Story 326: The Sacrifice

Zara leaned against the console, her breathing ragged. The soft hum of the generator now carried an ominous ticking—each second echoing her choice. The countdown was live: two minutes until detonation. There was no margin for error, no second chances.

The room trembled as the creatures, enraged by the activation of their destruction, surged through the corridor. Andre, Callum, and Mia fought furiously at the entrance, their backs to one another in a desperate circle of resistance.

“Zara! It’s now or never!” Andre barked, his voice cracking as his shotgun jammed mid-reload. He tossed it aside, drawing his machete.

Zara tightened her grip on her blade. She knew the plan was suicide, but the lives beyond this hive were worth the sacrifice. As the creatures clawed and shrieked, she made her decision.

“Take the lift!” she shouted over the din, pointing toward the emergency shaft at the back of the room.

Callum’s eyes widened. “What? No! We’re not leaving you!”