CHAPTER 5: The Shadow of the Nest

CHAPTER 5: The Shadow of the Nest

The outskirts of Berlin held a macabre secret. Among vacant lots and abandoned buildings, St. Fernando Hospital stood like an architectural corpse, its peeling walls and broken windows testifying to decades of neglect. But now, something worse than time inhabited its halls.

Conference Room, Enid Corp.

The hospital blueprints were spread across the table, illuminated by the cold light of touchscreens. Fénix, Lucian, and Vanessa studied the report with serious faces.

"A vampire nest in a ruined hospital," murmured Fénix, running a finger over the photographs of the victims. "Four disappearances in eight months. These bastards are breeding like rats."

Vanessa adjusted her weapon belt with a metallic click.

"At least we'll know where to find them. Better that than chasing shadows through the city."

Lucian pointed to an area on the map.

"The back entrance," he suggested. "Less exposed, more controlled."

Fénix nodded, putting the report back in his briefcase.

"Check your gear. Silver bullets, fragmentation grenades with nitrate... and Lucian," he added with a crooked smile, "stop looking at Vanessa like she's your next meal."

As Vanessa sharpened her knife, Lucian approached with a smile meant to be seductive.

"Vanessa, have you thought that we could...?"

"Lucian," she interrupted without looking up, "if you don't shut up, I'll stick this rapier in your throat."

The lycan stepped back, muttering:

"It was just a joke..."

In the underground, among test tubes and machines that hummed like mechanical insects, Enid observed the vial the scientist handed her. The liquid inside glowed with an almost supernatural aura.

"The Uber Lycan serum," explained the man in the white coat. "Enhances strength, speed, and regeneration. But only a candidate with exceptional genetic constitution will survive the process."

Enid held the vial up to the light, where reflections danced across her face.

"I already have the perfect subject," she whispered, and she already had in mind who that candidate could be. "Someone strong enough to master the power... and vulnerable enough to need it."

As the scientist withdrew, Enid approached the laboratory mirror. Her reflection returned a calculating smile.

Her nails tapped the glass of the vial.

"First, dinner. Then, trust. Finally... the transformation."

The serum sparkled, as if responding to her thoughts.

The team gathered in the Enid Corp parking garage. The headlights of the vehicles painted elongated shadows on the concrete.

"Remember," warned Fénix, checking the chamber of his pistol, "this isn't a hunt. It's an extermination."

Vanessa smiled, showing too many teeth.

"Just how I like it."

The engine roared as they set off. The illuminated city was left behind. Ahead, the shadows of St. Fernando Hospital waited for them... along with what hid within its bowels.