The duo moved briskly, their steps muffled by the oppressive silence of the hallway. Amber gritted her teeth, her injured leg slowing them significantly, though she refused to let it stop her. Most of her weight rested on Kane, but neither of them had the luxury of complaining.

  Kane glanced at the compass, his voice low. “We’re getting close. But… It’s getting closer.”

  Amber shot him a glare, her frustration bubbling over. “Thanks, Captain Obvious. How about using that brain of yours for something useful?”

  Before he could respond, one of the compass needles began spinning wildly. Abruptly, it snapped into place, pointing backward. Kane’s voice dropped to a whisper. “I think this thing tracks the source of the noise… We need to hurry, it’s right behind-”

  As if on cue, a bone-chilling roar reverberated through the corridors, followed by the heavy, thunderous pounding of footsteps from behind. Without hesitation, Kane tightened his grip on Amber’s hand and pulled her forward, practically dragging her along. He didn’t dare look back.

  But Amber did.

  What she saw defied reason. At first glance, it resembled a human—two legs, two arms, a humanoid form—but that comparison felt like an insult to humanity. Its grotesquely overgrown muscles rippled beneath sickly pale skin, its massive frame towering at nearly twelve feet. Red veins pulsed like molten lava through its body, and its eyes glowed like crimson beacons. A massive contraption of wires and tubes jutted from its back, hissing and steaming with each lumbering step. It gets faster and faster, even in the few seconds she sees it, it nearly catches up.

  Amber’s breath caught in her throat as her mind screamed to process the abomination. Before she could react further, Kane yanked her into a narrow side hallway. She watched the creature fly past, unable to stop its momentum, but the thumping quickly starts again.

  They sprinted to a door at the end of the passage. Kane threw his weight against it, the heavy wood refusing to budge. “This has to be it,” he muttered, fumbling for the key. “Please work…”

  He shoved the golden key into the lock, twisting it with a satisfying click. The door creaked open, and the two of them stumbled inside. Amber stole one last glance behind them. The creature was forcing its way into the hallway, its grotesque and large form stretching and distorting the narrow space. Even the reinforced concrete walls groaned as they began to crack under the strain, as its massive hands push it outwards forcing its way in.

  She slammed the door shut, throwing her weight against it as Kane joined her. Together, they heaved it closed just as the beast collided with it, shaking the frame with a deafening boom, nearly causing them to fall forward. Kane quickly locked the door, and the two staggered back, hearts pounding as the creature continued its relentless assault.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  The door, however, didn’t budge. Almost impossibly, it didn’t even shift, despite the booming noise.

  After what felt like an eternity, the pounding ceased. The thunderous footsteps faded into the distance. As she strains her ears, it’s almost like the basement is sound proof, the lack of noise suffocating.

  Amber collapsed against the wall, her chest heaving as she tried to steady her breath. Kane stood nearby, brushing the dust off his clothes. When she looked up at him, she saw a new expression etched into his face. His fear was still there, but something else burned in his eyes—a fierce determination.

  “You’re not going to stop, are you?” she asked quietly, her voice carrying a mixture of exasperation and resignation.

  Kane met her gaze, his voice steady. “No. Whatever this is, it’s not normal. I didn’t get a good look at it, but those red eyes… they weren’t natural.”

  Amber shuddered. “I got a good look, alright. It was… wrong. Like someone pumped it full of steroids—military-grade steroids—and then just let it rot into… that.”

  Kane frowned, seeming deep in thought. “It could’ve been human once… and Grandpa trapped it here. But why? And how? None of this makes sense.”

  He sighs, extending a hand to her, helping her to her feet. “Let’s get you somewhere safe. You need rest.”

  Amber shook her head. “I’ll be fine. The thing couldn’t break through the door. I’ve slept in worse conditions.”

  “You’re staying?” Kane asked, clearly concerned. “I don’t think it’ll be safe, especially for—”

  “Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” she snapped, cutting him off. She’s heard that too many times. “I know the risks. But for once in my life, I feel… inspired. Not like an adrenaline junkie. It’s just… this is bigger than us. I want to see where it goes.”

  A small smile crept onto Kane’s face. “Good. We’ll figure this out together. But first, you’re resting. That leg needs time to heal.”

  Amber twisted her leg experimentally, blinking in surprise. “Actually… it doesn’t even hurt anymore. I think I can put weight on it.”

  Kane frowned. “That’s not how it works. A wound like that will—wait, Amber, don’t—”

  Before he could stop her, she stood up, her injured leg fully supporting her weight. There was a little soreness, but she didn’t even flinch.

  Kane knelt to inspect her leg, his expression shifting to one of utter disbelief. “Amber… this… it’s almost healed?! How is that possible? It’s only been a few hours!”

  She waved a hand dismissively. “Kane, just accept it. Nothing makes sense anymore. For all we know, magic’s real. Plus, I’m not complaining, cause otherwise it’s weeks or months of healing probably.” She smirked at his dumbfounded look. “I’ll rest if it makes you happy, but tomorrow, we’re getting to the bottom of this. Deal?”

  Without waiting for a response, she limped off to her room, closing the door behind her. Kane remained seated, his mind racing with questions. Before he could begin sorting through the chaos, Amber’s door flew open.

  “Damn it! I forgot the meat!” she shouted, rushing past him and out the door.

  Kane laughs slightly at her antics, before he moves further into the house. He picks a room, before placing his backpack down and getting comfortable. He looks up at the full moon through the window, before he slowly dozed off, using his backpack as a makeshift pillow.

  Long spindly limbs cling to the shadows of the ceiling. Two glowing red eyes pierced through the darkness, unblinking as they tracked Kane’s every movement.

  Silently, it slithered down the wall, slipping through the window. With inhuman precision, it silently crawled into the gaping hole below the ruined mural of the deer, disappearing into the labyrinth below.