DUSK OF DECAY

CHAPTER 8

He paused for a moment, giving others the time to let the information sink in, before he continued. "Here's a fun fact," he said, his tone slightly more positive. "Formaldehyde is highly flammable and sensitive to heat. When formaldehyde is exposed to heat or flame, it can ignite and cause a violent explosion. It's a potent accelerant, which means even a small spark can trigger a catastrophic chain reaction. As for the blood, seeing the bright color and the consistency, I'd say its arterial blood. Which means a major vessel was breached." Mark noticed something in Noah's eyes. Mark's mind raced with thoughts as he pieced together the fragments of information he had stumbled upon. He wasn't ready to jump to conclusions, not without concrete evidence. The mere idea of what he suspected sent a shiver down his spine. "So, you're saying this entire place could go up in flames if the formaldehyde were to catch fire?" Zara questioned. The door exploded inward with a deafening crash, sending shards of splintered wood scattering across the room. Mark's heart raced, and a rush of adrenaline surged through his veins as he registered the menacing figures that now stood before him. The men's faces were no longer concealed by masks; instead, their features contorted with a mixture of rage and determination that sent a chill down everyone's spines.

As the tension in the room escalated, the group's desperate hope fell to a chilling reality. The guns they had seized from the hidden trunk were nothing more than useless props. Mark's heart sank as he pulled the trigger, only to be met with a dry click. The realization struck him like a physical blow. A chorus of frustrated clicks followed as the others attempted to fire their guns, their faces contorted in disbelief and shock. A taunting laughter reverberated through the room, a cruel reminder of their vulnerability. Amidst the panic, Lisa's mind raced. Her fingers instinctively clenched around the hilt of the blade she had taken from the box of weapons. A mixture of determination and fear churned within her as she realized that her only chance lay in the cold steel she now held.

Gritting her teeth, Lisa steadied her shaking hand and took a deep breath, channeling her fear into a fierce resolve. The blade gleamed in the dim light as she launched herself at the mocking figure before her. Her movements were fueled by a surge of adrenaline and the desperate need to defend herself and her companions. A switch flipped. The room seemed to blur as Lisa's training kicked in. Her feet moved with calculated precision, her body shifting to avoid the man's attempts to block her path. With a swift, practiced motion, she aimed a powerful kick at his midsection, using the element of surprise to her advantage. The men stumbled back, momentarily caught off guard by Lisa's bold attack. Sensing her opportunity, she lunged forward, the blade cutting through the air with a deadly grace. The sound of steel meeting flesh sent a shiver down her spine as the blade found its mark, grazing a man's arm. A guttural cry of pain filled the air as the man clutched his wounded arm, blood oozing from the gash. Lisa's heart raced as she backed away, her breath ragged, eyes locked on her adversary. The room was charged with a tense energy, the fight-or-flight response driving both Lisa and her opponent to the edge. As Mark, Sarah, and Zara rushed toward Lisa, desperation fueled their every step. The world seemed to blur around them as they navigated through the chaos, their hearts pounding in their chests. With adrenaline coursing through their veins, they reached out to Lisa, their hands grasping hers as they pulled her away from the immediate danger. Lisa's face was pale, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and gratitude as her friends came to her rescue. Their unity and determination formed a shield of protection around her, a testament to the strength of their bond. But despite their valiant efforts, a sense of foreboding lingered in the air. The danger still loomed, and it was a reality they couldn't ignore. And then, in a heart-wrenching moment, everything changed. A man emerged from the men, his eyes glinting with malice as he approached them. In his hand, he held a weapon unlike any they had seen before – a modern-day spear, gleaming with a deadly intent. Time seemed to stand still as the man's arm arched back, and with a swift, brutal motion, he thrust the spear forward.