Into the darkness

I made my way inside, it was dark so I lit my torch to get better vision only to find mechanical junk everywhere. I advanced slowly to avoid tripping on the mess littered on the floor as I walked towards the darkness with nothing to expect from a abanddoned Tech-wing. The place had a horrible stench to it as I wandered around—I rummaged every desk, workbench, and countertop I encountered although I only found Modular schematics since they were useless I thought of returning them but then again I'll save myself some trouble after the power is back so I took them and put them in my sling bag. Modular schematics are small data storages used by scientists, some of them being actual engineering blueprints for mechanical purposes and advances or compiled research information for anything they hoped to analyze so I thought some of them might

contain information to what happened here that I hope to find out later on.

Everything was bleak and stuffy while dead remains of scientists scattered throughout the path I passed—the line up of desks soon faded and the next area was filled with large industrial-grade machinery, the dirty glossy floors turned into metal grates with piping and wiring underneath. I raised my torch and stood surrounded by technology and have realized that it would take me days till I could explore the whole wing, though lost in thought the pungent smell of death grew stronger; I decided to follow it. Every bit of my mind wanted to turn away but I couldn't help

follow the scent... The smell was unbearable till I caught a glimpse of a pool of blood and traced it to this body torn apart excluding its

head that was protected by a helmet but had sustained casualties as well.

This person died recently since the blood still had a gooey consistency meaning I'm not the only one here, jugding from his helmet I could tell he is of military background but why is this person here? I questioned myself because they've already abandoned this place once so why come back? Under these circumstances they won't carelessly sacrifice soldiers here... I continued to inspect the dead body while pity sank in my mind for this fellow human, the devastation caused on his body hints a feral creature that did the deed—The foul air seeped into every nostril in my nose that made me gagged every now and then, It was too disrespectful to keep going on like this till I saw an Intercom on his hand. Its red light notified me that it still works but was turned off so I carefully loosened his fingers from it. I held the device in hand and confirmed my suspicions since Intercoms like this one last for long periods of time that had automatic wavelength configuration to match or contact anyone in vicinity with the same device, I wonder what's so important for them to be deployed here that's worth risking their lives for.

*KCHHHH!*

A loud radio static enrupted and echoed throughout the whole place as I pressed the power button to activate it so I immediately turned the volume down...

*Grrrr....*

A low growling noise sent shivers down my spine and the noise must have woken whatever's made home here, I took the intercom then hurriedly dashed my way through the towering machines while swinging my torch in front of me guiding my path.

*SCREEECCCHHH!*

I heard an ear-piercing screech, some sort of creature with loud grating and stomping steps that were behind me gradually becoming louder.

*Pant... Pant...*

I'm already losing my breath since I've never run like this my whole life as I felt like my lungs were about to burst, legs ready to give out, sweating rivers down my body. I tried retracing my steps from where I came but soon enough I arrived at the desk area which made my run for my life even harder with all the junk around—Suddenly, my foot got stuck on something as I fell stumbling to the floor.

"Shit!" I cursed.

I turned to see what made me tumble and found a large cable that impeded my footing.

*Swoosh!*

In a daze I immediately tried to stand up to get running again but as I stood I could see the creatures silhouette emerging from the shadows and into the torch-light. I couldn't move, every bit and inches of my body froze in fear as the monster before me slowly shown itself under the light. Exposing its horridly grotesque features: pale skin with blood red fur fading to dark brown covering most of its face, sharp and jagged teeth, black beady eyes... I found myself on deaths door again—It stared directly at me and moments later passed me by. I remembered its beady eyes and waited for it to completely pass me before I try to move but with thought in mind I immediately searched for something to distract the creature.

To my left I found a gear within arms reach and slowly reached for it... After A few tries I gave up especially with my awkward position that could blow my cover, It moved a bit forward and now I'm facing the creatures foul underside. I tried looking for a faster way out because I could be far from the exit but my search was to no avail then I remembered that cable, If I'm right I could be the luckiest person alive—So I only had to distract it but there was nothing else for me to reach for without risking my life. I only had one thing in hand which was the makeshift torch. The creature was idle as if it knew that the prey was near but couldn't determine its exact location, then it hit me! One glance at the blazing torch and one glance at these exposed genitalia.

"I'm sorry" I whispered.

With a fast swing I torched the creature that it wailed in agony and jumped in shock from the pain. I immediately stood and followed the large cable, I could still hear it wailing but with my loud steps I knew it could still follow right after so I ran as fast as I can. Finally I found a metal hatch and tried opening it—from afar I heard snarling and heavy grating steps toward my direction. Panicked, I had a hard time opening it and then finally I opened it! I stooped downwards to check if its clear and jumped as I saw the monsters face pouncing towards me.

*Thud*

I reached the underside safely it was cramped: filled with wiring, tubing and dust. I looked upwards to see the monster and saw it struggling at the entrance with its size it couldn't fit the tiny entrance. I was lucky again today but eventually that would ran out, I couldn't find anything to help me survive or fight against these monstrosities... Time to press on, I need to hurry.