The cave remained a labyrinth of darkness, with the constant plop of water dripping into unseen puddles and the creaking of rocks echoing as if the place were alive.
Nora's boots slipped against the uneven ground as she ran, Rian still in her arms, his weight making every step a battle.
The hissing ssss of the giant snake behind them grew closer, accompanied by a heavy THUMP! that shook the ground.
Nora's heart was in her throat, pounding so fast she could barely think.
She was exhausted, terrified, and, above all, frustrated.
She didn't want to be here.
This wasn't fun.
This wasn't entertaining.
This was pure, brutal survival!
The snake's ssss intensified, and a sharp HISS! sliced through the air, so close that Nora felt a chill race down her spine.
'Shit!' she thought when, suddenly, something warm and viscous grazed her back, and a searing pain erupted on her skin, like someone had poured acid on her.
"AHH!" Nora screamed, stumbling from the shock and pain.
