ISLAND

Prologue

Alarms sounded, red lights flashing.

Justin looked at the cameras. Another breach.

A calm voice came through the intercom. "This is not a drill, all guards to holding cell C. I repeat, this is not a drill."

It was Oscar, captain of the mercenaries stationed here. Not that his name meant much. Names stopped mattering down here, away from friends and families. Justin doubted anyone even knew his name. All he had was numbers. 143rd to be hired, 5th breach this week, if he died tonight he'd be the 56th casualty.

Just another number.

When he had agreed to work in this God-forsaken compound it had been with the understanding that he could leave when things got ugly. But now he understood the truth. He could never leave. Not when he knew so much. And the pay wouldn't be much use then.

He stood, reaching for his gun, as though it'd do any good if things went sour. He knew the drill, laughing gas and more sedatives. Thicker walls of stronger metal. What happened when it stopped working?

He took one last look at the cameras, there'd been a second breach. Several cameras were out. That couldn't be good.

Justin ran to the door making his way to holding cell C alongside other rushing guards. Just more numbers.

As he got closer he heard crashing and shouting mixed with gunfire. Wasted ammunition.

There were large crashes and the sound of screeching metal. Someone screams. Could there be a third breach? Just as the thought crosed his mind a guard came flying out of the hallway in front of him, smashing into the opposite wall so hard he dented the metal and stayed there, head rolling on a boneless neck.

Heavy footsteps followed close behind, a large shadow approaching the corner. Without thinking Justin sprinted the opposite direction. Three breaches at once. That was a first. Firsts were always the most dangerous number.

A Scientist came running out a side hall and began racing next to him. "Our security has been compromised!" He screamed.

"Oh gee, I hadn't noticed!" Justin yelled back.

"We have to evacuate. All guards have orders to escort the boss out in the event of a catastrophe!"

"I'll worry about that when one of the boss's creations isn't about to snap my spine like a fucking toothpick!"

The scientist grunted in agreement.

They turned down a side hall just as a massive form came charging in front of them. Justin reacted quickly turning around and running down the main hall again.

The scientist, however, was not so lucky. Justin heared him scream just behind him, followed by the sound of bones splintering and a guttural yell. He didn't dare look back.

He continued to sprint towards the emergency evacuation boats. Fuck risking his life for these idiots. He'd find his own way out. On the off chance the boss actually made it that far, he'd just say he was making sure it was clear before they arrived. But he doubted they'd make it very far. Not with three or maybe more of those things running rampant.

Justin turned down another side hall. He was getting close. Just a few minutes from freedom. But his feeling of hope and triumph was quickly crushed when one of them came tearing around the corner in front of him. He turned to run back the way he came but the one that had been following him suddenly appeared at the other end. How can they be so big yet move so fast? Running out of ways to go he ran into a small hallway. A dead end. Of course. Frantically he opened one of the doors. A large storage closet. What a cliche way to die.

A large shadow covered the doorway. Two figures entered. Slowly as though even their small primitive minds knew he was beaten. But he wouldn't go down without a fight.

Knowing it was useless he switched his gun to full auto and started unloading. Before he could even empty one magazine the gun was knocked out of his hands. He stood calmly knowing this was the end. Stared the embodiment of death in the cold, unintelligent eye, refusing to give up his last freedom.

He would not be afraid. Not even as he was lifted from the ground. Not even as his limbs were torn from his body and he was left bleeding on the floor. Not even as his vision faded and all he saw was black.

Just another number.