Chapter 349: Mira’s Plea for a Gun
Chapter 349: Mira’s Plea for a Gun
Mira’s head snapped up, her eyes wide with horror. "What the hell was that?!" she shrieked, her voice cracking. Hailey clutched at Nicole’s arm, her nails digging in as she spun around, her breath coming in panicked gasps. "Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God—"
Paul didn’t hesitate. He yanked his gun from its holster, his hands steady despite the fear etched into his face. "Everyone, back to back! NOW!" he barked, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Bill and Jack moved instantly, forming a tight circle around the women, their eyes locked on the trees. "Where the hell is it?!" Jack growled, his fists clenched, his body coiled like a spring ready to unleash.
And then the lion struck.
It burst from the undergrowth like a demon given form, its massive body a blur of tawny fur and rippling muscle. The horns on its head glinted in the dappled sunlight, black and twisted like something out of a nightmare. Its golden eyes were locked onto Paul, its prey, its next victim.
Paul barely had time to raise his gun.
The lion’s jaws opened wide, its teeth bared in a snarl that dripped with saliva. It lunged, its massive paws kicking up dirt as it crashed into Paul with the force of a freight train.
The gun flew from his hands, skittering across the ground as he let out a bloodcurdling scream. The lion’s teeth clamped down on his leg, its jaws crushing bone and tearing through flesh like it was nothing. Paul’s scream turned into a guttural, choked sob as the lion shook its head violently, ripping his leg apart with a sickening, wet crunch.
"PAUL!" Bill roared, his voice raw with shock and horror. He reached for his own weapon, but the lion was already moving.
With a final, brutal shake, it sent Paul’s broken body flying, his screams dissolving into agonized whimpers as he hit the ground. Blood sprayed across the dirt, dark and glistening, as the lion turned its gaze onto Bill and Jack.
The two men froze.
The lion didn’t give them a chance to react. It let out another earth-shaking roar, its massive frame coiling like a spring before it charged.
Bill and Jack barely had time to turn before the beast was on them, its claws swiping through the air. Bill managed to dive out of the way, rolling to the side as the lion’s claws tore through the space where he’d been standing.
Jack wasn’t as lucky. The lion’s shoulder slammed into him, sending him crashing into a tree. He hit the trunk with a sickening thud, his body slumping to the ground as the lion spun around, its eyes burning with fury.
"RUN!" Bill screamed at the women, his voice hoarse with terror. Mira, Hailey, and Nicole didn’t need to be told twice.
The lion turned its attention to them.
Its golden eyes locked onto its new targets, and with a snarl that sent a fresh wave of terror through their veins, it charged.
The women screamed, their voices high and desperate as they turned and bolted, their feet pounding against the dirt. The lion gave chase, its massive body moving with terrifying speed, its breath hot and ragged as it herded them like prey.
Straight toward us.
I watched, my lips curling into a cold smile as Mira, Hailey, and Nicole stumbled into view, their faces pale with terror, their eyes wide and unseeing. The lion’s roars echoed behind them, driving them forward, its massive form a relentless shadow at their heels.
Angela and Lisa stood frozen beside me, their faces a twisted mix of shock and something darker—something almost hungry—as Mira, Hailey, and Nicole stumbled toward us.
The women were barely standing, their chests heaving, their clothes clinging to them with sweat and dirt.
Hailey’s face was streaked with tears, her wide, terrified eyes darting back toward the trees, her breath coming in ragged, panicked gasps. Nicole gripped her hand tightly, her own face pale, her lips pressed into a thin, trembling line.
I forced my expression into one of concern, my brows furrowing as I stepped forward. "Mira... what happened?!" I demanded, letting my voice crack with false urgency. "I heard screams—what the hell is going on?!"
Hailey didn’t answer. She couldn’t. Her gaze was locked on the trees, her body shaking violently as she whispered brokenly, "Dad... he—" Her voice dissolved into a sob, her shoulders heaving as Nicole pulled her closer, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Mira’s face was a mask of desperation, her skin slick with sweat, her hair clinging to her forehead. She turned to me, her voice raw with panic. "Dexter... you have a gun, right? Please—" She reached out, her hand trembling. "Just give it to me. I need it."
I hesitated for a moment, my mind racing. The gun I carried wasn’t just a gun—it was my magical tool, capable of shifting forms. But I couldn’t let her know that. Not yet. Instead, I reached into my inventory and pulled out the new gun
I’d purchased from the Supermarket Store for 5,000 Pervert Points. It was sleek, functional, and—most importantly—expendable.I pressed it into Mira’s hands. "Here. Take it."
She didn’t even look at it. She just clutched it tightly, her fingers white-knuckled around the grip. "Thank you," she breathed, her voice barely audible. Then, before I could react, she turned away, her body tensing like she was about to run.
I grabbed her wrist, my grip firm. "What’s going on? Where are you going?!"
Mira yanked her arm free, her eyes flashing with a mix of fear and determination. "I said thank you, Dexter," she snapped, her voice shaking but firm. "Don’t worry—I’ll make sure Officer Megan compensates you for the bullets."
She didn’t wait for a response. Instead, she turned to Nicole and Hailey, her expression softening just slightly. "Nicole, take Hailey and go back. Now." Her voice brooked no argument. Then she looked at Hailey, her gaze filled with a promise so fierce it made my skin prickle. "Hailey... I will bring your father back. I swear it."
Hailey let out a choked sob, but Nicole nodded, pulling the girl closer. "Mom, don’t—!" Nicole started, but Mira was already moving, her body a blur as she sprinted back toward the trees—back toward the lion, back toward danger.
I watched her go, my lips twitching. This chick just keeps getting more interesting.
I asked Nicole with concern, "Nicole... what happened? Can you—can you tell us what’s out there?"
Nicole recounted the whole incident of being attacked by a lion.
I let my expression crumple into one of worry, my mind racing. "Your mother is a fool," I muttered, shaking my head as if in disbelief. "Does she really think she can fight that lion?!" I looked at Angela and Lisa, both of whom knew I was putting on a show. Their eyes flickered with amusement, but they played along, their faces mirroring my feigned concern.
I turned back to Nicole, my voice urgent. "You guys go back to the base. Now. I’ll find her."
Before they could protest, I was already running, my feet pounding against the dirt as I followed Mira’s path. I could sense the Mountain Lion—it had abandoned its chase of Jack and Bill, its instincts pulling it back toward me. But I didn’t need it here. Not yet.
I sent a silent command, my will pressing into its mind like a blade. "Go back. Protect Angela and the others. Escort them to the base—sneakily."
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