The foyer's slaughter clung like a second skin, blood crust flaking off my suit in brittle shards, warm droplets still seeping from splatter, soaking collar with sticky heat, reeking raw iron and piss-soaked fear.
Ava hovered close, chest rising and falling in jagged bursts, sweat-beaded skin glistening under flickering lights, gore-matted hair clinging to her forehead, eyes locked on mine—pupils blown wide, feral hunger mirrored back.
Her fingers twitched, knuckles cracked white, breath hot and panting against my neck.
"Split up and search," I ordered.
My whole being screamed alert—tenfold nerves firing electric, every shadow pulsing threat, distant heartbeats hammering in my ears like war drums, scents assaulting: lingering cordite burn, fresh entrails steam, hidden sweat-sour terror.
"You take the east wing. Clear every room. Keep comms hot on."
