Chapter 43: Into the Abyss

Chapter 43: Into the Abyss

The low growl echoed through the halls, sending a ripple of tension through the group. Ethan's heart beat in his chest, louder than ever. The sound was unmistakable, and it was drawing nearer. They couldn't afford to wait any longer.

"We need to move. Now," Clara's voice was sharp, her expression hardened with resolve. Her eyes met Ethan's for a brief moment, and they both knew the urgency of the situation.

"Everyone, stay close," Ethan ordered, his voice steady despite the growing panic in his chest. He turned and motioned for Jess to lead the way, knowing she was the one who had the map.

"Stay alert," Will muttered, his hand still gripping his weapon tightly, his eyes constantly scanning the shadows. The threat was real, and they all felt it.

The group moved quickly through the narrow hallway, the sound of their footsteps muted against the cold concrete floor. As they passed several more decaying doors, Ethan couldn't help but notice how oppressive the atmosphere was. The deeper they went into the facility, the more isolated they felt, cut off from the outside world and trapped in a labyrinth of dark corridors and broken machinery.

Jess's hand was pressed against the terminal on her wrist, her gaze flickering to the map every few moments. She was focused, her fingers moving rapidly as she traced their path on the screen. The map was flickering with static, but she still managed to make sense of it.

"It's not far," Jess said, her voice low. "Just a few more corridors, and we'll reach the lab."

Ethan nodded, keeping his pace steady. They passed an open door on their right, revealing a small storage room filled with shattered glass and overturned crates. A quick glance inside told him there was nothing of value, but a small part of his mind screamed at him to check every corner. That nagging feeling of something lurking in the darkness wouldn't leave him.

He pushed it aside and focused on the task at hand.

Clara's eyes were darting around as well, her alertness contagious. She knew, just like the rest of them, that they couldn't afford to let their guard down for a second.

The growl grew louder. Closer.

"Damn it," Will muttered, his hand tightening on the grip of his weapon. "It's coming."

The group quickened their pace, turning a sharp corner and entering a narrow passage that led deeper into the heart of the facility. Jess's map flickered once more, and she cursed under her breath.

"What's wrong?" Ethan asked, his voice tense.

"The lab is supposed to be right ahead," she replied, her eyes scanning the dimly lit walls. "But there's another section between us and it. A reinforced door. This wasn't on the map. It's a security measure. We'll need a keycard or something to get through."

Ethan cursed. They didn't have time for this. "Can we force it open?"

Jess shook her head. "Not without setting off alarms or risking the whole place coming down on us."

"Then we find another way," Ethan said, determination hardening in his voice. "There's always another way."

The growl reached a crescendo, vibrating the walls as though something massive was charging toward them. Ethan could feel his breath quicken, adrenaline surging through his veins. They had to get to that lab before whatever was stalking them found them.

Turning back down the hall they had just come from, he led the group in the opposite direction, his mind working furiously. They needed to get around the door, find another route, and fast.

But the growl was no longer just a sound in the distance. It was close—too close. Ethan's eyes scanned the darkness ahead, his instincts screaming at him to act.

"Move!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the rising panic. He shoved Jess forward, urging her to keep up.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from behind them. The unmistakable sound of claws scraping against metal. The ground beneath them trembled as something massive tore its way through the walls, too fast to avoid.

"Run!" Clara shouted, her eyes wide with fear.

They turned and sprinted, the adrenaline in their bodies pushing them faster than they thought possible. Every instinct screamed at them to get away, to find shelter, but they had nowhere to hide. The hallway was too narrow, the walls too tight. Their only option was to outrun whatever was chasing them.

The growl grew louder, deafening, filling their ears as they ran down the hall. Ethan's heart raced as the floor seemed to shake with each step of the creature behind them. It was gaining on them.

Then, just as they reached a corner, Ethan heard a deafening roar, followed by a shrill screech. His body froze in place as a massive shadow loomed in the hallway ahead of them.

The creature.

It was huge—far larger than any monster they'd encountered before. Its twisted, bloodshot eyes glowed with malice, and its claws scraped the floor as it advanced. Its mouth opened, revealing rows of jagged teeth, dripping with saliva.

For a split second, Ethan's mind went blank.

"Keep moving!" Will shouted, breaking Ethan from his stupor.

He snapped back to reality just in time to see Clara charge forward, grabbing a nearby fire extinguisher and hurling it at the creature's face. It hit with a dull thud, but the monster didn't flinch. Instead, it let out a furious screech, its focus now completely on the group.

"Go, go, go!" Ethan yelled, pushing them forward. The creature lunged, but they were already running.

Ethan's eyes darted to the hallway ahead of them. They needed to make it to the lab. The only chance they had now was to get to the lab, where the answers might be. If they didn't, they were all dead.

But the creature wasn't backing off. It was relentless.

He turned to look back one last time, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

It was getting closer.