Chapter 44: Last Stand

Chapter 44: Last Stand

Ethan's heart pounded in his chest as the creature's monstrous screech echoed behind them. The sound vibrated the walls, sending a chill down his spine. They were almost there. Almost at the lab. But the creature was relentless, its massive form charging down the hall with terrifying speed.

"Move!" Ethan shouted again, his voice raw with urgency. His legs burned from the effort, but there was no time to rest. They had to reach the lab.

Clara was a few steps ahead, her eyes locked on the door that led into the lab. But the creature was closing in, its claws scraping against the floor, growing louder with every passing second.

"We're not going to make it!" Jess yelled, fear creeping into her voice. She was struggling to keep up, her breathing ragged as she glanced over her shoulder.

Ethan didn't answer. He couldn't. His mind was focused on one thing only—surviving. They were running out of time.

Just as they reached the door to the lab, the creature let out another roar, and Ethan heard the unmistakable sound of its claws digging into the floor as it leaped.

"Get in!" Clara screamed, throwing herself at the lab door.

It wasn't opening.

"Damn it, it's locked!" Clara's voice was tinged with panic.

Ethan turned back just as the creature's massive form loomed behind them. His eyes locked onto the beast's glowing red eyes, filled with hunger. In that moment, he realized they didn't have the luxury of time anymore.

"Will, cover us!" Ethan yelled, throwing his weight against the door. He was panicking now, his pulse racing, but he knew they had no choice.

Will spun around, his weapon already raised, and fired several rounds down the hall toward the creature. The bullets hit their mark, but the creature didn't falter. It barely even seemed to notice the attack, its eyes still fixed on the group as it barreled forward.

"Come on!" Clara shouted, slamming her shoulder into the door, her muscles straining. But the door wouldn't budge.

The creature was closing in fast now, its claws scratching against the walls as it prepared to pounce. Ethan could see its fangs glistening in the dim light, its jaws opening wide as it prepared to tear them apart.

It was then that something inside him snapped. He couldn't let this happen. Not now. Not when they were so close.

With a roar of his own, Ethan turned to face the beast. Without thinking, he charged forward, grabbing a broken piece of metal debris from the floor. His grip was tight, his knuckles white from the force of it. He had no plan, no real strategy—just raw, desperate survival instinct.

The creature lunged at him, its claws aiming for his throat, but Ethan swung the metal bar with all his might. It struck the creature's arm with a sickening crunch, and for a moment, the creature recoiled, stunned.

He had bought them a second.

"Clara, Jess, get the door open!" he shouted, his voice frantic.

Clara and Jess didn't need another command. They both rushed toward the door, each of them pulling at a separate corner of the broken terminal, desperately trying to force it open. Their efforts were frantic, but the sound of the creature advancing, the growl growing louder, made every second feel like an eternity.

Ethan didn't wait. He backed away from the creature, using the broken metal bar to keep it at bay. It lunged again, and Ethan barely managed to dodge, the creature's claws slicing through the air just inches from his body.

It was faster than he anticipated. Stronger. Deadlier.

Will fired again, his shots landing with more accuracy this time, but the creature didn't stop. It just kept coming.

Ethan's breathing became erratic, his mind struggling to keep up with the chaos. He had no weapon. No defense.

And yet, somehow, he couldn't stop himself. His body moved instinctively, his arms swinging the bar wildly as he attempted to block the creature's attacks. His legs were already growing tired, his muscles screaming for rest, but the monster didn't care. It wouldn't stop until they were all dead.

Then, the door to the lab gave way with a sharp screech, the locks snapping open as Clara and Jess pushed it wide.

"Go!" Clara yelled, already halfway through.

Without thinking, Ethan sprinted forward, pushing past the others as he reached the threshold of the lab. He could hear the creature growling behind him, its claws clanging against the floor in pursuit. His heart raced as he ducked into the lab, his body barely making it through before the creature could strike.

But the creature wasn't far behind.

Just as Ethan turned to slam the door behind them, the creature's claws made contact with the threshold, leaving deep gashes in the metal. It screeched in rage, its howls echoing as it tried to push its way through.

Will was the last to enter, and he slammed the door shut behind him with a thud.

For a moment, everything was still.

They were inside.

Ethan's chest heaved as he turned toward the others, his face pale with exhaustion. The room was dimly lit, filled with strange equipment, and a large terminal in the center flickered with power.

"We made it," Clara muttered, though her voice was filled with disbelief. She was still catching her breath, her face flushed from exertion.

Ethan shook his head, his mind still racing. "That thing… it wasn't normal. It was different."

Jess stepped forward, her eyes scanning the room. "We don't have time to figure it out. This lab, it's their headquarters. The answers we need are in here. Let's find them and get out."

But as Ethan turned toward the center of the room, something caught his eye. A series of screens blinked to life, showing footage of the creature they had just escaped.

It wasn't alone.

There were dozens of them.

And they were coming.