Chapter 13: Escape from the Lab
The silence after the battle was short-lived. A loud klaxon blared through the lab, and a mechanical voice echoed through the corridors.
"Warning: Self-destruct sequence initiated. All personnel must evacuate immediately."
Azizah cursed under her breath. Of course, Umbrella's lab would have a self-destruct protocol. The room lit up with flashing red lights as the countdown appeared on a nearby monitor: 10:00.
"Let's move!" Azizah shouted, snapping everyone out of their daze.
Leon and Kevin immediately stepped into action, helping Claire and Sherry to their feet. Annette clutched the vaccine tightly, her face pale but determined. Ada stood at the back, calm as always, reloading her weapon.
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The Race Against Time
The group sprinted through the lab's sterile corridors, the alarm blaring in their ears. The walls shook violently as small explosions erupted in the distance, signaling the facility's impending destruction.
"Stay together!" Azizah called out, her system highlighting the fastest route to the exit. She led the way, her enhanced reflexes allowing her to dodge falling debris and navigate the chaotic environment.
Claire carried Sherry, shielding the little girl from the chaos. "We're almost there, sweetie. Just hold on," she said, her voice trembling.
Leon and Kevin covered the rear, their weapons ready in case any of Umbrella's leftover horrors decided to make an appearance.
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The Final Encounter with Annette
As they reached an elevator leading to the surface, Annette suddenly stopped, clutching her side. Azizah turned back, her heart sinking. The scientist was leaning against the wall, her breathing labored.
"Annette!" Azizah ran to her, helping her stay upright. "What's wrong?"
Annette shook her head, her face pale. "I can't… I won't make it."
"Yes, you will," Azizah said firmly. "We're almost out."
Annette looked at Sherry, her expression softening. "Take care of her. Promise me you'll protect her."
"Mommy!" Sherry cried, reaching out to her mother.
Azizah's system chimed softly, flashing a new optional challenge:
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Optional Challenge:
Save Annette Birkin
Reward: 50 Points + Leadership Charisma
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Azizah gritted her teeth. She wouldn't leave Annette behind—not after everything they'd been through.
"We're not leaving without you," Azizah said, slinging Annette's arm over her shoulder. "Move!"
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The Final Stretch
The elevator doors opened, and the group piled in. The ride to the surface was tense, the timer on the lab's destruction ticking down with each passing second.
"Come on, come on," Kevin muttered, watching the numbers on the elevator display crawl upward.
As the elevator reached the surface, the doors opened to reveal a sprawling ambulance bay. Several ambulances stood parked, engines idling.
"That's our way out!" Leon shouted, pointing to an ambulance.
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A Final Obstacle
As the group ran toward the ambulances, a guttural growl echoed through the bay. Azizah turned, her stomach dropping as she saw a dozen Crimson Head zombies lurching toward them, their glowing red eyes filled with rage.
"Get to the ambulance!" Azizah yelled, drawing her baton. "I'll hold them off!"
"No way!" Leon shouted, standing beside her. "We do this together!"
Kevin, Ada, and Claire positioned themselves as well, forming a line between the zombies and the ambulances. Sherry and Annette climbed into the nearest ambulance, the little girl sobbing as she watched the battle unfold.
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This was it—the last stand. Azizah's system highlighted the zombies' weak points, and she relayed the information to the group.
"Focus on their heads!" she called out, launching into a series of rapid strikes with her enhanced strength.
Leon and Kevin fired in unison, their bullets tearing into the zombies' decayed forms. Ada's precise shots targeted their heads, dropping one after another with deadly efficiency.
The Crimson Heads moved with terrifying speed, their claws swiping at anything within reach. Azizah dodged with a backflip, using her Chun-Li skills to land a devastating kick to one zombie's skull. The impact sent it flying, giving Leon and Kevin an opening to unload another volley of bullets.
"Now!" Azizah shouted. "Hit them with everything you've got!"
Leon fired his grenade launcher, the explosion obliterating the remaining zombies in a fiery blast. As the smoke cleared, the last of the monsters crumpled to the ground.
Azizah fell to her knees, breathing heavily. The group stood in stunned silence, the weight of their victory settling over them.
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Escape
"Azizah, come on!" Claire called from the ambulance. "We've got to go!"
Azizah nodded, pulling herself to her feet. The group sprinted toward the ambulance, slamming the doors shut as the engine roared to life. The vehicle sped out of the bay, carrying them away from the collapsing hospital.
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System Update
As the ambulance emerged into the daylight, Azizah's system chimed softly.
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Objective Completed:
Defeat William Birkin (Final Mutation)
Escape Umbrella's Lab
Rewards: 100 Points
Optional Challenge Completed:
Clear the Crimson Head Horde
Rewards: 100 Points + Weapon Upgrade
Optional Challenge Completed:
Save Annette Birkin
Reward: 50 Points + Leadership Charisma
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Azizah leaned back in her seat, exhaustion washing over her. The nightmare was finally over.
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The Aftermath
As the ambulance raced away from the crumbling lab, Kevin's voice boomed from the driver's seat.
"Hang on, everyone!" he shouted, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. "This is gonna be a bumpy ride!"
Azizah shot him a glance. "Do you even know how to drive an ambulance?"
Kevin grinned. "How hard can it be?"
The answer came quickly as they swerved onto a deserted street, the tires screeching. The group braced themselves, Sherry clutching her mother's arm while Leon muttered something under his breath about Kevin's driving.
As the ambulance rumbled toward safety, the group sat in silence, processing everything they had been through. Annette sat beside Sherry, holding her daughter close. Tears streamed down her face, but there was a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
"Thank you," Annette said softly, looking at Azizah. "For saving us."
Azizah nodded, her voice steady despite her exhaustion. "We couldn't have done it without you."
Just as they thought they were clear, a Crimson Head staggered into the middle of the road, its glowing red eyes fixated on the speeding vehicle.
"Hold on!" Kevin yelled, slamming the accelerator.
With a sickening crunch, the ambulance plowed through the creature, sending it flying into the windshield of an abandoned car. Kevin whooped, his adrenaline spiking. "Roadkill!"
"Watch the road, Kevin!" Claire barked, gripping her seat for dear life.
Azizah rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. "At least you're getting us there."
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Arrival at Raccoon City Police Station
The police station loomed ahead, its imposing architecture bathed in the eerie glow of the setting sun. The group sighed in collective relief as Kevin screeched the ambulance to a halt in front of the building.
"Everyone out!" Azizah commanded, throwing open the back doors. She helped Annette and Sherry down while the others scrambled to gather weapons and supplies.
As they made their way to the station entrance, Leon turned to Kevin. "You ever think about a career in demolition?"
Kevin smirked. "Maybe. But I think I'll stick to surviving for now."
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To Be Continued…