Survival plot || H.S.

Chapter 15: The Cost Of War

The air was thick with tension and the acrid smell of smoke as the dust began to settle around the containment chamber. Ava leaned against the cold, metal wall, her heart pounding in her chest, the echoes of their recent encounter reverberating in her mind. The creature, momentarily subdued behind the heavy door, roared in frustration, but Ava felt numb. The adrenaline that had fueled her moments before was rapidly being replaced by a crushing weight of sorrow.

Tom stood at the front, eyes wide and frantic as he scanned the room, every muscle in his body tense with the anticipation of the next threat. Lena was on her knees, her hands trembling as she wiped away the dirt and grime from her face, but her gaze remained fixed on the ground, a flicker of fear playing across her features. Maya’s fingers danced over her laptop, trying to piece together their next move, but the atmosphere felt heavy, almost suffocating, as if the very air they breathed was thick with unspoken dread.

Ava turned to her team, determination sparking in her eyes. “We can’t just sit here. We need a plan.”

Maya looked up, her brow furrowed in concentration. “If I can access the old factory systems, we might be able to monitor its movements. Maybe even find a way to trap it.”

Tom agreed, “but we need to be quick. That thing won’t be held back for long.”

Lena suddenly collapsed, her knees buckling beneath her. Ava gasped and rushed to her side, dread pooling in her stomach as she reached the spot.

“Lena!” Ava shouted, her voice a mix of panic and urgency. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine!” Lena protested, though her voice trembled. She pressed a hand to her side, and when she pulled it away, her fingers were stained with blood.

“No, you’re not! You’re bleeding!” Tom exclaimed, kneeling beside them. “What happened?”

Lena shook her head, her expression fierce despite the pain. “It’s just a scratch! We need to focus. The creature—”

“It’s not just a scratch!” Ava interrupted, her hands shaking as she pressed against the wound, desperately trying to stem the flow of blood. “We need to get you help, now!”

Maya’s eyes widened as she quickly assessed the situation. “We don’t have time for this! If the creature breaks through, we’ll all be dead!”

“Listen to me,” Lena said, her voice growing stronger. “I won’t let this keep me from fighting. We can’t give up. We have to finish this!”

Ava looked down at Lena, a mix of fear and admiration swelling in her chest. “Lena, please! You need to take a moment. We can’t risk you getting hurt more.”

“Exactly!” Tom added, rummaging through their supplies. “Let me clean that up first. You can fight later.”

Lena grimaced but remained resolute. “No! We’re a team, and I’m not sitting this one out. I’ve already come too far.”

Maya nodded, her own face set in determination. “She’s right. We need every single one of us in this fight. Let’s bandage her up quickly and get moving.”

Ava pressed her hands to her temples, torn between wanting to help Lena and wanting to keep them all safe. “Fine, but we need to hurry. We can’t underestimate this creature.”

As Tom quickly patched up Lena’s wound with gauze and antiseptic, he murmured, “You’re one tough cookie, Lena. You know that?”

“Just doing my part,” she replied, her voice steadier now. “But don’t think I’m going to let you have all the glory when we take it down!”