Chapter 27: The Last Stand

Chapter 27: The Last Stand

The beast roared, its massive form thrashing violently as it struggled to regain its footing. Its glowing red eyes flickered with pure malice, a clear signal that it wasn't done yet. Ethan's heart thudded in his chest, the adrenaline coursing through his veins as he tried to steady his breathing. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to run, but there was no escape. They had made their stand, and now they had to finish it.

Clara's gun clicked as she reloaded, her gaze fixed on the creature, calculating. "It's hurt, but it's not finished. We need to keep the pressure on, don't give it room to breathe."

Ethan nodded, his grip tightening on the crowbar. His hands were slick with sweat, his legs burning from the constant movement. But he couldn't afford to falter. Not now. Not when the lives of the people he'd come to care about were hanging in the balance.

Will swung his bat again, connecting with the creature's side with a sickening thud. The beast staggered, its massive frame crashing into the side of the building, but it quickly recovered, snapping its head toward them with an eerie, unsettling calm.

Jess fired another arrow, but this time, the creature dodged it, its movements swift and fluid, like something far more intelligent than the infected they had fought before.

"It's learning," Clara muttered, her voice tinged with frustration. "We need to keep it off balance."

"Any ideas?" Will asked, his voice strained.

Ethan didn't have an answer, but he could see it—the creature's posture was different, more controlled. It wasn't just an animal lashing out in anger. It was hunting them now. And if they didn't act fast, they'd all be dead.

"Get to the other side of the roof!" Ethan shouted, his mind working overtime. "I'll distract it, you hit it from the side!"

Clara hesitated for a moment, her eyes locking onto his, but she nodded. "Be careful."

Without waiting for another word, Ethan ran toward the edge of the roof, swinging the crowbar as he moved, hoping to get the creature's attention. His heart pounded in his chest as he spun around, taking in the beast's movements.

The creature's eyes locked onto him instantly, its massive form charging toward him with terrifying speed. Ethan's mind raced as he calculated his next move. He had only one chance to pull this off.

The beast was close now, its claws scraping the rooftop as it sprinted toward him. He could feel the heat of its body, the raw power radiating from it as it closed the gap. At the last second, Ethan dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the swipe of the creature's claws as it crashed into the side of the roof with a deafening roar.

"Now!" Ethan yelled, rolling to his feet and facing the beast once more.

Clara, Will, and Jess moved in perfect synchronization. Clara fired her gun, sending a shot straight for the creature's head, while Jess fired another arrow, this one aimed at its legs. Will swung his bat with all his strength, aiming for the creature's exposed side.

The creature howled in pain as the barrage of attacks struck home, but it wasn't enough to take it down. It spun around, its claws raking through the air, narrowly missing Clara as she dove for cover. The creature's movements were too fast, too unpredictable.

"We need to hit it harder!" Will shouted, swinging his bat again.

Ethan's mind raced. They couldn't keep attacking like this—if they kept going in blindly, they'd wear themselves out and the creature would just keep coming. He needed to be smarter, more strategic.

Without warning, he sprinted toward the edge of the roof, grabbing a loose piece of metal debris as he went. It was large and heavy, but it was the perfect tool. His eyes narrowed as he saw the beast approaching once more, its glowing eyes locked on him.

"Clara! Will! Distract it!" Ethan yelled, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at him.

Clara took the lead, firing another round, while Will swung his bat, the weapon cracking against the creature's hide. The beast turned toward them, snarling, as it advanced. It was angry. It was tired. And it was close.

Ethan took a deep breath, his body coiling as he prepared for the next move. The creature's attention was fully on the other two, and now was his chance.

He sprinted forward, swinging the piece of metal with all his strength. It connected with the beast's leg with a deafening clang, and the creature let out a sharp screech of pain. It stumbled, its balance faltering for the briefest of moments.

Now.

Ethan leapt forward, diving toward the creature's head with the crowbar raised. He brought it down with all his might, the sound of impact ringing through the air.

The creature let out a guttural roar, its body convulsing as the blow landed. But it wasn't enough. The beast was still alive, still fighting, and its rage was palpable.

Ethan barely had time to react as the creature's massive claws swept through the air, narrowly missing him. His heart pounded in his chest as he scrambled backward, but the creature was already turning, its eyes fixed on him.

Clara and Will rushed in, knowing they didn't have much time. Clara fired another shot, but the creature dodged it, moving with unnatural speed. Will swung his bat again, connecting with the beast's shoulder, but it wasn't enough.

The creature wasn't going down.

It was then that Ethan realized—they weren't going to win by fighting this thing head-on. They needed to do what they did best: survive.

"Retreat!" he shouted, his voice sharp. "Get to the stairs!"

Clara, Will, and Jess didn't hesitate. They turned and ran, but the creature was right behind them, its claws scraping against the rooftop as it gave chase.

They reached the stairwell, slamming the door shut behind them as the creature's roar echoed from above. It wasn't enough to stop it. The creature would be on them soon, but they had bought themselves time.

They weren't finished yet. But this fight was far from over.