Story 874: Evolution’s Wrath

The Apex Spawn’s corpse still twitched, releasing thick, sickly fumes into the air. The team kept their distance, watching for any signs that it might get back up.

Reaper nudged the carcass with his boot, gripping his machete tighter. “That was new.”

Leon scanned the ruins ahead, his pulse still hammering from the fight. “We need to move before another one shows up.”

But Evelyn wasn’t listening. Her eyes were locked on the black tendrils slithering out of the Apex’s wound, curling and pulsing as if still alive.

“Leon…” she whispered, stepping back.

Before anyone could react, the tendrils shot outward, latching onto the remains of a nearby infected corpse. The dead flesh twitched violently—then began to change.

“It’s not dead!” Mia screamed.

The Apex’s mutation was spreading.