Chapter 35: Monster Hunter 2.0

Chapter 35: Monster Hunter 2.0

As we waited for the girls to come back, Dudley continued to try and stack the stones even though no one told him to and we werent shouting at him any more. He just wanted to do it. Once an idea took hold in that brain of his, it really took hold.

So, said Maurice, we going back in there, then?

I nodded. Theyll be ready for us this time, but I think we can still take them. That spear he had looked pretty nasty, but he could hardly hold it. If we rush him, I dont think hell be able to stop us.

Yeah, yeah, said Maurice. There was something else I wanted to ask you. About Claire.

I turned to face him. Oh? What?

Is there something going on between you two? Just wondering, you know, because youre always at each others throats. If this was movie, the couple thats always fighting are the ones who end up together at the end, right?

If this was a romantic comedy, maybe. But this more like a horror movie. Believe me, theres nothing going on. Why? Are you interested in her?

Who me? No. No, of course not. I mean, Im probably not her type. He pushed his glasses up his nose and Im pretty sure he was blushing, although its hard to tell with black people who have very dark skin like him. And no, thats not racist.

Claire and Flossie returned and I told everyone we were going to try again. They looked a bit apprehensive, but no one objected. Flossie had calmed down but was smiling more than normal, although I couldnt tell if she was pleased at being told she had a sexy bum or grinning out of embarrassment. Maybe a bit of both. We made our way back to the cave and prepared ourselves once more.

I pointed my finger at Dudley. This time, get hold of the guy and dont let go. Doesnt matter what happens to the rest of us, thats your only job.

Dudley nodded, his face a picture of earnest determination.

I turned to the others. Ready?

Hold on, said Maurice and he started fiddling with the collar of his onesie. Ive mentioned before that it had a Batman theme, although it wasnt made to look like a costume, it just had lots of bat insignia printed on it. So it was a bit of a surprise when Maurice unzipped part of the collar and pulled out a hood. Or should I say cowl. With little bat ears.

Listen to me, said the mouse. I am prepared to allow you to leave. We are peace-loving people. If you leave us alone, we will leave you alone.

I heard you, before, I said. You were planning to attack us as soon as more of your men arrive. You arent peace-loving.

The mouse jabbed his spear at me. Only to defend ourselves. We were attacked in our sleep by your people. Slaughtered. We will find those cowards and deliver justice. That is our right.

He had a point. Were we really heroes fighting monsters here? It didnt feel like it. I lowered my spike.

Now! screamed the mouse. The female behind him threw out some kind of dust that filled the air. My eyes stung, making it hard to see. I heard the others call out in pain. Then, almost too late, I saw the spear coming right at me. I lurched sideways so it went between my body and arm and grabbed hold of the shaft. A push-pull struggle ensued.

Batman, of course, was unaffected. Not because of the outfit, but because he wore glasses. Maurice, jumped in and shoved the female. Through blurry vision I saw her suddenly disappear. Not by magic, she had fallen down the hole.

The mouse turned to check on her and I yanked the spear out of his grasp. Dudley swooped in. He grabbed the mouse from behind, wrapping his arm around the creatures tiny throat, and lifted him off the ground. I moved in, wiping away tears with my sleeve.

The madly kicking feet and whipping tail made it hard to get close, so I kicked it between the legs hoping to hit mouse balls, assuming he had them. I must have hit something, or maybe winded him, because he stopped struggling. I dived in and started stabbing. My vision was still blurred and my aim was a bit wild, so I hit Dudleys arm a couple of times. He didnt let go.

I could feel the spike enter the mouses head, strike against the skull, push through to its brain. After five or six direct hits, the mouse went limp. I retreated, breathing hard. The girls were still trying to see straight, most of the dust had gone in their direction.

Maurice picked up the fallen spear and walked over to the hole just as the female mouse jumped out screaming, something held aloft in her hand. Instinctively, Maurice thrust the spear forward and sent the tip straight into her open mouth and out the other side. She fell to the floor. The thing in her hand was a rock.

Maurice dropped his end of the spear which was stuck in the mouses mouth. He looked stunned. Dudley was still holding the male mouse in a vice-like grip, taking his newly learned lesson to heart.

You can let go now, Dudley, I said.

He nodded and the dead mouse slumped into a heap next to the female. We had won. Or at least, we hadnt died, which was a victory in itself. Now, someone had to go down the hole and claim our reward.