They moved cautiously down the corridor, the dim lights overhead flickering erratically. The air smelled of rust, mold, and something else—something foul. Lucas' voice crackled over a nearby intercom, filled with amusement.
Lucas: "Well, well! Looks like tough guy Johnny's got a headache. You sure you're up for this, soldier boy? Hate to see ya drop dead before the real fun starts."
John scowled. "This bastard's really asking to get his teeth kicked in."
Ethan: "We'll make sure to deliver."
They stepped through a rusted doorway into a large, dimly lit room. The walls were lined with makeshift electrical panels, tangled wires hanging from the ceiling. In the center stood a long metal table with a wrapped package on top.
Lucas' voice came through again. "Alright, boys. Here's the deal. One of you needs to open that package if you wanna move forward. But—" he let out a mocking laugh, "—you better hope you're quick. 'Cause if you're too slow, well… let's just say things might get a little *hot*."
Ethan: "I hate this guy."
John: "I'll open it. You watch my back."
Ethan nodded and raised his shotgun while John stepped forward. He studied the package for a second, noticing thin wires running from it to the walls. Carefully, he unwrapped the outer layer, revealing a small digital screen and a countdown timer.
00:10
Ethan: "Shit! Disarm it!"
John's hands moved quickly, tracing the wires. Lucas was smart, but John had dealt with worse. His mind raced—blue wire, red wire, yellow… One of these had to be the trigger.
00:07
John: "Stay calm. I got this."
00:05
He took a deep breath and cut the blue wire.
The timer froze at 00:03.
Lucas: "Aw, damn. Looks like ya got lucky. But don't get cocky, boys. That was just the warm-up."
A door across the room slid open with a metallic screech.
Ethan: "I really, really hate this guy."
John smirked. "Come on. Let's show him what happens when you play games with the wrong people."
With weapons ready, they pressed forward, heading deeper into Lucas' twisted playground.
John and Ethan stepped cautiously into the next room, their weapons raised as the door slammed shut behind them. The dim light flickered above, casting eerie shadows on the rusted walls. The air was thick with the scent of burnt wires and something rotten lurking beneath it.
Lucas' voice crackled through another speaker mounted on the ceiling. "Well, well, well! Look at you two go. I gotta say, I'm impressed. Thought you'd be in pieces by now. But hey, the night's still young!"
Ethan muttered under his breath, "I swear, when I get my hands on this guy…"
John ignored the taunt and scanned the room. A row of mannequins stood against the far wall, their hollow eyes staring lifelessly at them. A large steel door loomed at the other end, sealed shut with heavy locks. To the right, a control panel flickered with a dim red light, wires running from it into the walls.
John: "He's not gonna let us walk through that door without a fight."
Ethan: "You think? What gave it away, the creepy mannequins or the murder-happy psychopath running the place?"
John approached the control panel cautiously. It had a simple keypad and a small screen that flickered with static before displaying a message:
**Solve the puzzle to proceed. But hurry—stall too long, and the room gets a little…heated.**
Lucas' voice chimed in again. "Oh, and don't mess up! Three wrong answers and… well, let's just say you'll be gettin' real cozy with the flames."
John clenched his jaw. "We don't have time for this."
Ethan: "Guess we better start solving fast."
The screen displayed the first riddle:
**I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?**
Ethan: "Oh, great. Riddles. Just what I wanted tonight."
John: "It's an echo."
He typed in the answer. The screen flickered, and the next puzzle appeared.
**The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?**
Ethan: "Footsteps. That one's easy."
John input the answer, and the screen changed once more. A final riddle appeared:
**I can be cracked, made, told, and played. What am I?**
John hesitated, his fingers hovering over the keypad. Ethan snapped his fingers. "A joke."
John typed in the answer. The red light on the control panel blinked before switching to green. The locks on the steel door hissed as they released.
Lucas groaned over the speaker. "Aw, c'mon! Y'all are no fun. Fine, fine. Go on through. But don't think you're outta the woods yet!"
John and Ethan exchanged a glance before pushing forward, stepping into whatever twisted nightmare awaited them next.
As John and Ethan stepped through the unlocked door, a wave of stale, humid air hit them. The room ahead was dimly lit by flickering fluorescent lights, casting long, erratic shadows across the rust-stained floor. The walls were lined with shelves holding various mechanical parts, wires dangling like vines from the ceiling.
Lucas' voice crackled over the intercom once again. "Well, ain't this just a treat? Y'all are just blowin' through my little funhouse! But don't worry, boys—things are about to get real interesting."
A sudden metallic *click* echoed through the room, and before either of them could react, the door behind them slammed shut with a heavy clang. John spun around, gripping his pistol.
Ethan: "Yep. Saw that coming."
John: "Of course he wouldn't make this easy."
The intercom crackled. "Now, here's the deal, gentlemen. You got two choices. See that door on the other side of the room? It's locked. But the key? Oh-ho, that's inside one of these lovely little boxes. Problem is… only one of 'em's got the key. The rest? Well… let's just say they're *rigged* to make things a bit more… explosive."
John scanned the room quickly. Five metal boxes sat on a table, each identical in size and shape. Small red wires ran from beneath them, disappearing into the floor.
Ethan: "I really, really hate this guy."
John: "Join the club."
Lucas' laugh echoed. "Oh, and did I mention? You got thirty seconds. Tick-tock, boys!"
John gritted his teeth. No time to hesitate. He studied the boxes—if Lucas followed a pattern, there had to be a tell. His eyes darted to the wiring, then to the way the boxes sat. One of them was slightly raised on one side, as if something small and solid was inside it.
John: "That one. Third from the left."
Ethan: "You sure?"
John: "Not even a little. But we don't have time."
With a deep breath, Ethan reached out and flipped open the box.
Inside, a small brass key gleamed under the dim light. No explosion. No trap. Just the key.
Ethan let out a breath. "Okay. That was way too close."
John grabbed the key and moved quickly to the locked door. The key fit perfectly, and with a twist, the lock clicked open.
Lucas let out a dramatic sigh. "Well, ain't that a shame. Y'all are makin' me look bad! But don't you worry—I got plenty more surprises for ya."
John and Ethan exchanged a glance before stepping through the door. Whatever was next, they were ready for it.
John and Ethan stepped cautiously through the now-unlocked door, their grips tightening on their weapons. The hallway ahead was dimly lit, flickering bulbs casting long shadows across the stained concrete floor. The air smelled of rust and dampness, carrying an uneasy stillness that made their skin crawl.
Lucas' voice crackled over the intercom once again. "Y'know, I gotta admit, boys, I'm kinda enjoyin' this! Watchin' y'all squirm, sweat, makin' those big, tough choices. But don't get too comfy—'cause the next round? Oh, it's a *killer*." His laugh was a distorted cackle, cutting off with a harsh static buzz.
Ethan sighed. "Yeah, that's reassuring."
John: "Just stay sharp. We already know he doesn't fight fair."
As they moved forward, a metal door slid open ahead, revealing a new room. This one was different. It wasn't another trap-ridden corridor or puzzle chamber—this was a twisted arena. The floor was caged metal grates, and below it, whirring mechanical sounds filled the space. A faint red glow pulsed beneath, like something waiting to be unleashed.
In the center of the room stood a figure—a hulking man, clad in ragged clothes and covered in makeshift armor. His face was obscured by a welding mask, his breath raspy and slow. In one hand, he gripped a jagged, oversized buzzsaw.
Lucas' voice returned, smug as ever. "Say hello to my *special* guest! He don't talk much, but oh boy, does he love makin' new friends. And by friends, I mean corpses."
Ethan: "Oh, you gotta be kidding me."
The masked brute let out a guttural growl and revved the buzzsaw to life, the high-pitched whine echoing in the enclosed space. Without hesitation, he charged.
John barely had time to react before he shoved Ethan aside, rolling out of the way as the saw sliced through the air where they had just been standing. Sparks flew as the blade ground against the metal floor.
John: "Move! We need to stay out of his reach!"
Ethan raised his shotgun and fired, the shot hitting the brute's shoulder. He barely flinched.
Lucas laughed. "Oh-ho! He's a *tough* one! Y'all better step it up, or you'll be seein' red real soon!"
John gritted his teeth. No way they were dying here.
"Ethan, go for the legs! Slow him down!"
Ethan nodded and reloaded, while John reached for his last Dragon's Breath shell. If they were going to take this bastard down, they had to do it fast.
The brute roared, dragging the spinning buzzsaw across the metal grates, sending sparks flying as he charged again. John sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the blade, while Ethan fired another shotgun blast into the man's leg. The shot staggered him, but he didn't go down.
John: "Enough of this. Let's turn up the heat."
He reached into his vest and loaded one of the Dragon's Breath shells into his shotgun. The shell clicked into place, and John took a deep breath before leveling his aim.
Ethan: "Tell me that's what I think it is."
John smirked. "Oh yeah."
As the brute turned to charge again, John pulled the trigger.
A *blast* of fire erupted from the shotgun's barrel, engulfing the masked man in searing flames. He let out a guttural scream as the fire clung to his body, spreading across his tattered clothing and makeshift armor. The buzzsaw sputtered as he swung wildly, blinded by pain.
Lucas' voice crackled through the intercom, his amusement briefly faltering. "Oh-ho! Now that's *spicy*! But I wouldn't count him out just yet!"
The brute stumbled forward, still ablaze, swinging the saw in a desperate attempt to take one of them down with him.
Ethan: "He's still moving?! What the hell is this guy made of?!"
John didn't answer. Instead, he pumped the shotgun and fired again, another burst of flames consuming the man's torso. The brute howled one final time before collapsing onto the metal grates, his body twitching as the fire consumed him. The scent of burning flesh filled the air.
Lucas whistled. "Damn. Y'all sure know how to put on a show! But don't get too comfy—there's *always* another round waitin'."
John exhaled, lowering his shotgun. "Yeah? Well, bring it on."
Ethan kicked the brute's smoldering corpse, making sure he was down for good. "That better be the last time I see a guy like that."
John smirked. "I wouldn't count on it."
A metallic *clunk* echoed through the arena as another door unlocked. The way forward was open.
John and Ethan exchanged a glance before stepping through, ready for whatever else Lucas had waiting for them.
John and Ethan stepped through the newly unlocked door, leaving the charred remains of the brute behind. The air in the next hallway was thick with dust, the dim light flickering overhead. The sound of machinery hummed in the distance, a constant reminder that Lucas was still watching.
Ethan glanced down at a rusted metal shelf against the wall. Among the junk and scattered shell casings, something stood out—a box of Hornady 300 Grain Sabot Slugs. He picked it up, turning it over in his hands.
Ethan: "What the hell is this?"
John looked over and smirked. "Sabot slugs. High-velocity, armor-piercing rounds. Designed to punch through thick hides, barriers—hell, even some light armor."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "So, basically, they turn my shotgun into a damn cannon?"
John chuckled. "More or less. You won't get the spread of buckshot, but if you need to put something *down*—one shot, one kill."
Ethan loaded a few into his shotgun. "Yeah, I like the sound of that."
John continued scanning the room, his eyes landing on a dusty ammo box in the corner. He crouched down and popped it open, revealing a fresh stash of .45 ACP Full Metal Jacket rounds.
John: "Looks like I get a little bonus too. FMJ rounds—good penetration, reliable. Not as flashy as your new slugs, but they'll get the job done."
Ethan smirked. "I dunno, John. Sounds like you're jealous."
John rolled his eyes. "Let's see if you're still bragging when we run into Lucas' next pet project."
Before Ethan could respond, the intercom crackled to life once more.
Lucas: "Aw, c'mon, boys! You still shoppin'? I got a surprise waitin' for ya just up ahead. And trust me, you're gonna *love* it!"
John chambered a fresh round into his 1911. "Yeah? Can't wait to return the favor."
With their weapons loaded and their resolve set, the two pushed forward, ready for whatever twisted game Lucas had planned next.
John and Ethan pressed forward, stepping into yet another dimly lit corridor. The air was stale, carrying the faint scent of oil and something metallic—blood, maybe. The faint hum of unseen machinery rumbled beneath their feet, a reminder that Lucas was still in control of the twisted labyrinth they were trapped in.
Lucas' voice crackled over the intercom again, smug and condescending as ever. "Y'know, I gotta say, boys, I'm real impressed. Didn't think you'd make it this far! But don't go pattin' yourselves on the back just yet—'cause this next part? Oh, it's a *killer*."
Ethan muttered under his breath. "I hate this guy."
John smirked. "You and me both."
Ahead, the hallway split into two paths. One was marked with crude arrows scrawled in red paint, directing them toward a larger chamber. The other led into darkness, no markings, no signs—just an ominous feeling that sent a chill down John's spine.
Ethan: "So, we taking the obvious trap, or the creepy hallway of doom?"
John exhaled sharply. "Lucas wants us to take the marked path. Means he's got something waiting. Could be a trap, could be another one of his experiments."
Ethan: "Yeah, and the dark hallway looks like it's straight out of a horror movie. Not exactly reassuring."
John considered for a moment before making his decision. "We take the dark path. Lucas expects us to follow the signs. If we go the other way, we might have a chance to catch him off guard."
Ethan nodded, tightening his grip on his shotgun. "Fine by me. Let's get this over with."
The two stepped into the unmarked corridor, their footsteps muffled by the damp, uneven concrete floor. The deeper they went, the colder the air became, and an unsettling silence settled around them.
Then, a distant *click* echoed through the passage.
John's instincts screamed at him. "Down!"
Both men dove to the ground just as a series of metallic spears shot from the walls, narrowly missing them by inches. The sharpened stakes retracted just as quickly, resetting for the next unfortunate victim.
Ethan groaned, brushing dust off his jacket. "Of course there's traps. Why wouldn't there be traps?"
John pushed himself up. "At least we know we're on the right track."
They continued forward, now even more cautious. Lucas wasn't going to make this easy for them—but John wasn't about to let him win. Not now.
Not ever.
John and Ethan moved cautiously down the dimly lit corridor, their eyes scanning every shadow, every crevice, expecting another of Lucas' sadistic traps. The air was thick with dust and the scent of oil and rust.
John: "Stay sharp. Lucas ain't done screwing with us yet."
Ethan: "Yeah, no kidding. I feel like we're walking straight into his idea of a 'grand finale.'"
They turned a corner and stepped into a large storage room filled with rusted crates, broken-down machinery, and scattered debris. A single hanging light flickered above, casting eerie shadows. In the far corner, a large, reinforced crate caught John's eye. The metal box looked newer than the surrounding junk, almost like it had been placed there on purpose.
John: "That looks promising."
He stepped forward, prying open the crate with the butt of his shotgun. Inside, nestled in foam padding, was a pristine **AA-12 automatic shotgun**, along with several boxes of **12-gauge shells**. John let out a low whistle.
Ethan: "Holy shit. That's a beast."
John smirked, pulling the shotgun out and feeling its weight in his hands. "This'll make things interesting. Lucas thinks he's the only one who can play dirty? Let's see how he likes full-auto."
Ethan, meanwhile, sifted through another stack of crates. Something caught his eye—a long, cylindrical object tucked inside a weathered case. He cracked it open, revealing a **grenade launcher** along with a handful of **high-explosive rounds**.
Ethan: "Okay, now we're talking."
John glanced over and grinned. "Guess Christmas came early."
Ethan loaded a round into the launcher, testing its weight. "Lucas isn't gonna know what hit him."
The intercom crackled, as if Lucas had been watching their discovery. His laughter rang through the speakers. "Well, well! Look at you boys, openin' up presents. Ain't that just sweet? But don't go thinkin' those toys are gonna save ya. This next part? Oh, it's gonna be *real* fun."
John chambered a round into the AA-12. "Bring it on, asshole."
Ethan smirked. "Let's go make some noise."
With their new firepower in hand, the two pressed forward, ready to unleash hell on whatever Lucas had in store for them next.
John and Ethan pushed forward, their newly acquired weapons at the ready. The corridor ahead was eerily silent, the only sound being the faint hum of machinery running somewhere deeper in the facility. The flickering lights overhead cast long, distorted shadows on the metal walls.
Ethan: "I don't like this. It's too quiet."
John: "Yeah. Lucas is up to something. Stay sharp."
As they moved deeper, a set of heavy steel doors suddenly slammed shut behind them with a loud *clang*, locking them in. At the same time, floodlights burst to life, illuminating the massive room they had just entered. The walls were lined with pipes, catwalks, and a few rusted-out control panels. In the center of the room was a large, reinforced cage, its bars thick enough to contain something far worse than any normal creature.
Lucas' voice crackled through the intercom. "Well, well! Looks like y'all made it just in time for the *main event*! Hope you boys brought plenty of ammo, 'cause you're gonna need it!"
A mechanical *whir* echoed from above as a massive shutter door in the ceiling slowly opened. Chains rattled. Then came a deep, guttural growl.
John gripped the AA-12 tighter. "Oh, hell. That's never a good sign."
A hulking monstrosity dropped from the ceiling, landing with a *thud* that shook the metal floor. It stood at nearly eight feet tall, its grotesque, mutated body covered in pulsating tumors and hardened flesh. Its arms were unnaturally elongated, each ending in massive, jagged claws. The creature's head twitched as it let out an inhuman screech.
Lucas laughed over the intercom. "Meet my special guest! Ain't he just *beautiful*? Don't worry, he ain't shy—he loves makin' new friends!"
The creature lunged.
Ethan fired first, launching a grenade straight into the beast's chest. The explosion rocked the room, sending bits of flesh and black ichor splattering across the floor. But when the smoke cleared, the creature was still standing, its body regenerating almost instantly.
Ethan: "Oh, come on!"
John pumped the trigger on the AA-12, unloading a burst of Dragon's Breath rounds. Fire engulfed the creature's torso, the flames licking at its flesh, causing it to let out a deep, agonized roar. It staggered, but only for a moment.
John: "We need to hit it where it won't regenerate! Aim for the tumors!"
The creature swiped at them with terrifying speed, forcing both men to dive out of the way. Sparks flew as its claws shredded through metal where they had just been standing.
Lucas cackled. "Aww, what's wrong? Havin' a hard time keepin' up? Y'all better start runnin'—or fight harder!"
John gritted his teeth and reloaded. "Let's finish this."
Ethan cracked his neck. "Yeah. Let's burn this bastard down."
With renewed determination, the two men unleashed everything they had, determined to bring the beast to its knees.
John and Ethan moved in sync, dodging the creature's wild swings as they poured lead and fire into its grotesque frame. The beast screeched in fury, its elongated arms slashing through metal and concrete like butter. Every hit they landed sent black ichor spraying across the room, but the monstrosity refused to go down.
John: "Ethan, keep it busy! I'm going for the high ground!"
Ethan fired another grenade, the explosion sending a shockwave through the chamber. "Yeah, no problem! Just hurry up!"
John sprinted toward a rusted staircase leading up to the catwalks. As he climbed, he swapped out his Dragon's Breath rounds for solid slugs—if fire wouldn't stop the thing, sheer force might. Meanwhile, Ethan ducked and rolled under another swipe, pumping another slug into the creature's shoulder.
Lucas' voice crackled through the speakers, his tone giddy. "Man, y'all are *persistent*! But let's see how long you can last!"
Suddenly, the floor beneath Ethan trembled. A series of metal panels slid open, revealing rows of jagged spikes.
Ethan: "Oh, you've got to be kidding me!"
John: "Move, now!"
Ethan barely avoided falling into the pit as the monster roared, seemingly enjoying the chaos. It lunged again, forcing Ethan to dive for cover. From above, John locked onto his target. Taking a deep breath, he aimed straight at the largest, pulsing tumor on the creature's back.
John: "Hey ugly! Try regenerating after this!"
He fired. The heavy slug blasted through the tumor, sending a sickening splatter of black goo across the walls. The creature let out an ear-piercing shriek, its body convulsing as the infection that kept it alive finally failed.
Ethan didn't waste the opportunity. He loaded a final explosive round and took aim. "Lights out!"
The grenade found its mark, exploding inside the gaping wound John had created. The creature spasmed violently before collapsing to the floor, its body twitching before finally going still. A few moments of silence passed before Lucas' disappointed sigh came over the intercom.
Lucas: "Aww, man. Y'all just don't know when to quit, huh? Fine, fine. But don't get too comfy—I *still* got one more surprise for ya."
The lights flickered, and the sound of heavy machinery powering up filled the chamber. John and Ethan exchanged a look, reloading their weapons.
Ethan: "Yeah, I figured it wasn't gonna be that easy."
John: "You ready for round two?"
Ethan smirked. "Let's finish this."
The door at the far end of the chamber groaned as it slowly slid open, revealing yet another nightmare waiting for them beyond.
John and Ethan braced themselves as the massive steel door fully slid open, revealing a dimly lit industrial corridor. The walls were lined with rusted pipes, some leaking steam, and the scent of oil and burnt metal hung in the air. The eerie hum of machinery buzzed all around them, and flickering lights cast erratic shadows on the walls.
Lucas' voice crackled through the intercom, smug as ever. "Well, well, well… I gotta admit, boys, I didn't expect ya to make it this far! But hey, credit where it's due. Y'all are real persistent. Too bad that's not gonna save ya."
John exchanged a glance with Ethan. "I hate this guy."
Ethan reloaded his grenade launcher. "Yeah, you and me both. Let's just get this over with."
They cautiously stepped forward, keeping their weapons ready. As they advanced, the ground suddenly rumbled beneath them. A metal grate in the floor burst open, and something massive crawled out.
It was another of Lucas' creations, but this one was different. It was bigger than the last, standing nearly ten feet tall with grotesque, pulsating growths covering its body. Its elongated arms ended in razor-sharp claws, and its head twitched unnaturally as if it wasn't entirely in control of its own body.
Lucas' laughter echoed through the speakers. "Meet my *special* pet! Ain't he a beauty? Took me a *long* time to get this one just right. Y'all better start runnin'."
The creature let out an unnatural shriek and lunged.
John and Ethan split in opposite directions, barely avoiding the monster's swipe. John raised his AA-12 and fired a burst of Dragon's Breath rounds, the flames licking at the beast's hide. It recoiled, screeching in pain but didn't go down.
Ethan, taking advantage of the distraction, fired a grenade directly at the creature's side. The explosion sent black ichor spraying across the walls, but the monster only staggered before letting out another guttural roar.
John: "Damn it, this thing's tougher than the last one!"
Ethan: "We need to hit those growths! That's gotta be its weak spot!"
The creature lunged again, its claws scraping against the walls as it tried to corner Ethan. John reloaded quickly and sprinted to higher ground, climbing a set of metal stairs leading to an overhead platform.
Lucas cackled. "Oh-ho-ho, you boys are makin' this fun! But let's see how ya handle a *little* surprise."
With a loud *clank*, the platform beneath John shook violently. The support beams started retracting, tilting the structure at an angle. John lost his footing and slid, barely grabbing onto the railing before he fell into the creature's reach.
Ethan fired another explosive round at one of the tumors on the monster's shoulder. This time, the detonation caused a massive rupture, making the beast stagger backward in agony.
John, still hanging onto the railing, gritted his teeth. "Alright, that's it. No more playing around."
With a grunt, he pulled himself up, steadied his shotgun, and took careful aim at the creature's largest tumor.
John: "Burn, you son of a bitch."
He pulled the trigger, and a final, fiery blast engulfed the monster's weak spot. The flames consumed its body, spreading rapidly. The creature let out a horrific wail as its form convulsed violently before collapsing in a heap of burning flesh and blackened bone.
Lucas' voice crackled through, now laced with irritation. "Well, ain't that a bitch. Y'all just keep wreckin' my hard work! But don't you worry—I still got plenty more fun in store for ya."
John exhaled and reloaded his shotgun. "Bring it on."
Ethan wiped ichor from his sleeve and let out a breath. "Yeah. We're not stopping now."
The door ahead unlocked with a loud hiss, revealing yet another path forward. With their weapons ready, they stepped through, knowing that Lucas' worst was still yet to come.
John and Ethan stepped through the newly opened door, their weapons raised and nerves on edge. The corridor ahead was narrow, lined with rusted pipes that hissed with steam. The further they walked, the stronger the scent of oil and burning metal became. It was clear—they were heading into the heart of Lucas' twisted playground.
Ethan: "I swear, if I hear one more word from that smug bastard, I might just blow up the whole damn place."
John smirked, keeping his shotgun steady. "Not a bad idea, but let's make sure we're not in it when that happens."
As they moved deeper, the intercom crackled to life again.
Lucas: "Aw, c'mon, boys! Don't tell me you're gettin' tired! We ain't even gotten to the *best* part yet!"
Ethan groaned. "Called it."
They emerged into a wide industrial chamber filled with machinery, conveyor belts, and overhead cranes. The walls were lined with massive storage containers, some of them dented and rusting, others freshly bolted shut. A catwalk stretched above, leading to a control booth with flickering monitors.
John scanned the area. "This place looks important."
Ethan: "Yeah, which means it's probably a trap."
As if on cue, a series of loud *clanks* echoed through the chamber, followed by the deep rumbling of machinery springing to life. The conveyor belts began moving, and from the far side of the room, a massive steel door groaned open. The sound of chains rattling filled the air.
Lucas: "Alright, boys, this one's real special! Made 'im myself! Hope you like surprises!"
From the shadows, a massive figure stomped forward. It was unlike anything they had faced before—standing nearly ten feet tall, its body was reinforced with crude metal plating, its arms replaced with jagged, saw-like appendages. Its head was covered by a reinforced welding mask, its single glowing eye locking onto them with a menacing hum.
Ethan: "What the hell is that?!"
John cocked his shotgun. "Nothing we can't kill."
The creature let out a mechanical roar and charged.
John and Ethan dove for cover as the monster's massive saw arms tore through a stack of metal crates, sending debris flying. Sparks showered the room as the machinery around them was ripped apart.
John: "Ethan, go for the control booth! See if you can shut this thing down!"
Ethan nodded and sprinted toward the stairs leading up to the catwalk while John unloaded his AA-12 into the creature's chest. The slugs barely dented the reinforced plating.
Lucas cackled. "Oh-ho! Ya like 'im? Had to piece 'im together real nice after my last *pet* got roasted!"
John gritted his teeth. "Alright, let's see how well you handle some real heat."
He swapped to his Dragon's Breath shells and fired. Flames erupted across the monster's body, causing it to stagger back and let out a distorted screech.
Meanwhile, Ethan reached the control booth and frantically searched the panel for anything useful.
Ethan: "C'mon, c'mon… There!"
He slammed a lever down, and the overhead crane whirred to life. A massive steel beam swung from the ceiling, smashing into the creature's side and sending it crashing into the conveyor belts.
John seized the moment, unloading the rest of his incendiary rounds into the exposed joints of the beast.
The creature let out a final, metallic shriek before collapsing, its body twitching before finally going still.
Lucas' voice returned, his tone less amused. "Aww, c'mon! That one took me *weeks* to put together! Y'all are really startin' to piss me off."
Ethan reloaded his shotgun. "Good. We're not done yet."
The next door unlocked with a heavy metallic hiss. John took a breath and nodded. "Let's finish this."
With renewed determination, they pressed forward toward whatever nightmare Lucas had waiting for them next.
John and Ethan stepped through the newly opened door, their weapons raised as they entered another industrial corridor. The walls were lined with exposed pipes, some leaking steam, while flickering emergency lights bathed the area in a dim, reddish glow. The air smelled of oil and rust, a telltale sign that they were closing in on Lucas' final hideout.
Lucas' voice crackled over the intercom, dripping with forced amusement. "Man, y'all are just full of surprises! I was hopin' my big guy woulda torn ya to bits, but I guess I'll have to handle things *myself* now."
Ethan scoffed. "Finally. I was starting to think this asshole was just gonna hide behind his toys forever."
John: "Stay sharp. He's got something planned. He always does."
As they advanced, they reached a security door with a small keypad next to it. A thick window to the side revealed what lay beyond—a massive control room filled with monitors, servers, and wiring. In the center of it all, standing with his arms crossed, was Lucas Baker himself. His wild grin stretched across his face as he leaned lazily against the console.
Lucas: "Oh, hey there! Took ya long enough."
Ethan immediately tried the door, but it was locked. Lucas laughed. "Yeah, yeah, like I'm just gonna let ya walk in here. Naw, boys, we're gonna do this *my* way. Y'all like games, right? 'Cause I got one more for ya."
John clenched his fists. "I'm done playing. Open the damn door."
Lucas waggled a finger. "Tut-tut! Now where's the fun in that? If ya wanna get in, ya gotta *earn* it. See that control panel over there? There's a passcode ya gotta enter, but I ain't givin' it to ya for free."
Ethan: "Let me guess. More traps? More freaks?"
Lucas: "Bingo! And lucky for y'all, I saved my best work for last. But hey, if ya think you're *fast* enough, you could try guessin' the code! Just, uh... don't get it wrong too many times. You *really* don't wanna know what happens."
John turned to Ethan. "We don't have time to mess around."
Ethan checked his grenade launcher. "Then let's get this over with."
A heavy metallic *clunk* echoed from behind them. The sound of grinding gears filled the air as a series of hidden panels slid open, revealing large, pulsating bio-masses—Lucas' final batch of experiments. The creatures twisted and groaned, their deformed bodies lurching forward, razor-sharp appendages glistening under the flickering lights.
Lucas let out a dramatic sigh. "Aww, they just wanna say hi! C'mon, boys, show 'em some *Southern hospitality*!"
John pumped his AA-12 shotgun. "Let's put these things down."
Ethan: "And then we're coming for *you*, Lucas."
With their weapons ready, they charged into battle, determined to end this nightmare once and for all.
John and Ethan braced themselves as the grotesque creatures lunged forward, their twisted forms writhing in the dim light. The air filled with the sickening stench of decay and the guttural growls of Lucas' experiments.
John wasted no time, raising the AA-12 and unloading a hail of slugs into the first abomination. The heavy rounds tore through its bloated, mutated flesh, sending chunks of tissue and black ichor spraying across the walls. The creature shrieked but kept advancing.
Ethan: "These things just don't quit!"
He fired his grenade launcher, the explosive shell landing dead center in a cluster of creatures. The detonation rocked the room, sending body parts and smoke in all directions. Several monsters fell, but more emerged from the darkened corners, crawling on all fours, their limbs twitching unnaturally.
Lucas' voice crackled through the intercom, his tone dripping with amusement. "Oh-ho! Y'all are puttin' on one hell of a show! But I gotta tell ya, my babies don't go down easy!"
John gritted his teeth and switched to Dragon's Breath rounds. He fired at the nearest creature, engulfing it in a torrent of fire. The beast wailed in agony, its skin blistering and peeling as it stumbled backward into another group of horrors, setting them alight.
Ethan reloaded, glancing at the control panel near the locked security door. "John, we gotta end this! We need that code!"
John ducked under a swinging claw, blasting another creature point-blank. "Then let's make Lucas talk!"
Ethan grabbed a nearby metal pipe and slammed it against the intercom panel. "Lucas! Open the damn door! Or we'll burn *everything* in this room down—including your precious lab!"
Lucas let out a slow whistle. "Damn, Ethan, I like your style. Alright, alright, fine! The code's **1408**. But I ain't lettin' ya through without a *proper* goodbye!"
A loud mechanical whir filled the room as the floor trembled beneath them. The remaining creatures convulsed violently before merging together, their twisted limbs fusing into a singular, monstrous form. It stood over twelve feet tall, its many eyes blinking erratically as it let out an ear-piercing screech.
John: "Well, that's new."
Ethan: "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
John cocked his shotgun. "Burn it to the ground."
With their weapons ready and the door within reach, they faced down the last of Lucas' creations, determined to finish this once and for all.
The monstrous fusion of Lucas' experiments let out a deafening roar, its grotesque limbs flailing as it charged toward John and Ethan. The industrial chamber shook under its weight, metal beams groaning from the force of its movements.
John didn't hesitate. He raised his AA-12, unloading a full burst of Dragon's Breath rounds into the beast's chest. Flames erupted across its body, searing through flesh and muscle. The creature screeched in agony but kept coming.
Ethan: "Damn it, this thing doesn't go down easy!"
Ethan fired his grenade launcher, the explosion blasting a chunk of the creature's side apart. Black ichor sprayed against the walls, but within moments, the wound began to regenerate.
John: "We need to hit it where it can't heal! Go for the core!"
The creature lunged, swinging a massive clawed limb. John barely managed to roll aside as the impact dented the floor where he had just been standing. Ethan aimed higher, spotting a pulsating mass in its chest—a weak point.
Ethan: "I see it! Cover me!"
John reloaded, firing at the creature's legs to slow it down while Ethan lined up his shot. The grenade launcher's muzzle flashed as he fired directly into the pulsing core.
The explosion tore through the creature, sending it staggering back, a guttural howl escaping its twisted maw. The wound didn't regenerate this time. It convulsed violently, blackened limbs thrashing as it began to collapse in on itself.
Lucas' voice crackled through the intercom, his amusement replaced with frustration. "No, no, no! That was my best one yet! Y'all are just no damn fun!"
John exhaled, stepping toward the console near the locked door. "Yeah? Well, we're done playing."
He punched in the code **1408** and the security door hissed open. Beyond it was a metal staircase leading upward—likely to Lucas' control room.
Ethan: "Let's end this."
John: "Couldn't agree more."
Weapons loaded, they stepped through the doorway, ready to confront Lucas once and for all.
John and Ethan ascended the metal staircase, their boots clanking against the steel with each step. The hum of machinery buzzed around them, accompanied by the distant flicker of malfunctioning fluorescent lights. They both knew—this was it.
At the top, a reinforced metal door stood between them and Lucas. The intercom crackled to life once again, his voice now laced with amusement and venom.
Lucas: "Well, well! Look who finally made it! You boys must be *real* eager to get your hands on me, huh? Can't say I blame ya! But lemme tell ya, this ain't gonna go the way ya think."
John ignored the taunt, checking his AA-12 one last time. "We're kicking that door down."
Ethan loaded a fresh grenade into his launcher. "Fine by me."
Without hesitation, John planted his boot against the door and kicked it open with a loud *BANG*.
The room beyond was a chaotic mess of cables, monitors, and blinking control panels. In the center of it all stood Lucas Baker, a smug grin plastered across his face. He leaned against the console, hands casually in his pockets.
Lucas: "Took ya long enough. Hope you boys are ready for a hell of a show!"
Before they could react, he slammed a switch on the panel. A deafening alarm blared, red warning lights flashing across the room. The floor trembled beneath them.
Ethan: "John, I *really* don't like this."
Lucas chuckled, stepping back as the walls around them shifted, panels retracting to reveal hidden escape hatches. Smoke filled the room, obscuring their vision.
Lucas: "Well, this has been fun, boys, but I got bigger plans than dyin' in this dump. Catch me if ya can!"
Through the haze, they saw Lucas dart toward a concealed exit. John fired a burst from his AA-12, but it was too late—Lucas slipped through the hatch just as the door slammed shut behind him.
Ethan rushed forward, trying to pry it open. "Damn it! He's gone!"
John exhaled sharply, lowering his weapon. "He won't get far."
The alarm continued to blare, and on the monitors, a countdown appeared—something else had been triggered.
Ethan: "Yeah, but we might not be around to chase him if we don't move!"
With Lucas gone and the facility set to self-destruct, John and Ethan had only one choice—escape before the entire place went up in flames.
The blaring alarms echoed through the facility, the red warning lights flashing in rapid succession. Steam burst from ruptured pipes, and the walls trembled as explosions sounded in the distance. John and Ethan exchanged a look—there was no time to waste.
John: "We need to move. Now."
Ethan: "No argument here."
They sprinted back down the corridor, retracing their steps as the structure around them groaned. The heat was intensifying, the air thick with smoke and the acrid scent of burning metal. Sparks rained from the overhead fixtures, casting eerie flickers of light through the rising haze.
John led the way, his mind racing. There had to be a way out—Lucas wouldn't have set a countdown without his own escape plan.
Ethan: "There! The service tunnels!"
He pointed toward a reinforced hatch partially hidden behind a fallen metal beam. John wasted no time, grabbing hold and pulling it open. A gust of cool air rushed past them—an underground ventilation passage, leading away from the collapsing structure.
John: "Go! I'll cover us!"
Ethan climbed in first, sliding down the metal ladder. John followed, sealing the hatch behind them just as another explosion rocked the facility above. They could hear the distant sound of crumbling steel, the entire structure coming down on itself.
The tunnel stretched out before them, dimly lit by flickering emergency bulbs. The walls were damp, the scent of mildew mixing with the smoke clinging to their clothes.
Ethan: "If this leads to a dead end, I'm gonna be *really* pissed."
John: "Just keep moving. We're not dying in here."
They pushed forward, navigating the winding tunnels, their weapons still at the ready. The echoes of the destruction above grew fainter, and after what felt like an eternity, they spotted light ahead—a rusted exit door leading outside.
John shoved it open, and the two stumbled out into the fresh night air. Behind them, the ground rumbled one last time as the facility collapsed completely, sending a cloud of dust into the sky.
Ethan bent over, catching his breath. "Jesus… We actually made it."
John exhaled, scanning the horizon. "Yeah. But Lucas did too."
Ethan looked up, following John's gaze toward the distant tree line. Somewhere out there, Lucas was still alive, still plotting.
Ethan: "So what now?"
John tightened his grip on his shotgun. "Now? We find Mia. We end this."