The plan was reckless, dangerous, and likely to fail, but Fabio and Artur didn't have a choice.
The night was thick with tension as the two stood at the edge of the sprawling city, their eyes fixed on the imposing silhouette of the high-security prison that loomed in the distance.
The prison was a fortress, surrounded by high concrete walls topped with razor wire that glinted menacingly under the harsh floodlights.
Guard towers stood at every corner, their searchlights sweeping the grounds with military precision.
Fabio adjusted the strap of his bag, his jaw clenched, his mind calculating every step of their infiltration.
"Are you sure about this?" Artur asked, his voice low but edged with doubt. His dark eyes scanned the perimeter, noting the patrols that moved like clockwork.
"We don't have a choice," Fabio replied, his voice steady but firm. "Asahi's in there, and if we don't get to him first, those things will. You saw what those zombies can do. We can't let them get to him."
Artur sighed but nodded. "Alright, but this is going to be messy. No way we're walking in and out without a fight."
Fabio's lips curved into a grim smile. "Good thing we're not afraid of a little mess."
The two men moved through the shadows, their dark clothing blending seamlessly with the night. They had studied the prison's layout , identifying weak points and patrol patterns. Their only chance was the maintenance tunnel that ran under the eastern wall, a forgotten part of the old sewage system, now rarely used.
The tunnel entrance was hidden behind a cluster of overgrown bushes. Fabio knelt down, brushing the foliage aside to reveal the rusted grate. It looked ancient, its bolts corroded with years of neglect. He pulled a crowbar from his bag, the metal glinting faintly in the moonlight, and began prying it open.
"Hurry up," Artur urged, keeping watch. The distant sound of a guard's footsteps reached his ears, and his hand instinctively went to the knife strapped to his belt.
With a final grunt of effort, Fabio wrenched the grate free. The two slipped inside, the darkness of the tunnel enveloping them like a shroud. The air was damp and foul, the stench of decay clinging to their nostrils, but neither man flinched. They moved quickly, their boots echoing faintly against the narrow concrete walls.
When they emerged at the other end, they were inside the prison's perimeter. The maintenance tunnel opened into a storage area, its shelves lined with cleaning supplies and old equipment. Fabio peered through the small window in the door, watching as a guard passed by in the hallway beyond.
"Timing has to be perfect," he whispered.
Artur nodded, drawing a small gadget from his pocket, a device that would temporarily disable the security cameras. He activated it, and the faint hum of the cameras outside went silent.
"Now," Fabio said, pushing the door open.
The storage room door creaked open as Fabio and Artur emerged cautiously, their eyes scanning the dimly lit hallway. The faint hum of security cameras had been silenced by their device, but every step forward still felt like walking on the edge of a blade.
Fabio motioned for Artur to follow, but before they could take another step, a shadow appeared at the end of the corridor. Both men froze, their weapons raised, ready to fight.
"It's me," a familiar voice whispered.
Fabio's eyes widened as the figure stepped into the pale glow of the overhead light. It was his father's friend, Luka, his weathered face calm but determined. Dressed in dark clothing and carrying a compact flashlight, he looked like a man who had been through his share of battles and was ready for another.
"Luka?" Fabio whispered, lowering his weapon. "What are you doing here?"
Luka glanced over his shoulder, his sharp eyes scanning the corridor before he turned back to them. "Helping you," he said simply. " Your father would never forgive me if I let you get yourself killed."
Artur frowned, still holding his knife tightly. "How did you know?"
Luka smirked. "This is my workplace. I hear things."
Fabio hesitated, a flicker of gratitude crossing his face. "We don't have time to argue. We have to move now."
"I know," Luka said grimly. " I saw three of the guards on my patrol. They're not far from the cell block. If we don't hurry, they'll catch us."
Artur cursed under his breath. "Then lead the way, old man."
Luka chuckled softly, motioning for them to follow. "Stick close. I know this place better than anyone."
With Luka guiding them, the trio moved swiftly through the maze-like corridors of the prison. Luka's knowledge of the facility was invaluable, he navigated blind spots, avoided patrols, and led them through maintenance tunnels that bypassed heavily guarded areas. Fabio and Artur followed closely, their movements silent but tense.
When they reached the final corridor leading to the cell block, Luka stopped abruptly and raised a hand.
"Wait here," he said, peering around the corner.
His sharp eyes caught the faint glow of the zombie-like creatures pacing near the entrance to the block.
Their grotesque forms were partially hidden in the shadows, their glowing eyes scanning for prey.
"There are three of them," Luka whispered, turning back to Fabio and Artur. "I'll distract them. You two get in, grab Asahi, and get out."
"No way," Fabio said firmly. "We're not leaving you alone with those things."
"You don't have a choice," Luka shot back, his voice calm but resolute. "You want Asahi out of here alive? Then let me do my job. I've dealt with worse than this."
Artur placed a hand on Fabio's shoulder. "He's right. We can't afford to waste time arguing."
Fabio's jaw tightened, but he finally nodded. "Fine. Just... be careful."
Luka gave him a reassuring smile. "Always."
With that, Luka stepped into the hallway, his movements swift and deliberate. He let out a sharp whistle, drawing the creatures attention. Their glowing eyes snapped toward him, and they snarled, their twisted bodies jerking unnaturally as they charged.
"Come on, you ugly bastards," Luka muttered, sprinting down the corridor and leading the creatures away.
-TO BE CONTINUED.