第1章厨房春潮-我的妺妺h

Suddenly, a creature leaped into the clearing, landing with a thunderous crash. The impact sent a shockwave through the ground, nearly knocking loose the trees that bordered the area.

The creature was a monstrous sight to behold—standing at least ten feet tall, its emaciated frame was covered in matted fur and rotting flesh. Its limbs were long and spindly, ending in sharp claws that dug into the earth with each step.

Its face was a grotesque mockery of a human\'s, with hollow eye sockets glowing with an unnatural light and a maw filled with jagged, bloodstained teeth. The creature opened its mouth wide and let out a bone-chilling roar, the sound reverberating through the forest like the death knell of a thousand souls.

The roar sent a spray of foul-smelling drool splattering across Sister Rose\'s face. Her expression remained neutral, but there was a flicker of annoyance in her eyes. With a sharp motion, she wiped the drool from her face and then, without hesitation, smacked the creature\'s nose with the back of her hand.

The impact produced a wet thud, and the creature recoiled, letting out another roar—this one tinged with confusion and pain.

Sister Rose removed her sunglasses, revealing her piercing green eyes as she stared the beast down. "Behave thyself, foul beast," she commanded, her voice icy. "Mother Nature\'s patience doth not extend to thee."

The creature hesitated, its glowing eyes flickering as it processed her words. Despite its size and fearsome appearance, it backed away, lowering its head in a display of submission. Sister Rose\'s presence, though diminutive compared to the towering monster, was one of undeniable authority.

With the creature seemingly subdued, Sister Rose opened the folder and reached inside. From within, she produced a small, torn piece of clothing stained with dried blood. She held the cloth up to the creature\'s nostrils, her expression calm. "Here," she said softly, "take in the scent of thy new prey."

The creature inhaled deeply, its nostrils flaring as it absorbed the scent. Its eyes glowed brighter, a menacing light filling them as the primal urge to hunt was awakened within it.

Sister Rose smiled. "I want him," she continued, "and anyone who is with him, torn to utter shreds. But let them suffer first, for that is the will of Mother."

The creature growled low in its throat, a sound that seemed to convey understanding. It reared back on its hind legs, its massive form looming over Sister Rose as it prepared to carry out her command.

Sister Rose reached up and patted the creature\'s nose, her touch oddly tender. "Good," she whispered, her voice a deadly caress. "Now, go."

With a final huff, the creature spun around and bolted into the forest. It moved with surprising agility for its size, navigating the dense underbrush and twisted roots with ease.

The trees seemed to part before it, as if the very forest bent to its will. The sound of its retreating footsteps faded into the distance, leaving the clearing eerily silent once more.

Sister Rose stood alone in the clearing for a moment longer, her eyes fixed on the spot where the creature had disappeared. She then tossed her sunglasses and turned, making her way back down the gloomy trail.

———

Several kilometers away, on a highway leading out of the city, Amanda and Don were still en route to the farm. The scenery around them had shifted from the dense urban sprawl to the more open expanses of the countryside.

The road was flanked by vast fields of crops, the tall stalks of corn swaying gently in the breeze, while sunflowers turned their bright faces toward the morning sun.

Inside the truck, the atmosphere was relaxed. Amanda had turned on the radio, and for a while, they had driven in comfortable silence, the sound of the engine and the hum of the tires on the asphalt filling the space between them.

The radio station was playing a news report about the Central Mall attack, urging listeners to be cautious as authorities believed there were still others at large who shared NightShade\'s radical beliefs.

Amanda\'s expression tightened as she listened to the report. She glanced at Don, concern evident in her eyes. Without a word, she reached over and switched the station to music, hoping to lighten the mood. She didn\'t want to bring up the attack, especially not after everything Don had been through.

As a soft rock tune filled the cab, Amanda tried to strike up a conversation to keep things from getting awkward. "So, what inspired this diet you\'re on?" she asked, her tone light and curious.

Don could see through her attempt to steer the conversation, but he didn\'t let on. Instead, he played along, answering her question with a shrug. "Just figured it\'s best for my body. Helps me stay in shape."

Amanda chuckled, her eyes briefly flicking from the road to Don. "I wish I had your discipline. But I love junk food too much to give it up. Can\'t go a day without some juicy meat, you know?"

Don smiled faintly, though his mind was already working on how to deepen his connection with Amanda. He considered asking her to join him on his diet, but quickly dismissed the idea. Pushing too hard might backfire. Better to bide his time and wait for a more natural opportunity.

For now, he kept the conversation light, answering Amanda\'s questions and throwing in a few of his own. He made sure to pay attention to any tidbits she revealed about herself or the old Don, each one a potential piece of the puzzle he was slowly piecing together.

A/N: Forgive the short chapters, I\'m traveling so just typing what I can on phone