Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 18: The Burning Escape.

Chapter 18: The Burning Escape.

Scarlett’s eyes scanned the surrounding area, her mental map guiding her through the maze of dark, deserted corridors. The group followed close behind, their weapons held tight, each footfall careful but hurried.

"Which way?" Garvin whispered urgently, his voice tight with fear.

"Left, then right at the food court," Scarlett replied, her tone barely audible but calm, eyes fixed forward.

"We need to move faster," Rose urged, her voice edged with panic as she scanned their surroundings, pistol held ready. "They’re getting closer."

Scarlett nodded, quickening her pace without losing focus. Her mental map still glowed in her mind, leading them forward.

The Andersons, both elderly and frail, huddled in the middle of their formation, struggling to keep up as well as Mary who was trembling with fear while Matthew walked behund her, hands trembling slightly as he gripped his gun. Scarlett and Garvin led the front, while Rose and Louise took up the rear, their weapons ready.

Just as they’re about to climb up the stairs, a monstrous figure came out from a nearby store. It was tall as a giant, its jaw snapping wildly, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth dripping with saliva. Its gaze locked onto the group with a dangerous intensity, and it charged, each step pounding like thunder in the empty mall.

"Fire!" Garvin shouted, voice filled with urgency.

The group began firing, bullets tearing through the air as they ran, but the monster kept running after them, unfazed. Scarlett gritted her teeth and summoned her fire element, flames surging from her hands to engulf the creature in a blazing inferno. The flames licked at its skin, scorching it, yet still it pressed forward, snarling, eyes burning with fury.

It wasn’t alone. Other monsters emerged from the darkness, one, two, then several, their growls loud sending waves of fear and terror down the spine of the group. The thunderous growls clashed with the survivors’ frantic footsteps, echoing through the mall’s empty expanse.

"Take cover!" Scarlett shouted, urgency filling her voice as she pointed to another stairway ahead after they just finished climbing one.

The group bolted up the stairs, their breaths coming fast and heavy. But just as they reached the first landing, more monsters appeared, blocking their path. These new creatures were terrifying , their bodies made of stone and cracked earth, eyes gleaming with a dim, unnatural light. Without warning, they began hurling massive stones laced with fire, each one crashing around them with explosive force.

"We’re fucking dead!" Rose yelled as she knew shooting wouldn’t even do any harm to these monsters as they’re made of fire themselves but Mary and Matthew aren’t that smart to see that as instead of taking shelter, they both began shooting their pistol.

Scarlett leaped forward, dousing the flames with her water element before they could spread. "Are you daft? Fire won’t hurt them!" she yelled, her voice sharp and urgent. "They’ll kill us if you’re not careful!"

She then began running again with the baby still clunched to her chest as well as Garvin running by her side. The others, hearts pounding, pushed themselves to keep up with Scarlett and Garvin, every step growing more desperate as the monsters closed in from below.

"Keep moving!" Garvin yelled, fear evident in his voice, though he tried to steady it.

They pushed on, adrenaline spurring them through the chaos, each step bringing them closer to survival. Scarlett’s mental map kept them on course, her focus unbroken even as monsters pressed in on every side.

"Stairs ahead!" she called over her shoulder as they approached another flight.

"To the stairs, everyone!" Louise announced, his voice nearly drowned out by the monstrous roars echoing up the stairwell.

The group ran up the stairs, immediately but as they reached the foot of the stairs, two monstrous figures loomed from the shadows.

They were taller than any human, their bodies skeletal and abnormal, with faces that held a horrifying array of unblinking eyes. Their mouths opened wide, exposing rows of jagged, yellowed teeth.

Scarlett locked eyes on the closest monster, raising her pistol, her jaw set with determination.

"Take the one on the left," Garvin whispered, moving in sync with her.

She nodded, ready to strike. "On three," Scarlett counted, her voice barely audible, steady but intense.

Garvin fired first, his shot ringing out and breaking the tension. Scarlett followed, flames erupting from her hands as she attacked with both pistol and fire element. The rest of the group opened fire, bullets tearing through the air, some striking the monsters as others ricocheted off the stone walls. Each shot rang out like thunder, filling the hall with a relentless rhythm of survival.

The monsters staggered, their bodies jerking with each impact, but their eyes remained locked on the group, filled with a cold, unyielding malice. One monster lashed out, extending its grotesque, ten-centimeter tongue, coated in a slimy, dark venom, whipping it toward the survivors in a deadly strike.

The baby couldn’t stop crying due to the loud growls of if monsters, gun firing and running but Scarlett didn’t even spare her a glance. All what she want is to lead everyone to a safe place especially the baby and Garvin.

"Move! Now!" Scarlett shouted, urgency sharpening her voice. "The others are coming up behind us. We have to keep going, or we’re dead!"

Determination flickered in each of their faces as they surged up the stairs, pushing through their exhaustion. Their breaths came fast, but they couldn’t afford to slow down. The Andersons, already pale and trembling, managed to push forward, sheer willpower keeping them going despite their fatigue.

"Where next?" Louise gasped, glancing at Scarlett. "Are we safe yet?"

Scarlett glanced at her mental map, focusing through the blur of exhaustion and adrenaline. "Room 214. It’s empty and secure." She motioned down the hall, quickening her pace, her gaze fixed firmly on their destination.

The sounds of growls and the sickly stench of decayed flesh filled the air as they neared the room. The monsters were close behind, and every step felt like a race against death.

"Found it!" Scarlett called, relief lacing her voice as she reached the door marked 214. Without hesitation, she unlocked it and ushered the group inside. One by one, they darted through, and just as they’re about to push the door shut , a slimy, ten-centimeter tongue slithered in and the next thing was the spilling of blood and shredding of flesh which fillsd the air.

The group already drenched in blood, their expression horrified turned to see what was going on behind them and just then their eyes further widen open in shock and terror.