Night fell faster than they expected.
There was no sunset.
No gradual fading of light.
One moment, the world outside the bunker was dim… and the next, it was swallowed by complete darkness. The kind of darkness that didn't feel natural—as if the world itself had been covered by something unseen.
Inside the bunker, the air felt heavier.
Even Rex, who had been calm until now, suddenly stood up. His ears lifted, his body stiff, and a low growl rumbled deep in his throat. The faint flames around his mouth flickered stronger than before.
Nami noticed immediately.
Nami: "Something's wrong…"
Stefan didn't respond right away.
Because he felt it too.
That same instinct from earlier.
Danger.
Close.
Very close.
Then—
A sound.
Tap.
Soft.
Almost unnoticeable.
From above.
All three of them froze.
Another sound followed.
Tap… tap… scratch…
This time louder.
More deliberate.
Stefan slowly looked up toward the ceiling.
Stefan: "…They're here."
Nami's grip tightened slightly.
Nami: "Mutants?"
Before he could answer—
BANG!
A loud impact shook the bunker.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
Kiran's voice echoed from the locked room, filled with panic.
Kiran: "What was that?! What's happening?!"
Another hit came.
Stronger.
BANG!
This time, the metal above bent slightly.
Something was trying to break in.
And it wasn't alone.
Multiple scratching sounds began to spread across the bunker—walls, ceiling, even near the entrance.
Like they were surrounded.
Hunting.
Nami stepped back instinctively.
Nami: "They found us… how did they find us?!"
Stefan clenched his fists.
Stefan: "Doesn't matter. We need to move."
Rex let out a sharp bark, flames flaring brighter now, ready to attack—but even he looked uneasy.
That alone said everything.
These weren't normal threats.
Another violent impact shook the bunker.
A crack appeared in the ceiling.
A thin, rotting hand pushed through for a split second before pulling back.
Nami gasped.
Nami: "They're breaking in!"
Stefan turned immediately toward the deeper section of the bunker.
There was another room.
Smaller.
Originally meant for emergency lockdown.
Stefan: "We're not holding this area."
He ran toward Kiran's room and unlocked it quickly.
The door swung open.
Kiran rushed out, his face pale with fear.
Kiran: "What's happening?!"
Stefan grabbed his arm.
Stefan: "Move. Now."
No explanation.
No time.
They all ran.
Footsteps echoing through the bunker as the sounds behind them grew louder—metal bending, scratching, something forcing its way inside.
They reached the smaller room.
Nami opened it quickly.
Inside—
A cramped space.
One single bed.
A small storage cabinet.
And a few supplies left behind.
Not much.
Barely enough.
Nami: "Inside!"
They rushed in.
Rex squeezed in last, flames dimming slightly as if conserving energy.
Stefan shut the door and locked it.
CLICK.
Silence followed.
But only inside the room.
Outside—
Chaos had begun.