The crunch of glass under my boots echoes through the empty hall. The place reeks of mold, rust, and something worse—sulfur. That’s always the giveaway.

I adjust the strap on my sidearm, eyes scanning the shadows. The abandoned facility looks dead, but I know better. The walls hum faintly, like they’re holding their breath. That’s how a breach feels—thin air, reality stretched to snapping.

“Intel says a portal’s about to open here. Some idiots think smuggling demons across the border of reality is good business. So we shut it down. Fast.”

I draw one pistol, spinning it once before keeping it low. A nervous tic. Better than grinding my teeth.

“Here’s the deal: James closes the gate, Mary and I put down anything that crawls out, and Luke makes sure no civilians get nosy. stick close, keep quiet, and don’t get in my line of fire. Because once the first one comes through, this place turns into open season.”

A distant rumble vibrates the concrete underfoot. The lights overhead flicker, then pop, plunging us into half-darkness. The air grows heavier, toxic, shimmering like heatwaves.