"Turn left!", I shouted. Ethan made a rough turn as an explosion trailed behind us. This was highly unexpected. We were attacked by raiders the moment we entered the next city from Base Alpha. We shook most of them off and we probably wouldn't see them until then. We regrouped with the other squads of team 6. Luckily there were no casualties.

I looked beyond the horizon and saw a tall dark tower with black vines wrapping around it. That was Branch 4. The sun shone dimly, covered by the gray, partly cloudy sky.

"That's our destination huh?", Marina said.

"Yeah… It's giving me goosebumps", Ethan replied, his voice slightly fearful. We got back into our vehicles and drove to the base. Within a few meters of entering he branch, hordes of the withered started running at us. We drove into them, running them over.

"Base Alpha made these cars very durable. If not, we would've been withered food.", Ethan said, jokingly.

If not for his tone, we wouldn't be able to tell he was joking, seeing as he always had a mask on and a blank expression. We entered the main gate and closed it. The rest of the horde scratching on the fence. Marina started explaining the layout of the base after being able to connect with the tower's system.

"The branch has 5 labs in total and there are 5 squads. Each with 4 people. So each squad will have to choose which lab they'll got to. The first 2 are located upward towards the south wing of the building. 2 more at the west wing. The final lab is deep within ground 0.", she explained.

Everyone mumbled, deciding which labs to explore. Other trying to decide which ones were less dangerous.

"As a member of squad 3 I suggest we take ground 0.", I said hinting a look to Elena, Marina and Ethan. They were able to understand what I meant and all agreed. Squad 1 and 4 chose the south wing while squad 2 and 5 chose the west wing.

"Then let's begin. The current time is 10:42. We'll regroup here at 14:00. If you don't manage to find the file, continue looking for more things that might be useful. With that, let's split up.", she instructed.

Elena let out an amused sigh. "It's impressive you have good leadership skills at your age.", she complimented.

"Thanks.", Marina replied.

"I'm shocked one of them didn't say anything rude to each other.", Ethan said.

"What was that!?", Marina asked, annoyed by his comment.

"He has a point though.", I supported. She let out a sigh. "Let's just get on with this."

We entered the Base and were greeted with a horde of the withered. "Open fire!", Ethan yelled.

They started shooting at the withered, knocking them down as I dealt the final bow with my swords to any of the ones remaining alive. We moved forward but we heard the building shaking, and a crack formed in one of the walls. Another horde broke through and started chasing us.

"I'll hold them off! You guys get to the lab!", I yelled.

I unholstered my pistol, firing to reduce their numbers. I watched as they fell, only to be replaced by more. My ammo ran out. As the last bullet left my gun, I tossed it aside and drew the swords, gripping them tightly. I swung, severing limbs and heads, but the withered kept coming. The ground trembled beneath me, cracks forming.

I fought on, trying my best to hold them off so they can get to the lab. Then it happened—the ground split open. I stumbled, losing my balance. The withered lunged, their rotting hands grabbing at me. I fell, swords slipping from my grasp. Darkness devoured me as I tumbled downward, the world spinning. The last thing I heard was a loud thud and everything went black.

...

The sky was a dark gray color and the wind blew harshly. The leaves flew over me as I navigated the black ground. I squinted my eyes, looking through the fog. I saw a figure standing there. I couldn't see her face properly. She started to run away, and I followed her.

"Hey, wait!", I shouted as I ran after her.

She ran further into the fog, as it got thicker. I chased after her, stopping at the edge of a cliff, and she was nowhere to be found. At the bottom of the cliff was darkness. I looked closely. I saw the ruins of the world, covered by darkness. The darkness lit up with white flashing eyes as distant roars and growls, followed. The darkness writhed across the landscape.

It was nothing but withered... everywhere. In fear, I moved back and started walking away. As I did, I saw 3 silhouettes standing in front of me. I looked closer and saw that it was Ethan, Elena and Marina.

"I'm so glad you guys are here. Did you see what's going on?", I asked, feeling relief wash over me yet still shaken by the situation. They stood there silently, not moving an inch.

"Guys...?", I waited for their response.

"How could you?", Ethan asked, his voice now hoarse.

"What? What do you mean?", I asked, confused.

"How could you let us die?", Marina mumbled, her voice also rough.

"W-what are you talking about?", I started to shake, my breathing, getting heavier.

"It's your fault... It's all your fault!", Elena shouted angrily.

I inspected them. Their skin had darkened, and it was as dry as ash. Their eyes were hollow. When I stared into them, it felt as if the darkness stared directly into my soul. I moved back, fearfully, my breathing only getting heavier.

"You... left us... You left us!", they screamed, running to attack me. I moved back and fell off the cliff, not realizing the I had come close to the edge again. I screamed. A long, terrified scream as the withered from below raised their arms, wanting to be the first to tear me apart, as the hollow shells of my 3 friends stared down at my demise.

End Of Chapter 10.