The Lurking Hunger

The group trudged forward in silence, the oppressive darkness of the tunnels pressing in on them. The faint glow of their flashlights was the only source of light, their beams flickering as if the batteries themselves were struggling to hold on. Each step echoed faintly, a reminder of the emptiness surrounding them, but none could shake the feeling that they were being watched.

Silvanus glanced at Anna, who walked ahead with Luke by her side. Her calm demeanor and unsettling display of power weighed heavily on his mind. She hadn't flinched, hadn't hesitated, as if this wasn't the first time she'd done something like that. But how could it be? And what did it mean for the rest of them?

"Hey," Nadia whispered, falling into step beside him. Her voice was low, cautious, so the others wouldn't overhear. "We need to talk about her. About what she just did."

"Not here," Silvanus replied, keeping his voice equally quiet. "We'll talk when we're safe."

Nadia frowned but nodded. She clearly didn't like waiting, but neither did Silvanus. They just couldn't risk confrontation while still deep in the tunnels.

Behind them, Marcus limped along, gritting his teeth against the pain in his leg. Claire offered him her shoulder, but he waved her off with a gruff shake of his head. "I'm fine," he muttered. "Just keep your eyes open."

"Stubborn as ever," Claire murmured under her breath, but she stayed close anyway.

The tunnel gradually widened, leading into a cavernous space that must have once been a maintenance hub for the subway. Rusted machinery and broken pipes littered the area, their jagged edges glinting in the faint light. A large pool of stagnant water sat in the center of the room, its surface reflecting distorted images of the group as they passed.

"We'll rest here," Silvanus said, stopping near an overturned bench. "Marcus, sit down and check that leg. Nadia, keep an eye on the entrances. Claire, help me set up some light."

"What about me?" Luke asked, his voice still shaky.

"Stay with your sister," Silvanus replied. "Keep her close."

Luke nodded, his gaze darting toward Anna, who was standing near the edge of the water, staring at her reflection. She seemed distant, as if lost in her own thoughts.

As the group set about their tasks, Silvanus moved to stand beside her. "Anna," he said softly. "I need to understand what happened back there."

She didn't respond at first, her eyes fixed on the rippling water. Finally, she spoke, her voice calm but tinged with something Silvanus couldn't quite place. "What I did… it's something I've always been able to do. It's why my brother and I have survived this long."

"That's not an explanation," Silvanus pressed. "What are you? How did you get this… power?"

Anna turned to face him, her eyes steady and unflinching. "Do you really think I'm the only one who's different? Look around, Silvanus. The world is broken. People are changing—some for the better, some for the worse. What I am doesn't matter. What matters is whether you trust me."

Silvanus clenched his jaw. Trust was a fragile thing, especially in a world like this. But Anna had saved them more than once, and for now, that was enough. "I trust you," he said finally. "But I need you to be honest with me. No more secrets."

Anna nodded, though her expression remained unreadable. "No more secrets," she said, though Silvanus wasn't sure he believed her.

---

The group settled into an uneasy rest. Marcus leaned against the wall, his leg wrapped in a makeshift bandage. Claire sat beside him, keeping an eye on the tunnel entrances with her pistol resting on her lap. Nadia paced the perimeter, her rifle at the ready, while Silvanus sat with his back to the wall, his gaze flicking between the others and the dark shadows that surrounded them.

Luke dozed fitfully beside Anna, his head resting on her shoulder. She sat with her eyes closed, though Silvanus doubted she was truly asleep.

As the hours stretched on, a faint noise broke the silence—a distant, metallic clang that echoed through the tunnels. Silvanus was on his feet in an instant, his rifle in hand. Nadia froze mid-step, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the darkness.

"Did anyone else hear that?" she whispered.

"I heard it," Claire said, her grip tightening on her pistol.

Silvanus motioned for the group to stay quiet. The noise came again, louder this time. It sounded like metal scraping against stone, followed by a faint, rhythmic tapping.

"It's not marauders," Marcus muttered. "They wouldn't make that much noise."

"No, it's something else," Silvanus agreed. "Everyone, get ready."

The group formed a loose circle, their weapons raised. The noise grew closer, the tapping now accompanied by a low, guttural growl. Silvanus' pulse quickened. Whatever was coming, it wasn't human.

From the shadows of the tunnel, a figure emerged—tall, skeletal, its body covered in patchy, grayish skin. Its eyes glowed faintly in the dark, and its elongated fingers ended in sharp, claw-like tips. Behind it, more figures appeared, their movements jerky and unnatural.

"Lights off!" Silvanus hissed. "Everyone, move back—quietly."

The group doused their flashlights and began retreating toward the opposite tunnel. The creatures moved into the chamber, their glowing eyes scanning the area. One of them let out a low, rumbling growl, its head snapping toward the group's direction.

"They know we're here," Nadia whispered, raising her rifle.

"Then we fight," Silvanus said. "Aim for the head—don't waste ammo."

The creatures charged, their movements unnervingly fast. Nadia fired first, her shot hitting one of them square in the forehead. It dropped instantly, but the others didn't slow. Silvanus fired, taking down another, while Claire and Marcus held their ground, their bullets tearing through the oncoming horde.

Anna stepped forward, her hand glowing with the same strange light from before. The creatures hesitated, their movements faltering as the light grew brighter. Silvanus took the opportunity to fire at the remaining creatures, cutting them down one by one.

When the last of the creatures fell, the chamber fell silent once more. Silvanus lowered his rifle, his heart pounding.

"Is everyone okay?" he asked, looking around the group.

"Still in one piece," Nadia said, though her voice was shaky.

Marcus leaned heavily against the wall, his face pale. "That was too close."

Silvanus turned to Anna, who stood motionless, her hand still faintly glowing. "You saved us again," he said. "Thank you."

Anna didn't respond. She simply turned and began walking toward the next tunnel, her brother hurrying to catch up.

Silvanus watched her go, a deep unease settling in his chest. Whatever secrets Anna was hiding, he knew they were only scratching the surface. And as the group pressed on into the darkness, he couldn't shake the feeling that their greatest challenges were still ahead.