Chapter 2: Beneath the Ice
The inside of the Arctic Research Facility was eerily silent.
Dust floated in the stale air.Broken equipment and old research files were scattered across the floors, as if the last occupants had left in a hurry.
"Looks like no one's been here for years," Karan said, shining his flashlight across the dark hallways.
Sia picked up a torn journal from a nearby table.The last entry read:"We heard something beneath the ice. Something... alive."
Aarav frowned. "This station was supposed to be abandoned for maintenance. Nobody said anything about strange activity."
They explored further, their boots crunching on the frozen floor.
Deep inside the main control room, they found a large monitor still faintly glowing.To their surprise, a data feed was active — showing temperature readings, seismic activity... and something else.A deep, steady pulse coming from underneath the ice.
Sia stared at the screen. "Is that... a heartbeat?"
Before Aarav could answer, a loud boom echoed from outside.The ground shook lightly beneath their feet.
The team rushed to the nearest window and looked out into the endless white ——but they saw nothing. Only swirling snow and thick fog.
"We need to be careful," Aarav said firmly. "There's something under the ice, and it's not natural."
Karan nodded, loading his equipment."We're here to find answers, right? Let's dig."
None of them noticed the faint, shifting shadow moving just beyond the edge of the fog...watching them.
Waiting.