Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 53: A Grave Decision.

Chapter 53: A Grave Decision.

Golden continued to climb deeper into the ventilator shaft, her breaths coming in ragged, shallow gasps.

The monster, which had somehow forced its way into the narrow shaft, followed her with relentless determination. Its guttural growls echoed through the confined space, each sound reverberating against the metal walls. The deafening noise sent waves of terror coursing through Golden, her limbs trembling as she fought to move forward.

Her vision blurred, a mix of exhaustion and fear clouding her senses. Her hands, slick with her own blood, struggled to grip the cold, slippery metal as she pulled herself upward. The sharp, acrid scent of blood mingled with the foul stench of the monster’s hot breath wafting up the shaft.

Pain seared through her abdomen with every movement, but she gritted her teeth, forcing herself onward. The shaft stretched endlessly before her, a twisting maze of suffocating darkness and unforgiving steel.

Her mind was splintering, fragmented thoughts flashing like lightning through her brain: Scarlett’s determined smile, Ethan’s reassuring words, Garvin’s hearty laugh. Were they still alive? Or had the monsters taken them too?

Behind her, the monster’s claws scraped against the metal, each screech a piercing reminder of its relentless pursuit. Golden’s heart pounded, her shallow breaths barely sustaining her.

A glimmer of light ahead caught her eye, a vent cover. It was faint but undeniable, a beacon of hope piercing through the shadows.

She gritted her teeth, summoning every ounce of strength left in her battered body. Hauling herself upward, she ignored the sharp protests of her muscles and the fiery ache in her stomach.

With one final, desperate lunge, Golden pushed the vent cover open and tumbled out into a facility, she collapsed onto the cold floor, her vision spinning but the nightmare wasn’t over.

The monster burst out of the shaft behind her, its glowing eyes locked onto her like a predator eyeing its prey.

Golden forced herself to her feet, adrenaline surging through her veins as she sprinted down the corridor. The creature’s guttural roars reverberated behind her, growing louder with each passing second.

Up ahead, a sign loomed in her blurry vision: "Emergency Exit."

Her heart leapt with a flicker of hope. She threw herself against the doors, blasting through them and slamming them shut behind her. The sound of the heavy metal slamming into place echoed through the corridor, and she leaned against it, panting for air.

But the creature was unrelenting. Its sharp claws began to tear through the doors, the screeching sound piercing the silence of the early morning.

Golden stumbled into the cool, crisp air outside, her breaths coming in frantic gasps. The asphalt beneath her felt solid, grounding her for just a moment. But she knew better than to rest.

Gathering the last remnants of her strength, she pushed herself forward, running into the streets. She had no destination in mind, only the primal instinct to survive. The thought of more monsters lurking in the shadows propelled her onward, her senses sharp despite the exhaustion threatening to overwhelm her.

______

Meanwhile

In the forest, Ethan and Garvin struggled under Scarlett’s unrelenting grip.

Scarlett had Garvin pinned to the floor, her fangs embedded deep in his shoulder as she drank his blood with a feral hunger. Ethan, restrained by her other arm, struggled against her strength, his flames flickering hesitantly along his skin.

"Let me go!" Ethan yelled, his voice raw with desperation. He controlled the fire dancing along his arms, careful not to let it burn Scarlett despite her attack. "Scarlett, listen to me! You have to stop this!"

Garvin’s voice, weak but filled with emotion, broke through the tension. "Scarlett... you’re not a monster. Fight it. You don’t have to give in."

Scarlett’s crimson eyes burned with an unnatural hunger, locking onto Ethan. Her lips curled into a snarl as she tightened her grip on Garvin, her teeth sinking deeper into his flesh. Garvin screamed, his voice echoing through the room and tearing at Ethan’s resolve.

"Scarlett!" Ethan shouted again, his flames flaring brighter. The air around them shimmered with heat, and the temperature began to increase.

Garvin’s blood dripped from Scarlett’s mouth as she paused briefly, her head tilting as if she’d heard Ethan’s words. But then the hunger returned, stronger than before.

"Ethan..." Garvin rasped, his voice barely audible. His eyes were filled with a mix of pain and pleading. "If you can’t stop her... just leave. Spare her if you can, but...

"I’m sorry, Garvin," Ethan said, his voice trembling. His hands ignited with flames that danced with deadly intent. "I can’t let her keep doing this."

Garvin’s tear-filled eyes met Ethan’s. "Please... don’t hurt her. There’s still a chance. I know there is."

Ethan hesitated, his flames faltering for a moment. But Scarlett’s fangs tore deeper into Garvin’s flesh, and the sound of ripping skin filled the air.

"No! She’s no longer human. It’s better to end her life than to let her keep killing people," Ethan declared, his voice firm as flames danced in his hands. His fire element engulfed Scarlett, her screams of agony echoing in the desolate landscape.

"Please, let her go!" Garvin pleaded, his voice breaking as tears streamed down his cheeks.

Ethan’s expression remained cold and unyielding. "This is me being merciful. I could have severed her head from her body, but I chose not to. Instead, I’m giving her a painless release by burning her to ashes. That’s the extent of my kindness," he replied, his fire still consuming Scarlett’s body. Her screams gradually weakened until silence filled the air. Her lifeless body hit the ground with a sickening thud, and the stench of charred flesh wafted through the atmosphere.

Garvin’s knees buckled as the horrifying sight unraveled before him. His breath hitched, his vision blurred, and his body grew limp as unconsciousness claimed him.

Scarlett’s body continued to burn, the flames refusing to extinguish even though Ethan had already stopped channeling his power.

As the fire eventually died down, leaving behind smoldering remains, Ethan turned his attention to Garvin. Kneeling beside him, he gently examined the wounded man’s shoulder. The injury was deep and severe. Ethan’s jaw tightened as he realized he had no choice but to use his remaining elemental strength to help.

With a trembling hand, Ethan summoned a soft flame, weaving it delicately with his water element. The fire’s heat cauterized the wound, while the water soothed the burn and cleansed it. Once the bleeding stopped, he swiftly bandaged Garvin’s shoulder.

Garvin stirred, his eyelids fluttering open. Confusion clouded his gaze, but the moment his eyes landed on Scarlett’s charred remains, everything came rushing back to him like a flood.

"Scarlett?" he whispered hoarsely, his voice trembling. Disbelief washed over him as he crawled toward her lifeless form. "No... no, no, no... This can’t be happening."

Tears poured down his face as he cradled Scarlett’s burned body in his arms. Her once vibrant features were now unrecognizable, replaced by charred flesh and the scent of death. "Please, open your eyes!" he sobbed, rocking her gently as if willing her to come back to life.

Ethan’s face twisted in anguish as he watched Garvin break down. "She’s gone, Garvin," he said softly, his voice tinged with regret. "I’m so sorry."

"Gone? Don’t you dare say that!" Garvin cried out, his voice cracking under the weight of his grief. He clutched Scarlett closer to his chest, his entire body trembling. "She’s not gone! She can’t be gone! You’re lying!"

"Would you rather die than accept the truth?" Ethan snapped, his patience thinning. "Scarlett was no longer herself. She had become a monster, Garvin! A creature that couldn’t come back from what she had turned into."

Garvin shook his head violently, refusing to listen. "You don’t understand! She’s not a monster, she’s still Scarlett! How could you...how could you do this to her?"

"She was already lost to us," Ethan countered, his tone grave. "The bite she suffered from the monsters didn’t just injure her; it changed her. She might’ve fought it off for a while, but it was inevitable. She couldn’t stay human, Garvin. She was a monster."

"Just shut up please," Garvin muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. His tears dripped onto Scarlett’s lifeless form as he rocked her back and forth.

Ethan sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping. He hated himself for what he’d done, but there had been no other choice. "We need to leave," he said urgently, glancing at their surroundings. "If we stay here, we’ll be overrun. My powers are drained from treating your wound, and I can’t fight off another attack. If more monsters find us, we’ll both end up like Scarlett."

Garvin ignored him, consumed by his grief. He felt powerless...useless. Scarlett was gone, and there was nothing he could do to change that. The weight of his failure crushed him. He had promised to protect her, in this life and the last, yet he had failed her again.

Ethan knelt beside him, his voice softening. "The only thing we can do now is bury her properly. Let’s give her the respect she deserves."

But Garvin clung to Scarlett’s remains, refusing to let go. "No," he whispered, shaking his head. "You can’t take her from me."

Ethan’s heart ached at the sight. He placed a hand on Garvin’s other shoulder. "Let go, Garvin," he pleaded. "Please."

But there was still no response. Ethan sighed deeply. He didn’t want to do this, but there was no other way. With a heavy heart, he raised his hand and struck Garvin’s temple, knocking him unconscious.

"I’m sorry," Ethan murmured as he gently pried Scarlett’s body from Garvin’s grasp. He used his earth element to dig a grave, carving out a final resting place for the woman who had once been their friend. Carefully, he laid her body to rest and covered it with soil.

Kneeling by the fresh grave, Ethan whispered, "I hope you can forgive me, Scarlett. I didn’t want it to end this way." A single tear rolled down his cheek as he stood and turned back to Garvin.

Lifting Garvin onto his shoulder, Ethan began to walk away. His steps were heavy, his heart even heavier, as he left the grave behind.