Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 51: Where’s Scarlett?!

Chapter 51: Where’s Scarlett?!

Golden’s vision blurred as the slimy tendril constricted her neck. She clawed desperately at the appendage, but it only tightened its grip, the slimy texture burning her hands. Panic set in, her airway closing, and black spots began to dance across her vision.

Just as all hope seemed lost, adrenaline surged through her body like a fiery tide. Summoning every ounce of strength, Golden reached for the knife strapped to her waist. Her fingers fumbled against the hilt, but she managed to grasp it. With a swift, desperate motion, she jammed the blade into the thick, writhing tentacle.

The monster let out an ear-splitting screech as its grip loosened. Golden tore herself free, collapsing to the floor as she gasped for air. She spun around to face her attacker, an horror abomination. Its elongated limbs twitched as its razor-sharp teeth glistened with saliva. Bloodshot eyes bulged from its distorted face, fixed on her with malevolent intent.

Golden didn’t hesitate. Her hand darted to her gun, and she fired several rounds. The bullets struck the creature’s thick hide but did little more than slow it down. It roared in fury, shaking the very foundations of the supermarket.

Golden sprinted down the aisle, weaving through the toppled shelves and shattered debris. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears as she searched for an escape.

Behind her, the monster gave chase. Its guttural growls echoed in the ruined supermarket as it smashed through obstacles in its path.

Suddenly, Golden spotted a ventilation shaft overhead. That’s my only chance, she thought, her instincts kicking in. She leaped onto a fallen shelf, using it as a platform to propel herself upward. Her fingers just managed to grasp the edge of the shaft.

With gritted teeth, she pulled herself up, but before she could climb fully inside, a clawed tendril snaked around her leg, slicing through her flesh. Pain exploded in her stomach as blood poured from the deep gash. Golden screamed but didn’t let go. Summoning what strength she had left, she swung her knife again, severing the creature’s limb.

The tendril fell away, and she hauled herself into the shaft, her body trembling from exertion. Blood dripped onto the metal surface below her, and her breathing came in ragged gasps.

Golden’s hands fumbled for her bag. Pulling out a bottle of methylated spirit, she poured it over the wound without hesitation. The pain was blinding, a searing agony that made her cry out, but she couldn’t afford to stop. She tied a strip of cloth around her waist, tightening it to slow the bleeding.

Victor’s voice crackled in her earpiece. "Golden, report your status."

"I’m... alive," she stammered, her voice strained as she pressed a trembling hand against her wound.

"Good," Victor replied coldly. "I don’t care what you’re dealing with. Remember your mission. Don’t fail me, or your siblings die."

Golden’s jaw tightened as anger mixed with fear. Her resolve hardened. "Please keep my siblings safe."

The monster below roared, its claws tearing at the ventilation shaft as it tried to widen the opening. Golden forced herself to move, crawling deeper into the dark, narrow passage.

______________

Meanwhile, with Scarlett’s group...

The group trekked through the desolate city, the oppressive silence broken only by the distant growls of monsters.

Ethan led the way, his elemental powers flaring faintly in preparation. "Stay close," he warned, his sharp eyes scanning their surroundings. "This place may look quiet, but it’s a death trap."

Scarlett walked beside him, her gaze drifting toward Garvin, who was struggling to keep up. He lagged behind with Larry, Louise, and Maya, his injured arm a visible hindrance.

"Scarlett, focus!" Ethan barked as he grabbed her hand, pulling her closer to him.

Startled, Scarlett reached out and grabbed Garvin’s hand with her free one, dragging him along.

"At this pace, we’ve got maybe an hour before we reach the safe haven," Larry said, his hand igniting with a small flame. "But let’s not kid ourselves, there’s no way we’re getting there without a fight."

"Thank you, Captain Obvious," Louise quipped, his gun raised and ready. His eyes never left the shifting shadows ahead.

A deafening roar split the air, and a massive creature lumbered into view. It was taller than a thirteen-story building, with two abnormal shaped heads, razor-sharp teeth, and a long, fifteen centimeter tongue dripping with venom. Blood-red eyes locked onto the group as the creature emitted a guttural snarl.

Before anyone could react, the monster began tearing through the city, its massive claws slashing apart anything in its path. As if summoned by its roar, more creatures emerged from the shadows, hundreds of them, all with the same murderous intent.

"Oh, we’re so screwed," Maya muttered under her breath as the ground beneath them began to shake she to the monsters, raising her gun and firing. The bullets struck one creature, eliciting a pained howl, but the damage was superficial. The monsters only seemed to grow more frenzied.

"Keep firing!" Ethan shouted.

He raised his arms, summoning a whirlwind of debris to block the monsters’ advance. Larry unleashed torrents of fire, engulfing several creatures in flames, but the horde pressed on, undeterred.

"Take cover!" Ethan commanded.

The group scattered, seeking refuge behind fallen walls and rubble. Garvin stumbled, clutching his injured arm as Larry and Maya helped him to safety.

Scarlett attempted to summon her elemental powers, but sparks fizzled out from her hands. Panic crept into her expression as she tried again, fire, water, earth, all to no avail.

"This wall won’t hold much longer!" Ethan yelled, sweat pouring down his face as he strained to maintain the barrier.

"We need a plan!" Louise shouted, firing his gun into the crowd of monsters.

"The plan is to survive," Ethan snapped. "Once the wall falls, head east! I’ll create another barrier to buy us more time!"

The group nodded in agreement.

As the wall began to crumble, Scarlett’s eyes suddenly glowed a crimson red. Her movements stilled, her gaze fixed on the group, but something in her demeanor had shifted.

But the group didn’t notice.

"Run!" Ethan shouted, grabbing Scarlett’s hand and leading the charge.

The group sprinted through the ruins, dodging debris and leaping over obstacles as the monsters burst through the crumbling wall behind them. Ethan and Larry unleashed fire and debris to slow their pursuers, but the sheer number of creatures was overwhelming.

"There’s no way we’re making it out alive!" Maya cried, her voice trembling with fear.

"We’ll make it," Ethan growled, his determination unshaken.

Ahead, Ethan spotted a dense forest. "This way!" he shouted, veering right.

The group dove into the underbrush, hiding among the foliage as the monsters thundered past on the narrow road, oblivious to their escape. Only when the growls faded into the distance did they dare to breathe again.

"We did it," Ethan said, collapsing against a tree.

"Where’s Scarlett?" Garvin asked, his voice trembling.

The group turned, confusion dawning on their faces. Ethan then stared at the hand he’d been holding, it wasn’t Scarlett’s. It was a monstrous claw, severed at the wrist and dripping with blood.