wants.”

Em blushed and looked down, and my stomach turned into knots at her embarrassment of me calling her ‘my lady.’

“Alright, let’s see,” I said as I tried to control my nerves. “I think the typical dinner and movie is a little too bland for a woman like you.”

“Is that right?” Em giggled.

“Oh, definitely.” I smiled and narrowed my eyes on her. “I think you’d like an art gallery instead. A nice, local event where we could walk around and look at the pieces together. Maybe we’d even wander off in different directions for a bit only to arrive back at the same piece.”

“Oooh, you’re good,” the beautiful Asian woman chuckled, and she pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Go on.”

“After the art gallery, we’d go for a walk through the park,” I continued. “Then we’d stop at a little jazz bar and get a couple of drinks. But not like a loud jazz bar. A soft jazz with a speakeasy feel to it where we can sit and listen to some piano and saxophone. Smooth jazz.”

“What makes you think I like jazz?” Em asked, and she eyed me suspiciously.

“Do you?” I pushed as I thought I might have just fucked up the date.

“I do,” she laughed. “I just didn’t think I told you that.”

“I don’t think you did,” I said, and I couldn’t help but admire her beautiful, delicate features as she laughed. “But you just look like you would.”

Em blushed again, and then she cleared her throat and straightened her shoulders.

“I’m still waiting for the dessert,” she told me.

“Well, it just so happens I saved the best part for last,” I said.

“Is that right?” Em giggled.

“Oh, yes.” I nodded. “Because after we have a couple of drinks at the jazz bar and tip the pianist–”

“Of course,” Em cut in. “Always have to tip the pianist.”

“Right?” I chuckled, and she nodded playfully. “Well, after we leave the jazz bar, then I’m going to walk you home. But we’re going to take the long way, and it’s going to lead us past my favorite late night bakery where we’ll stop and get a piece of the most delicious hot fudge covered cheesecake you’ve ever imagined.”

“Did you just say hot fudge covered cheesecake?” Em asked, and her jaw literally dropped as she stared at me.

“You’ve never had that?” I asked.

“My mind has been blown,” she joked.

“You said chocolatey dessert,” I mused. “And it brought up memories of college and going to that late night bakery to study. I’d always get the hot fudge covered cheesecake, and it was soooo good.”

“It sounds delicious,” Em said, and she licked her lips. “I could probably eat an entire tray of it on my own.”

“Careful,” I warned. “It’s super rich.”

“Mmm, stoooop,” Em moaned and closed her eyes. “It sounds too good.”

“You really miss chocolate, don’t you?” I chuckled, and the sheer pleasurable torment on her face made my chest tighten with desire.

“Sooo much,” Em sighed.

“Well, as soon as I can get you that cheesecake, you’ll have it,” I promised.

“I’ll hold you to that,” she agreed, and she looked down and then back up at me through her thick, dark lashes. “I liked your date.”

“Good.” I gulped and licked my lips nervously. “I hope you’ll actually let me take you out on it when we get out of here.”

“There is one thing you missed, though,” she said, and she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth for a second before looking up at me.

“What’s that?” I breathed.

My palms were sweaty at that point, and all the pain I felt in my body had been reduced to a dull roar since my adrenaline was so high, and my heart was practically beating out of my chest.

“You didn’t kiss me goodnight,” she whispered as she leaned up so her lips were only an inch from mine.

“Oh,” I panted as the scent and feel of her warm breath hit my lips. “We can’t have that, can we?”

“No, we can’t,” Em breathed, and she leaned up and kissed me.

The second her lips touched mine, a spark jolted through my entire body. My already pounding heart pounded even harder, but I knew Em was new to this, so I controlled my instinctive desire to wrap my arms around her waist and pull her closer to me.

She was in charge here, I was just following her lead.

I could only hope she’d lead me to where I wanted so desperately to be.

She pressed her lips more firmly against mine and let out a little sigh that drove me absolutely wild. Then she placed one hand on my abs and ran it up to my uninjured shoulder while she tangled her other hand in my hair.

My cock stiffened in my pants, and the world around me became nonexistent as Emily took over all of my senses.

I kissed her back, and she parted her lips so I could slide my tongue between them and swirl it with hers.

I ran my hands up her side but was careful not to get too excited. I didn’t want to scare her off, so I just gently traced my fingers along her perfect hourglass waist and up the length of her back.

Em moaned into my mouth and kissed me more fervently, and my hands wandered down to her hips of their own accord. She didn’t seem to mind, though, so I gently gripped her hips and pulled her closer to me.

The beautiful Asian woman straddled my legs and gripped the back of my neck and my hair tightly as she swirled her tongue with mine. Her excitement was growing, and my heart rate seemed to be keeping pace with it.

I held onto her hips and gently rocked them back and forth as we kissed, and then after a moment, I hesitantly moved one hand over to cup her perfect ass.

Em broke our kiss and moaned loudly, but I quickly captured her mouth with mine so she wouldn’t wake the women sleeping so close by.

She kissed me even more passionately, and she pressed her hips firmly against mine and ground them against my erection that now took up the whole front of my pants.

“Oh, God, Jake,” Em panted as she kissed along my jaw over to my ear. “I want you.”