Story 406: The Crimson Path

The gunfire tore through the eerie silence, flashing like lightning in the dimly lit courtyard. Rook held steady, each shot of his rifle finding its mark as the twisted creatures advanced. Their skeletal frames shattered under the relentless barrage, but for every one that fell, two more seemed to emerge from the darkened alleys.

"Ghost! Where's that exit?" Rook barked, shifting his aim to a particularly fast-moving creature that lunged toward Shadow.

"Working on it!" Ghost shouted, his voice strained. He had sprinted toward a doorway leading into one of the buildings, now feverishly working to clear debris blocking their path. "This place is falling apart. Give me a minute!"

"That's a luxury we don't have!" Viper growled, his knives slicing through a creature that had gotten too close. Its hollow eyes flickered once before its body crumbled into ash-like dust.