ory is set on George's po

or

al-shaped sheet of metal I had used to cover the entrance, my arms aching from how long I'd held it down. The

asked softly,

f in the wind. I didn't blame her. I was scared out of my damn mind. My

reached for the radio clipped to

he dial, tapped it a few times. Still nothing but a low hum and static

ng grabbed

pant leg like her life depended on it. Honestly, maybe it did. I looked down into h

the broken corridor ahead. "Come on, swee

tremor-no, this was heavier. Rh

h

s, and ran. As fast and as quietly as I could. Her tiny arms clung to my nec

ad become

smoke, blood, or worse. In the distance, I could hear other screams-som

t want

ess. Pale. I didn't stop. Couldn't. That would be us if I hesitated. Sh

ered, half to her

the shattered halls, I spotted it-the fire

d across the corrido

fr

low, and its skin... God, the skin. Glossy, stretched tight li

rl whi

snapped t

could we go now? The exit was blocked

he

voice strained but steady. Her hair was tied back in a messy ponytail, her face smeared wit

ashed on the opposite side with a loud clatter.

It w

trying to control the volume of my

an, arms cut with muscle, shirt soaked in blood-grabbed the

"Mommy!" she screamed, rea

eked. Loud. Viole

ting unnaturally as it gallop

shouted. "P

ight. She cried out but didn't let go. I waited just long enough to see

rent beast. My boots slipped once, scraping a

the concret

ollapsed on the second-floor tiles, gasping for breath. The

oked

I expected-late twenties, maybe. Dirt and blood

l holding her daughter. "Fo

east I could do," I said, brushing off debri

a cop?"

ge Alvarez," I said

t. "Bridge

s voice steady despite the cuts on hi

I noticed th

recognized him instantly. Paul Santiago. Former heavy

let out an "I can walk,

there?" I asked, tryi

Bridget sai

when the ground trembled

ll t

orridor, watching us with unblinking eyes. Lo

dat

r daughter, pulling her close like

ic

ic

ic

d against the til

g felt..

Skin darker, ridged. Sharper. Its mo

he same one that chas

ispered. Her voice sho

ent dry. "

"Changing.

ing around the crowbar I'd picked up earli

rist," I

deeper in the mall. Lower. Rougher.

two broken pipes. He tossed o

ight of the iron slig

Paul. "Can

ing it around his fists like makeshift gloves. A boxe

No backup. No idea what

just survi

was

were

scree

bra

all hell b