Dark. Damp. Endless.
Ava's lungs burned as she stumbled through the pitch-black hallway, Arlo's hand gripping hers like a lifeline. Behind them, the screeches of the creatures echoed, claws scraping against metal, closer and closer.
"Arlo, they're catching up—!"
"Quiet," he hissed, yanking her into a narrow passage barely wide enough for the two of them. He killed the flashlight with a sharp flick, plunging them into silence.
Ava pressed herself against the wall, trembling. The air was stale, suffocating. The only sound was her pounding heartbeat.
The creatures' footsteps thundered past the passage. Growls reverberated through the walls. For a moment, Ava thought they would stop, sniff the air, and drag them out. But instead, the noise faded into the distance, swallowed by the tunnels.
She exhaled shakily, realizing she'd been holding her breath.
Arlo whispered, "We can't stay here. Come on."
They crept through the narrow passage until it opened into another corridor. This one was different—lined with broken signs and peeling paint. Words barely visible under the grime: Mess Hall. Quarters. Exit A.
"Exit?" Ava's voice was small, hopeful.
Arlo frowned. "Could be fake. Or locked. Don't trust the signs."
Before they could move further, a soft beam of light swept across the corridor. Ava stiffened.
"Over here!" a voice whispered harshly.
From the shadows, the tall woman and the younger girl emerged. The older man was gone—his absence told Ava enough.
The woman raised a crowbar defensively. "We don't have time for arguments. Either we move together, or we all die."
Arlo's eyes narrowed, suspicious. "You're only saying that because you need us now."
The girl, no older than sixteen, stepped forward. Her voice shook. "Please. He saved me back there. And now he's gone. Don't make us do this alone."
Ava's heart clenched. She looked at Arlo. "We should help them. If we split up, we won't survive long."
He clenched his jaw but gave a short nod.
The group moved together, cautious, following the faded signs. Their footsteps echoed in unison, each creak of the floor making Ava's nerves spike.
Finally, they reached a wide set of double doors labeled Exit A. Rust ate away at the hinges, but it was intact.
Ava's pulse quickened. Could this really be the way out?
Arlo tested the handle. Locked. He cursed under his breath.
The woman swung her crowbar at the lock—metal clanged loudly. The sound echoed like thunder.
Too loud.
A shriek answered from somewhere in the darkness. Then another.
Ava's blood ran cold.
Arlo hissed, "You just told them exactly where we are!"
The woman's eyes widened. "Then help me open it before they get here!"
Claws scraped against the walls. Heavy footsteps rushed closer.
The lock groaned under another strike of the crowbar. Ava gripped Arlo's arm, panic surging.
"Faster," she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. "Please… before they find us."
The creatures were almost there. The door was almost breaking.
And just as the first shadow stretched across the corridor—
CRASH!
The door burst open.
They had seconds to decide: run through the unknown exit… or stay and fight.