He couldn't steal his gaze from it.

The eyes stared at him through the wire reinforced window as it experimented with its talon-like fingers in the lock. The skittering sounds of others running up and down the corridors punctuated only by quickly cut off screams. He didn't hear any of this though. He didn't hear the sirens screeching. He didn't hear the explosions in the distance. He could only hear the scratching at the door, then the clicking of the lock.

The clicking of the lock? As it unlocked?! As this...creature had unlocked the door! It could unlock doors?! Dr. Paorus' mind whirled with the implications for just a split second before the fear returned. The creature's hands slipped through the small crack and began prizing the door open, making light work of the upturned furniture.

Paorus reached for the pistol, it felt cold in his sweaty palms. He raised it towards the creature and it paused for a second. Head tilting as it clambered over a filing cabinet, it seemed almost as though it understood. The being's eyes narrowed and it lurched forward. Paorus squeezed the trigger instinctively.

Time slowed for a second as Paorus watched the bullet carve a hole in the back of the creature's throat as it flew towards him, maw wide. It twitched mid leap and collapsed in an instant in front of him. Then nothing. No death rattle, no blood, nothing. The creature lay face down, and then just... disintegrated.

Parous stood frozen until roused by a scream just outside his office. He looked at his pistol and decided in a moment. Paorus flew into action, he ran out into the corridor as Gail ran past, pursued. He turned to see her pursuer and again raised the pistol. He waited, heart pounding in his chest. The creature slowed, curious almost, then leapt.

Once again the bullet exited through the back of its neck, and once again it crumbled to dust.

"Adam?"

The trembling woman looked at Paorus confused. His eyes fixed ahead and he barked.

"Stay behind me!"