| Horror and Thriller Fiction posted January 17, 2025 | Chapters: |
...12 13 -14- 15... 
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A war of the few against a syndicate
A chapter in the book Burn It All Down
The Final Shadow
by marilyn quillen
The author has placed a warning on this post for violence.
| Background Alex Dane and Ethan GraysonâÂÂonce hunter and preyâÂÂare now forced to join forces. Together, they lead a battle-hardened team of operatives against the Syndicate, a shadow organization bent on |
The mountain air was sharp and frigid; however, it offered none of the relief that Alex had anticipated. The echoes of the explosion continued to resonate in his ears, intertwining with the dull ache of fatigue that settled deep within his bones. Beside him, Grayson crouched on the rocky outcrop, his rifle resting across his knees. They were alive, at least for the moment. Below them, the remnants of the facility smoldered, a faint glow discernible through the rising smoke and debris. The tunnel had collapsed entirely, sealing off the horrors lurking beneath. But Alex's instincts suggested that the struggle was far from over.
"It's too quiet," Alex remarked, his voice raspy.
Grayson did not glance in his direction; his eyes remained fixed on the horizon, scanning the treeline and the snow-covered expanse beyond.
"It won't remain that way for long. They'll be coming."
"More of the creatures?" Alex inquired, his heart plummeting. Grayson shook his head, indicating otherwise.
"No. The real cleanup crew. The ones who ensure that no loose ends escape." Alex swallowed hard; the wind howled around them, tugging at his drenched clothes, yet it was not the cold that caused him to shiver.
"How much time do we have?"
Grayson stood, slinging his rifle over his shoulder. "Minutes, perhaps. Enough to create some distance between us if we move."
Alex compelled himself to rise, his legs quivering beneath him. Every muscle in his body screamed for rest; however, the thought of remaining here, exposed, motivated him to keep going.
"What's the plan?"
Grayson didn't respond right away. He glanced back at the smoldering facility one final time, his expression inscrutable.
"We don't stop until they do."
The Standoff
They moved swiftly, descending the jagged hillside into a dense expanse of forest. The snow muted their footsteps; each branch that snapped underfoot felt like a gunshot. Alex maintained his rifle at the ready, his eyes flitting between the trees.
The silence was almost more oppressive than the noise. It bore down on him, thick and suffocating, making every shadow appear animated. He sensed it in his chest: a mounting feeling of unease as if something were observing them.
"How far do we need to go?" Alex inquired, his voice barely above a whisper.
Grayson cast a glance back, his expression stern. "Far enough that we're not within their range when the drones arrive."
"Drones?" Alex's stomach plummeted. "You didn't mention drones."
Grayson didn't alter his pace. "I didn't believe it necessary. These people don't take risks. They'll deploy everything they possess."
"Perfect," Alex muttered, readjusting his grip on his rifle. "And here I had assumed the creatures were the worst of it."
Grayson offered a faint smirk. "You would think so, wouldn't you?"
They ventured further into the forest; the terrain became increasingly steep and perilous. The snow fell more heavily now blanketing the ground in a pristine layer that obscured the jagged rocks and frozen roots below.
Every step was a gamble: every slip, a potential death sentence. They continued onward, driven by a sense of urgency, although the conditions were treacherous. This path, fraught with danger, demanded utmost caution because one misstep could prove fatal.
And then they heard it.
The faint hum of engines, growing louder.
Grayson halted suddenly, his hand rising in a silent signal for Alex to stop. Alex became still, his breath momentarily caught in his throat as the noise approached.
"Stay low," Grayson whispered, descending into a crouch. "Don't let them see you."
Alex complied, lowering himself into the snow and pressing his rifle firmly against his chest. The hum intensified and then the first drone emerged, a sleek, obsidian machine. Its rotors slicing through the air with alarming precision. Its spotlight pierced the trees, scanning back and forth like a predator on the hunt.
Alex's heart raced as the light swept across their position, lingering for just a heartbeat before continuing. He held his breath, urging himself to become invisible, while the drone hovered, seemingly for an eternity. Finally, it moved away, vanishing into the foliage. However, the hum persisted. More were on their way.
Grayson rose a bit, just enough to peer over the brush. "They're sweeping the area. They'll close in on foot once the drones locate us."
"And then what?" Alex inquired, his voice taut.
Grayson's smirk reappeared, this time with a chill. "Then we make them regret it."
The Attack
The drones reappeared moments later, their spotlights slicing through the forest like blades. Grayson guided Alex deeper into the trees, advancing swiftly yet cautiously, remaining in the shadows while the machines prowled above.
Without any warning, the forest exploded into a cacophony of light and sound. Spotlights illuminated the area from above and the sharp crack of gunfire fractured the air. Bullets ripped through the trees, splintering branches and causing snow to cascade down to the ground.
"Move!" Grayson yelled, returning fire at the encroaching shadows. Alex followed, his heart racing as he dashed through the trees, his boots skidding on the icy surface. Figures materialized from the darkness clad in black, their movements precise and synchronized.
Alex fired; the recoil jolted his shoulder as one of the operatives fell, however, the others advanced, their weapons aimed directly at him. Grayson moved like a specter, shooting in controlled bursts, each shot deliberate. He dispatched two more operatives before ducking behind a tree to reload swiftly.
"We're pinned," he growled, "Keep them busy."
"Busy?!" Alex yelled, firing once more as additional operatives emerged. "We're outnumbered and outgunned"
"And still alive," Grayson interrupted, his tone piercing. "Don't stop."
Alex didn't have the luxury of time to argue. He fired again, his shots erratic but effective, compelling the operatives to seek refuge.
The drones circled ominously overhead, their rotors slicing through the air while their spotlights flickered across the battlefield. Suddenly, one of the drones discharged its weapon a burst of gunfire that shredded into the tree beside Alex. He dove to the ground, his breath coming in harsh gasps as snow and bark cascaded around him.
"We can't keep this up!" Alex shouted, scrambling toward Grayson's position.
Grayson's gaze remained cold, calculating. "We don't have to."
Before Alex could formulate a response, Grayson retrieved an object from his pack, a small device with a blinking light. He pressed a button and the light shifted to red.
"What did you just do?" Alex inquired, his voice taut with anxiety.
Grayson smirked, "Leveled the playing field."
The explosion that followed was deafening. One drone spiraled out of control, its engines sputtering before it collided with the trees. The operatives wavered, their formation fracturing as another explosion resonated through the forest. Alex stared at Grayson, his chest heaving.
"You rigged the trees?"
Grayson shrugged. "I came prepared."
The Final Stand
The explosions provided them with a fleeting opportunity; however, the operatives quickly regrouped, advancing with renewed intensity. Grayson and Alex retreated deeper into the forest, their movements both swift and precise. The terrain worked in their favor, the steep slopes and thick underbrush impeded their pursuers, allowing Grayson the necessary time to establish more traps, hidden charges, tripwires, and makeshift explosives that transformed the forest into a lethal maze.
Alex protected Grayson during this critical time, firing at anything that dared to move, his hands quivering from both exhaustion and adrenaline. Each shot felt increasingly burdensome, each step more challenging, but he remained resolute in his determination to press on.
The final trap was the largest of all a cluster of charges connected to a single detonator. Grayson positioned it at the base of a rocky outcrop, his movements swift and practiced.
"When I say 'go,' you must run," Grayson instructed, his voice unwavering.
Alex frowned. "What about you?"
Grayson did not respond; instead, he handed Alex the detonator, his expression rigid almost cold.
"This ends here: make sure it does."
Before Alex could protest, Grayson pivoted and sprinted towards the approaching operatives, his rifle elevated. The final sight Alex beheld, just before the forest burst into flames, was Grayson's silhouette vanishing into the smoke.
"It's too quiet," Alex remarked, his voice raspy.
Grayson did not glance in his direction; his eyes remained fixed on the horizon, scanning the treeline and the snow-covered expanse beyond.
"It won't remain that way for long. They'll be coming."
"More of the creatures?" Alex inquired, his heart plummeting. Grayson shook his head, indicating otherwise.
"No. The real cleanup crew. The ones who ensure that no loose ends escape." Alex swallowed hard; the wind howled around them, tugging at his drenched clothes, yet it was not the cold that caused him to shiver.
"How much time do we have?"
Grayson stood, slinging his rifle over his shoulder. "Minutes, perhaps. Enough to create some distance between us if we move."
Alex compelled himself to rise, his legs quivering beneath him. Every muscle in his body screamed for rest; however, the thought of remaining here, exposed, motivated him to keep going.
"What's the plan?"
Grayson didn't respond right away. He glanced back at the smoldering facility one final time, his expression inscrutable.
"We don't stop until they do."
The Standoff
They moved swiftly, descending the jagged hillside into a dense expanse of forest. The snow muted their footsteps; each branch that snapped underfoot felt like a gunshot. Alex maintained his rifle at the ready, his eyes flitting between the trees.
The silence was almost more oppressive than the noise. It bore down on him, thick and suffocating, making every shadow appear animated. He sensed it in his chest: a mounting feeling of unease as if something were observing them.
"How far do we need to go?" Alex inquired, his voice barely above a whisper.
Grayson cast a glance back, his expression stern. "Far enough that we're not within their range when the drones arrive."
"Drones?" Alex's stomach plummeted. "You didn't mention drones."
Grayson didn't alter his pace. "I didn't believe it necessary. These people don't take risks. They'll deploy everything they possess."
"Perfect," Alex muttered, readjusting his grip on his rifle. "And here I had assumed the creatures were the worst of it."
Grayson offered a faint smirk. "You would think so, wouldn't you?"
They ventured further into the forest; the terrain became increasingly steep and perilous. The snow fell more heavily now blanketing the ground in a pristine layer that obscured the jagged rocks and frozen roots below.
Every step was a gamble: every slip, a potential death sentence. They continued onward, driven by a sense of urgency, although the conditions were treacherous. This path, fraught with danger, demanded utmost caution because one misstep could prove fatal.
And then they heard it.
The faint hum of engines, growing louder.
Grayson halted suddenly, his hand rising in a silent signal for Alex to stop. Alex became still, his breath momentarily caught in his throat as the noise approached.
"Stay low," Grayson whispered, descending into a crouch. "Don't let them see you."
Alex complied, lowering himself into the snow and pressing his rifle firmly against his chest. The hum intensified and then the first drone emerged, a sleek, obsidian machine. Its rotors slicing through the air with alarming precision. Its spotlight pierced the trees, scanning back and forth like a predator on the hunt.
Alex's heart raced as the light swept across their position, lingering for just a heartbeat before continuing. He held his breath, urging himself to become invisible, while the drone hovered, seemingly for an eternity. Finally, it moved away, vanishing into the foliage. However, the hum persisted. More were on their way.
Grayson rose a bit, just enough to peer over the brush. "They're sweeping the area. They'll close in on foot once the drones locate us."
"And then what?" Alex inquired, his voice taut.
Grayson's smirk reappeared, this time with a chill. "Then we make them regret it."
The Attack
The drones reappeared moments later, their spotlights slicing through the forest like blades. Grayson guided Alex deeper into the trees, advancing swiftly yet cautiously, remaining in the shadows while the machines prowled above.
Without any warning, the forest exploded into a cacophony of light and sound. Spotlights illuminated the area from above and the sharp crack of gunfire fractured the air. Bullets ripped through the trees, splintering branches and causing snow to cascade down to the ground.
"Move!" Grayson yelled, returning fire at the encroaching shadows. Alex followed, his heart racing as he dashed through the trees, his boots skidding on the icy surface. Figures materialized from the darkness clad in black, their movements precise and synchronized.
Alex fired; the recoil jolted his shoulder as one of the operatives fell, however, the others advanced, their weapons aimed directly at him. Grayson moved like a specter, shooting in controlled bursts, each shot deliberate. He dispatched two more operatives before ducking behind a tree to reload swiftly.
"We're pinned," he growled, "Keep them busy."
"Busy?!" Alex yelled, firing once more as additional operatives emerged. "We're outnumbered and outgunned"
"And still alive," Grayson interrupted, his tone piercing. "Don't stop."
Alex didn't have the luxury of time to argue. He fired again, his shots erratic but effective, compelling the operatives to seek refuge.
The drones circled ominously overhead, their rotors slicing through the air while their spotlights flickered across the battlefield. Suddenly, one of the drones discharged its weapon a burst of gunfire that shredded into the tree beside Alex. He dove to the ground, his breath coming in harsh gasps as snow and bark cascaded around him.
"We can't keep this up!" Alex shouted, scrambling toward Grayson's position.
Grayson's gaze remained cold, calculating. "We don't have to."
Before Alex could formulate a response, Grayson retrieved an object from his pack, a small device with a blinking light. He pressed a button and the light shifted to red.
"What did you just do?" Alex inquired, his voice taut with anxiety.
Grayson smirked, "Leveled the playing field."
The explosion that followed was deafening. One drone spiraled out of control, its engines sputtering before it collided with the trees. The operatives wavered, their formation fracturing as another explosion resonated through the forest. Alex stared at Grayson, his chest heaving.
"You rigged the trees?"
Grayson shrugged. "I came prepared."
The Final Stand
The explosions provided them with a fleeting opportunity; however, the operatives quickly regrouped, advancing with renewed intensity. Grayson and Alex retreated deeper into the forest, their movements both swift and precise. The terrain worked in their favor, the steep slopes and thick underbrush impeded their pursuers, allowing Grayson the necessary time to establish more traps, hidden charges, tripwires, and makeshift explosives that transformed the forest into a lethal maze.
Alex protected Grayson during this critical time, firing at anything that dared to move, his hands quivering from both exhaustion and adrenaline. Each shot felt increasingly burdensome, each step more challenging, but he remained resolute in his determination to press on.
The final trap was the largest of all a cluster of charges connected to a single detonator. Grayson positioned it at the base of a rocky outcrop, his movements swift and practiced.
"When I say 'go,' you must run," Grayson instructed, his voice unwavering.
Alex frowned. "What about you?"
Grayson did not respond; instead, he handed Alex the detonator, his expression rigid almost cold.
"This ends here: make sure it does."
Before Alex could protest, Grayson pivoted and sprinted towards the approaching operatives, his rifle elevated. The final sight Alex beheld, just before the forest burst into flames, was Grayson's silhouette vanishing into the smoke.
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