INFESTATION: Agent of S.P.E.A.R. #1

VI. PLAN FOR FAILURE

The Glock had a couple of shots left in it. So, I tied the flashlight on it using my shoe string and held both guns at the ready. The magnum's heavy weight reassured me as I stood out of the opening. This was it. This was my chance to help another agent. The risk was high and everything I have was in danger. Success also meant that me and Doyle get to live another day but failure meant Doyle becomes the appetizer and I, the main course. Not really a tough call to make.

With all the strength I had left in me I shouted and sprinted to Doyle's location through the path way I found earlier. It got the creatures attention, some of them quickly split-away from the living mound of fur to attack me instead.

Good. I threw the explosive on the base of the crag where the rabid vermin slowly formed. It bounced on one of them and fell at the base of the cavern. I leaned at the edge to get a clear view of it. Good enough.

I aimed and shot the stick of explosive with the Glock. I missed with the first shot but scored with the second. Before the explosion I already got my back against it, running towards Doyle. The deafening boom disoriented me a bit. Debris showered all over me and the whole cavern trembled. I stumbled and fell in front of Doyle as the path violently shook. Choking smoke swiftly covered the place. One more explosion like it could collapse the whole cave on our heads. I crawled next to Doyle and checked his vitals, still breathing.

So, I took him by the shoulder and dragged him back from were I came. But the condition of the path surprised me. The explosion was clearly too strong and it collapsed a portion of the way, making it easy for the rats to leap and cut our escape.

"Idiot," I said to myself. The plan sounded decent in my head. I didn't expected this to happen. But I couldn't turn back.

The shrill cry of the swarm of vermin mingled. Claws and teeth extended out, ready to carve us to pieces and gnaw as bit by bit and chunk by chunk. I cursed the damnable things as I shot a couple of them with the magnum– holding each shot until they were close enough. The intense recoil surprised me. But it was well worth it. The shots took three of the rats that hampered our way. Blowing and splattering their brains, and painting the wall with ichor. I shot again taking two this time. One of them fell off the path, breaking its back on the rocky base of their nest. Yes, there was still a chance. And I was starting to like the gun. We crossed the collapsed path and paused as a loud bang echoed inside the cavern.

A gun shot? But it wasn't from me or Doyle. I whirled my head to search for its origin and smiled weakly.

A man stood at our exit with a rifle poised to rain lead on the infestation behind us. St. Clair's bandaged forearm awkwardly cleared a round from the bolt-action-rifle. And began his work, felling one vermin one at a time. He shot with the efficiency of a sniper. Almost mechanical and almost instinctive, taking rats one head shot after another. His bandaged wound bothered him a bit but he pushed through the pain. The rats were mounting up for another assault at us, still clawing behind our heels. One even swiped at us when it got close but a bullet from me discourage the scabby creature. We continued on, weaving and fighting back at the predators just to reach St. Clair's spot.

"I don't like this place," he rasped, still shooting at the rats behind us. I nodded back at him. I was too spent to talk. Hauling Doyle's body wasn't helping as well. St. Clair kicked and smacked the first rat that came his way with his rifle striking it down the base of the cavern. I dropped Doyle and whirled to shoot a couple of them, emptying the Glock. They were still coming at us, a lot fiercer this time. More desperate perhaps?

"Take him!" I pointed at Doyle. "Go, I hold them off for you! Go, now!"

St. Clair took Doyle's limp body with his uninjured arm while I placed a stick of dynamite beside the narrow opening. The rats were already swarming in the narrow path like a bustling train of fangs and fur. I backed away as far as I could from it and checked the magnum. Two bullets left.

Shit. I couldn't miss this time. I aimed the gun at the dynamite and pulled the trigger, hoping for the best as the creatures made their way towards me, stumbling and pushing at each other.

Everything slowed down for a second when the bullet struck the stick of the dynamite. It was crazy but I saw my whole life flash before me. Was this my end? Was this game over for me? I wanted to fight the feeling of failure. I wanted to come out from this on top. But then the explosion knocked me over and made the whole place shake like jell-o. The blast's shock wave took me off my feet.

I staggered, tumbled and rolled. My ears were ringing from the loud sound. And I couldn't do anything about it. The explosion also collapsed the opening, crushing the following rats behind us. Their breaking bones sounded like snapping twigs as more rocks and debris fell to cover the passage.

I picked myself up and bolted out of the collapsing cavern– boulder after boulder crashing down behind me. I leaped through the hole leading back to the tunnel shaft and was surprised to have made the jump. I landed in the middle of the tunnel as gray dust erupted from the hole like a geyser. Then, I leaned on the tunnel's wall, using it to haul myself up. I could feel the adrenaline dump settling in. I turned and watched St. Clair and Doyle struggling to drag their selves out the dank hellhole.

Their silhouette blocked the light rushing towards the tunnel's opening.
I part of me felt good seeing them. They weren't exactly unscathed but it was better than dead. The two led the way back to the sun outside. Fatigued but satisfied I lagged behind them– pride in every step I took. I guess I made it. I guess I'll live for another day.

The sun's warmth bathed my exposed skin as I paused on the lip of the tunnel. I could hear the birds in the forest from where I stood. Finally, its over, I told myself. Finally.

I checked my body for any wounds. Some scratches and bruises here and there, nothing serious.

I smiled at both men as they sat beside one of the excavators. Doyle, now awake smiled back at me. His face still pale from the blood he lost. But it seemed like he was going to make it. He waved at me. But his expression changed when something sprung behind me, digging its claws deep at my back. I tried to shout in pain but I couldn't. My dry throat ached like shit and my heart dropped down from my chest like lead.

It wasn't over.

I tried to shoot the creature with the magnum but it knocked it away as its tail whipped wildly. No, not like this, please don't end it like this. I began to panic, heart beating in overdrive. From afar I could see St. Clair aiming the rifle.

No. No. He couldn't make the shot. He needed a clear view and the creature was all over me.

The beast wriggled behind my back. So, I rolled down the muddy slope to dislodge the cryptid from me. I tried to reach it and pull its dangling tail. And as I did it retracted its claw and jumped away. My hands drenched in its ichor. Was it the same one I shot earlier? I picked and raised the gun as the giant rat dashed to the crates of dynamite, leaving a bloody trail behind him.

"Wrong move, fucker!" I squeezed the trigger and shot the crates. I could feel the heat as the rippling air passed my spot. The blast shook the whole place and everything went dark and blurry.

I could hear St. Clair, his voice echoing in my ear then there was nothing. Just darkness. Just oblivion...