Midnight Sky

This was my only chance.

         I kicked back, the heel of my boot colliding with the Hellion’s knee. It jerked and stumbled, loosing its grip on my arms. I wrenched free and gained distance, but instead of fighting the monster, I grabbed a flashbang from my belt, grateful it hadn’t broken when Davin was throwing me around. I had designed it similar to my torch, but with one crucial difference.

         I twisted the caps at either end of the tube, then tossed it at the Hellion. Davin shouted, but I was already ducking and covering my head. Light exploded behind me as the flashbang’s tube shattered, turning the world white. I lowered my arms and saw the round object tumble in front of me. Dread pierced me when I saw the grenade. If I’d hesitated any longer, he would have pulled the pin and blown Sawyer and my crew out of the sky in front of me.

         I grabbed it and got to my feet, glancing over my shoulder to see the other Hellion swaying and batting its face, scratching its skin as if to rip away the white spots that must have blinded it. The Hellion staggered toward the side of the skiff. I ran for it. I pulled the pin free of the grenade, shoved it into the Hellion’s jumpsuit, and pushed it over the edge. I grabbed the side of the skiff to keep from falling over myself, and watched the Hellion screech as it tumbled through the air. Seconds later, a burst of orange light erupted from the Hellion, blasting it apart and illuminating the rooftops of downtown Westraven. We were crossing the city at a terrifying speed, and I couldn’t see anywhere that we could attempt a safe landing.

         Not that Davin would want to land in Westraven.