Chapter 10: Shadows in the Ice

The cold was relentless. Even beneath my insulated gear, the icy wind cut through like a knife, gnawing at my bones. Every breath came out in a thick mist, and each step crunched against the frozen ground.

Daniel limped beside me, his breathing shallow but steady. He was still recovering from his injuries, but we had no choice but to keep moving. The supply depot was supposed to be a quick in-and-out run, but everything had gone to hell the moment those creatures showed up.

Strange creatures—twisted, unnatural things that had no business existing.

And now, they were hunting us.

The abandoned facility that served as my base was still miles away. The only way to get back was through the frozen landscape, a vast wasteland of snow and cracked earth. The earthquakes had reshaped everything, turning once-familiar paths into treacherous obstacles. Ice jutted out of the ground in jagged formations, and deep crevices split the land, waiting to swallow anyone careless enough to misstep.

Daniel let out a sharp breath, stumbling slightly. I caught his arm before he collapsed.

"You good?" I asked.

He grunted, nodding. "Yeah. Just… need a second."

We couldn't afford to stop. The creatures weren't far behind.

System Notification:

Warning: Pursuers detected. Estimated distance – 300 meters.

I exhaled sharply. "They're closing in."

Daniel stiffened, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "How many?"

"Too many," I muttered.

My mind raced through the options. Fighting them out in the open was suicide. The facility was still too far to make a straight run for it. We needed a temporary refuge—somewhere to regroup, patch up Daniel, and reassess.

Then, I remembered something.

The supply depot.

Before everything fell apart, this island had been a research outpost. The depot had been stocked with emergency rations, tools, and other essentials. If it hadn't been completely looted, there was a chance we could use it as a temporary shelter.

And maybe—just maybe—find something useful.

"We're changing course," I said. "There's an old supply depot a few miles from here."

Daniel looked skeptical but didn't argue. He didn't have the strength for it.

We pressed on, moving as quickly as his condition allowed. The howling wind masked most of our noise, but I knew better than to think it would keep us hidden. Those creatures didn't just rely on sight or sound.

They could sense us.

The thought made my skin crawl.

After what felt like an eternity, the depot came into view. A low, steel structure, half-buried in ice and snow. It looked intact—but appearances could be deceiving.

I motioned for Daniel to stay low. We approached cautiously, weapons drawn.

The entrance was partially frozen over, but with some effort, we managed to force the door open. The metal groaned in protest, but finally, it gave way, revealing the darkness within.

I activated my flashlight, sweeping it across the interior.

Shelves lined the walls, many of them empty, but some still held supplies. Crates were stacked near the back, untouched by time.

Jackpot.

But before I could celebrate, my system chimed again.

System Notification:

Hostile presence detected. Close proximity.

My grip on my rifle tightened. I turned to Daniel. "We're not alone."