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Aiko & Heeseung
The narrow hallways of the lab echoed with gunfire as Heeseung, Jay, and Aiko pressed forward, their steps swift and deliberate. Every corner they turned revealed another neomorph lunging for them, and every shot fired seemed to summon more. The lights above flickered erratically, casting shadows that made it nearly impossible to tell friend from foe.
"Three more hallways," Heeseung called out, his voice strained but focused as he fired another round into a snarling neomorph. "Stay tight. Don't slow down!"
Jay, just behind him, was reloading his rifle on the move. "I'm on my last mag for this clip!" he shouted.
"Make every shot count," Aiko called from the back, her voice steady despite the chaos. She had a small handgun clutched tightly in her hands, firing at anything that moved.
The group pressed on, moving as one. Heeseung led the way, Jay providing cover in the middle, and Aiko keeping their flank clear.
"They're everywhere!" Aiko shouted, shooting down another neomorph crawling along the ceiling. Its body crumpled to the floor with a sickening thud.
"They're just trying to slow us down!" Heeseung yelled back, his jaw clenched. "Keep moving!"
Suddenly, with a deafening crash, a door just ahead of them burst open. A massive neomorph barreled through, slamming into Aiko before she could react. She was knocked to the ground, her gun skidding across the floor.
"Aiko!" Heeseung screamed, spinning around and unloading his rifle into the creature's back. The neomorph screeched in agony, collapsing off of her, but its cries echoed down the hallway like a dinner bell.
More neomorphs poured into the corridor, their shrieks deafening.
"Shit! We've got to go!" Jay shouted, grabbing Heeseung's arm and pulling him back as another neomorph lunged toward them.
"No!" Heeseung barked, fighting against Jay's grip. His eyes were locked on Aiko, still on the ground, scrambling to her feet. "We can't leave her!"
"Heeseung, if we don't move now, we're all dead!" Jay snapped, firing over Heeseung's shoulder at the oncoming creatures. "She's smart—she'll find another way!"
Aiko stumbled to her feet, her heart pounding in her chest. She grabbed her gun and looked back at Heeseung and Jay, who were retreating behind a corner for cover as more neomorphs flooded the hallway.
"Go!" Aiko shouted, her voice cracking. "I'll be fine—just go!"
Heeseung's fists clenched as he tried to break free from Jay's grip, but Jay held him firm, dragging him back. "Heeseung, damn it, we'll all die if you don't move!"
Aiko didn't wait to see if he listened. She turned and ran, backtracking the way they'd come. Her breath was ragged, and every step felt heavier than the last. The sound of gunfire and screeching faded behind her as she sprinted down another hallway.
