A landscape shrouded in darkness greeted Karen as she blinked open her eyes. The air was thick, carrying a faint taste of rust and decay that clung to her throat like a haunting memory. She had no recollection of how she ended up here, just an unsettling feeling that she wasn't alone. As she moved, the ground squished beneath her feet, water rippling with each uncertain step. However, there was no visible water source or ceiling from which it could drip—only an infinite void. It felt suffocating, pressing down on her until a faint flicker caught her attention. Ahead, a thin beam of light pulsed like a distant heartbeat in the stifling darkness.

  Then she heard it.

  A single, low note shattered the silence, hanging in the air before blossoming into a melody—a violin's sorrowful lament. The music didn't comfort her; it called to her, each note a quiet command urging her onward, pushing her body to move even before her mind caught up. She trudged through the water, colder now as it seeped into her boots, biting at her skin, then shallow again until it vanished completely. Beneath her, a smooth, icy surface magnified her cautious footsteps. The music intensified, layers weaving into a frantic crescendo that tightened her chest. She reached back, fingers searching for something solid—but found nothing.

  Suddenly, she felt something stirring in the darkness behind her.

  It started soft, almost undetectable—a shift in the void, reminiscent of a sigh. Then it came again, louder and more erratic. There was not just one set of claws, but many.

  There were way too many.

  Panic gripped Karen, making her legs tremble.

  Feral ghouls.

  She couldn't see them but could feel their twisted forms crawling over each other, their insatiable hunger gnawing at her sanity.

  Run.

  Her boots clattered against the surface, echoing in frantic bursts. The light ahead brightened, and the violin's melody warped, transforming into a rapid rhythm that matched her racing heart. Behind her, guttural snarls broke the air. Damp and frightening, they rolled in waves, a chorus of unholy sounds that shoved her onward. The ground tilted beneath her, shifting as if the world was trying to thrust her back into the darkness. She stumbled, nearly falling, but the light surged closer, brighter.

  "No."

  Her voice was raspy and weak, barely rising above the chaos. Despite her lungs screaming for air and her muscles protesting with every ounce of effort, she persisted, her hand reaching out as if she could grasp the light and pull herself through.

  With one desperate leap, she lunged forward.

  The light engulfed her. The violin's melody twisted into silence so profound it echoed in her ears like the residue of a scream. Warmth enveloped her, pushing back the icy dread of the tunnel. She gasped for breath, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she turned to confront the darkness she had escaped. The ghouls hovered at the periphery, their twisted forms flickering as if even the light itself recoiled at their presence. A wave of relief washed over her, but it faded just as quickly. The violin's eerie melody returned, each note twisting oddly in the air. Karen's chest constricted, her eyes darting toward the sound. The light around her began shifting, the comforting warmth giving way to a harsh, sterile glow. It felt unnatural, reminiscent of the fluorescent lighting in vaults—bright but devoid of all solace. Every instinct screamed at her to run, yet she remained frozen. She stole one last glance back toward the tunnel. A shadow stirred within the darkness, enormous and purposeful. It approached with a predator's ease, claws scraping into the ground as it edged into the dim light. Karen's breath caught as its full form materialized—massive and intimidating, with sinewy limbs and an aura of raw, unyielding power. Its eyes shone with an otherworldly light, two haunting orbs that seemed to pierce right through her. It didn't leap. It didn't growl. It simply loomed, hulking and immovable, its presence more overwhelming than anything Karen had ever experienced. Like the Mass Fusion skyscrapers she had once seen on a crumbling pre-War billboard, it stood with an air of inevitability. Her knees went weak under its steady gaze, and the air around her crackled with an electric tension. The creature tilted its immense head, observing her with slow, careful motion that felt calculated. For a brief moment, it seemed to deliberate its next move, as Karen's heart pounded against her rib cage, desperate to escape.

  Then, like a thunderclap, the silence broke.

  The beast lunged forward, its claws tearing through the ground with a chilling screech, muscles rippling as it moved quicker than she could anticipate. A scream stuck in her throat as she stumbled back, her legs betraying her. The massive, snarling figure consumed her vision, the glow of its eyes searing into her mind.

  Just as it reached her, the light fractured, shattering into a million tiny pieces.

  Karen shot awake, gasping, her chest heaving as she sucked in the stale, metallic air of the metro station. She pressed a hand to her heart, trying to calm its frantic rhythm. The faint hum of the tunnels surrounded her, mixed with the distant sound of water dripping onto concrete. It was enough to bring her back to reality. Her heart thundered in her ears, drowning out the soft sounds of her companions stirring nearby. She glanced at them briefly, the remnants of her dream still clinging to her thoughts, refusing to dissipate. Karen shivered, wrapping her arms around herself to steady her breathing. Whatever she had just experienced wasn't merely a dream—it felt too vivid, too real. And its shadow loomed in her mind, a haunting reminder that something darker was brewing just beyond the edge of reason.

  Karen shut her eyes, trying to force herself to breathe, but that image still wouldn't go away: glowing eyes, a huge, monstrous figure. It burned in her mind, refusing to fade with the waking world. Gradually, she pulled her knees to her chest, letting the heavy silence of the tunnels weigh down on her. The dream had felt so unbelievably real, every detail etched into her memory. A nagging voice in her mind disagreed with her logical mind's attempt to dismiss the dream as nothing more than exhaustion and stress. She shook her head softly as if it could expel the haunting images. Endless darkness, the mournful violin, and that looming shape—it all clung to her like it had tattooed itself onto her very bones.

  Around her, the others began to stir as the cold, damp air of the metro station nudged them into action. Karen attempted to focus on the now, grounding herself in the familiar sounds of boots scraping against concrete and the rustle of supplies. Yet, even as they came to life in the faint glow of their flashlights, the shadows felt denser, the air more suffocating.

  Breakfast passed in quiet. The scavenged food was stale and bland, more about survival than enjoyment. Karen chewed methodically, forcing each mouthful down as fragments of the dream replayed in her mind. The constant hum of the tunnels enveloped them, a reminder that the darkness surrounding their camp wasn't vacant. It was waiting.

  Lucy was the first to get up, brushing crumbs off her jacket before swiftly holstering her pistol. The sharpness of her actions hinted at an urgency she didn't express aloud. Wolfgang followed with a worn-out sigh, breaking the stillness with his voice.

  "Sunlight," he grumbled, shaking his head.

  "Just a decent breakfast and some damn sunlight, that's all I need."

  Karen lingered in those last moments of quiet, hesitating to join the pace of preparation. As she stood, she rolled her shoulders, as if that simple motion could shake off the weight still pressing on her chest. The dream wasn't leaving her. It lingered at the edges, an unshakable presence nibbling away at her thoughts. She let out a slow breath and started to gather her things.

  Weapons checked. Supplies packed. There was nothing left to do but push ahead.

  The three of them stepped into the tunnels, their flashlights cutting through the heavy darkness in sharp, chaotic beams. The silence swallowed their footsteps as they ventured deeper into the unknown.

  With each stride, the tunnel walls seemed to encircle them, drawing them nearer and nearer. The surfaces were marred by cracks and scrawls—graffiti from before the War merged with the desperate pleas of a post-apocalyptic world. The faded advertisements for soda and vacations resembled sick jokes, eerie reminders of a world so distant from their own that they could easily have been a lie. Hands, long removed from this world, scribbled hasty warnings filled with dread and anxiety in uneven chalk below them. The silence grew heavier the further they ventured, interrupted only by the faint hiss of air escaping and the occasional sound of something skittering out of sight. Their footsteps echoed hauntingly, making their whispers resonate in the vast void of the tunnels. They rounded a bend, carefully stepping around a rusted shopping cart awkwardly sticking out in their path when Lucy finally spoke up.

  "Wolfgang," she started quietly.

  "How'd you end up with those two ghouls—Murphy and Barrett?"

  Wolfgang chuckled dryly, shaking his head.

  "Oh, those two? I've been all over the Capital Wasteland, kid. Sellin' my stuff to anyone desperate enough. That's when I bumped into those crazies. Just happened to wander into the right—or wrong, if you want to look at it that way—metro station at just the right moment."

  Lucy raised an eyebrow, glancing at him.

  "You used to travel all around? What changed?"

  Wolfgang's expression sobered.

  "Lost my brahmin a while back," he said, absentmindedly rubbing the back of his neck.

  "A slaver gang—probably those assholes from Paradise Falls—spooked the damn thing. I tried to fend 'em off, but there were too many."

  His voice lowered, and his gaze drifted to the dark tunnel ahead.

  "I ran. I managed to reach the train yard on the opposite side of these tunnels. That's when the ferals showed up."

  Karen frowned, her tone careful. "You mean a whole pack? Like earlier?"

  Wolfgang nodded grimly.

  "Yeah. A whole pack, unfortunately. In a twisted way, I guess I'm lucky. The ferals went after the slavers, and I made my escape. Never saw any of 'em again. Not the slavers, not the ghouls... and not my brahmin."

  Karen's eyes wandered the crumbling walls and the shadows that stretched out like open mouths. Though her voice was steady, her tension was evident.

  "So... are there a lot of ghouls down here?"

  Wolfgang scoffed lightly, but his grin didn't reach his eyes.

  "More than enough. But if you stick close and stay quiet, we'll be alright. They prefer the deeper tunnels—the places that sane folks stay away from."

  He gestured ahead, the motion sharp and deliberate.

  "This? This is the desirable side of town."

  Karen didn't respond, yet her hand hovering over her pistol conveyed a powerful message.

  Lucy pressed on, her jaw clenched. Whatever they were trying to achieve with this conversation, it didn't make the shadows feel any less threatening.

  The darkness thickened with every step they took, swallowing the soft glow of their flashlights while the heavy silence pressed in around them. Their boots crunched lightly on the scattered debris, the quiet rhythm broken only by the soft sound of their breathing. Karen walked closely behind Wolfgang, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the strap of her bag tightly. Lucy was in the lead, her flashlight beam flickering across walls covered in graffiti. Breaking the stillness, Lucy glanced back at Karen.

  "You've been awfully quiet back there."

  Karen blinked, startled as if she'd just come out of a daydream.

  "What? Oh, I'm just trying to stay focused. It's... a little scary down here, you know?"

  Lucy raised an eyebrow and smirked slightly, her voice light despite the tension in the air.

  "Scary, huh? I didn't take you for the jumpy type."

  Karen shrugged, her fingers tapping nervously against the grip of her pistol.

  "Yeah, well..." Her voice fell to a near whisper. "I had this dream that—"

  Suddenly, a thunderous roar sliced through the silence, reverberating off the tunnel walls with the force of a thunderclap. Dust fell from the ceiling as an orange light flared around the corner ahead. Karen froze, her hand instinctively reaching for her weapon.

  "What the hell was that?!" She exclaimed, panic creeping into her voice.

  Wolfgang's eyes darted toward the noise, narrowing in concentration.

  "That sounded like a goddamn explosion. Move!"

  Lucy didn't hesitate. She was already sprinting ahead, the flashlight bouncing wildly in her hand. Her footsteps pounded on the uneven rubble-strewn ground as Karen and Wolfgang hurried after her. As they turned the corner, another explosion rocked the tunnel, the shockwave rattling their bones and leaving a loud ringing in their ears.

  Ahead of them, radroaches scurried across the floor, their long legs scratching against the dirt. Before anyone could react, one of the creatures darted over a small metallic object—a mine. The explosion was instantaneous, a flash of light and heat that momentarily lit up the tunnel in a terrifying glow. Their eyes watered from the noxious aroma of scorching metal and dead roaches that flooded their nostrils.

  "Shit," Wolfgang muttered, covering his face from the flying debris.

  "Looks like The Family's got this place rigged."

  Karen's eyes widened as she looked ahead, her voice shaky.

  "There's more, isn't there?"

  Wolfgang's face grew serious as he scanned the ground.

  "Oh, you can bet on it. From here on out, we've gotta watch every damn step."

  Lucy adjusted her grip on her pistol, her brow furrowed in concern.

  "What do you think they're trying to keep out?"

  Wolfgang lowered his voice, making it almost a whisper.

  "More like what they're trying to keep in."

  The seriousness of his words hung heavily in the smoky air as Lucy shifted her gaze forward, her expression steely.

  "Let's keep moving. Slowly. No one gets careless."

  Before proceeding, with extreme care, the group exchanged worried glances. A more oppressive stillness reigned. Every move felt like a risk.

  They hadn't gone far when a new sound broke through the stillness: a soft shuffling accompanied by deep, guttural growls from further within the tunnel, where the escaping radroaches had vanished into the shadows. The noises intensified, accompanied by a terrible scraping that sent a chill down their spines and caused the hair on the backs of their necks to stand.

  Karen instinctively reached for her weapon, her voice barely above a whisper.

  "What the fuck was that?"

  Before anyone had a chance to reply, a figure stepped into the faint beam of Lucy's flashlight, emerging from a dark doorway in the wall. Its skin was pale and mottled, stretched tightly over bony limbs. The creature's head twitched unnaturally, its empty, soulless eyes scanning the tunnel as if searching for the source of the terrifying noise of the mines. It let out a snarl, a guttural, wet sound that echoed ominously through the tunnel like a primal warning. As it drew closer to the light, a violent shove came from behind it.

  Another ghoul staggered forth from the darkness, then another, and another.

  Within moments, the narrow entrance was overwhelmed by a writhing mass of decayed flesh and snapping jaws, the horde streaming into the tunnel with grotesque urgency. Karen stood motionless, her breath trapped in her throat. The jerking, clawing figures surged forward, their horrific limbs reaching eagerly for anything that moved. She couldn't look away, her body paralyzed by the sheer terror of the approaching horde. Wolfgang remained unfazed. His voice pierced through the chaos.

  "Run!" He shouted. "Now!"

  The urgency in his voice shocked Karen into action. She spun around, her boots slipping on the ground as she propelled her legs into motion. She sprinted after Lucy, who was already racing ahead, her light violently swaying with each hasty step. The tunnel erupted into chaos, the guttural snarls of the ghouls growing louder, blending with the scrape of claws on concrete and the frantic rhythm of their fleeing footsteps.

  The frantic chase set off the leftover traps from The Family.

  A deafening blast echoed through the tunnel when one of the ghouls tripped a mine. The explosion tore apart its lower body, sending gore and shards of bone flying in every direction. With a sickening thud, what remained of its torso smashed into the wall, leaving a gruesome smear before it collapsed lifelessly onto the ground.

  Another ghoul, fueled by its insatiable hunger, charged ahead without a second thought. It hit a second mine head-on, the blast shredding it mid-stride. Its twisted body soared through the air, spinning violently before crashing back down. A thin piece of sinew hung grotesquely from its mangled shoulder, while its head nearly turned backward. Even in its broken state, it squirmed feebly, its clawed hand scraping the concrete in a pointless attempt to pull itself forward.

  A third mine exploded behind them with a thunderous roar, sending a shockwave that rattled their teeth and spraying fresh blood and debris through the air. The force launched a ghoul into the ceiling, where it crunched violently before crashing to the ground in a hideous sprawl. The ghoul's limbs bent at awkward angles, its shattered ribcage protruding like broken wood. Blood pooled around the ruined remains, soaking into the cracks of the tunnel floor. The air was heavy with the stench of burned flesh and the metallic aftertaste of blood.

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  Karen's eyes watered, and her throat felt raw, but the gruesome scene didn't slow the advancing swarm. The mines ripped into the crowd, yet for every ghoul that was reduced to a mangled pile, more pressed on with relentless determination. The sickening sound of ferals scrambling over the remains of their mutilated kin played like a horrific backdrop to their escape. Karen's heart raced, each beat echoing in her ears and urging her forward. Adrenaline coursed through her, narrowing her focus to the flickering beams of their flashlights and the narrow path right in front of her. Her lungs screamed as she pushed herself to keep up with Lucy and Wolfgang, her legs begging for a break as they darted through the seemingly never-ending maze of tunnels.

  From behind, the snarls of the horde grew louder with each passing second. The shadows created by their flashlights flickered wildly on the walls, distorted by the graffiti and debris scattered along the path, making it feel like the tunnel was alive and mocking their fear.

  Wolfgang turned halfway, his face pale yet determined.

  "Keep moving!" He shouted, his voice barely rising above the chaos.

  "Don't stop for anything!"

  Karen glanced over her shoulder, and the image seared into her mind: the horde pushing through the smoke, the twisted, half-destroyed ghouls dragging themselves forward, clawing the ground in their relentless pursuit. Her stomach churned, and she immediately focused forward again. Her legs throbbed, and her lungs burned intensely, yet she had no choice but to continue. They couldn't afford to be cautious. Every action they took carried a risk, with a deep-seated hope that the path ahead would lead to safety instead of a dead end.

  "Wolfgang!" Lucy shouted, her voice cutting through the noise in a panic.

  "What do we do?!"

  Wolfgang glanced back once more, his face grim.

  "We survive!" He yelled back with urgency.

  "Just keep running! We'll figure it out!"

  Another explosion rattled the tunnel behind them, the heat and shockwave brushing against their backs as more traps set by The Family went off. The ghouls howled in rage, their grotesque outlines briefly illuminated by the fiery blasts. But still, they pressed on, driven by hunger and unfazed by the chaos that had thinned their numbers.

  "Keep going!" Wolfgang shouted, spinning around to fire a quick shot over his shoulder.

  For a brief moment, the muzzle flash illuminated the tunnel, casting eerie shadows on the walls and revealing the swarm of snapping jaws and clawing hands rushing toward them like a living wave.

  Ahead of him, hope emerged—a solitary train car, its door hanging open like an invitation against the dim light of the tunnel.

  With the urgency of a man who has just discovered dry land, he called out and pointed at it.

  "There!"

  The three raced toward the train car, adrenaline giving them an unexpected burst of energy. Wolfgang reached it first, slamming his shoulder against the heavy door to push it open wider. The metal creaked in protest, the sound drowned out by the chaos behind them. Turning back, he raised his 9mm and fired, each shot a frantic bid for a few more precious seconds.

  "Get inside!" He shouted, his voice ragged.

  Lucy was next, grabbing the edge of the car to pull herself up. Her boots fumbled for grip, and with a determined grunt, she threw herself inside, landing on the floor with a thud. Quickly, she twisted around and stretched her hand out, screaming,

  "Karen! Hurry up!"

  Karen was right behind her, gripping the edge of the door as she pulled herself up. A wave of relief washed over her—she was so close. But just as she swung one leg into the car, a ghoul's decaying hand shot out from the shadows, clamping down on her ankle. Its skin was slick and rubbery, stretched tight over bone, and its nails raked painfully against her boot as it tightened its hold.

  A scream burst from Karen's throat, high-pitched and frantic. The ghoul snarled, its rotten breath washing over her like a foul tide. It pulled her back with a force that jolted her body, and she clawed at the edge of the door desperately. Her fingernails scraped along the metal, leaving pale marks as she fought to stay inside.

  "I've got you!" Wolfgang shouted, dropping his gun and lunging forward. His hands clutched her arm, straining against the ghoul's unyielding grip.

  "Lucy, help me!"

  Lucy was already there, gripping Karen's other arm tightly as the ghouls swarmed around her legs.

  Karen's scream pierced through the air as the ghouls lunged at her, their clawed hands gripping and tearing at her jacket. She flailed, managing to kick one of the ghouls in the chest, but it barely budged. Its hideous face drew close, rancid breath hitting her like a punch.

  "They're pulling me down! They're pulling me—" Panic broke her voice.

  Lucy's 10mm erupted into the horde, each shot echoing in the tunnel and lighting up the chaos with bursts of flame. Each bullet struck true, tearing through rotten flesh and twisted bone, sending ghouls crashing down in ugly heaps. Still, for every ghoul that went down, another took its place, faces twisted with insatiable hunger. Then, amidst the chaos, Lucy's gun clicked empty.

  "Damn it!" She cursed, her frustration cutting through the noise as she put the empty pistol away.

  In one swift motion, she swung her hunting rifle into place, the familiar weight reassuring. She racked the bolt with a sharp clack and steadied the weapon. Her sights fixed on a ghoul scrambling over its fallen comrades, and she squeezed the trigger.

  The shot rang out, the bullet tearing through the ghoul's skull in a sickening spray of bone and blood.

  Wolfgang gritted his teeth, muscles straining as he gripped Karen's arm.

  "C'mon!" He roared, voice straining with effort.

  With a final heave, he pulled her free from the ghoul's grip, the force sending her sprawling across the train car floor.

  Karen barely had time to scramble to her feet before Wolfgang slammed the door shut, pressing himself against it as the ghouls banged on the other side. Their claws screeched against the metal.

  "Keep going!" He barked, shoving Karen forward.

  "We've gotta go!"

  The three of them bolted down the length of the car, their boots clattering against the rusty floor. Outside the grimy windows, ghouls surrounded them, their grotesque shapes pacing the train car, clawed hands raking at the glass as if mocking their prey. The sound was maddening—a constant screeching reminder of how close danger was.

  "They're gonna box us in!" Lucy shouted, urgency tightening her voice as she pushed ahead.

  Due to the sheer number of ghouls slamming against it, the train car became unstable, causing Lucy and Karen to collapse onto the dilapidated seats amidst the wreckage.

  The front door of the train car loomed before them, their only chance at escape. Wolfgang reached it first, throwing it open and firing a few shots into the darkness outside. The gunfire echoed sharply, but it didn't stop the wave of snarling bodies flooding into their space.

  "Let's get outta here!"

  Wolfgang gave the command, grabbing Lucy's arm to propel her forward. She stumbled, quickly regaining her balance, rifle still in hand as they dashed toward the tunnel.

  Karen was just steps behind, breaths coming fast and shallow as adrenaline surged through her. But as she reached the door, the ghouls turned their focus on her. Their bodies slammed into the car, knocking her off balance as they lunged at her with terrifying force. She stumbled back, the weight of their charge pushing her back into the train car.

  "Lucy! Wolfgang!" She yelled, her voice raw with panic as she stumbled backward.

  With a forceful shove, she slammed the door shut and locked it, her hands shaking uncontrollably as she struggled to get the job done. Outside, the ghouls clawed at the sides of the train car, their nails screeching against the metal in a way that made her stomach turn. Karen stepped back, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps, her wide eyes racing around the decayed cabin, searching for a way out.

  "This can't be happening," she murmured, her voice shaking, barely rising above the menacing snarls rocking the air outside.

  The sound of her heart pounded in her ears. Nightmarish creatures, who shouldn't even exist, had trapped her. Sure, she'd heard the terrifying stories—everyone in the Wasteland had. Feral ghouls. They were emotionless beings, consumed by a mindless hunger. Hearing about them was one thing; facing them was a waking nightmare.

  Her thoughts drifted back to the day before when they'd barely escaped the last horde.

  "That was terrifying," she muttered bitterly, her voice faltering.

  "But this—this is so much worse. There are so many of them."

  The deep growls and thrumming thuds surrounded her, causing her to flinch as the pounding against the walls grew more intense, picturing the claws ripping through flimsy metal and dragging her into the waiting jaws of the horde. Peering through the grimy front window, she saw Wolfgang and Lucy still running. The ghouls pursued them relentlessly, their jaws snapping and limbs flailing. Then Lucy paused, glancing back at the train car. Karen's terrified gaze locked onto hers.

  "She stopped," Karen whispered, a flicker of hope igniting in her chest.

  But then, Wolfgang yanked Lucy's arm, pulling her away and out of sight.

  Karen felt her stomach drop as she watched them disappear around the corner, leaving her behind in the chaos.

  "They left me," she said, her voice cracking as the painful realization hit her like a blow, dissolving the last of her courage.

  Her chest heaved, short, ragged breaths escaping her. The pounding on the train car grew more frenzied, the sounds of the ghouls merging into a deafening roar that gnawed at her sanity. Karen sank into one of the crumbling seats, the springs creaking under her weight. Her hands shook uncontrollably as she clutched the .32 pistol Evan King had handed her. The gun felt impossibly heavy, almost mocking in her grip. She flipped the cylinder open, her breath hitching as she counted the bullets.

  Two. Just two.

  "What am I supposed to do with this?" She muttered bitterly, her voice breaking as frustration surged within her.

  She buried her head in her hands, fingers tangling in her hair as tears threatened to spill. The weight of hopelessness engulfed her, a heavy force pushing down, trying to snuff out the tiny spark of fight still flickering inside.

  "They'll come back for me," she whispered, clinging to that thought like a lifeline, repeating it desperately in her mind.

  "They have to."

  But then a darker thought crept in, unwelcome and harsh.

  "Unless they're dead."

  She attempted to force those words out of her mind, but they clung to her like a haunting symphony.

  Time dragged on, each second stretching into forever. Minutes blurred into what felt like hours, yet the pounding never let up. It was maddening—a constant reminder of her confinement. With every second that went by, the air became heavier and heavier with the stench of sweat and rot. The space around her seemed to close in, the walls pressing down, suffocating her.

  Anger flared up, cutting through her fear like a sharp knife, and her teeth tightened.

  "I was supposed to stay outside the tunnels; I shouldn't be here. They shouldn't have left me behind."

  The words slipped out through clenched teeth, hot and bitter.

  The ghouls were monsters, no doubt—but so was the Wasteland. She'd faced it before. She'd fought against the hunger, the thirst, and the Raiders. She wasn't weak. But this? This felt different. This felt like a betrayal.

  Her fists tightened, nails digging into her palms as her legs shook with restless energy. She forced herself to stand, the decaying seat creaking beneath her weight.

  "Maybe I wasn't quick enough; maybe I held them back, but I can't stay here," she murmured, her voice trembling yet firm.

  Her eyes scanned the car, looking for something—anything—that could offer an escape. Rusted metal, encrusted with layers of dirt, made up the walls. Debris was accumulating in the corners. Nothing. Despair tightened its grip around her until she spotted it—a faint, blinking red light just beyond the window. Karen squinted, leaning in closer, her breath fogging up the grimy glass. The light pulsed in a steady rhythm, a tiny beacon cutting through the haze of dust and smoke outside.

  "A maintenance room? A side passage?" She whispered to herself, the words barely rising above the chaos of snarls and pounding.

  It wasn't much, but it was a chance.

  Her gaze shot to the doors—both at the front and back of the car—shaking violently under the ghouls' relentless assault. The rusted metal groaned ominously, and she could hear the scrape of claws finding their way in.

  The window. It was her only shot.

  She glanced back, half-expecting the ghouls to burst through any second.

  "Alright," she whispered to herself, voice low but determined.

  "If I'm getting outta here."

  Her hands trembled as she aimed the pistol at the dirty glass, her breath catching in her throat. She paused for a fleeting moment, then, without another thought, she pulled the trigger.

  With a thunderous crack, the glass exploded, sending shards flying out and briefly capturing the flickering light. The ghouls reacted immediately, their snarls turning into frenzied howls. They turned to the fresh opening, clawed hands tearing at the railcar's metal. Karen clenched her teeth and forced her way through the jagged frame without squandering any time. Her boots hit the ground with a jarring thud, the shock coursing up her legs. She sprinted forward, her breath coming in quick, ragged gasps, each step resonating against the concrete as her heartbeat roared. The creatures were unrelenting in their pursuit, their deep growls growing louder, bouncing off the tunnel walls in a maddening symphony. She dared a glance over her shoulder, and her stomach churned. She saw a mass of snapping jaws and rotting limbs, their shapes twisting in the faint light. Ahead, a red light pulsed like a beacon. Karen locked her eyes on it, concentrating on that singular point. Her legs ached, and her chest felt heavy, but she pushed herself harder, the snarls and shrieks behind her driving her forward.

  She slammed into the door to the side passage with her shoulder, spinning around to push it shut. Just as she did, a ghoul lunged at her, and with a bone-jarring thud, its decomposing body crashed into the door. The impact knocked her off her feet, sending her sprawling to the ground. The metallic clang of the door reverberated through the narrow corridor as the creature scrambled inside, its claws wildly swiping toward her legs. Screaming, Karen felt adrenaline surge through her as she kicked the door with both feet, managing to slam it shut behind the creature. She tried to scramble to her feet, but the ghoul was too quick. It tackled her, its rotting weight slamming her back to the ground. Dazed, she felt pain shoot through her body as its claws ripped at her arms, shoulders, and face.

  "NOOO!" She screamed, her voice tearing from her throat as she instinctively threw her arms up to defend herself.

  The creature's attacks were unyielding, leaving deep cuts on her forearms and grazing her cheeks. A jagged claw ripped down her face, the stinging burn intensifying as blood dripped into her eyes, clouding her vision. Another strike bounced off her temple, lighting up bursts of stars behind her eyelids. The snarling was deafening now. The ghoul's putrid breath washed over her as she writhed beneath it, struggling to push it away. Its strength was overwhelming, pinning her down while her muscles screamed in protest. It felt as if she was suffocating under its weight.

  Frantically, her eyes searched the room for a way out. Then she spotted it—her pistol, lying just out of reach on the filthy floor.

  She twisted her body, stretching her free arm toward the weapon. The ghoul's claws tore through her hair again, each frantic swipe sending fresh pain through her skull. Her fingers brushed against the pistol's grip, but another swipe knocked her arm away, and she let out a howl of frustration as desperation tightened its grip around her chest. Ignoring the pain, she strained her body once more, finally managing to grab the weapon. Exerting her remaining strength, she swung the pistol upward, slamming it against the side of the ghoul's head. The sickening crack of impact made the creature stagger back for a moment, but its hunger quickly overcame the pause. It lunged forward, its snapping jaws coming dangerously close to her throat. Filled with fury, she hit it again, this time even harder. The ghoul flinched but continued to press down, its claws desperately searching for a hold. Her breaths were ragged, panic taking hold of her. Shifting her grip, she forced the barrel upward, sliding it under the creature's jaw. The cold metal scraped against its teeth as she pushed it deeper into the ghoul's mouth, her arms shaking from the effort.

  "FUCK YOU!"

  She screamed, her voice hoarse and raw with terror. Her finger found the trigger, and she pulled. The blast ripped through the ghoul's head—the gunshot echoed loudly in the cramped space. Its skull shattered, splattering blood, brain matter, and bits of bone across the room, coating the wall and the terminal behind it in hideous crimson. The creature's body twitched from the impact, thrown back like a puppet with its strings cut, before smashing into the floor with a sickening thud. Karen didn't hesitate. Her finger kept pulling the trigger, over and over, yet all that came was the hollow click of an empty chamber. But her frantic mind wouldn't admit defeat.

  Click. Click. Click.

  Her screams mixed with the dry, repetitive clicks, creating a chaotic symphony of terror and rage that bounced off the cold metal walls around her. The gun trembled violently in her shaky hand, her knuckles turning ghostly white from the stress.

  Then, quiet.

  The pistol slipped from her numb fingers, clattering on the floor. Her arms dropped uselessly to her sides, her whole body shaking as the adrenaline began to fade. For a moment, she lay there, chest heaving, her blood-smeared face tilted toward the dim light as if searching for answers. The sound of the door pounding resurfaced, intensifying in volume and urgency, creating a jarring rhythm that caused her stomach to twist. Karen slowly pushed herself up, her limbs stiff and heavy from the experience. She instinctively wrapped her arms around her knees, pulling them tight against her chest. Her eyes fixated on the contorted body of the ghoul, sprawled grotesquely in front of her, its eyes wide and unblinking—but no longer alive. She couldn't help but stare, her mind grappling with the shocking reality of what she had just done, even though she had no other option. That creature had been just seconds away from ending her life. Yet, gazing at the mangled remains didn't feel like a victory. Her stomach churned, and she forced herself to look away, nausea rising in her throat. Every slight movement sent sharp pains shooting through her battered body. Blood trickled steadily from a cut above her eyebrow, running into her eye and blurring her vision. She tried to wipe it away with a shaky hand, smearing a dark streak across her face. The cut on her lip pulsed, and her ribs ached with every shallow, cautious breath. Her body felt like a painful melody, each note reminding her of her narrow escape. Karen scanned the room, eyes darting anxiously for anything that could offer salvation. She searched for an exit, a weapon, a miracle—anything that could ignite a glimmer of hope. But the room offered her no mercy. The pounding on the door grew louder, each deafening hit a reminder that her reprieve was fleeting. The pistol lay useless by her side now. The weight of her situation felt crushing, squeezing out what little hope she had left. Her gaze landed on the terminal against the wall. Above it, a red light pulsed in a steady rhythm, casting flickering shadows across the room. The mechanical heartbeat of the light caught her attention, drawing her eyes to the far wall where six large, cylindrical pods stood tall. Their dormant machinery, streaked with grime and rust, hummed quietly, sending unsettling vibrations through the air. She couldn't see what was inside the pods, but the sight sent a chilling shiver down her spine. For a moment, the banging at the door faded into the background as she stared at the pods, teetering between fear and morbid curiosity.

  Karen struggled to her feet, every movement sending sharp pains and dull aches coursing through her. Her legs shook beneath her, barely able to support her as she leaned heavily against the wall. Each shallow breath caused her bruised ribs to tingle as she gasped for oxygen. The dim glow of the screen broke through the darkness like a beacon, its cold light reflecting off the blood smeared on her trembling hands. She used the back of her palm to wipe her eyes, leaving her cheek streaked with blood and sweat. Her vision blurred, stinging from the dirt and fatigue weighing her down. Taking a shaky breath, Karen reached out, her fingers grazing the screen. She swiped awkwardly at the display, attempting to clear away the bone fragments and stubborn brain tissue clinging to the glass. The light from the screen glinted in her wide, bloodshot eyes as the glowing words appeared before her:

  "Protectron Control."

  Her breath hitched, the pounding in her chest pausing as she gazed at the display. Hope, or maybe desperation, flickered in her stomach. Her lips parted, her voice barely above a whisper, teetering between disbelief and relief:

  "What do we have here?"

  Their footsteps gradually faded, the snarls and scraping claws receding into the distance. Wolfgang leaned heavily against the tunnel wall, struggling to catch his breath as he tightly gripped his 9mm. His eyes darted back along the dimly lit path, flickering with exhaustion and unease.

  "Okay," he breathed out between gasps, "I think we lost 'em."

  Lucy spun around, fire in her eyes.

  "Lost them? We can't just leave and not look for Karen."

  Wolfgang's expression twisted in disbelief, and a bitter laugh escaped him.

  "Are you delusional?" You saw that mess back there! If she got separated, she's probably—"

  "She's not dead!" Lucy shot back, her voice trembling with raw emotion.

  She stepped closer, her fists clenched tight.

  "I saw her. She locked herself in the train car. She might still be alive!"

  Wolfgang shook his head, a harsh chuckle rumbling in his throat, thick with cynicism.

  "It's not that simple, doll. There's a horde of freaks between us and her. We're moving forward. End of story. Unless..."

  He smirked darkly, raising an eyebrow.

  "Unless you think you can just march back there and rescue her yourself?"

  Lucy's nails dug into her palms, her body shaking with restrained fury. Before she could retort, Wolfgang pointed toward the dark tunnel ahead.

  "Me? I plan on living today. Call me crazy, but I've got a thing about not getting eaten alive."

  She glared at him, her jaw clenched tight until it ached. Her voice came out low and venomous.

  "Real hero you are, Wolfgang. I bet Karen would be thrilled to know you're such a coward."

  For a moment, Wolfgang's cocky smirk faltered. His voice softened, a hint of weariness creeping in.

  "Coward? Nah, doll. I'm worried about her too—believe me. But I'm not dumb enough to throw my life away for a battle I can't win."

  Lucy wanted to scream, to unleash all her pent-up frustration at him. But deep down, she realized he wasn't wrong. Going back now would be a death sentence. She took a sharp, shaky breath, her hands trembling at her sides.

  "Fine," she spat, her voice tight with anger.

  "Let's move. But if she's alive and we just left her—"

  Wolfgang interrupted her with a shrug, his tone sharp yet almost casual.

  "Then she's one tough gal. And if not..."

  His voice softened for a moment.

  "Look, Lucy. You can't save everyone. This is the Wasteland. Accept that, and you might just live a bit longer."

  Lucy fell silent, her glare boring into his back as they started walking again; each unusually loud stride echoed the dense, stifling tension between them. Finally, she exhaled as her jaw tightened and gnawed against itself.

  "You're quite the piece of work, you know that?"

  "Oh, I know," Wolfgang said flippantly. "Thanks for noticing."

  Lucy's anger erupted.

  "How can you just walk away like that?" She shot back.

  "She trusted you, Wolfgang! Hell, I trusted you! But the second things get tough, you're just ready to leave her to those things?"

  Wolfgang started to reply, but Lucy wasn't done yet.

  "I really should've known better. You care about exactly one person—yourself. All those jokes and that bullshit charm? Just a mask for the fact that you're a coward too afraid to—"

  "Yeah, yeah, I get it." Wolfgang cut in sharply, his voice slicing through hers.

  He raised a hand, his focus shifting to something ahead.

  "We've got bigger problems."

  Lucy's stomach sank as she followed his line of sight, frozen in place. The metro tunnel in front of them wasn't empty—but it wasn't safe either. Mines littered the ground, their dull metallic shine catching what little light was available. Tripwires crisscrossed the area, some leading to explosives, others to who-knows-what. Rusty bear traps and jagged metal shards were scattered around like deadly confetti. The entire stretch was a death trap.

  "Shit..." Lucy murmured, her voice barely above a whisper against the rapid beat of her heart.

  Before Wolfgang could answer, a blinding light flooded the darkness, making them shield their eyes. A booming voice echoed from behind a wall of sandbags.

  "Don't move another inch!"

  Lucy squinted against the brightness until she saw a silhouetted figure, steadily and unwaveringly aiming an assault rifle at them.

  Wolfgang's arm dropped slightly, and a nervous grin flickered on his face.

  "Well, Doll," he said, his tone lighter than the charged atmosphere,

  "Looks like we've found 'em."

  Lucy shot him a warning look, her fingers tightening around her gun. Her heart raced as her eyes darted to the figure holding the weapon.

  This was it. The Family.

  Ian had to be here.