Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 62: This Is Also Suicide.

Chapter 62: This Is Also Suicide.

Scarlett didn’t answer. Instead, she yanked open the door. As it creaked on its hinges, headlights from multiple vehicles flooded the dim room, their beams cutting through the darkness like knives. Several black vans screeched to a halt just outside. The sudden roar of gunfire erupted, reverberating through the night as armed soldiers poured out of the vehicles. The Axe Squad.

Scarlett’s breath hitched as she watched them unleash a torrent of bullets into the horde of monsters. Flames erupted as the creatures were engulfed in fiery death, their grotesque forms flailing wildly before collapsing.

Without wasting a second, Scarlett slammed the heavy iron door shut with a grunt, sealing the room off just in time to prevent anyone from being caught in the deadly crossfire.

"Damn it! We’re screwed!" Larry spat, his voice a mix of panic and frustration. "Victor and his men are here! This...this is exactly why I wanted us to leave earlier ! But no, we couldn’t because those stupid monsters kept roaming around!" He threw his hands in the air, pacing in agitation.

"What are we going to do now? Wait for them to finish killing the monsters and then come for us next?" Maya’s voice cracked as she spoke, her eyes darting to the door. She clutched her arms tightly, pacing back and forth.

The tension in the room was suffocating. The other survivors broke into panicked cries, their voices blending into a mixture of fear and despair.

Outside, the relentless gunfire continued, accompanied by the sporadic roars and screeches of dying monsters. Yet amidst the chaos, Scarlett’s gaze never wavered from the door. Her jaw clenched, and her eyes gleamed with a mixture of fury and resolve.

"Garvin, Louise, Ethan get the others out of here," she commanded, her voice cold and sharp as a blade.

"What?!" Louise stared at her in disbelief. "You actually think we can escape? Alive? Scarlett, come on! Even if by some miracle that’s possible, what about you? You’re not thinking about going after Victor by yourself, are you?"

"She is!" Maya interjected, her tone teetering on hysteria. "And it’s insane! Victor’s men must have the entire place surrounded. There’s no way out! If we leave now, we’ll run straight into their hands and die. If we stay, they’ll just come for us here. Either way, we’re doomed!"

"They haven’t surrounded everywhere," Scarlett snapped, her tone brooking no argument. "I can sense their movements." She gestured at the others firmly, her green eyes boring into them. "I’m not asking....I’m telling you. I’ll buy you time. Larry will help me hold them off. Just get the others out of here before it’s too late."

Maya’s lips quivered, her voice lowering. "You’re talking like we have a choice, Scarlett. Even if we leave, what chance do we have?"

"Your chance is what you make of it," Scarlett replied, her tone resolute. "Your lives are in your own hands now. Either you fight to survive, or you die here tonight."

Scarlett glanced at Larry, whose grim expression mirrored her own. Then she turned her attention to the others. "We’ll hold them off as long as we can. Because once those soldiers finish off the monsters, they’ll come for us. Don’t wait for that. Move while you still can."

Maya shook her head, her voice trembling. "This is also suicide...Even if Victor men aren’t much outside, what about monsters?!

"Can you all just leave now?! You’re wasting time with your questions." Scarlett’s voice rose, filled with raw emotion. "I’m going to kill Victor with my own hands if he’s out there. If he isn’t, then fine. His death will be postponed, but mark my words it will still be my hand that ends him."

Her voice wavered for a moment as memories of Golden, Jaden, and Hope surged to the forefront of her mind. Crimson tears slipped down her cheeks, a silent testament to the pain she carried, but she quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand.

"There’s no more time to argue," Scarlett said, her voice regaining its edge. "Move now, or don’t move at all. But if you choose to stay here, don’t expect mercy when those beasts in human form come through that door."

The survivors looked at each other, their terror palpable, yet her words lit a fragile spark of determination in some of them. Garvin and Ethan began ushering the others toward the back, preparing to find an escape route.

Scarlett turned to Larry, her expression grim. "Let’s get ready." She then turned her gaze to the door, her fingers curling into fists. Inside her, the fire of vengeance burned hotter than ever.

Victor, she thought, her mind repeating his name like a curse. You’re going to pay for what you’ve done. Maybe not tonight, but I swear on their memory....your time is coming.

"Please, both of you...be careful. Even though you can regenerate, you’re still human." Garvin said with a worried expression.

Scarlett offered a faint smile, a warmth in her expression that seemed almost out of place amidst the tension. "Don’t worry about us, Garvin. Just focus on getting everyone out safely."

"I’m staying," Maya declared, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes. She stepped closer to Scarlett and Larry, gripping her weapon tightly. "The three of us together can take Victor’s men down."

"Maya, no. It’s too dangerous..." Larry began, but she cut him off.

"No buts, Larry. Even if I get shot, you two can save me. I’m not leaving, so stop trying to convince me otherwise," Maya said, her tone resolute, daring him to argue further.

Larry hesitated, but Scarlett nodded, her expression softening. "Fine. But if you’re staying, listen to every command we give. We don’t have room for mistakes."

Meanwhile, Louise and Ethan continue ushering the other survivors toward the back of the room, their movements quick but cautious. Scarlett, Larry, and Maya took positions near the front door, their weapons at the ready.

The sound of gunfire and distant screams was dying down outside, a chilling indication that the Axe Squad soldiers were almost done dealing with the monsters. Scarlett’s sharp hearing picked up the faint, purposeful footsteps approaching the building.

"Are you ready?" Larry asked, his eyes fixed on the door. He tightened his grip on his gun and added, "Remember, bullets might not kill us outright, but if they capture us... that’s worse. Avoid being caught at all costs. And don’t forget...if they decapitate you, you will die I guess. And I don’t think Regeneration will save us except you get a new system, Scarlett."

Scarlett nodded, her expression solemn. "Understood." she then brought out a black mask and covered her face as well as Larry and Maya.

Suddenly, the front door burst open, and the Axe Squad soldiers stormed in, their fierce expressions lit by the glow of their weapons. But instead of firing, they halted abruptly, standing in a line with their guns aimed but not yet shooting.

"What the hell is this?" Maya hissed, her voice barely above a whisper, her grip tightening on her gun.

One of the soldiers stepped forward, his voice cold and emotionless. "We’re not here to fight you. Not yet. We have one question. Answer truthfully, and no one else has to die." His sharp gaze swept across the group. "We’re looking for someone. A woman named Scarlett. Which one of you is Scarlett? Or is she one of the survivors trying to escape through the back?"

Scarlett’s heart thudded in her chest as she exchanged a glance with Larry and Maya.

Larry leaned in closer to Scarlett and whispered, "Why the hell are they after you? Golden said you were in danger before she died. Is this what she meant? The Axe Squad?"

The soldiers didn’t bother bringing Scarlett scent with them to discover her as Victor had made it clear that she was among other survivors and even though they’re not able to capture her tonight, he only wants to see what she looks like.

The soldier’s voice interrupted their hushed exchange. "This is your final chance to cooperate," he said, his tone unwavering. "Mind you, the survivors heading out the back will not get far. We’ve stationed soldiers a few miles from here where people with powers among you can’t sense them."

"What?" Scarlett, Maya, and Larry yelled in unison, their faces twisting in anger and disbelief.

"Those bastards," Maya cursed under her breath.

Larry’s voice dropped to a whisper as he leaned closer to Scarlett. "We have to stop them. If we don’t act now, everyone’s dead. Let’s take these soldiers down."

The soldier’s eyes narrowed as he added, "Even if you kill us here, a signal will be sent to the ambush team. They’ll execute the survivors the moment we’re eliminated. So think carefully before you act. Remove your masks and let’s see your faces. It’s quite obvious one of these ladies is Scarlett."

"Screw you!" Larry spat, his voice low but seething with rage.

Ding!

{Host, you have the skills of invisibility, enhanced strength, and speed. These can be used to your advantage. The notification was given during your monster form, but now that you’re in human form, I’m reminding you again.}

Scarlett’s thoughts raced. Can my invisibility cover all the survivors?

{Yes, host.}

Her lips curved into a grim smile as she whispered to Larry, "We’re taking them out. They probably have cameras transmitting back to Victor. If they see me regenerate, he’ll know who I am and hunt me down forever even if we manage to kill these soldiers. We can’t let that happen."

Larry gave a curt nod. "I’m with you."

The soldier closest to them raised his gun, aiming it directly at the three to threaten them further to remove their masks but before he could move closer, Scarlett and Larry moved in perfect sync. Drawing their guns as they’ve both decided not to use elemental powers, they opened fire, dodging bullets with Larry supernatural precision.

The fight was brutal and swift. Scarlett and Larry continued to shoot the soldiers and in mere moments, the room was littered with the bodies of a hundred soldiers, their lifeless forms pooling blood on the floor.

Scarlett turned to Larry and Maya, her chest heaving. "We have to go. Now. If we don’t stop the ambush, the others are as good as dead."

Without waiting for a response, Scarlett and Larry sprinted toward the back door, Maya close on their heels.

__________

At the Back Door

The survivors reached the end of the cave-like tunnel leading out of the school. Garvin placed a hand on the rusted handle, turning it slowly. The door creaked loudly, the sound echoing like a warning bell through the cold, stale air.

As the door swung open, a frigid gust swept in, carrying with it the acrid stench of smoke and death. Garvin’s heart sank as his eyes adjusted to the darkness outside.

Waiting for them were more of Victor’s soldiers