CHAPTER 110: Hell in Berlin - Part 3

CHAPTER 110: Hell in Berlin - Part 3

From her office high up in one of the Enid Corp buildings, Enid watched the apocalypse unfolding before her eyes. The city of Berlin was burning. The lights of the fire mixed with the black smoke rising to the sky, forming an image as beautiful as it was terrifying. Chaos reigned in the streets: buildings collapsing, people running, and vampires massacring everything in their path. For Enid, it was like observing the end of the world from a privileged box seat, with the same calm she would have while sipping a glass of wine.

Behind her, Marcus, Lucian, and Vanessa were arguing intensely. Logic dictated they should leave Berlin immediately. The city was lost; there was no way to contain the catastrophe.

"We have to evacuate now," insisted Lucian, crossing his arms as he looked through the panoramic windows, his face illuminated by the city's flames.

"There's nothing we can do here," added Vanessa, adjusting her black jacket, keeping her voice cold and practical, as if she had already accepted there was no hope for anyone in this city.

Marcus, however, was restless, his brow furrowed and fists clenched. He couldn't simply accept leaving.

"We can't leave without Fénix. He's my brother, damn it. I'm not leaving him here, understand? I can't."

"Fénix knows how to take care of himself," interjected Vanessa, her tone firm. "How many times has he proven that already? We're not in a position to play heroes."

Marcus, however, fell silent for a moment, but his determination didn't waver. No matter what the others said, he wasn't going to leave Fénix behind.

Enid, who had remained silent all this time, slowly turned her chair towards Marcus, her expression unreadable. Her eyes, serene and empty of emotion, seemed to pierce through Marcus. Without showing the slightest trace of anger or frustration, Enid took a weapon from a drawer in her desk: a black pistol with a lethal elegance. Without raising her voice, she tossed it towards Marcus. The pistol landed on the table with a dry thud.

"Seven silver bullets." Her voice was calm, almost soft. "Save one for yourself. In case you need it."

The comment fell over the room like a tombstone. Vanessa and Lucian exchanged fleeting glances, unsure what to say. But Marcus didn't take his eyes off the pistol. Enid's words were loaded with more than simple pragmatism: a veiled warning, a reminder of the brutal reality they were living. In Berlin, not even Fénix was invulnerable.

Marcus clenched his jaw and grabbed the weapon firmly. He said nothing. He didn't have to. Enid's eyes, still cold but calculating, followed him without flinching. It was as if she already knew that, no matter what happened, the options would be bloody, and the sacrifices inevitable.

"I hope you find what you're looking for, Marcus," Enid said finally, with a small, enigmatic, almost imperceptible smile. The smile of someone who understands perfectly that destiny is already written.

Marcus tucked the pistol under his jacket, not taking his eyes off Enid. He knew that what she had just told him was more than advice: it was a sentence.

Enid stood up with the same calm that always characterized her. She approached the windows, observing for the last time how the flames spread through the city and the savage creatures took over every street and corner. Explosions in the distance illuminated dancing shadows, and human screams were quickly drowned out by the inhuman roars of Antigen's vampires.

"It's better to evacuate now," Enid said without emotion, turning to Vanessa and Lucian. "The sooner, the better."

There was no resistance. Vanessa and Lucian nodded, understanding there was no other option if they wanted to survive. Time was a luxury Berlin no longer granted them.

Without wasting any more time, the three moved quickly towards the building's exit. The hallway lights flickered, and in the distance, detonations could be heard, getting closer. They reached the lobby, crossing the final meters that separated them from the street.

When they pushed the emergency door open, the sight hit them like a punch in the gut:

A couple of dozen vampires infested the streets in front of the building. The creatures walked unsteadily, their bodies deformed and covered in blood, like frenzied zombies with an insatiable thirst. Their red eyes burned with rage, and their movements were chaotic and unnatural. Some of them were devouring still-living victims, while others tore apart lifeless bodies just for the pleasure of destruction.

Lucian and Vanessa exchanged a quick glance. There was no time to think or fight.

"To the car, quick!" exclaimed Lucian, already running towards the vehicle they had left ready on the sidewalk.

Enid walked calmly, as if she were in no hurry, while Vanessa rushed after Lucian. The vampires noticed them instantly.

A deafening roar filled the air, and the creatures began running towards them, their movements clumsy but fast. The first vampires were already just meters away, but Lucian yanked the car door open, and Vanessa was already settling into the passenger seat.

"Get in!" Lucian shouted.

Enid reached the car without even looking back, getting into the back seat with the same calm as if she were hailing a taxi. Just as the vampires were about to reach them, Lucian slammed his foot on the accelerator. The tires screeched against the pavement, leaving behind the swarm of creatures that uselessly lunged at the car.

The engine roared, and the vehicle shot off down the road, leaving the destruction and vampires behind. The creatures were left behind, babbling and growling angrily, unable to match the car's speed.

Inside the car, the atmosphere was tense. Vanessa breathed rapidly, looking in the rearview mirror to make sure they weren't being followed. Lucian kept his hands firm on the steering wheel, though his jaw was clenched with contained fury. Enid, for her part, simply watched the lights of the burning city in the distance, showing no emotion.