Dante moved quickly to the window he needed. Not the most ideal escape, but at least it was better than going back the way he came.

  He hoped.

  He approached the window, examining the fire escape beyond. It looked sturdy enough, Dante climbed out onto the fire escape, the metal creaking beneath his weight.

  He descended two flights before hearing the groaning below and the roars and quick footsteps on the clanging metal above.

  Dante looked up to see dark figures climbing down after him, some hooded and one wearing…

  Is that a bunny costume? How the hell is it climbing and running in that?

  The labored breathing and the wet sounds that came from their throats grew ever closer during his momentary distraction.

  Fantastic.

  Just what I needed humor before I’m ripped apart…

  If I die, it damn well better not be by the bunny.

  Dante surveyed his surroundings, just as he had in the Arena. Across the alley stood another building, its fire escape within jumping distance - barely. If he could make the leap, he might be able to lose his pursuers.

  No really because what’s an end of the world scenario without more parkouring.

  He backed up as far as the narrow platform would allow, then sprinted forward and jumped.

  His hands found the pipe running along the edge—just thin enough to grip. He swung his momentum building before letting go.

  His hands caught the railing of the opposite fire escape, the impact knocking the wind out of his body.

  Ouch, that hurt.

  For a moment, he dangled precariously, legs kicking in empty air.

  Ok, Dante come on, you can do this.

  Just pull up.

  Was I always this heavy or is it exhaustion?

  Then after he was done complaining internally he pulled himself up and over, landing on the metal grating with a clang that echoed through the alley.

  Looking back, he saw the first of his pursuers, a white bunny costume covered in tears and blood, reach the spot he’d jumped from. It paused before it jumped down, falling into the darkness below.

  “Take that you fucking murderous rabbit!” Dante mocked and chuckled.

  Ow ow, even laughing hurts.

  Dante tried the door at the base of the fire escape. Locked.

  He moved to a window. Also locked.

  Down it is.

  He sprinted downward and burst out into the side of a street littered with debris.

  The sound of dragged footsteps and groans quickly surrounded him.

  Dozens, if not more.

  Fuck this.

  He drew the Mercier sword and used the pommel to shatter the glass of a nearby window. After clearing the jagged edges, he climbed through into what appeared to be an abandoned office space.

  “Holo-light,” he commanded as his watch created a dim light in the dark space.

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  Dante made his way through the darkened space. He tried the first door he came to. Locked.

  The second door. Also locked.

  Behind him, he could hear the sounds of more dragged footsteps from somewhere in the surrounding darkness.

  The third door. Locked.

  Come on!

  The fourth door yielded under his touch, swinging open to reveal a corridor beyond. Dante slipped through, closing and locking it behind him.

  The corridor led to a break room, its large windows offering a view of the street outside. More dark figures moved there, most slow but some speeding along, climbing and jumping from vehicle to vehicle, their silhouettes visible against the distant fires burning throughout the city.

  Dante turned, seeking another exit. A corridor branched off to the right. He followed it, moving as quietly as possible, sword ready in his hand.

  Not more than a few steps in, a sound from ahead made him freeze - a soft scraping, like something being dragged across the floor. Dante raised the sword, its bloodied blade ready for use.

  The corridor opened into a smaller break room. Tables and chairs were scattered about, a vending machine lay tipped on its side, its contents spilled across the floor. And in the corner, partially hidden behind an overturned table…

  Movement.

  Dante leveled the sword, ready to strike.

  A small figure emerged from the shadows, freezing when it saw him. A child, a girl no more than eight or nine years old. Her clothes were torn and dirty, her eyes wide with terror as she stared at the sword pointed in her direction.

  Dante lowered the blade immediately. “I won’t hurt you.”

  The girl didn’t respond. She simply stood there, trembling, her eyes fixed on him with a mixture of fear and desperate hope.

  He looked at the girl. Taking her with him would slow him down, make it more difficult to reach the extraction point.

  He almost turned away.

  Dante knew if he took the girl with him, neither he nor she would survive.

  But he couldn’t. Not with those eyes looking at him like that.

  Damn it.

  A holographic message flickered on the wall behind the girl. It displayed a message calling for all survivors to proceed to designated shelter points. A map showed the nearest shelter - a police station just two blocks away, where law enforcement was holding out against the chaos.

  The schematic I saw before. If I remember it right, then the police station was close. At least closer than the extraction point. I might not reach the extraction point with the girl, but I might be able to make it to the station, drop her off then get to that damn helicopter.

  “Do you have a name?” he asked softly.

  The girl remained silent, still staring at him with those wide, traumatized eyes.

  “I’m going to get you somewhere safe,” Dante continued, moving closer and kneeling to her level.

  Still no response. But she didn’t back away as he approached.

  Dante activated his comm. “Samantha, change of plans. I’ve found a survivor - a child. I’m taking her to Shelter Point Three before proceeding to extraction.”

  “Dante…” Samantha’s voice crackled through the earpiece. Dante could hear whispers near her, arguing about leaving him. “We need to be airborne soon I’m almost already at the helipad and...”

  “Look I know it's that asshole who is pressuring you I’m not asking that you wait forever just hold for ten minutes beyond the appointed time,” Dante replied. “If I’m not there by then, leave without me.”

  A pause, then: “Understood. Be careful.”

  Dante turned back to the girl. “We need to go. Now.”

  He held out his hand. After a moment’s hesitation, she took it, her small fingers cold against his palm.

  Now, we just need to get past a sea of death…

  Nothing to it.

  …

  3 minutes past the appointed extraction time.

  His hand reached out, fingers grasping desperately as the helicopter lifted away. Blood pooled beneath him, soaking into the concrete of the landing pad. The noise of the rotors was already fading, replaced by the sounds of shuffling feet drawing closer.

  There was still time. The Mercier security were heavily armed.

  Dante’s vision blurred, darkness creeping in at the edges. The bite on his shoulder burned like fire, spreading poison through his veins.

  Yet Samantha left me…

  Influenced by that bastard.

  She betrayed me.

  Gunfire erupted around him—sharp cracks that momentarily drowned out the inhuman sounds of his pursuers.

  “Found the young master!” a voice called out. “We’re extracting him to the Lazarus facility!”

  Am I saved?

  More gunfire. Something roared, a sound that was neither human nor animal. But something worse.

  “Children of the Arena, engage!”

  I will return!

  I will look you in the eyes, Samantha, and ask why after everything.

  Why did you betray me?

  I will kill that little boyfriend of yours.

  Slowly.

  Painfully.

  I WILL ARGHH!

  A blue screen appeared before Dante’s eyes, before darkness claimed him.