Underground storage room part 3

Kristina knows that if they had stayed inside the container cargo where they were being held, all of them would be dead by now. They wouldn't have been able to protect themselves from the skinnomore attack as they were all tied up with ropes.

Even though they escaped from that place and are alive now, it doesn't mean they'll survive if they move to another location. This underground storage room feels much safer compared to the surface, where nightmarish creatures roam freely. Normal humans like them stand no chance against the constant chase and attacks from these monsters.

Kristina believes they will all die one after another before reaching the place Yui and James spoke about. In her eyes, starving to death is better than being devoured by a monster, and she's certain the other girls agree. If Yui, James, and Noah abandon them here to return to their world, Kristina and the others wouldn't hate them for it.

"I… I can't give you false hope, promising survival or that I'll be able to protect all of you. But staying here, thinking you're safe, is an illusion. It'll bring a slow death. Weak monsters might not reach you yet, but stronger ones will," Yui knows that if they go outside on surface they would be dead before they can even reach the place James talking about but giving up on small hope isn't something she will do as that's the only way to survive and escape to reality.

"If you don't want to come with us, I won't force you. But just remember, there are far more terrifying creatures here than the skinnomore. They will find you, even if you remain hidden here," she warned them, making it clear the creatures won't stop their chase even if the group locks themselves away.

Yui waited for a few seconds to hear their answer, she really hoped that at least some of them would join with button the, to her disappointment no sound came from them but she understood that's normal human reaction in face of certain death. Only a few can overcome this emotion but some people are still able to move forward. 

"James, Noah, let's go. We have to move quickly. Is there any hidden tunnel here that might lead us to the place you're talking about or at least somewhere far from here?" Yui asked with concern as even if they can avoid a few of the skinnomore it would be great help and reduce their chance of certain death.

"That's not possible. This wasn't built for that. It's just a storage room for hiding illegal and expensive goods. There's only one entrance," James replied awkwardly, recalling the shady activities conducted here and he remembers people getting killed for snitching about this place in the past. The monsters outside made those past crimes seem trivial now cause this monster doesn't care who you are as for them all of them are just prey to hunt and devour.

Now, they have no option other than going outside which could cause their death but it's the only way left. 

James turned on his torch and looked at the cold iron door. He hesitated for a second before walking toward it, with Noah and Yui following close behind.

"Are we really doing this?" Noah asked nervously, a bead of sweat rolling down his face.

"Yes, we don't have another choice," Yui said with a poker face, concealing her emotions. Only she knew the thoughts racing through her mind.

James placed his hand on the cold metal door, gripping the handle. He opened it to reveal a ladder on the wall in front of them leading upward toward the surface. "Is it safe outside?" he asked Yui, the one who had brought everyone here.

"No, it isn't safe, but we don't have a choice," she replied, unsure of what awaited them beyond the door on the surface.

James aimed the torchlight at the ceiling, seeing only darkness. He clenched his fist, frustrated by the unfamiliar yet unsettlingly similar environment. Its hard to believe that they are not on their planet. Even though everything feels familiar, there's still an uncanny feeling about being completely different and it's frustrating. He handed his gun to Noah. "Hold this for now. Let me check if it's safe or not."

"Sure. Be safe," Noah said, his worry evident. If a skinnomore stood just outside, it would be a nightmare as there would be no place to run and they would be like cattle ready to be slaughtered at a slaughterhouse.

James bit down harder on the torch clenched between his teeth, the taste of metal mingling unpleasantly on his tongue and with his trembling hand he holds the ladder.

"Why did you put torch in your mouth when you can put inside your pocket?" Noah asked him as looking at dumb person James as he saw him put torch in his mouth.

"My shirt doesn't have pocket and in my pants pocket, it wouldn't hold for more than few seconds before it will fall out from the pocket."

"Torch in my pocket make would make me feel uncomfortable and I won't be able to see quite right." James answer in irritated voice to Noah.

But the truth is he actually didn't even think about putting torch in his pant pocket in first place. So, not to lose face he start to climbed the ladder with torch in his mouth but a sound of footsteps approached from behind them caught his attention. Turning around to see who is it, he saw Olivia when she got closer and stood next to them.

"I want to come with you," she said firmly.

"You know we can't protect you if something happens," Yui said seriously, ensuring Olivia understood the risks. As their survival depends on their luck completely.

"I'm aware, but I don't want to die in a closed room like the container cargo. I'd rather die under the open sky," Olivia replied, her determination clear. Her words resonated with the others, who began to consider following as well, Yui saw her face and could tell Olivia meant what she just said.

Everyone in the storage room heard what Olivia said. They can understand Olivia's reason as to why she doesn't want to stay here, some of them share the same thoughts as her but the fear of being devoured by the nightmare creature is something they won't be able to overcome till their last breath.

Just within a second after Olivia joined them to go outside to search for the way back home, they heard the sound of another footsteps approaching again and Yui and Noah saw the figure of Betty coming out of the darkness. 

"I want to join you guys. I'm aware of the risk and I won't become a burden to any of you" Betty said with a nervous and scared face. It would be a lie if she says she isn't afraid but she doesn't want to remain here just to starve to death. Even if there's a slim chance of making it their way home she wouldn't hesitate to try as her loving family might be still searching for her all this month since went missing.

"It's good to see you two joining us. Let's go," Noah said, smiling. Being in a larger group felt safer. He is glad that they're five of them now, not just three as being in a group is better when you are in a dangerous situation and most horror movies and stories people did when they are split into smaller groups.

James saw the Olivia and betty joining them, he wanted to say something but the torch being in his mouth, he didn't say anything. He is bit glad both of them join them but he can't shake this uneasy feeling in his heart that constantly warning him but ignoring that James start to climb up, Olivia and betty look up towards the door should be but only thing they can see is faint light from torch as unlike Yui and Noah their vision isn't good in darkness just like James only advantage James had over them is his memory of working here for years.

James climbed up to the ceiling door, where only a latch held it shut. "Can't believe our lives depend on a single latch," he muttered with being glad and nervous as they survive this without getting swarmed by skinnmores for hours they stay down below here.

"What did you say?" Noah asked as didn't hear quite right what James said but James didn't bother to reply to his question.

James clamped the torch tighter between his teeth, the faint tang of metal mixing with his rapid, shallow breaths. His hand hovered over the latch, trembling, as the scenario he dreaded painted itself vividly in his mind: the door swinging open, revealing a grotesque split opened skin lined with fangs waiting to consume him. The mere thought rooted him to the spot, his body betraying him to the grip of paralyzing fear.

A bead of sweat slid from his forehead, traveling down the curve of his face before dropping to the ground below. It struck the cold stone floor with a faint, solitary plink, a sound so fragile it felt like it might shatter under the weight of the silence but no one noticed. The others were engrossed in whispered conversations, their voices an indistinct hum behind him.