Chapter 4The Thing That Mimics Us

I froze, cold sweat soaking my back.

The stench from outside grew stronger.

It smelled like rotting meat, making my stomach churn.

Jess woke up too, gripping my arm tightly.

We looked at each other, mirroring the terror in our eyes.

"Who is it?" I asked, my voice trembling.

The knocking stopped. The silence felt suffocating.

A few seconds later, a guttural sound came from the other side.

Like a throat clogged with phlegm, or a beast trying to growl.

Jess clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle a scream.

I got up slowly, trying not to make a sound.

I grabbed my phone and turned on the flashlight.

As the beam cut through the darkness, I saw a pool of black slime seeping under the door, slowly spreading into the room.

"What do we do?" Jess whimpered.

I signaled her to be quiet and tiptoed to the window.

We were on the second floor. Below was a narrow alley, about a ten-foot drop.

I looked around for a weapon. Nothing.

The knocking started again.

This time, it was urgent, accompanied by heavy thuds.

The door frame shook.

We couldn't wait any longer.

I gestured to Jess to get ready to jump.

As I reached for the window latch, a loud crack echoed from the door.

Wood splintered.

The door burst open.

A massive dark figure filled the doorway.

Over nine feet tall.

Covered in matted, blood-stained black fur.

A twisted human face, veins bulging, mouth split to the ears, revealing rows of sharp teeth.

Its eyes glowed green, fixed on us.

It was the same creature from the hill.

Jess screamed and ran towards the bathroom.

The mimic bear roared and swiped at me with a massive paw.

I dodged instinctively.

The claws grazed my shoulder, leaving five deep gashes in the wall.

I stumbled into the bathroom, slamming the door. We pushed the heavy sink cabinet against it.

"It's going to break in!" Jess sobbed.

I pulled out my phone. No signal.

The bear roared and clawed at the door.

Every thud felt like a hammer to my chest.

I saw a small window in the bathroom. Big enough to squeeze through.

"The window!" I yelled.

We pushed it open. Below was the motel's backyard, filled with junk.

I climbed out first, hanging onto the ledge, signaling Jess to follow.

As she leaned out, the bathroom door shattered.

I grabbed her hand, but the bear caught her ankle.

"Lily! Help me!"

Jess screamed, her nails digging into my skin.