Story 332: The Hunter’s Snare

The ground shook beneath Zara’s feet as the first explosion ripped through the command center’s lower levels. Callum had barely finished securing the charges before alarms blared, filling the labyrinthine halls with an ominous cacophony of screeches and flashing lights.

“Move!” Zara barked, gripping Callum’s arm and dragging him into a side corridor. Behind them, the hive-like structure groaned as its organic walls started to collapse, spilling chunks of glowing debris.

“We’re running out of time!” Callum shouted, his breath labored as they sprinted down the narrowing passage.

Zara’s sharp eyes scanned their path, looking for an escape route. The pulsating veins of the structure throbbed like a heartbeat, making the walls seem alive. A wrong turn could lead them straight into a trap—or worse, a dead end.

“Hang tight. There’s always a way out,” Zara muttered to herself, her tone more reassuring than she felt.