The chamber erupted into chaos.
Gunfire cracked through the air, ricocheting off steel beams and concrete walls. Smoke curled upward in thick, choking ribbons. The Hollow Man who burst through the door moved like something inhuman — fast, silent, deliberate.
Cole didn’t hesitate.
He fired again, the muzzle flash lighting his face in sharp, violent bursts. The Hollow Man staggered but didn’t fall. He lunged forward, swinging a heavy metal pipe that slammed into the wall inches from Cole’s head.
Cole ducked, rolled, and fired twice more.
The Hollow Man dropped to one knee.
Not dead.
Not even slowed.
Just… adjusting.
I clamped a hand over my mouth to keep from screaming.
Cole shouted without looking back, “Aria, stay down!”
I stayed down.
The Hollow Man rose again, mask tilted, he
