Story 299: The Heart of the Labyrinth

The research facility loomed before Damien and Clara, an imposing relic of the pre-apocalypse world. Its steel gates, partially ajar, revealed a shadowy interior. The air was thick with tension, as if the place itself was alive and watching.

“Are you sure about this?” Clara asked, her voice hushed.

Damien glanced at her, determination etched into his features. “This is it. If the King has a weakness, it’s in here.”

They stepped through the gates, their footsteps echoing in the cavernous entryway. The walls were lined with shattered glass panels and broken equipment, evidence of the chaos that had consumed the facility.

Clara checked her weapon, her fingers trembling slightly. “Why would the King leave this place unguarded?”

“He wouldn’t,” Damien replied, eyes scanning every shadow.

As they ventured deeper, the sound of shuffling feet echoed behind them. Clara spun around, her flashlight illuminating a horde of zombies pouring into the corridor.