Jim's Gym Journey

Chapter 5 - A Monster Trainwreck The passageway opened to a dark hall. A cold breeze brushed down Jim’s neck as they walked into a dimly lit room, their footprints echoing on the stone floor. An uneasy feeling fell upon the room that seemed to weigh upon their shoulders. Jim instinctively took a breath in but was met with a weight pushing down onto his lungs. His gaze flicked to Raven who played nervously with her bracelet. He knew she felt it too. A muffed yelp cut through the silence. Raven inhaled sharply. “There’s somethi ng in here, ” he breathed, eyes straining to see. From the corner of the room a shadow let out a low growl. The silhouette shifted uneasily. A pair of beady eyes flicked open and fell onto the two. Raven grimaced. “This isn’t good, no not at all. It’s a horrifying beast and he’s challenging us to a brawl.” The beast brought its feet down with a crash, sending a vibration through the floor. The dull light illuminated a pointed face, etched with shadows. Bucking its head up, it let out an ear bleeding roar. “A DRAGON?” Jim yelled, ears still ringing. “A frilly neck lizard is its name . They’re usually much smaller this I'm afraid ” she joked wryly. “At least we found the camera.” They glanced up at the small device hanging from around its neck. Jim backed away slightly as the lizard fell forward. He looked into its eyes, so dark the light itself seemed to be engulphed by it. The reptile glared at him. From his neck, a frill of skin extended up around his face. Jim jumped back, his breath getting caught in his chest.

“ Maybe it ’ s hungry ?” He stammered. The animal advanced forward, agitatedl y hissing. Jim yelped, falling onto the floor. “Maybe not. So , what? I must kill it? That’s a bit extreme.” “Maybe violence isn’t the answer , ” she muttered, eyes unwavering from the animal. “It looks like it wants to eat us, what else can I do?” He scrambled away from a whip-like tail. Raven pointed a finger towards its foot. A long spear emerged from the side of its leg, puncturing its thick skin. “It’s…in pain.” Raven nodded.