"Faster, faster!" Kira's urgent command echoed as they sprinted toward the bunker, desperation driving their movements.

Their frantic pace came to an abrupt halt as another colossal lizard materialized near the bunker, its looming presence blocking their path. Panic surged through Vicky as she watched the bunker's entrance close before their eyes.

"No, no, no!" Vicky's voice rang out in distress, her heart pounding with fear.

Sensing Vicky's rising panic, Kira, seizing Vicky’s arm, steered her away from the closed bunker entrance. "Stay calm, stay calm!" Kira's voice cut through the chaos as she guided her through the city streets, dodging debris and navigating past panicked survivors.

The city was a scene of devastation, with corpses littering the streets and buildings crumbling around them.

The earthquake's cessation brought a brief respite, but their relief was short-lived as a new threat emerged from the shadows. Dog-sized rats and cockroaches flooded out from the sewer system, their grotesque forms sending shivers down Vicky's spine.

"Why?!" Vicky's cry of dismay echoed through the chaos as she recoiled from the sight of the swarming vermin.

The streets erupted into chaos as survivors screamed and scattered, the rats hungrily targeting anyone in their path.

Amidst the pandemonium, Kira's instincts kicked in. As they dashed past a nearby cafe, she seized a bottle of beer, her grip tightening around it like a makeshift weapon. Sure enough, not long after, a rat lunged toward them, its razor-sharp teeth bared in hunger. With a swift, decisive motion, Kira swung the bottle, connecting with the rat's head in a sickening crunch.

The rat fell to the ground, defeated, as Kira and Vicky pressed on, their hearts pounding with adrenaline-fueled determination as they sought refuge from the nightmarish creatures that threatened their very survival.

In the distance, a beacon of hope emerged amidst the chaos—a police station, its sturdy exterior a promising fortress against the horrors lurking outside. Determined to find safety, Kira led Vicky toward the station, their strides fueled by desperation and fear.

As they approached, a sense of relief washed over them when they discovered that the door stood ajar, inviting them inside. With cautious optimism, they crossed the threshold, their footsteps echoing through the empty corridors of the abandoned building.

The deserted lobby greeted them with a scene of disarray, a silent testament to the chaos that had unfolded within its walls. Shattered glass littered the floor, remnants of fallen frames and shattered display cases. Papers lay scattered like fallen leaves, their once neatly stacked piles now strewn haphazardly across the room. The walls bore the scars of the earthquake, cracks snaking their way across the plaster like fissures in the earth. With a shared sense of urgency, they moved to seal the entrance behind them, their movements swift and determined.

Exhausted and weary from their ordeal, they sought respite within the confines of the station, their eyes scanning the dimly lit surroundings for signs of danger. With trembling hands, they checked their phones, only to discover that all communication had been severed. Vicky's fingers danced anxiously over her phone screen, each attempt to contact her parents met with the same silent response. The lack of connection only fueled the fire of panic raging within her, her heart pounding with every failed attempt.

Finally giving up on her futile efforts, Vicky sank into the plush comfort of the sofa in the waiting area of the lobby. Tremors wracked her body as fear gripped her, her hands shaking uncontrollably.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"What is happening?! Why is my phone not working? My parents could be in danger... Did you see the size of those lizards and rats and... and the earthquake... the corpses..." Vicky's voice quivered with emotion as she struggled to articulate the sheer terror of their recent ordeal. The haunting images of giant lizards and swarms of rats loomed large in her mind, casting a shadow over her already frayed nerves.

"I am sure your parents would be okay, they are resourceful, listen up, whatever it is, we’ve got to stay calm!" Kira's voice, though firm, carried an undertone of concern as she methodically searched the lobby for any signs of danger.

"Gotta stay calm, gotta stay calm!" Vicky repeated the mantra, her nerves fraying with each passing moment as she nervously bit her nails.

Sensing her friend's escalating panic, Kira moved to Vicky's side, enveloping her in a reassuring embrace. "I am here, Okay, you’re going to be okay, I’ll keep you safe! I promise." Her words, though soft, carried the weight of determination and resolve.

With Kira's comforting presence, Vicky felt a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos, her racing heart gradually steadying as she found solace in her friend's unwavering support. But as they sought respite in each other's company, a faint noise echoed from a nearby room, jolting Kira into a state of heightened alertness.

The clamor led Kira and Vicky to the evidence room, where they found a trembling figure cowering behind the counter, protected by the chain link fence separating them.

"Go away!" The skinny man’s voice quivered with fear, his words barely audible as he sought refuge below the counter.

"It's okay. We're not here to hurt you," Kira's voice was gentle, a soothing reassurance amidst the chaos.

Vicky stepped forward, her voice soft and calming as she addressed the frightened janitor. "Hello sir, my name's Vicky, and this is Kira, we promise, we’re here just to talk"

Slowly, the skinny man emerged from his hiding place, his trembling form visible as he tentatively approached the counter. "I-I'm Garrett," he stammered, his voice shaky with fear.

Vicky approached Garrett with gentle steps, her voice soft and reassuring. "Hey, Garrett, it's okay. We're not here to harm you. Can you tell us what happened here? Where did all the police officers go?"

Garrett's eyes darted nervously between Vicky and Kira, his hands trembling as he struggled to find his words. "I-I don't know... They all left suddenly, just before the earthquake hit."

"Did they say where they were going?" Vicky pressed, her concern evident in her voice.

His voice trembled with fear. "I-I heard them talking... about bunkers and a ship... something called the Ark."

Vicky exchanged a concerned glance with Kira before turning back to Garrett. "The Ark? What do you mean?

Garrett shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "I-I don’t know, they didn't say much. Just that they had to go... that it was important."

Vicky's brow furrowed with worry as she exchanged a glance with Kira, a sinking feeling settling in the pit of her stomach. "Thank you, Garrett. We appreciate your help.”

"Is there anyone else here?" Kira's voice cut through, her gaze fixed on Garrett.

"No... I-I don't think so," Garrett stammered, his eyes wide with fear.

Vicky stepped forward, her voice laced with concern. "Okay, thanks. Let's get out of here! It's safer if we're together."

But Garrett recoiled, his hands shaking as he backed away. "No... no... I'll stay here!" he insisted, retreating to the safety of the back of the evidence room.

"Garrett.. Garrett!! Wait!" Vicky called out, her desperation evident in her voice, but Kira's firm grip on her arm halted her in her tracks.

"Vicky, stop! It's better this way. We don't know if we can trust him," Kira cautioned, her tone unwavering.

"But... it's not safe for him... if..." Vicky's voice wavered with concern.

"Look at this place. He'll be just fine. Our safety is the top priority right now," Kira interjected, her tone firm yet compassionate. She paused, reconsidering her words before adding, "Let's just find the armory, arm ourselves, and find some place to rest, okay?"

Defeated, Vicky nodded in agreement. "Okay, if you say so."

Exiting the evidence room, they embarked on their mission to locate the armory. As they walked, Vicky couldn't shake the unease lingering in her mind.

"What do you make of what Garrett said?" Vicky inquired, her voice laced with uncertainty.

"Well, to be honest, I don't know. Maybe they predicted everything and acted on it. We did see some officers in that bunker, remember?" Kira replied, her thoughts mirroring Vicky's concerns.

"And..what about the Ark?" Vicky pressed for more information.

"That, I don't know," Kira admitted, her voice tinged with frustration at the lack of answers.

Eventually, they stumbled upon the armory, only to find it nearly empty. Despite the sparse selection, they managed to equip themselves with a pistol, a rifle, and some ammunition. Each donned a bulletproof vest and helmet for added protection before continuing on their uncertain journey.