The Growth: A Horror Novel by Adam Hulse

Author:Adam Hulse [Hulse, Adam]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Raven Tale
Published: 2022-05-17T00:00:00+00:00

Emma crouched in the scorched remains of a small shop that affords her minimal cover from the large group of violent looking men and women. Her eyes water and she coughs as quietly as possible into her sleeve. The group is scavenging together, and Emma hopes the obvious destruction she hides in will deter anyone from getting too close. Windows are smashed, laughter rings out, and Emma nervously glances along the road for any points which the Growth could emerge from. The inside of the shop opposite has turned up some booze and the group hoot like chimps. A short man takes too much of a swig for the others' liking and is soon thrown to the ground and kicked severely by multiple sets of dirty boots.

Animals.

Emma almost hopes they come for her now but knows she’ll never make it to Jane if she takes on every mob between here and the office block.

“Go and check over there,” one of the men shouts.

Emma cringes at the hand pointing towards her hiding place.

“Piss off, it's all burnt!”

Emma can’t see the complainer, but she prays his point of view is considered.

“Do you want a smack? Get in there!”

There’s a sudden cacophony of noise which causes Emma to flinch back, as her mind is sure she’s being attacked. Screams come from the road, or where the road used to be. A thick cloud of dust obscures the view and Emma can’t see the shops opposite her hiding place. The cries turn into yelps of agony below the spectral cloud of debris before an eventual breeze partially lift it away allowing Emma a glimpse of the twisted carnage. An area of around twenty-five metres in length, and covering the width of the road, has completely sunken in. Emma stepped as near to the edge as she dared to bear witness to the violent end of the gang who would have done her great harm only moments earlier. The man who had pointed her way was now attempting to drag his broken legs over crushed pipework while his tortured cries follow the dust cloud to the heavens. Emma looked away from the man who’s hyperventilating journey was a sickening display of courage over sense. The Growth already filled half of the crater which it shared with clumps of concrete and ever diminishing body parts. Part of it came forward like a snail's upper tentacle, but instead of an eye at the end there was a hooked shape which dragged the last woman backwards. She locked eyes with Emma, yet her mouth couldn’t address the burning agony that quickly overcame her as the consumption concluded. The Growth filled three quarters of the pit now and the man huffed with his back to the earth.

“Help me!”

There was nothing around to lower into the pit and Emma doubted the man would have the strength left to pull himself out in time. What concerned Emma more was she wasn’t entirely sure she would help the man even if it were a possibility.

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