A baleful eye watched the path that lead into Shokushu’s forest. It was one of three spaced evenly around a horror ripped from the depths of a disturbed mind; a vivid drug induced hallucination that had somehow been pulled into reality. His name was Zharkun.

A dozen claw-tipped tentacles secured the bizarre creature in the branches of a great tree. He had watched this path for several days and knew it was frequented by some of the more active students, some even at night.

This night, a waxing gibbous moon, three-quarters full, shone brightly in the clear starry sky. It provided ample illumination to the broad path that wound through the sparse trees at the forest’s edge. But deeper in the woods, the shadows grew heavier and more menacing. That was his hunting ground.

Zharkun lurked near a fork in the path. The relatively safe, wide trail looped back toward campus, but another, less traveled one lead deeper into the trees. Few would be foolish enough to trod that path so late at night, but the monster didn’t plan on giving his quarry a choice. The pile of dead snags he had built across the return path should ensure that. Once his victim happened upon the impromptu barrier, he would drop in behind her, giving her one clear route of escape.

He had but to wait for an unfortunate adventurous soul to walk (or jog) into his trap. And since Zharkun had no need of sleep or food, waiting was something he could do for a very long time . . .

Kireina was making her way through the forest, basking the coolness of the night’s air. She was about to slip into slumber just an hour ago, but that was before she gazed out the window.

The moon was absolutely beautiful. She stayed there, leaning against the open window staring up at it, hypnotized by its form. Her eyes landed to the empty fields and the cool breeze played with her hair. An idea struck her, why not go out for a bit.

Yes its past curfew… if there was such a thing. But if there were people guarding the place she didn’t plan on getting caught.

She slipped into a comfortable pair of fit cotton joggin pants and a black sports bra before heading to the door. She grabbed a jacket as a second though, and was glad she did, the air outside was chilly.

But now the garment was tied around her waist, her exercise keeping her quite warm.

Suddenly she paused gathering her bearings. She went into the woods this late, and she’d heard stories of unworldly attackers. Shivering slightly she considered her options, follow the path through the woods or go through the longer path circling back.

Looking at her watch she made a decision. She had practice tomorrow so she decided to go ahead and continue… the dorm is only a short distance away. With a soft sigh she resumed her brisk pace, preparing to turn t the fork. She stopped surprised blinking at the barrier.

Zharkun’s toothy maw twisted into an evil grin as he watched the young woman jog along the path toward his trap. By the time she stopped to survey the barrier, she was already caught; she just didn’t know it yet.

Suddenly, the horrid creature dropped to the ground several yards behind his quarry. A rapid series of audible thumps sounded as several of his clawed tentacles impacted the ground. Zharkun stood still and silent on these ‘legs’ as he waited for Kireina to react. The barrier blocked her way forward; his many tentacles barred the way back. The only remaining clear route was the one that lead deeper into the forest . . .

Kireina whirled around in surprise, and she felt her body freeze for a moment.

The main reason why she didnt want to go to the woods was infront of her.

Her mind went blank before she reconsidered her option in a flash. The second path would lead to the school but its long and winding through the forest. Erither she took that, try to get over the barrier and probably get hurt or attack the beast.

Attacking was clearly out of the question. She couldnt even properly get what it was. And if she got injured she would have a less chance of escaping

So the turned and ran to the other path, ducking quickly in the cover of the trees.

A single eye swivelled to follow the student’s progress as she fled into the woods. One eye amidst a thicket of tentacles was the only indication that Zharkun noticed her departure at all. The beast remained still until his quarry reached the first turn that would take her out of sight. Then, suddenly, he launched himself after her.

There was no doubt Kireina was fast, but that was not why she stayed ahead of her pursuer. Zharkun could probably have caught her quickly if he wished. Instead, he kept a steady, controlled pace, flowing along on a cushion of writhing tendrils as he followed her into the deeper shadows of the forest.

Very quickly, the light of the moon dimmed considerably, screened out by the thickening foliage. It wouldn’t be long before the girl would be hampered by the gloom. Soon she would barely be able to see the branches that seemed to clutch at her and the roots that threatened to trip her. Yet, still he would be there behind her, just close enough that she would know he was there, chasing her.

The horrid creature knew the dark, twisting trail would eventually take its toll on Kireina’s stamina. It was a long road to take at a dead run and full of hazards, besides. Unaffected by the darkness and having no need to breathe or rest, Zharkun could afford to extend the chase. It’s conclusion was predetermined; the girl’s capture was inevitable. It was only a matter of time . . .

When he mind began working she cursed softly, realizing the trap laid for her. Not many students wandered this path, for reasons very well known. Especially in the dark.

She easilly maneuvered through the trees, confident that she was already ahead of the mosnter. Soon the place dimmed and even she had a little difficulty seeing.

She made a sharp turn to the direction of the school, she fell into a shallow pit. She groaned softly, not sure if it was the monster's doing... or maybe another creature.

With difficulty she pulled herself up. Thankfully she wasnt injured, save for a few cuts. But she was tiring. She survayed the place and decided to continue, not willing to face the fast approaching ravaging.

Zharkun surged around a corner into view just as his quarry was hauling herself out of the pit. He hadn’t dug the trap, but he had known it was there - just as he knew there were many other hazards ahead on the long and twisting path, some more natural than others.

Like a spider with far too many legs, the horror skittered after the student as she began to run again. He could have overtaken her easily at that point, but he wasn’t finished playing with her yet. He came just close enough for her to feel the wind and hear his tripartite claws clicking together right behind her. Then he began to fall back again, the girl out-running him so long as she continued to sprint, but if she slowed or stumbled again, he could be on her in a flash.

She shuddered at the sound of the monster gaining after her, and se put on a little more speed. Unfortunately the place was to dimly lit by now, the trees thickening around her.

With a cry she tripped, landing stomach first. She groaned as she picked herself up, her heart pounding. That sound must really have given out her location.

With a risky pause she tried to find out where she was, before deciding on the direction that might take her back to school grounds.

The forest was eerily quiet as the young woman picked herself up and took stock of her surroundings. The sounds of her own heartbeat and breathing were the only ones to reach her ears while she peered into the gloom. There was no sign of the horrible thing that had been chasing her - not the slightest noise nor hint of movement.

Just as his quarry had tripped, Zharkun had launched himself into the trees. He stealthily made his way along thick limbs of the older trees, circling around in front of her. He was halfway there when one of the lesser branches snapped, crashing to the ground a little ways off the path to one side.

Immediately, the beast leapt forward, coming to rest against a larger tree, still hidden in the gloom that his supernatural senses easily pierced, but no longer undetected.

OOC: Sorry, school didn’t let me get Online for a while. Ill be posting more now that its a little more relaxed.

Kireina bit back a stifled cry, trying to force the rising panic back down. She ran so far but she has absolutely no idea where she stood right now.

The crash behind her made her jump in surprise, she didn’t realize how close the monster was. She thought she left him behind already.

And the echoing sound just warned her on the danger she was facing.

“Alright Ki… breathe…” She growled softly, pressing her back against the tree. “You cant out run it”

“but maybe you can hide…” She finished softly as she looked around. Seeing a probable spot she made her way to it as quietly as possible, crouching between two close trees and behind a rock. Hoping, praying, that she could at least buy a little time.

((No problem ))

Zharkun followed his quarry with one unblinking reddish eye. She gave no sign of having spotted him as she moved to take cover in the trees. In fact . . .

The horror’s strange triangular maw twisted into an even stranger evil grin. The hiding spot the girl had chosen was almost directly beneath his hidden perch.

Moving with as much care and stealth as he could muster, Zharkun started down the trunk of the great tree. His clawed appendages made unavoidable, but soft sounds as they sunk into the bark for purchase. The descent was slow, taking a dozen seconds or more to bring him to the forest floor about ten feet behind where his quarry crouched.

There was nothing but silence and it was unnerving her quite a bit. She had the sudden urge to run, but she quieted her instincts, thinking that this is the best way.

Maybe I’ve actually lost him…. She thought almost relieved. Settling herself lower and more hidden she started to force herself to remember her path, thinking of how to get back to the school.

She decided to see if the monster passed by, and she tried to looks around. Unfortunately the trees were too dense in this part of the forest, and they blocked most of the moonlight out.

“Just a few more minutes…” She breathed softly, her breath warming her hands.

The horror the student thought she was hiding from crept toward her in the deep gloom of the forest. Every slow, quiet step brought Zharkun closer to his quarry like a spider with strangely fluid legs stalking a grounded fly.

As the monster closed to within striking distance, he deliberately stepped on a dry twig, causing an audible snap not more than five feet behind his intended victim. He hoped to get her to turn toward him so that he could pin her against the rock she had chosen to hide behind. He liked the idea of how ironic it would be if the thing she hoped would save her became the trap that prevented her escape.

In the gloom of the forest the snap was like a gun shot. She actually jumped at the noise, and turned to face her attacker. In mid turn she realized she was trapped and she actually wondered why she didn’t jump over the rock instead.

She raised her hands in a defensive position and crouched readying herself to block or dodge the attack. Part of her mind also worked on the best way to get around the monster if she manages to dodge. She felt the rock behind her, sealing her one way out, but that doesn’t mean she’s just going to lie down and be ravaged. She’ll fight till she cant anymore, and though the odds weren’t in her favor she had to try at the very least.

The monster’s bizarre grin twisted further yet when he saw the fight in his quarry’s eyes. Such struggles were part of the fun. And they made the inevitable that much sweeter. He would enjoy making this young woman squirm. He couldn’t wait to see the horror dawning in her eyes as she succumbed to the terrible pleasures he would force on her.

For a moment, Zharkun was motionless. The eerily quiet monster simply observed the desperate girl with one of his three red eyes. The forest was silent, a hushed audience awaiting the start of a show.

Suddenly, the horror launched his attack. He sent a swarm of clawed tentacles toward the student in a rapid set of complex feints. His strikes were meant to draw her into a particular position so that he could pin her arms solidly against the rock that blocked her retreat.