The laboratory lights flickered as the emergency alarm cut off abruptly, leaving me in semi-darkness. Moments earlier, the entire facility had gone into lockdown when sensors detected an unauthorized breach in the containment zone. Now only the backup generators hummed, casting long shadows that danced across the cold metal walls.

My gloved hands trembled as I clutched the security baton tighter, my training kicking in despite the overwhelming sense of dread. The official protocol was clear: evacuate immediately and alert central command. But the distress beacon from Dr. Chen's lab had originated from this very corridor.

A low, resonant sound echoed ahead—a cross between a rumble and a purr that vibrated through the floor and into my bones. I pressed myself against the wall, heart pounding so loudly I was sure whatever had breached containment could hear it.

Then it rounded the corner.

Not human. Not even close. A towering figure that seemed to fill the entire hallway, its blue skin shimmering like liquid starlight under the emergency lights. For a long, terrible moment, our eyes met—its large, luminous orbs fixing on me with an intensity that made my blood run cold.