Evelyn barely had time to react as the infected creature in front of her convulsed violently. Its body twisted, bones cracking, flesh expanding. Thick veins pulsed beneath its skin, and its muscles bulged, stretching beyond human proportions.
Then its skull split.
A wet, grotesque tearing sound filled the air as the creature's head peeled open, revealing something monstrous beneath. A pulsating, yellowish brain swelled forward, ridged and exposed. Its face no longer held any human resemblance—just rows of razor-sharp teeth and a thick, writhing tongue that lashed hungrily in the air.
Evelyn stumbled back, gripping the rusted pipe tighter. She had seen infected mutate before—but never this fast. Never this extreme.
The creature let out an ear-piercing screech and charged.
Evelyn dove to the side as it smashed into the shelves behind her, sending metal and debris flying. Dust clouded the air, making her cough. She couldn't fight this thing—not head-on.
Her eyes darted around the storage room, searching desperately for an exit. There—an overhead vent! If she could reach it—
A sudden force slammed into her back, knocking her breathless. Clawed fingers raked her side, tearing fabric, drawing blood. Evelyn screamed, rolling away just as the creature's massive tongue lashed out, narrowly missing her throat.
Adrenaline surged through her. She had to move now.
Scrambling to her feet, she grabbed a nearby metal crate and hurled it at the creature. It crashed against its grotesque skull, momentarily dazing it. That was her chance.
Evelyn bolted toward the shelves, climbing them like a ladder. The vent was just above her—almost there!
A sickening growl rumbled below. The creature had recovered. Its powerful limbs tensed—then it leaped.
The entire shelf shook as the mutated beast clawed its way up after her, its breath hot against her legs.
With one final push, Evelyn grabbed the vent's edge and yanked herself inside. The metal groaned beneath her weight. She twisted, using her foot to kick the vent cover loose.
A wet, slimy grip coiled around her ankle. The creature's tongue.
Evelyn screamed as it began dragging her back down. Its jagged teeth snapped hungrily, its eyes filled with insatiable rage.
With all her strength, she swung the pipe downward—smashing it against the monster's exposed brain. A sickening crack echoed as the creature reeled, screeching in pain. Its grip loosened.
Evelyn didn't hesitate. She kicked free, scrambling deeper into the vent.
Behind her, the mutated horror let out an inhuman roar, its body twitching violently. It wasn't dead. It was angry.
This was just the beginning.