Chapter 13: Chaos in the Streets of Strasbourg - Part 1

Chapter 13: Chaos in the Streets of Strasbourg - Part 1

Sitting in their patrol car, three officers of the National Police, Officer Martin Leroy, his partner Julien Garnier, and their rookie, Lucas Dumont, were calmly waiting on the side of an empty street. The neighborhood was quiet tonight, and the only lights visible came from the street lamps casting a yellow glow on the asphalt. Leroy, a veteran with nearly fifteen years of service, let out a weary sigh as he glanced at the clock on the dashboard. Midnight was approaching.

"So, Leroy, what do you think of that 'raven' case we got earlier tonight?" Garnier asked, scrolling through his phone. "That guy strolling around downtown in a plague doctor costume, that's some crazy stuff, huh?"

Leroy shook his head. "Honestly, I don't know. People just do the weirdest things these days. Maybe it's just some drunk guy or a bad joke. We'll see if it makes the news tomorrow… if it's not already forgotten by then."

Rookie Dumont nervously joined the conversation with a grin. "Personally, if I see a guy dressed like that, I'm outta there."

The two veteran officers exchanged a smile. For Dumont, police work was still filled with excitement and mystery. But for Leroy and Garnier, it was just another uneventful night on patrol. Or so they thought.

Suddenly, a sharp alert blared from the radio, cutting their conversation short. It was a signal from the onboard radio.

"Code Red, Code Red! All available units, immediate intervention needed in the Petite France district. Multiple hostile individuals on the move! High risk to civilian population!"

The tone of the message was alarming. Leroy instinctively straightened in his seat, gripping the steering wheel more tightly. His hands, trained by years of handling critical situations, suddenly felt tense.

"What the hell…?" Garnier muttered as he fastened his seatbelt.

Another message followed, more detailed and even more concerning.

"All units, multiple confirmed attacks on officers. Suspects are dangerous and violent, possibly armed. Civilians are fleeing the scene, panic is spreading. Intervention teams en route. Priority is to secure civilians and neutralize threats."

Leroy looked at his partners with a serious expression. "Alright, it's getting real. Let's go."

In an instant, he switched on the siren and hit the accelerator. The patrol car, an unmarked Peugeot 5008 SUV, sped off, tearing through the calm night of the city. Racing through the cobblestone streets of Strasbourg, they headed toward the chaos, the shrill sound of the siren echoing between the historic buildings.

"What are we up against?" Dumont asked, fear creeping into his voice.

Leroy kept his focus on the road, eyes scanning the mirrors and intersections. "We don't know yet, kid. But it's our job to find out and protect the people. Stay calm."

The tension rose as they neared the Petite France district. The streets, usually so quiet at night, were now overrun by panic. Dozens of civilians were running in every direction, some screaming at the top of their lungs, others sobbing or stumbling in their frantic escape. The officers tried to slow down the car to avoid hitting anyone, but the disorganized crowd made their progress difficult.

"What the hell is going on?!" Garnier swore, trying to spot any signs of hostility among the mass of moving people.

The radio crackled again, this time with an even more urgent tone.

"This is Unit 23, we're under attack! These guys are coming at us bare-handed, but… but they're not normal, damn it! We need backup now!"

A burst of static drowned out the transmission before another, more panicked voice took over.

"This is Unit 12! We're surrounded, they're… My God, they're not stopping! Shooter down, I repeat, shooter down! These bastards won't drop even after several shots! We need…!"

The signal abruptly cut off, leaving a heavy silence in the patrol car.

"What the hell's happening over there?" Leroy murmured, beads of sweat forming on his brow.

They were finally approaching the main scene. The familiar urban landscape now seemed apocalyptic. Overturned cars burned in the streets, their flames licking the night sky. Shattered glass littered the ground, broken by the stampede of the fleeing crowd and the ongoing clashes. Thick smoke from the fires made the air almost unbreathable, and the sounds of terror-filled screams echoed everywhere.

"We're here. Get ready," Leroy said through clenched teeth.

The three officers exited the car, weapons drawn, and moved swiftly toward the source of the gunfire reverberating through the narrow streets. Around them, other officers were trying to hold back individuals who, at first glance, appeared to be civilians… until one noticed their vacant stares, their jerky, mechanical movements.

"These guys… they're not normal," Garnier muttered, watching one of them stagger toward an armed officer. Despite point-blank gunshots, the man didn't fall, continuing to lurch forward, like a walking corpse. Finally, he was taken down with a shot to the head, but even in his fall, his hand continued reaching out toward the officers.

"What the hell are these… zombies?" Dumont asked, his voice shaking.

Leroy didn't answer, his mind racing to make sense of the situation. What he was witnessing made no sense. The attackers weren't armed, but their strength and resilience defied all logic. Still, chaos reigned, and they had to act.

"No time to think. Shoot anything that advances and doesn't fall," Leroy barked as he reloaded his weapon. "Let's go, move out!"

They cautiously advanced down the street, getting closer to the heart of the conflict. Around them, the remaining officers were trying to hold a defensive line, but the SCP-049-2 were everywhere, emerging from all sides like never-ending waves. Gunfire echoed from every corner, and incomprehensible orders crackled over the radio, adding to the confusion.

"They're coming from behind!" shouted another officer further down the street, as zombies surged from side alleys, forcing the police to scatter to avoid being overwhelmed.

In the midst of this chaotic battle, Leroy noticed something that immediately caught his attention. Above them, on the roof of a multi-story building, a figure stood, calmly observing the scene with unsettling tranquility. The man was dressed in a long black coat, his face concealed by a raven-like mask. He remained motionless, his eyes seeming to pierce directly into Leroy's from across the distance.

"Oh crap…" Leroy murmured, momentarily frozen by the surreal sight.

It was SCP-049. Even without knowing the entity's name or its capabilities, Leroy knew that this being was at the heart of the nightmare unfolding around them. His gestures, his attitude, everything betrayed a cold and unyielding confidence. He feared neither bullets, nor screams, nor even death that surrounded him. SCP-049 was simply observing, like a scientist watching an experiment unfold.

"What do you see, chief?" Garnier asked, following Leroy's gaze.

"Up there… on the roof," Leroy responded in a hoarse voice.

Garnier squinted and saw the black silhouette. "What the hell is that?"

Before Garnier could finish his sentence, a shrill scream echoed behind them, forcing them to whirl around. Another group of these "zombies," SCP-049-2, was rushing toward them at a frightening speed, further distorting the already chaotic scene. Their awkward, grotesque gait did nothing to conceal the threat they posed. The street, once filled with civilians, had turned into an impromptu battlefield where every corner, every alley, could hide a new horror.

"Open fire!" Leroy shouted, instinctively firing several rounds at the oncoming attackers.

Gunfire tore through the air as the three officers fought back. Their bullets ripped through the flesh of the SCP-049-2, slowing them down but not completely stopping them. Some fell under the barrage, but others kept advancing, relentless, their faces marked by a dehumanizing emptiness.

"Damn it, they don't go down!" Dumont cried, panic rising in his voice as he emptied his magazine.

Garnier, gritting his teeth, tried to calm the young officer while keeping up the pressure on the creatures. "Aim for the head! That's the only way to take them down for good!"

Meanwhile, Leroy kept an eye on SCP-049, still motionless on the rooftop. The entity wasn't moving, wasn't reacting to the carnage below. It was simply watching, as though mentally taking notes on the events unfolding before its eyes. A strange aura emanated from this being. It was as though he controlled everything, a puppeteer pulling the strings in a macabre theater.

But Leroy didn't have the luxury of focusing on this enigmatic figure. A few meters ahead of him, a wave of SCP-049-2 continued to press forward, forcing the officers to retreat, guns and pistols in hand. The bodies of the creatures piling up on the ground seemed almost insignificant in the face of their numbers, and for every zombie they brought down, two more seemed to emerge from the shadows.

"Leroy, we can't stay here!" Garnier yelled, still firing. "We're going to get surrounded!"

He was right. The frontline that the officers were desperately trying to maintain was gradually crumbling. The SCP-049-2, though oblivious to bullets and explosions, were gaining ground. They moved forward relentlessly, tirelessly, like machines powered by a force the officers couldn't comprehend.

Leroy made a quick decision. "We need to fall back! Retreat to the central square!"

The three officers retreated quickly, their steps hurried but methodical as they navigated through the chaotic streets. Behind them, the relentless tide of SCP-049-2 continued to press forward, their disturbing, lifeless movements a constant reminder of the threat they faced.

As they approached the central square, the scene only grew more surreal. Fires burned fiercely, casting flickering shadows on the buildings and the pavement. The air was thick with smoke and the acrid stench of burning debris. The shrill cries of frightened civilians mixed with the guttural groans of the SCP-049-2, creating a cacophony of terror.

Leroy led the way, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of safety. He spotted a cluster of officers holding their ground near the base of the square's iconic clock tower. They seemed to be making a stand, but the sheer number of SCP-049-2 pressing in on them indicated that their position was precarious.

"Over here!" Leroy shouted, motioning for Garnier and Dumont to follow him towards the clock tower. "We need to regroup with the others!"

The trio fought their way through the throng of attackers, their progress slowed by the desperate and unyielding assault of the SCP-049-2. They reached the clock tower, where a few officers, some of whom were visibly wounded, were trying to fend off the relentless onslaught. Their faces reflected exhaustion and grim determination.

"We've got to hold this position!" one of the officers, Sergeant Moreau, shouted over the din. "We're waiting for reinforcements, but we can't let them overrun us!"

Leroy nodded, taking a moment to catch his breath as he joined the defense. He glanced around, trying to assess their situation. The central square was surrounded, and the SCP-049-2 were beginning to close in from all sides. The officers' ammunition was dwindling, and the constant pressure from the attackers was taking its toll.

"Garnier, Dumont, cover the east side!" Leroy ordered, pointing towards the approaching horde. "I'll take the west."

The two officers moved to their assigned positions, their faces etched with fear and determination. Leroy focused on the west side, where the SCP-049-2 were advancing with unnatural speed. He fired his weapon with precision, aiming for the head as Garnier had instructed. The grotesque creatures fell one by one, but the numbers seemed endless.

In the midst of the chaos, Leroy caught sight of SCP-049 again, still observing from the rooftop of a nearby building. The figure's calm demeanor contrasted starkly with the mayhem below. It was as though SCP-049 was orchestrating the disaster, a chilling puppet master controlling the unfolding horror.

"Damn it…" Leroy muttered, frustration mounting. "This isn't going to end well unless we get some serious help."

The radio crackled again with a distorted transmission. "All units, this is Command. Reinforcements are en route, but we're facing heavy resistance. Maintain your positions and hold out as long as possible. Evacuation procedures are being initiated. If you're in a secure area, prepare for possible fallback."

"Finally," Leroy said with a sigh of relief. "Reinforcements are on the way. We just need to hold on."

The officers around him continued their fierce battle, their resolve unwavering despite the overwhelming odds. Leroy's thoughts were focused on the figure of SCP-049, who remained eerily detached from the carnage. The entity's presence was a grim reminder that this was no ordinary threat.

As the battle raged on, Leroy knew that the night was far from over. The true extent of the nightmare was still unfolding, and they had yet to confront the full scope of SCP-049's plans. For now, survival and resistance were their only options, and they would have to rely on their training and each other to make it through the night.