𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐀 ✶ Steve Harrington

11 | 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞

CHAPTER ELEVEN,
portal to the other side.

⋆.ೃ࿔*

        EVERY MOVE FROM HERE ON OUT had to be meticulously planned. They were deep in enemy territory, and any misstep could prove fatal. Their primary objective was clear: locate the communications room and send out a signal for help. It was a long shot, but it was their best chance. They clung to the hope that somehow, they'd reach that room, get the word out, and find a way to escape this nightmare.

         Steve instinctively stepped into the role of leader, taking charge of the group while also acting as their lookout. He knew how critical every decision was and how dangerous their situation had become. As he cautiously peeked around the corner to ensure the coast was clear, he motioned for everyone to follow him. Robin and Dustin couldn't help but voice their concerns, whispering anxiously about how close they had come to being caught. Steve, trying to keep the group calm, brushed off their worries. "Relax, no one saw us," He assures them. But as they rounded the corner, his confidence wavered. What they saw stopped them dead in their tracks. The underground facility was swarming with people—far more than they had ever anticipated. Rows of soldiers and workers moved with military precision, their presence overwhelming and suffocating. The sheer scale of the operation hit them like a punch to the gut. They stood frozen in shock, their eyes darting around the room, taking in the enormity of what they were up against. This was no small-scale operation; it was something far more dangerous and far-reaching than they had imagined.

       Oh, this wasn't good.

       The facility buzzed with activity, a stark contrast to the silence they had hoped for. There were people everywhere—soldiers in crisp uniforms, scientists in white lab coats, and various others, each representing different departments and roles within this massive operation. The diversity of personnel spoke to the scale and complexity of what they were dealing with. It wasn't just a simple military base or a lab; it was a coordinated effort involving multiple sectors, all working together in this hidden underground labyrinth. The sheer number of people made the place feel like a hive, and they were intruders in the middle of it all.

        The realization of the danger they were in struck them all at once. Without a word, they ducked and took cover, pressing themselves against the nearest wall, hearts pounding in their chests.

       "I saw it," Erica whispers, "First floor, northwest."

       All eyes snapped to her, curiosity and tension thick in the air. There was a collective pause as everyone tried to process her sudden statement. Steve, unable to contain his concern, leaned in slightly, his voice low but urgent. "Saw what?" He inquires.

       "The comms room," Erica confirms.

       At the mention of this crucial detail, Steve's eyes widened in disbelief. "You saw the comms room?" He asks, his voice tinged with both surprise and a flicker of hope. The idea that they might be closer to their goal than they realized sent a jolt through him, but he struggled to wrap his head around the possibility.