Leon's breath came fast, his heart hammering against his ribs as he listened. The sound in the tunnel ahead wasn't just one noise—it was many. A symphony of chittering, slithering, and something wet dragging across the concrete.
Mia wiped blood from her lip, her grip tightening on her rifle. "We're walking into another damn nest, aren't we?"
Evelyn didn't respond. She was too busy watching the shadows pulse and shift ahead.
Leon exhaled. No turning back.
The tunnel stretched endlessly in both directions, but forward was their only path. The walls, once rusted metal and concrete, were now lined with something organic. Black, veined flesh pulsed under the dim emergency lights, glistening with a wet sheen.
Mia scowled. "This wasn't here before."
They took cautious steps forward, weapons raised. Every movement echoed against the tunnel walls, bouncing between the unseen horrors lurking in the dark.
Then the scraping sound stopped.
Evelyn whispered, "It knows we're here."
A low gurgle rumbled through the tunnel, vibrating in their bones. Then, like a thousand razor-sharp nails, something crawled down the walls.
It dropped right in front of them.
The Devourer's spawn.
Its skinless body twitched, its elongated arms ending in curved talons, glistening with fresh blood. Its skull-like face twisted, a wide maw stretching too far as its tongue lashed out like a spear.
The gunshots echoed violently, muzzle flashes illuminating more creatures skittering across the ceiling.
Leon cursed. "There's too many!"
The first creature shrieked, its torso exploding into black ichor. But another pounced, slamming into Mia, sending her skidding across the floor.
Leon reacted instantly, swinging his knife upward. The blade sank deep into the creature's throat, but instead of dying, it latched onto his arm—its claws digging deep into his flesh.
It was strong. Too strong.
Evelyn's shotgun blasted, tearing the beast's head clean off. It twitched but didn't stop moving.
Leon stumbled backward, gripping his bleeding arm. "We need to move—NOW!"
Mia groaned, forcing herself up. The tunnel was alive with movement, dozens of those things crawling toward them.
A deep, inhuman growl shook the tunnel.
The creatures stopped their attack, their heads twitching toward the sound.
From the darkness, two massive, glowing eyes stared back at them.
Its blackened form oozed from the walls, its jaw unhinging wider than should be possible. The air grew heavy, the scent of decay and hunger pressing against their skulls.
Then it spoke—inside their heads.
The tunnel collapsed into blackness.