Story 373: A Fragile Alliance

The group moved cautiously through the fractured tunnels, the air heavy with dust and tension. The detonation had done its job, sealing the creature beneath rubble, but Zara couldn’t shake the feeling that this was far from over.

Rowan glanced at her as they reached a temporary clearing where Marcus and his team waited. The survivors huddled together, their eyes darting nervously to the shadowed passageways.

Marcus stepped forward, his face lined with exhaustion. “Did you get it?”

Zara wiped sweat and grime from her face, her voice measured. “We trapped it. Whether it’s dead or not isn’t something I’m sticking around to find out.”

A murmur of relief swept through the group, but Marcus’s expression remained wary. “Trapped isn’t good enough if it means it can dig its way out. That thing has already taken down two safe houses. If it comes back, we’re as good as dead.”