Into the Depths
The night was thick with fog as Samantha and Daniel made their way to the subway entrance Victor had mentioned. The map in Samantha's hand felt heavier with each step. The Forsaken Facility was real—more than just a legend or a myth. It was a ticking clock, and they were about to walk straight into it.
The subway tunnels were old, unused, and smelled of rust and decay. They descended into the shadows, the sounds of their footsteps echoing against the worn concrete walls. Samantha's mind was a whirlwind of possibilities. If Blackwood had hidden something this dangerous under the city, it meant everything they'd encountered so far was part of a larger plan—one she hadn't fully understood until now.
"I can't believe we're actually doing this," Daniel murmured, his voice low and tense. "There's no going back once we're in."
Samantha didn't answer immediately. She was too focused, her every sense alert. They had no idea what awaited them in the depths of the tunnels, but she had a sinking feeling they wouldn't be alone. The thought of Blackwood's men, possibly lying in wait, made her grip her gun a little tighter. They had to be prepared for anything.
The further they ventured, the more oppressive the air became. The staleness clung to their clothes and skin, a reminder of how long these tunnels had been left untouched. Samantha kept a close eye on the map, checking each twist and turn they made. They needed to reach the access point before anyone realized they were coming.
"Just a little further," Samantha said, her voice breaking the silence. "The facility should be just beyond this next passage."
They turned the corner, and the faint outline of a metal door came into view. It was old, rusted, and partially hidden by a cluster of crates and discarded debris. Samantha's heart rate quickened as they approached. This was it—the entrance to the Forsaken Facility.
Samantha pulled out her flashlight and shone it on the door, inspecting it for any signs of security. No cameras, no alarms—just a heavy lock that would be easy to break with the right tools. She motioned for Daniel to step back.
"I've got this," she whispered.
In one fluid motion, she set to work with her lock-picking kit, her hands steady as she manipulated the mechanisms. The seconds stretched out, each click of the lock making her more aware of how vulnerable they were. One wrong move, and the entire operation could fall apart.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the lock clicked open. Samantha exhaled, her tension easing slightly. She slowly pushed the door open, revealing a narrow staircase leading down into darkness. The temperature dropped as they descended, the air growing colder with every step. The faint hum of machinery could be heard in the distance, a low, constant sound that sent a shiver down Samantha's spine.
"We're in," Daniel whispered, his voice filled with a mix of awe and apprehension.
Samantha nodded, her mind already on the task at hand. She checked her gun once more, making sure it was ready. "Let's move."
They moved cautiously through the corridor, their footsteps muffled by the thick walls. Samantha's flashlight scanned the area ahead, revealing a series of locked doors, all of which appeared to be heavily secured. They were in a facility designed to keep people out—and if Victor had been right, there was no telling what kind of horrors lay behind those doors.
As they reached the end of the hallway, Samantha paused. There was a security checkpoint—an old, rusted terminal sitting against the wall. It wasn't high-tech, but it might still have access to the facility's systems. If they could hack into it, they might be able to find the location of Project Lazarus.
Daniel stepped forward, his fingers moving quickly over the terminal's keys. Samantha stood guard, listening for any sounds that might indicate someone was nearby. The tension was almost unbearable.
"Got it," Daniel said after a few moments. "I've bypassed the security. The main control room is just ahead. We'll be able to find the project in there."
They continued down the corridor, more alert than ever. The hallway opened up into a large chamber, and in the center of the room was a heavy metal door, the kind that looked like it had been built to withstand anything. It was marked with a single word: "Lazarus."
Samantha's breath caught in her throat. This was it. The heart of Blackwood's operation. Behind that door lay whatever nightmare he had planned to unleash on the city.
But before she could reach for the handle, a sound echoed through the room. It was the unmistakable click of a gun being cocked.
"Freeze," a voice commanded, low and menacing.
Samantha's heart skipped a beat. She froze, her hand inching toward her weapon, but she knew she wouldn't be fast enough. Daniel's expression hardened, his own gun already in his hand, but the intruder had them outgunned.
A figure stepped from the shadows, a dark silhouette illuminated only by the faint glow of the emergency lights. The man was tall, broad-shouldered, and wearing tactical gear—Blackwood's men. His face was obscured by a mask, but there was no mistaking the deadly intent in his eyes.
"You shouldn't have come here," the man said, his voice cold. "This is where your story ends."
Samantha's mind raced. They had walked right into a trap. The man in front of them wasn't just any soldier. He was an enforcer, someone whose sole purpose was to eliminate threats to Blackwood's plans.
But Samantha wasn't about to let him win. Not now. Not after everything they had been through.
"Move back," Samantha said, her voice steady as she slowly backed away. "We don't want trouble."
The enforcer's eyes narrowed. "Too late for that."
Before Samantha could react, a loud bang echoed through the air, followed by the deafening hiss of an alarm. The entire facility seemed to come alive with activity, and Samantha's heart sank. They had triggered the security breach.
"Run!" Daniel shouted.
They didn't need to be told twice. Samantha grabbed Daniel's arm, pulling him toward the nearest exit as the enforcer fired. The bullets ricocheted off the walls, forcing them to take cover behind a row of crates.
"Head for the tunnels!" Samantha ordered, her pulse racing. "We can't stay here!"
They sprinted, dodging gunfire as the facility erupted into chaos. The sounds of boots pounding on the concrete grew louder as reinforcements closed in. Samantha could hear the shrill whine of security doors locking into place, trapping them deeper inside.
"Over there!" Daniel yelled, pointing toward a small hatch near the wall. "We can get out through there!"
Samantha didn't hesitate. They bolted for the hatch, adrenaline surging through her body. She reached it first, yanking it open with all her strength. The darkness beyond it felt like a promise of escape.
"Go!" Samantha shouted.
But as Daniel was about to climb through, the unmistakable sound of footsteps stopped them cold. They weren't alone anymore.
And this time, they weren't sure if they'd make it out alive.
-end of chapter 14