Horrific Shorts: Zombie Edition-Chapter 497 : Story 497: Inferno’s Wake

The team sprinted through the burning ruins of the city, the heat gnawing at their bodies and smoke stinging their eyes. Columns collapsed behind them, sending showers of sparks cascading like deadly fireworks. The once-pristine streets were now rivers of fire, and every step felt like walking through hell.

"Keep moving!" Rook barked, his voice cutting through the chaos. The metallic briefcase, clutched tightly in his left hand, seemed to grow heavier with every step.

Shadow lagged slightly behind, her sniper rifle slung over her shoulder as she kept her focus on their six. "We've got incoming," she warned, catching a glimpse of armored figures emerging from the smoke. Their movements were methodical, their weapons gleaming in the flickering light of the flames.

"Not more of these guys," Viper groaned, drawing her blades. "I'm starting to hate fire almost as much as bullets."

"Save the jokes," Rook snapped. "Bulwark, take point. Shadow, cover us. Ghost, flank them. We hold here until we have an opening."

Bulwark charged forward, his heavy frame smashing through a partially intact doorway to create cover. Shadow scrambled up a crumbled wall for a higher vantage point, her rifle at the ready. Ghost melted into the shadows, disappearing as though he were part of the smoke itself.

The first wave of attackers descended upon them, opening fire without hesitation. Bulwark's shield absorbed the brunt of the assault as he returned fire with his heavy machine gun, the bullets tearing through the enemy's ranks. Shadow picked off targets with deadly precision, each shot punctuated by a sharp crack.

Ghost reappeared behind their lines, silent as death, taking down two enemies with his silenced pistol before vanishing again.

"Too many of them!" Shadow shouted, reloading. "We need to move!"

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Rook scanned their surroundings, his mind racing. Then he spotted it—a narrow side street leading out of the main square. It was half-obscured by debris and flames, but it was their only chance.

"There!" he pointed. "That's our exit. Bulwark, clear the path. Viper, cover his flank. Ghost, stay on overwatch."

Bulwark didn't hesitate, charging toward the side street like a human wrecking ball. His sheer strength knocked over burning beams and sent debris flying, creating a temporary escape route. Viper danced behind him, her blades flashing as she took down anyone who got too close.

As they pushed through, Rook's comm crackled. "Ghost, report," he demanded.

"Still here," Ghost replied, his voice calm despite the chaos. "They're regrouping. You've got about sixty seconds before they're on you again."

"That's all we need," Rook said, urging the team forward.

They emerged into a desolate plaza, the flames illuminating a massive structure in the distance. It looked ancient, yet somehow untouched by the destruction around it.

"What the hell is that?" Viper asked, staring at the imposing silhouette.

"Our next destination," Rook said grimly. "Whatever this network is, the answers are in there."

The brief respite ended as gunfire erupted behind them.

"Go!" Rook shouted. "We finish this mission or we burn with the city!"

The team plunged into the unknown, the ancient structure looming ahead as the inferno consumed everything behind them.