The mansion shudders with each monstrous roar, its walls cracking under the weight of something unnatural. You grip your weapon tightly, every muscle screaming, and glance at Ethan. His jaw is set, knuckles white around his own gun, eyes darting for the creature that stalks you.

“This is it,” he mutters, voice low but steady. “We can’t let it… get between us.”

You nod, heart hammering in your chest. “We’re together in this.”

The mutant crashes through a hallway, its claws scraping stone and wood, eyes glowing with something inhuman. Adrenaline floods your body as you and Ethan duck into cover, firing in short bursts.

A swipe of the creature sends debris flying, narrowly missing you. Ethan reaches out, grabbing your arm and pulling you down behind a broken pillar. His grip is tight, grounding you in the chaos.

“You okay?” he shouts, a mix of fear and determination in his voice.

“I’m fine—wait, no, I’m not, but—” You stumble over your words as the creature lunges again.

Ethan pulls you up, pressing close as you dodge together. “We’ve got this… I’ve got you. Always.”

Time blurs into a storm of movement, gunfire, and blood. Every near-miss and every scrape for survival brings you closer. At one point, pressed against a wall, chest to chest, you catch your breath. His hand brushes against your hair as he leans close, voice almost breaking.

“You mean… more to me than I can even say,” he whispers, eyes locking on yours. “Stay with me. Please.”