"Lisa..." she whispered kneeling beside her colleague checking pulse—none found beneath cold skin now growing stiff against touch.

"What happened?" She asked Thomas gently placing hand on his shoulder trying comfort him somehow amidst such horror surrounding them both yet he only shook head violently back-and-forth refusing speak further while tears streamed down cheeks leaving trails through grime coating face.

Suddenly, something moved behind her—wet slithering sound accompanied heavy breathing that sent shivers running spine. She turned around slowly flashlight beam sweeping across room until landing upon monstrous creature looming over doorway blocking any chance escape once more: its form defied description writhing mass tentacles pulsating sickening rhythm while eyes glowed malevolently from within darkness.

Amelia felt bile rise in throat as stared at abomination before them. It seemed larger now, tendrils reaching out further than last time they encountered it—each one ending sharp barbed tip dripping viscous fluid onto floor below leaving trails like snail's path behind.

"Henry," she whispered into comms unit hoping colleague still conscious upstairs could hear her voice amidst chaos unfolding around here,

"It’s back... and bigger."

No response came except static bursts punctuating each second ticking away precious time left before creature advanced menacingly towards them—intentions clear in those glowing orbs.

She backed up slowly until pressed firmly against wall beside Thomas who whimpered softly clutching her arm tightly as if seeking protection from something far beyond human comprehension.

"We need to get out," she said urgently trying keep fear at bay while planning escape route through labyrinthine corridors leading back towards safety upstairs—if such thing existed anymore.

But before they could move, another scream echoed off walls followed by frantic voices pleading for help amidst cacophony sounds too horrifyingly familiar: wet slithering noises accompanied heavy breathing that sent shivers down spines once more.

"Who's there?" Amelia called out desperately hoping someone else remained alive besides themselves and monstrosity blocking exit.

Silence answered except static bursts punctuating each second ticking away precious time. Then suddenly, voice broke through again but barely recognizable now distorted by terror gripping him tightly:

"It... it got inside—we're trapped!"

Panic surged within Amelia as she realized full extent of situation unfolding around them—they weren't just dealing with some unknown cosmic entity; this thing was intelligent enough to hunt prey systematically picking off isolated targets one-by-one until none remained.

"We'll come help you," Henry offered weakly trying stand despite obvious pain coursing through his body.

"No!" Amelia snapped sharply pushing him back down onto floor beside Maria. "You're in no condition—we need someone fit if we have any hope saving them."

She grabbed flashlight off desk before rushing towards stairwell leading downward, heart pounding wildly against chest wall like drumbeat urging her onward despite dread coiling tightly around insides.

As she descended into darkness once more—the air grew colder heavier with each step; an oppressive silence hung heavy save for distant echoes of screams still ringing in ears—Amelia couldn't shake feeling something watched unseen from shadows lurking just beyond reach, waiting patiently until right moment strike...

Reaching lower level lab door now slightly ajar letting tendrils cold air seep through crack beneath. She paused listening intently before pushing it open slowly revealing scene straight out of hell itself.

Bodies lay scattered across floor amidst shattered glass and twisted metal; blood mixed with strange viscous substance oozing steadily towards her like tide seeking shore while eerie silence hung heavy save for faint wet slitherings echoing off walls lined by flickering emergency lights casting long macabre shadows dancing grotesquely around carnage.

Amelia stepped inside cautiously scanning area carefully—no sign of Thomas or his team anywhere. Then she heard it: soft whimper coming from behind makeshift barricade erected against far wall using whatever furniture available at hand.

"Thomas?" She called out softly approaching slowly, flashlight beam cutting through darkness revealing figure huddled beneath desk.

It was him alright but barely recognizable—face pale as death with wide eyes staring blankly ahead while trembling uncontrollably despite warmth radiating from nearby heat source presumably meant keep them safe during lockdown. Beside lay another body—a woman Amelia recognized instantly; Dr Lisa Chen, their biologist who'd worked closely alongside Maria downstairs.

"Lisa..." she whispered kneeling beside her colleague checking pulse—none found beneath cold skin now growing stiff against touch.

"What happened?" She asked Thomas gently placing hand on his shoulder trying comfort him somehow amidst such horror surrounding them both yet he only shook head violently back-and-forth refusing speak further while tears streamed down cheeks leaving trails through grime coating face.

Suddenly, something moved behind her—wet slithering sound accompanied heavy breathing that sent shivers running spine. She turned around slowly flashlight beam sweeping across room until landing upon monstrous creature looming over doorway blocking any chance escape once more: its form defied description writhing mass tentacles pulsating sickening rhythm while eyes glowed malevolently from within darkness.

Amelia felt bile rise in throat as stared at abomination before them. It seemed larger now, tendrils reaching out further than last time they encountered it—each one ending sharp barbed tip dripping viscous fluid onto floor below leaving trails like snail's path behind.

"Henry," she whispered into comms unit hoping colleague still conscious upstairs could hear her voice amidst chaos unfolding around here,

"It’s back... and bigger."

No response came except static bursts punctuating each second ticking away precious time left before creature advanced menacingly towards them—intentions clear in those glowing orbs.

She backed up slowly until pressed firmly against wall beside Thomas who whimpered softly clutching her arm tightly as if seeking protection from something far beyond human comprehension.

"We need to get out," she said urgently trying keep fear at bay while planning escape route through labyrinthine corridors leading back towards safety upstairs—if such thing existed anymore.

But before they could move, another scream echoed off walls followed by frantic voices pleading for help amidst cacophony sounds too horrifyingly familiar: wet slithering noises accompanied heavy breathing that sent shivers down spines once more.

"Who's there?" Amelia called out desperately hoping someone else remained alive besides themselves and monstrosity blocking exit.

Silence answered except static bursts punctuating each second ticking away precious time. Then suddenly, voice broke through again but barely recognizable now distorted by terror gripping him tightly:

"It... it got inside—we're trapped!"

Panic surged within Amelia as she realized full extent of situation unfolding around them—they weren't just dealing with some unknown cosmic entity; this thing was intelligent enough to hunt prey systematically picking off isolated targets one-by-one until none remained.

"We'll come help you," Henry offered weakly trying stand despite obvious pain coursing through his body.

"No!" Amelia snapped sharply pushing him back down onto floor beside Maria. "You're in no condition—we need someone fit if we have any hope saving them."

She grabbed flashlight off desk before rushing towards stairwell leading downward, heart pounding wildly against chest wall like drumbeat urging her onward despite dread coiling tightly around insides.

As she descended into darkness once more—the air grew colder heavier with each step; an oppressive silence hung heavy save for distant echoes of screams still ringing in ears—Amelia couldn't shake feeling something watched unseen from shadows lurking just beyond reach, waiting patiently until right moment strike...

Reaching lower level lab door now slightly ajar letting tendrils cold air seep through crack beneath. She paused listening intently before pushing it open slowly revealing scene straight out of hell itself.

Bodies lay scattered across floor amidst shattered glass and twisted metal; blood mixed with strange viscous substance oozing steadily towards her like tide seeking shore while eerie silence hung heavy save for faint wet slitherings echoing off walls lined by flickering emergency lights casting long macabre shadows dancing grotesquely around carnage.

Amelia stepped inside cautiously scanning area carefully—no sign of Thomas or his team anywhere. Then she heard it: soft whimper coming from behind makeshift barricade erected against far wall using whatever furniture available at hand.

"Thomas?" She called out softly approaching slowly, flashlight beam cutting through darkness revealing figure huddled beneath desk.

It was him alright but barely recognizable—face pale as death with wide eyes staring blankly ahead while trembling uncontrollably despite warmth radiating from nearby heat source presumably meant keep them safe during lockdown. Beside lay another body—a woman Amelia recognized instantly; Dr Lisa Chen, their biologist who'd worked closely alongside Maria downstairs.

"Lisa..." she whispered kneeling beside her colleague checking pulse—none found beneath cold skin now growing stiff against touch.

"What happened?" She asked Thomas gently placing hand on his shoulder trying comfort him somehow amidst such horror surrounding them both yet he only shook head violently back-and-forth refusing speak further while tears streamed down cheeks leaving trails through grime coating face.

Suddenly, something moved behind her—wet slithering sound accompanied heavy breathing that sent shivers running spine. She turned around slowly flashlight beam sweeping across room until landing upon monstrous creature looming over doorway blocking any chance escape once more: its form defied description writhing mass tentacles pulsating with sickening rhythm while eyes glowed malevolently from within darkness.

Amelia felt bile rise in throat as she stared at abomination before them. It was unlike anything humanity had ever encountered; no known species could account for such monstrosity.

"Henry," Amelia whispered, barely able to form words past lump lodged firmly back into place,

"What is that thing?"

He shook head slowly side-to-side unable speak himself staring wide-eyed at creature blocking their exit.

Suddenly one of its tentacles lashed out striking Henry across face sending him crashing against wall with sickening thud. Blood spurted from deep gash on his forehead as he slumped unconscious onto cold floor, leaving Amelia alone to confront this cosmic horror now advancing menacingly towards her—its intentions clear in those glowing orbs.

She backed away slowly until pressed firmly back into corner unable move further without stepping over Maria's prone form. Heart pounded wildly against ribcage while mind raced trying find solution but there seemed none amidst such overwhelming power and brutality displayed by this creature from beyond stars.

"Stay... stay back," Amelia stammered, voice barely audible even to herself.

But it didn't listen—no surprise given its alien nature defying all human comprehension. Instead tentacles writhed closer coiling around her limbs like snakes ready strike at any moment should she attempt flee or fight against inevitable fate awaiting humanity now that cosmic horrors had awakened from their ancient slumber deep within cosmos' abyss.

Amelia closed eyes tightly as final realization dawned upon soul: they were not prepared for such encounter; no one could be. This was merely beginning—first taste of what lay ahead once these entities took full control over Earth reshaping it according to whims far beyond human understanding or capacity resist against their will.

"Please," she whispered into darkness, tears streaming down cheeks mingling with sweat dripping off brow,

"No more..."

But there would be no mercy shown by forces governing universe's vast expanse; only endless nightmarish visions haunting minds left shattered amidst ruins once proud civilization now reduced mere playthings for cosmic horrors' amusement.