Chapter 36
The beasts feared human ambition. The humans feared beast power. Neither side realized fear was the true enemy.
~ Rebel Beast
Like a living black cloud, the birds flooded the kitchen. For a brief moment, everyone simply stared until one of the crows slammed directly into Abigail’s face.
The woman screamed, except a second bird followed immediately after and blood flowed from her left eye. Abigail staggered backwards, clutching her face.
The girls screamed in terror. The sight was horrifying. Just seconds ago, Abigail had been the most dangerous person in the room. Now she was just another victim.
Chaos broke out as the crows descended upon everyone else.
Aria’s heart nearly stopped at the scene. At first, fear engulfed her, having thought it was her doing. But that thought lasted only a second.
This wasn’t her. And that made it far worse.
Breakfast was completely forgotten as the girls began running in every direction. Some tried hiding beneath the kitchen island while others covered their heads and curled into balls on the floor. The crows didn’t care and swooped down anyway.
A terrified scream made Aria turn only to see that it was Philippa. As expected from the selfish Karen, she had abandoned all dignity and was trying to force her way through the commotion toward the exit.
Except she was using Philippa as a human shield, keeping the girl in front of her, having decided her own life mattered more than anyone else’s.
Not surprising, the crows attacked Philippa while the girl raised her arms over her face, screaming as she tried to protect herself.
“That horrible bitch!” Aria shouted in anger.
Even now Karen was using people.
“Get down!” Alek yelled from somewhere nearby.
Aria turned to see Trisha pressed so tightly against the wall she was practically one with it. However, it wasn’t enough. All it would take was for one of the crows to notice her and it would be over.
Alek was already on her stomach, using one arm to shield her head while the other protected her face.
“Don’t stand!” she shouted. “Crawl! Protect your face p>
Trisha listened immediately. She dropped lower and covered her head. Even then she was screaming. Everyone was screaming. The kitchen area had become a nightmare.
Feathers filled the air while broken glass crunched beneath frantic feet. The cawing had reached a deafening level. Aria lowered herself too, but almost immediately realized something.
This wasn’t going to work. The birds were everywhere and didn’t look like they’d be leaving anytime soon. If anything, they seemed determined to keep attacking.
And if these were beast shifters, then they definitely weren’t safe if they stayed here.
“THIS ISN’T GOING TO WORK!” Aria shouted.
The others looked toward her.
“We need to get to the safety of our room p>
For a moment, nobody moved. Then all four of them looked at each other and made up their minds.
“At the count of… one Aria breathed hard, studying the area for the perfect opening.
“Two p>
Her heart was pounding. Then she saw the moment most of the birds focused on Debbie, who had made a straight run for it.
“Now!” she screamed at the top of her lungs.
That was all it took. All four of them broke into motion.
They ran, colliding with some of the other students who were also making a run for it. Someone fell, but there was no time to check who it was, and another student stepped over the victim. The entire residence had descended into madness.
Right now, it was survival of the fittest.
“Move!” Aria screamed at her roommates, who knew their lives were on the line. She remained at the back and could only move when they did.
Together, they bolted successfully from the kitchen and made it to the staircase packed with panicked students. The girls pushed themselves through whatever little space they could find, shoving past anyone who wasn’t fast enough. Alek reached the top first, followed by Trisha and Brittney.
Aria wanted to follow, but someone grabbed her ankle, tripping her.
“Aria!” the girls shouted.
“Just go! I’m right behind you!” she shouted, scrambling back to her feet and prompting the girls to move on.
At that moment, a crow swooped low and Aria ducked, causing the bird to slam into the wall beside her.
Son of a biscuit!
But the creature immediately launched itself back into the air. Not just that. More were coming.
The girls finally reached their hallway, their room only a short distance away. Aria was the only one still far behind.
“Open it!” Aria shouted from her position.
Brittney reached the door first and threw it open. She went inside, followed by Trisha and Alek. They waited urgently for Aria.
Unfortunately, the birds noticed and were smart enough to realize their prey was about to escape.
“ARIA!” Brittney screamed when she saw how close the birds were.
The first crow was almost on top of her. Aria felt it as though she had a second pair of eyes at the back of her head. She would make it, but that meant the birds would enter with her too.
She couldn’t let that happen.
Instead of entering, Aria grabbed the door and slammed it shut, dropping low at the same time. Thanks to the momentum, the first bird smashed into the wood with a loud thud.
Unfortunately, a second crow was already diving straight toward her. Without thinking, she slipped off her left flip-flop and swung so hard her arm vibrated from the force. The crow spun sideways and crashed into the wall.
A third bird spotted her and dove straight at her. Except the door opened right at that moment and hands reached through the opening, grabbing her.
Brittney, Trisha, and Alek yanked Aria into the room before the third crow could reach her, slamming the door shut behind them. A second later, something heavy struck the door while the girls collapsed onto the floor.
That had been close.
Except they were not truly safe.
This was still an open space, and any crow determined enough could still find a way in.
“To the bathroom!” Aria hollered.