Random Story Fragment

"I can't believe this!" Tom shouted as he lifted the shovel over his head once again. He was sweating profusely, his shirt soaked and heavy.

He hadn't counted on being sensed by the guardian. He thought the scout party had taken care of that eventuality. Apparently not.

Ryan glanced back nervously. A rough shadow appeared at the end of the hallway, dancing in the light of the torches. It was less than fifty feet away now.

"Hurry up Tom" he said in a low voice without unclenching his teeth.

The shovel whacked the door hard, bending the latch and splintering the wood. They both knew there wasn't much time left. Maybe one more strike...

A terrible shriek froze the blood in their veins. They both looked up to see the creature lurching down the hallway towards them. They could smell the charred stench strongly. Tom looked dazed.

It was too late...

...Ryan grabbed the shovel from Tom's hands and brought it down onto the door with all the strength he could gather.

The door shattered in a hail of splinters. Tom's look of immediate surprise was broken as Ryan shoved him rudely through the door. He landed hard on a stone floor about ten feet down, hurting his ankle badly. Ryan came down right on top of him. They untangled themselves, got to their feet in a flash and started moving. Tom reached back and grabbed the pack slung behind him.

The book was still there, he could feel it.

They heard a loud ripping crash as the guardian broke through what was left of the door not far behind them.

The room they were in was dark, and very hot - more so even than the temple, if that was possible. There was a light at the far end, at the top of a stone stair. They made for it amidst a horrible racket as the beast came crashing towards them in the darkness.

Despite the throbbing pain radiating from his ankle, terror helped Tom keep up with Ryan and they went fast across the big chamber. They reached the bottom of the staircase and allowed themselves some measure of hope. Their pursuer was not yet upon them. They were almost out.

That's when they saw the second guardian.