My head whips around, and I turn to face the worst abomination Earth has ever created: a Gone. Its massive, scarred hide is forever hunched over, but even hunkered down, it's twice the size of me. It's eyes are completely black, and have the cold intensity of a killer. Several patches of fur are scattered across its body, but most has been ripped by battling for territory. Its almost canine snout curls back, and it growls, a deep, thundering growl. Anything that was once human about it disappeared with its soul.
Emmett screams, and his eyes roll back in terror. The monster howls right back, an inhuman shriek like nails grating on a chalkboard. It creeps forward, taking its time, knowing its next meal is trapped. For a moment that might have cost me my life, I froze. All I could think was how I would become one of those, and it may be me doing this to Emmett. And then, Emmett shrieks again, knocking me abruptly out of my frozen stupor.
Adrenaline pulses through my veins, and I spring into action. I scrabble for my bow, and swiftly release several volleys. They all reach their target, and even though the Gone's pelt is bristling with arrows, it continues stalking Emmett. I scream in frustration. And then, a plan blossomed in that split-second.