The room plunged into darkness.
Blaze let out a deep, rumbling growl. Shadow's fur bristled as she hissed.
Ethan gripped his weapon, every muscle tensed. "Valerie, get those lights back on."
"I'm trying!" Valerie's fingers flew over the keys, but the system was locked down.
Then—Evelyn's voice returned, smooth and cold.
"You walked into my web so easily."
Noah cursed under his breath. "I hate being predictable."
A mechanical hum filled the air. Then—metal clanking.
Olivia's eyes darted around. "Do you hear that?"
Valerie's screen flickered, flashing red warnings.
Her voice was tight. "Oh, no."
Ethan didn't like that tone. "What?"
She turned, face pale.
"She's waking them up."
The Experiment Lives
The clanking grew louder.
From the shadows, figures began to emerge.
But these weren't like the creatures they'd fought before.
They were taller. Stronger.
And worst of all—they were aware.
Glowing blue eyes locked onto them.
Then the first one moved.
Lightning-fast, it lunged.
Ethan barely rolled aside as claws slashed through the air where he'd just been. Olivia fired—direct hit to the chest.
The creature didn't stop.
Noah swung a metal pipe, cracking it across the skull. The impact barely fazed it.
"Okay, cool, so they're bulletproof now?" Noah yelled.
Valerie grabbed Ethan's arm. "We need to get out—NOW."
The door was sealed.
Their only escape was through the vents above.
Ethan didn't hesitate. He lifted Valerie first. "Go!"
Noah shoved a table against the wall, giving them a boost. Olivia climbed up next, then Noah.
Ethan turned just as a creature lunged.
Blaze tackled it midair, teeth sinking into its neck.
Shadow slashed another across the eyes.
"Blaze! Shadow! Up!" Ethan commanded.
The dog and cat sprang up into the vent.
Ethan followed—just as the creatures swarmed the spot where he had stood.
A Desperate Escape
They crawled through the vents, heartbeats pounding.
Evelyn's voice echoed through the facility.
"You can run, but there's nowhere left to go."
Valerie whispered, "She's controlling everything."
Ethan's jaw clenched. "Then we take her control away."
Ahead, the vent opened into a control room.
A chance to fight back.
A chance to end this.
Ethan's eyes narrowed.
"Let's finish this."