Story 368: Bait and Consequences

The pounding on the door intensified, each slam shaking the room. Zara quickly scanned the space, her mind working at breakneck speed. The dossier lay open on the table, revealing maps, notes, and a chilling directive: Lure the rogue agents.

“This was never about the beacon,” she muttered. “They wanted us here.”

Rowan, still bracing the door, glanced over his shoulder. “Any bright ideas before they break through?”

Zara grabbed the beacon and the file, stuffing them into her bag. “There’s a ventilation shaft above. It’s tight, but we can fit.”

Rowan scoffed. “Perfect. Trapped like rats.”

“Got a better plan?” Zara shot back.

With no time to argue, she climbed onto the table, unholstered her gun, and shot the bolts securing the vent. Rowan followed as the door began to buckle. They scrambled into the narrow shaft, the growls of the infected echoing behind them.