The Crimson Virus: The Escape

Reynolds, Hayes, and Collins moved quickly, their minds fixed on one singular goal: getting out. They had managed to neutralize Grant, but Mercer’s plans were far from over. The Crimson Virus was still active, and it was only a matter of time before they’d have to face its full wrath.

“We need to move quickly,” Hayes said, her voice strained with tension. “The facility is sealing up. We’re running out of time.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Reynolds replied, his jaw set into determined lines. “We can make it out. We just have to keep one step ahead of Mercer.”

They reached the main entrance of the facility, and between them and freedom were thick steel doors. Reynolds reached the control panel; however, above it flashed ominously the red light.

“Lockdown initiated,” the mechanical voice announced, saying their worst fears. “All exit routes sealed.”

“Super,” Collins grumbled, smacking his fist into the door. “We are trapped.”

Reynolds turned sharply. “Not yet. There’s an emergency exit on the lower levels. We’ll have to get there fast.”

He didn’t wait for a response, already turning on his heel and heading down the corridor. His team followed, their boots pounding against the floor as they moved with military precision.

But it had been built more like a maze – another turn and the door would not open; a further turn to yet another blocked passage. As they advanced further, they realized more and more of Mercer’s henchmen encircling them.

“We gotta split up,” Reynolds snapped his head to each of his two friends. “Hayes, Collins, left turn. I take the right; we’ll sweep the ground.

“Roger that,” Hayes replied calmly, her voice steady amidst the chaos. “Stay safe.”

The team split, Reynolds ran down the right corridor.

Around the corner, he nearly ran into a group of Mercer’s soldiers. Before they could react, Reynolds took the cover of the pillars. Gunfire erupted, but his movements were swift, calculated. He fired a few shots, taking out two of Mercer’s men before ducking back behind cover.

“Reynolds, we’ve got company!” Hayes’s voice crackled over the comms. “We can’t hold them off much longer.”

“Understood,” he responded, not pausing for breath. “Get to the exit, I’ll be right behind you.”

Another burst of gunfire ripped through the hallway, and Reynolds was compelled to move once more, running toward the nearest emergency door. He could hear Mercer’s soldiers closing in, but there was no time to think. He just had to keep moving.

Finally, he reached the emergency exit, and as he was to put his step on the stairs to the lower levels of the building, a loud explosion shook the building.

“What the hell?” Reynolds muttered, he sprinted down the stairs with his heart racing.

“Get to the lower levels now!” Hayes’s voice came through again. “The place is coming down!”

Reynolds didn’t hesitate. The chaos had started.

As he reached the bottom of the stairwell someone called, “Reynolds,” Collins’s voice was coming through with static. “We have an exit, but we have to move fast. Now!”

Reynolds peered down at the control panel, where a small red flashing light indicated the security breach. He punched a few codes but was locked in. He could run out of options.

Without another word, he whipped out his gun and fired at the control panel. Sparks flew everywhere as the door creaked open with a metallic groan.

“Move!” Reynolds yelled, sprinting forward. Hayes and Collins were already a few steps ahead, but they could hear Mercer’s men closing in on them.

The three trudged down the last few hallways, their every step moving them closer to freedom. Sounds of explosions and gunfire were behind them, but they did not look back. They couldn’t.

Finally, they reached the outer door. The cold night air slapped them in the face, and they stumbled out into the open, breathing in fresh air that promised freedom.

But their escape was far from over.

“We’ve got to keep moving,” Reynolds said, his voice hoarse as he scanned the horizon. “Mercer won’t give up. Not until we’re dead.”

“We’ll handle it,” Hayes said firmly. “We’re not stopping until he’s stopped.”

As the team stepped out into the night, they could hear the rumbling of helicopters way overhead. Mercer was coming for them, but Reynolds and his team were running hard. This wasn’t the end of their fight. And this time, they would ensure that Mercer paid for everything that he had done.