Chapter 45: The Awakening

Chapter 45: The Awakening

Ethan's heart skipped a beat as the screens flickered, showing the horrific footage of the creatures they had narrowly escaped. Each screen displayed the same chilling image: the creature they had just fought, surrounded by more of its kind, all monstrous, all hungry. The footage was static, but the message was clear—this was no isolated incident.

"Clara," Ethan's voice was tense, barely above a whisper. "There's more of them. A lot more."

Clara stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she watched the screens. Her gaze hardened. "This is bigger than we thought. This wasn't some random monster. This is a coordinated attack."

Jess had already moved to the terminal in the center of the room, her fingers flying over the keys, searching for anything useful. "I'm trying to access the facility's main database. There has to be something here—something that explains what the hell is going on."

Ethan turned back to the screens, trying to steady his racing heart. His mind whirled with the implications of what they were seeing. The creatures—they weren't just random mutations or freak accidents. They were organized, coordinated. And if they had a central base like this facility, it meant the infection was far worse than he'd ever imagined.

Will's voice broke through his thoughts. "We need to move, Ethan. These things aren't going to just stay in one place. They'll find a way in. We need answers, but we can't afford to stay here long."

Ethan nodded, his jaw clenched. He knew Will was right. The creature they had barely escaped was not the only one of its kind, and it was only a matter of time before they found a way into the lab. They were running out of time.

"Jess," Ethan said, turning toward her. "What did you find?"

Jess's face was lit by the glow of the terminal. She was scanning through data files quickly, muttering under her breath. Finally, she found something. Her fingers stopped moving, and she stared at the screen in disbelief.

"I found it," she said, her voice low but filled with a hint of awe. "This facility—this is where it all started. The creatures, the infection—it's all connected to an experiment gone wrong. A bioweapon designed to enhance human strength, but something went terribly wrong. The creatures… they're the result of that experiment."

Ethan felt a surge of anger rise in his chest. A bioweapon. That was what they were dealing with. That was why the world had fallen apart so quickly. Whoever had initiated this experiment had unleashed a nightmare.

"And this," Jess continued, tapping the screen. "This is where it gets worse. The experiment… it wasn't just a failure. They were deliberately enhancing the creatures—changing their biology, making them stronger, faster. And they were spreading it. The infection wasn't just some random accident. They were trying to create an army."

Clara stepped closer to the screen, her expression hardening. "An army for what? What was their end goal?"

Jess scrolled through more files, her face pale as she absorbed the information. "I'm not sure yet, but I've found mentions of a 'Project Genesis.' From the looks of it, this project was about using the creatures to create a new race of… soldiers. Enhanced humans, turned into these things."

Ethan's mind was racing. "How do we stop it?"

Jess's eyes flickered with uncertainty. "I don't know. The files are incomplete, but there's something about a failsafe. A way to neutralize the creatures, but it's locked behind several security protocols. We'll need more access codes."

Will cursed, his hands tightening around his weapon. "So, what? We're supposed to find these codes and hope that whatever's left of the world can fix this?"

"No," Ethan said, his voice cold with determination. "We're going to stop this. We've come this far. We'll find a way. We'll finish what they started—before they finish us."

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from down the hall. The door they had just locked was rattling, the unmistakable sound of claws scraping against metal filling the room. The creatures were here. They had already breached the outer defenses.

Jess quickly moved to the terminal again, her fingers flying over the keys in a frantic attempt to access more files. "We need to move. Now."

Ethan didn't hesitate. "Will, cover the door. Clara, Jess, get that information. We don't have long."

The sound of the creatures growing louder outside only made their actions faster. They had to move quickly. This facility was no longer safe. They had what they needed for now, but they couldn't stay here.

Clara and Jess quickly moved to the side of the terminal, scanning for anything else that could help. Meanwhile, Will took up position near the door, weapon raised and ready to fire.

Ethan's mind was in overdrive. They had the information they needed, but now they had to make it out alive. The creatures were closing in, and they had no idea what else might be waiting for them.

Suddenly, a loud thud rang out from the door, and a crack appeared in the metal. The creatures were getting closer, and the door wouldn't hold much longer.

"Jess!" Ethan barked. "We need those access codes now!"

"I'm working on it!" she shouted back, her face a mask of concentration. "I just need a minute!"

Ethan's eyes darted to the door. The crack was widening. They didn't have a minute. They barely had a second.

"Will, take the first shot. Don't let them get in," Ethan ordered.

Will nodded, his jaw tight. "Got it."

Just as the door splintered open, Will fired a precise shot that hit the creature square in the chest. It stumbled backward, momentarily thrown off balance. But more followed, and the swarm was closing in.

Ethan's blood ran cold as he realized the full scope of their situation. They weren't just fighting for their survival anymore. They were fighting for the future.

The future of what was left of humanity.