Entry 15: 

Elsewhere…The Archinary had finally tracked their brethren’s scent to the origin of the attack. They would not make the same mistakes. From the rooftops, they descended, digging their sharpened legs into the side of the building. The Runner had been reckless that night, deciding to wander outside his protective walls. He was unaware that when the moon was high, the Bronx belonged to the Archinary. When two monsters had finally found their prey, they placed themselves into the perfect position to strike, but hesitated. 

“Wha...what is this?” one clicked, watching the Runner lead a group of trolls in casual banter. “Trolls? The man is talking with trolls?” one Archinary whispered before the other shushed its companion to be quiet. They watched on while the Runner conversed with the two lumbering monsters, holding up a pink rubber ball to their faces. After a few more words, he stepped back from them and assumed a strange stance that the two Trolls mimicked. 

 "When he's distracted, that's when I will strike,” one Archinary whispered to the other.

“I am not so sure that is good,” its companion replied. 

“Nonsense! We will get him!” it hissed back. Anger and a sense of excitement rushed through the Archinary’s body while it continued to watch its prey play games. It counted the heartbeats, and when the Runner threw the ball in the air, the beast shot itself off the wall. Its eyes locked on target, legs extended so it could quickly grab Creed when in range. The nocturnal predator would only get so close to finishing its mission before everything would be ripped away, literally. The leechen creature was yanked out of the sky by the crushing grip of a hungry Troll. Its body instantly flattened, broken and useless. 

"Bites," the Troll said, opening its massive jaw, revealing grinding teeth and a dark pit from which the Archinary would never escape. Its chest already crushed, it lacked the capacity to scream before it entered oblivion. The last thing it heard was the shouts of panic from its prey. 

 "NO NO NO, WAIT! AHH CRAP!!" crunch*

The remaining Archinary fled the scene, knowing it had witnessed the beginning of something very bad. It only hoped the Runner would survive the ordeal to come before it could return with help.

From across the street, the screams of panic had garnered the attention of Mr. Solomon, who had popped up from his slumber. He rolled over with a long ache, looking down at the now smudged “end is nigh” sign he was sleeping on with a tired grunt. He then lifted his head above the bushes and turned it towards the source of the cries. His eyes lit up. Rising to his feet, he shouted

“AGAIN!? HEY, SHUT UP! IT'S EVERY OTHER NIGHT WITH YOU! YELLING AT NOTHING, YOU CRAZY OR SOMETHING?!” Before he could say more, he felt a sudden tug from behind. Solomon's back hit the ground as his eyes met those of the multiple drooping black beads of the Archinary.

“What in god's name?!” he shouted before the fangs pierced his throat.