章 40: Falling in the Unknown

"Alex, this isn't how it's supposed to end!" Sarah's voice cracked with desperation, her words nearly lost in the rumble of the creature's footsteps, which reverberated through the walls like the relentless beat of a war drum.

Alex's eyes flickered with emotion—a mixture of fear, resolve, and something else that Sarah couldn't quite read. "Then we'll change the ending."

The creature roared behind them, its massive silhouette growing larger with each second, but Alex didn't falter. His pace increased, yanking Sarah along with him. His hand was a lifeline, tethering her to whatever slim hope remained in their increasingly dire situation.

"Where are we even going?" she gasped, her lungs burning from exertion. She could barely keep up, her legs aching, her mind racing.

"Forward," Alex replied, his voice tight, determined. "We keep going forward. That's the only way."