Chapter 16: Chapter 16: The Monster Beneath the Badge
Marvin cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Before we settle in too much, there's something urgent we need to discuss."
"What is it?" Leon asked, crossing his arms.
"One of the survivors we rescued managed to track down Chief Irons' location," Marvin said. "He's alive and holed up at the orphanage on the outskirts of the city."
The room fell silent. Claire's expression hardened, and Kevin frowned. Azizah's stomach churned as memories of Irons from the game flooded her mind—the false veneer of benevolence, the dark secrets, the horrors he had wrought under the guise of authority.
Azizah hesitated, her fingers clenching into fists. How could she explain the danger Irons posed without revealing her knowledge of his true nature? "Do we… need to bring him back?" she asked carefully.
Marvin nodded. "He's still technically the highest-ranking officer left. If we can save him, he might be able to help us coordinate a larger-scale evacuation."
Azizah wanted to scream, to warn them of the monster hiding behind Irons' badge. But what could she say? They wouldn't believe her—not without proof. "Alright," she said reluctantly. "We'll go."
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The Orphanage
The orphanage loomed in the distance, its gothic architecture stark against the pale glow of the moon. The air around it was thick with tension, the streets eerily quiet. Azizah led the way, her enhanced senses scanning for threats as the group approached.
Leon pushed open the heavy front doors, the creak echoing ominously through the empty halls. "Chief Irons?" he called out, his voice steady despite the eerie atmosphere.
"Over here!" a voice replied, startling the group.
Chief Brian Irons stepped into view, his uniform surprisingly clean and his demeanor calm. He spread his arms in a gesture of relief. "Thank God you found me! I've been holding out here, trying to keep the infected away."
Azizah's stomach turned. His act was convincing—too convincing. The others visibly relaxed, but she couldn't let her guard down. She knew better.
"Sir," Marvin said, stepping forward. "We've got a safe base nearby. We're here to bring you back."
Irons smiled, his eyes glinting in the dim light. "You've done well, Marvin. You've always been reliable." He glanced at the group, his gaze lingering on Sherry. "And you brought the Birkin girl… excellent."
Azizah's breath caught. She knew this was the beginning of his true nature revealing itself.
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The Monster Beneath the Badge
As they moved deeper into the orphanage, Azizah noticed odd details: bloodstains hastily scrubbed from the floors, shattered glass, and the faint metallic smell of decay. Irons led them to a dimly lit office, where he began recounting his fabricated tales of heroism.
"I've been doing everything I can to protect this city," he said, his voice dripping with false sincerity. "But it's been… challenging."
Azizah's system chimed softly, startling her.
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System Alert
Warning: Hostile Entity Detected.
Entity: Brian Irons.
Objective: Reveal the truth behind Irons' actions.
---
The weight of the notification settled over her. She couldn't let this man manipulate her team.
"Chief," Azizah said, her voice firm, "why are there fresh bloodstains in an orphanage that hasn't been used in years?"
Irons stiffened, his false smile faltering for a moment before he recovered. "We've had to fend off some infected. It's been messy, but necessary."
"Really?" Azizah pressed, her gaze narrowing. "Because that doesn't explain the stench coming from the basement."
The room fell silent. Leon and Marvin exchanged uneasy glances, while Kevin shifted his grip on his shotgun.
Irons sighed dramatically, his expression hardening. "Fine. Since you're so curious…"
Before anyone could react, Irons pulled a lever hidden behind his desk. A trapdoor opened in the floor, revealing a staircase descending into darkness. "Let me show you what's really been going on."
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The Basement's Horrors
The group descended cautiously, their flashlights cutting through the oppressive darkness. The air grew colder, the stench of decay nearly overwhelming. At the bottom of the stairs, they found a chilling sight: the mayor's daughter, her lifeless body posed grotesquely on a taxidermy table.
Claire gasped, pulling Sherry close. Leon's jaw tightened, and Kevin muttered a curse under his breath. Azizah's heart pounded as Irons' mask finally slipped.
"You see," Irons said, his voice taking on a sinister edge, "this outbreak has given me freedom. No rules, no oversight. Just me and my… hobbies."
"You're sick," Leon spat, aiming his gun at the chief.
Irons sneered. "Oh, come now. Don't pretend to be righteous. This city was doomed long before I took matters into my own hands."
Azizah stepped forward, her voice cold. "And what about Sherry? Why are you so interested in her?"
Irons chuckled, the sound sending chills down her spine. "Umbrella paid me well to keep an eye on the Birkin family. But now… they want their little prodigy back."
Sherry whimpered, clinging to Claire. "You won't take her," Claire said fiercely, stepping between Irons and the girl.
Irons reached for a hidden weapon, but Azizah was faster. She launched into action, her enhanced reflexes allowing her to disarm him with a swift kick. Leon and Kevin moved in, their guns trained on him.
"Don't move!" Marvin barked, his voice filled with anger and disappointment.
Irons smirked, but he didn't resist. "You think you're the heroes here? You're just delaying the inevitable."
Azizah's system chimed again, confirming the completion of her objective.
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System Update
Objective Completed: Reveal the truth behind Irons' actions.
Reward: +50 Points, 1 Gacha Spin.
---
The group restrained Irons and debated what to do next. "We can't bring him back," Claire said. "Not after what he's done."
Marvin hesitated but nodded. "Agreed. He's lost his humanity."
Azizah glanced at Sherry, who looked at Irons with fear in her eyes. "We protect her," Azizah said firmly. "And we leave him to face the consequences of his actions."
As they left the orphanage, Irons' laughter echoed behind them, a haunting reminder of the darkness that humanity could sink to in the face of apocalypse.
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To Be Continued…