My Lost Soul

Chapter 45 - Thank You, My Soul

"It's quite dark now." Steele walked around the pitch-black lobby, "The curtain certainly isn't helping." Silence still permeated through the whole building.

He's plotting something, is he waiting for me to act? Steele thought as he walked around.

"You can't have gone very far, so I'm sure you can hear me." He announced. His eyes bulged out of his sockets and blinked rapidly, "Adaptation is one of my specialties, Uncle. I can still see in the dark. Although, it can be quite...repulsive." Steele groaned.

Uyama tip-toed down the dark hallway with only socks on his feet. That's right, He thought as the sweat poured down his face, Keep shifting. Your painkillers are bound to wear out, then you'll regret taking me lightly!

Steele looked around with his new eyes, spotting a pair of shoes scattered on the floor. "A clue..." He picked up the shoes as his nose turned into that of a dog and sniffed. "Not the strongest trail, but it works. The hunt begins." The scent led him down a dark hallway, but Uyama wasn't in sight.

I have to keep out of sight for now, Uyama thought as he crept behind the corner, settling against the wall. He began thinking about the others.

I'm sure they're tired too. They're strong, but in their state, I doubt they'd be able to beat him. So...

He readied the pistol in his hand as he peeked around the corner. His lower lip trembled, I'll help you however I can.

Steele looked down at his watch and sighed, "I miscalculated. I'll have to end this soon." His shoes clanked on the floor, then finally stopped. He turned to his left, staring at the dark door in the hallway.

That's it, get in the-

A sharp tentacle stretched out past his cheek, slicing his skin. Blood dripped down his cheek as he gasped quietly, stumbling on the ground before beginning to run away. The tentacle retracted behind the wall, followed by a silhouette turning the corner. "I have eyes on the back of my head. You can't fool me." Steele smirked as he walked behind Uyama. Uyama turned around and shot at him, Steele dodged his bullets.

There's no outrunning him at this point, Uyama thought as his feet weighed down on the ground, I just have to hope... He turned to a light switch on the wall and flipped it. A blinding light filled the hallway making Steele's eyes burn red.

...that he keeps underestimating me! With a powerful kick against the ground, he charged at the stunned Steele while reloading his gun. Steele's eyes started to return to normal as he palmed his face. Uyama's fist crashed into his gut, forcing Steele to fully revert. He whipped his pistol, three bangs echoed through his ears as Steele stumbled back.

His back hunched over and blood leaking from his body, Steele's voice turned raspy. "Ha..." He wheezed out as he looked up at Uyama, his mouth hanging open. "You. Done it now..."

Steele's body began expanding just as Uyama started shooting again. "Shit!" Uyama backed away as the bullets bounced off of him.

"I'm done playing with you," Steele growled as his arms extended and crashed through the wall. With a deep moan, he swung his fist arms across, tearing through the building. Uyama ducked as the fist grazed his hair. Looking up at Steele's sullied face malforming within itself, his face softened. The roof was beginning to collapse around him. He perked up.

Wait, maybe there's a chance. He thought as he looked behind him at an emergency exit at the end of the hallway. Maybe—just maybe—I can change this!

With another burst of strength, he dashed towards the exit as the ceiling crashed. A sharp feeling enveloped him. He twisted the handle and opened the door.