Pressing down from every direction like an invisible storm.
The leader's heart thrashed violently in his chest. His breath became ragged.
His vision blurred at the edges from pure adrenaline.
He tried to steady himself, but his hands were trembling uncontrollably.
"It's no fun at all." Ross's sigh echoed from the darkness, almost disappointed. "You're far too slow to play with me."
That single sentence crushed the last fragment of hope in the leader's mind.
He spun around wildly, trying to pinpoint Ross's location.
Nothing.
No footsteps.
No presence.
Not even a shadow.
Only the sound of his own breath, too loud in his ears.
Then—
Bang!
Something struck him in the stomach.
Not a punch.
Not a kick.
Not even a blow.
It was a collision—as if a car speeding at full force rammed into him.
His abdomen caved inward with a horrible crunch, ribs bending and snapping like brittle sticks.
Air blasted out of his lungs in a broken gasp.
