The streets were silent. Steam still rose from the collapsed water tower, the scent of scorched flesh lingering in the air. Mia, Reaper, and Evelyn stood over the flooded wreckage, weapons raised, breath coming in sharp gasps.
"It's dead," Mia said, though she didn't sound convinced.
Reaper wiped blood from his mouth. "We've thought that before."
Evelyn stepped closer, her fingers tightening around the crowbar. The water was still—no sign of movement. The charred remains of the Alpha were submerged beneath the debris. Had the water finally done it?
Evelyn's stomach turned ice cold. "Move."
A massive clawed arm burst from the flood, flesh regrown, sinew twisting, muscles bulging.
The Alpha was reborn.
It had evolved again.
Golden flesh turned dark obsidian, its massive limbs grotesquely swollen with power. The claws were longer, jagged, dripping with venom.
But worst of all—its brain had expanded.
No longer a vulnerable mass, it had formed protective bone-like plating around it, thick as armor. And when it opened its mouth, its tongue was no longer a single tendril, but three, each tipped with razor-sharp barbs.
Reaper grabbed Evelyn and yanked her backward as the Alpha lunged.
The ground shook as it landed, crushing a car beneath its monstrous weight.
Mia fired, but the bullets ricocheted off its thickened hide.
The creature let out a low, guttural growl—deeper, more intelligent.
Evelyn's mind raced. "We need to split up! It's adapting to our attacks!"
"Not much left to attack with!" Reaper snapped, holding up his empty rifle.
The Alpha moved again.
Mia barely dodged as its clawed foot slammed down, ripping through the asphalt like paper.
Reaper gritted his teeth. "If we can't kill it, we'll bury it."
He pointed to a nearby collapsed parking garage—its support beams barely holding.
Mia understood instantly. "Evelyn, get its attention!"
Evelyn swallowed her fear, raising the crowbar. "HEY, YOU UGLY BASTARD!"
The Alpha's head snapped toward her.
She ran, leading it straight toward the weakened structure.
Reaper and Mia sprinted for the remaining support beams.
The Alpha was seconds from reaching Evelyn.
Reaper fired his last explosive round—hitting the support beams.
The garage collapsed.
A deafening roar shook the city block as tons of concrete and metal caved in, burying the Alpha beneath rubble.
Dust settled. Silence followed.
The three of them stood there, panting.
Mia exhaled. "Tell me that worked."
A deep, guttural growl rumbled from beneath.
Evelyn's blood ran cold.