Chapter 17

Harlow

I pressed my eye against the narrow crack between the large stone and the cave wall, my heart pounding against my ribcage as I watched the scene unfold before me. The Camazotz's dark, leathery wings spread wide as it turned its attention to Griiq.

"Griiq, run!" I screamed, my voice echoing off the damp cave walls. "It's a trap!"

But the Camazotz's ear-splitting screech drowned my desperate plea out as it charged towards Griiq, its razor-sharp claws extended, ready to strike. I watched in horror as Griiq turned and fled, disappearing from my limited view, the Camazotz in hot pursuit.

I slammed my fists against the stone, ignoring the pain that shot through my hands. "Griiq!" I yelled, my voice raw with emotion. "Griiq, please!"

Tears streamed down my face as I pushed against the stone with all my strength, desperate to move it, to get out of this cave and help Griiq. But it wouldn't budge, no matter how hard I tried.

I sank to my knees, my chest heaving with sobs. The image of the Camazotz chasing after Griiq played over and over in my mind, taunting me with the possibility of losing him forever.

"Please, please, please," I whispered, my forehead pressed against the cool stone. "Please let him be okay."

The cave seemed to close in around me, the air thick and suffocating. I couldn't bear the thought of losing Griiq, not after everything we'd been through, not after I'd finally admitted to myself just how much he meant to me.

I dragged myself back to the crack, my eyes straining to catch any glimpse of Griiq or the Camazotz. But there was nothing, just the eerie stillness of the forest beyond the cave.

"Griiq," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart. "Please come back to me."

I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breathing, trying to hold on to the hope that Griiq would outsmart the Camazotz, that he would defeat it and come back to me.

But the fear that gripped my heart wouldn't let go, the fear that I might never see him again, that I might live out my days in this cave forever, alone and helpless.

I leaned my head against the stone, exhausted and desperate, my mind racing with possibilities, with prayers, with pleas to whatever higher power might be listening.

"Please," I whispered again, my voice cracking with emotion. "Please let him be okay. Please let him come back to me."

And then I waited, my heart in my throat, my eyes fixed on the narrow crack, hoping against hope that Griiq would appear, that he would be safe, that we would find a way out of this nightmare together.

I blinked in surprise as the heavy stone suddenly shifted, revealing the concerned faces of two deputies. They helped me out of the cave, and I stumbled into the open air, my legs shaky from being cramped for so long.

"Thank you," I gasped, my eyes darting around the forest, searching for any sign of Griiq or the Camazotz. "I have to find Griiq. He's in danger."

I ran in the direction I thought Griiq had gone, my heart pounding in my ears. But before I could get far, a powerful hand gripped my arm, stopping me in my tracks.

I spun around to see the sheriff, his face grim. "Miss Adams, wait," he said, his voice urgent. "We have a trap set up. We could use your help to capture the Camazotz."

I hesitated, torn between my desire to find Griiq and the realization that the sheriff's plan might be our best chance at stopping the creature. I nodded, my jaw set with determination.

The sheriff led me through the forest, his deputies close behind. We moved quickly, our footsteps muffled by the thick underbrush. As we walked, the sheriff explained the trap they had set up, a large net hidden beneath a layer of leaves and branches.

"We're hoping to lure the Camazotz into the trap," he said, his eyes scanning the surrounding trees. "But we need to be careful. That creature is fast and strong."

I nodded, my heart racing as we approached the set trap. I could see the camouflaged net now, barely visible beneath the forest floor.

I turned to the sheriff, my voice low. "What do you need me to do?"

He handed me a small whistle, his eyes serious. "When the Camazotz is in position, blow this. It will signal to my men to pull the net tight."

I took the whistle, my fingers trembling slightly. I knew the plan was risky, but it was our best chance at stopping the Camazotz and saving Griiq.

I moved closer to the trap, my eyes searching the forest for any sign of movement. The deputies fanned out around me, their weapons at the ready.

"Griiq!" I called, my voice echoing through the trees. "Griiq, where are you?"

I waited, my heart in my throat, hoping against hope that he would appear, that he would be safe.

But there was no response, only the eerie stillness of the surrounding forest.

I called again, louder this time, my voice tinged with desperation. "Griiq! It's Harlow! Please, if you can hear me, come back!"

I stood there with the whistle clutched tightly in my hand, my eyes fixed on the trap before me. Every muscle in my body was tense, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

"Griiq!" I yelled, my voice raw with emotion. "Griiq, please! We have a plan to catch the Camazotz! Just come back to me!"

I waited, my breath held, my heart pounding in my chest. The forest seemed to hold its breath with me, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.

And then, from somewhere in the distance, I heard it. A low, guttural growl that sent shivers down my spine. The Camazotz was close, and it was coming our way.

I raised the whistle to my lips, ready to give the signal, ready to end this nightmare once and for all. All I needed now was for Griiq to appear, to be safe, to be by my side as we faced this danger together.

I revved the engine of the ATV, my heart pounding as I tore through the forest, following the direction of the Camazotz's unearthly wails. Branches whipped against my face, leaving stinging cuts, but I barely noticed. All I could think about was finding Griiq, making sure he was safe.

"Griiq!" I screamed, my voice barely audible over the roar of the engine. "Griiq, where are you?"

I pushed the ATV to its limits with the tires churning up dirt and leaves as I sped through the undergrowth. My eyes scanned the forest ahead, searching for any sign of Griiq or the Camazotz.

And then I saw them. The Camazotz had Griiq cornered against a rocky outcropping, its massive wings spread wide, its teeth bared in a snarl. Griiq stood his ground, a large branch clutched in his hands, ready to fight.

I didn't hesitate. I slammed on the brakes as the ATV skidded to a stop and leaped out of the vehicle. "Hey!" I yelled, waving my arms frantically. "Over here, you ugly bastard!"

The Camazotz whirled around, its glowing red eyes fixing on me. It let out a deafening screech and charged, its claws outstretched.

I turned and ran, my legs pumping, my lungs burning. I could hear the creature behind me, gaining ground with every second. But I didn't look back. I couldn't. I had to lead it away from Griiq, back to the trap.

I dodged around trees and leaped over fallen logs, my heart hammering in my chest. The forest blurred around me, a green and brown kaleidoscope. I could feel the Camazotz's hot breath on the back of my neck, could hear its ragged panting as it closed in.

Just a little further, I thought desperately. Just a little further and we'll have it.

But then, just as I caught sight of the clearing where the sheriff and his deputies waited, a searing pain hit my shoulder. I stumbled, nearly falling, as the Camazotz's claws dug into my flesh.

I cried out in pain and fear as the creature yanked me backwards, its grip like iron. I struggled against it, kicking and thrashing, but it was no use. The Camazotz had me in its grasp, its teeth inches from my face.

"Harlow!" Griiq's voice rang out behind us, raw with terror. "No!"

I twisted in the Camazotz's grip, trying to glimpse Griiq. He was running towards us, his face contorted with fear and rage.

"Griiq, stay back!" I yelled, my voice cracking with pain. "It's too dangerous!"

But Griiq didn't listen. He charged forward, his eyes locked on the Camazotz, his jaw set with determination.

The creature snarled and tightened its grip on me, its claws digging deeper into my shoulder. I screamed in agony, black spots dancing before my eyes.

"Let her go!" Griiq roared as he closed in on us. "Let her go, you monster!"

The Camazotz hissed in response, its wings flaring out behind it. It took a step back, dragging me with it, as Griiq advanced.

My consciousness slipped away, the pain and fear overwhelming me. But I clung to it, desperate to stay awake, to find a way out of this nightmare.

"Griiq," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart. "Griiq, please..."

And then the world went black. The last thing I heard was Griiq's anguished cry echoing through the forest.