**Chapter 10 - Depths of the Forgotten**

**Chapter 10 - Depths of the Forgotten**

The growl reverberated through the tunnel, low and menacing. Ethan tightened his grip on his knife, his instincts screaming danger. Ash twitched in his arms, its leaves rustling as if trying to warn him. The other survivors froze, weapons raised, eyes darting into the abyss of the abandoned subway station.

"What the hell was that?" Brent whispered, his voice barely audible over the distant echoes of dripping water.

Kayla didn't answer. She motioned for the group to move forward slowly, keeping their flashlights aimed ahead. Their beams illuminated rusted tracks, decayed advertisements peeling off the station walls, and pools of stagnant water reflecting the dim light. It was clear no one had been down here in a long time—at least, no one human.

Ethan scanned the area, his instincts on high alert. The darkness felt heavier, as if pressing down on them. There was more than just undead in this forgotten place.

A sudden screech tore through the silence. A shape lunged from the shadows, a blur of rotting flesh and unnatural movement. The thing was faster than any normal zombie, its elongated limbs twisting as it launched itself at one of the survivors.

Gunfire erupted. The creature jerked midair as bullets ripped through its body, but it didn't stop. It crashed into its victim, claws tearing through flesh before anyone could react. A scream of agony echoed through the tunnel as blood splattered across the damp floor.

Ethan didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, slashing with his knife. The blade sank deep into the creature's side, but the thing barely flinched. Its head snapped toward him, empty eye sockets glowing faintly with an unnatural light.

Ash reacted instantly. The small tree's roots shot forward, latching onto the creature's leg and tightening like a vice. The monster shrieked, its body convulsing as Ash pulsed with energy. A sickening crunch followed as the roots twisted, snapping bone.

Ethan took the opening and drove his knife into the thing's throat. This time, it spasmed violently before going limp, collapsing into a heap of decayed flesh.

Panting, Ethan yanked his knife free, flicking off the blackened blood. He turned to Kayla, who was kneeling beside the fallen survivor. It was too late—his throat had been ripped out. The rest of the group stood in stunned silence, realizing the full extent of their danger.

"We need to move," Kayla said, her voice firm despite the tension in her face.

Ethan nodded. "There's more down here. I can feel it."

As if on cue, distant sounds echoed through the tunnels—scraping, clicking, and the unmistakable growl of more creatures waking from their slumber.

The survivors hurried forward, navigating the treacherous terrain. They moved through abandoned platforms, stepping over skeletons and remnants of a forgotten world. Every corner they turned, Ethan expected another attack, but the creatures were toying with them, lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Then they found it.

A massive cavernous opening where the subway had once collapsed into a deeper underground sector. Rusted tracks disappeared into darkness, the ground uneven with debris. But the worst part was the movement—dozens of shapes shifting in the shadows, their glowing eyes locking onto the intruders.

Ethan's stomach clenched. "We just walked into a nest."

Kayla cursed under her breath. "Run."

No one argued. They sprinted, boots slamming against the old concrete as the creatures shrieked and gave chase. Ethan risked a glance back and immediately regretted it. The things weren't just fast—they were evolving. Some crawled along the walls like spiders, while others bounded over obstacles with unnatural agility.

Ash pulsed with energy, sensing Ethan's distress. Roots lashed out behind them, smashing into a few of the creatures, slowing them down. It wasn't much, but it was enough.

Up ahead, an emergency exit sign flickered, leading to a rusted maintenance door. Brent reached it first, throwing his weight against it. It groaned but didn't budge.

"Help me!" he yelled.

Ethan and Kayla slammed into the door, their combined force finally breaking it open. The group stumbled through just as the creatures lunged. Brent yanked the door shut, locking it with a metal bar from the floor.

For a moment, there was silence, only the sound of their heaving breaths filling the air. Then the pounding started. The creatures slammed against the door, their inhuman screeches piercing through the metal.

Ethan wiped sweat from his brow, catching his breath. "That was too close."

Kayla nodded, glancing at the remaining survivors. They had lost one, but the rest had made it—for now.

Brent shook his head. "We can't go back that way."

Ethan looked around. They were in some kind of old service tunnel, long forgotten. "Then we go forward. There has to be another way out."

Kayla exhaled, nodding. "Then let's keep moving."

As the group ventured deeper, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that the nightmare wasn't over yet.

And Ash, pulsing faintly in his arms, seemed to agree.