POV: Human Survivor Group
It had been days since they'd last seen another group of survivors. Supplies were running low, and the team was stretched thin—both mentally and physically. The constant threat of the undead weighed heavy, but today, something was different.
Sarah, one of the few who still had the energy to keep watch, leaned against the barricade, scanning the horizon. Her eyes caught something—movement in the distance. A mass of figures, but they weren't shuffling like the usual zombies. They were moving with intent, organized, and fast.
Her breath hitched in her throat. "Guys, you might want to see this."
The others scrambled over, peering through binoculars or using whatever they had. It didn't take long for their worst fears to be confirmed.
"Those aren't just any zombies," muttered Rick, the de facto leader of the group. "They're organized… someone's controlling them."
Panic spread through the group like wildfire. They had faced zombie hordes before, but nothing like this. These weren't mindless creatures acting on instinct. These were moving as a unit, like soldiers following orders.
"We need to get out of here," Sarah whispered, eyes wide.
But Rick, ever the pragmatist, shook his head. "We can't outrun them, not in our condition. We need to fortify. Set traps. Prepare for a fight."
The others nodded, though fear still lingered in their eyes.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna wasn't particularly interested in the human group at first. She was still thinking about the weird mutations they had encountered in the forest earlier. The roots had devoured a creature, and she had a nagging suspicion it wasn't the last they'd see of these bizarre plant-based creatures.
Then she noticed Carl tensing up beside her.
"What's the deal?" she asked, glancing at him. He was staring off into the distance, his jaw set.
"Look," he said, pointing ahead.
Jenna squinted. A group of humans was scrambling to fortify their position, panicking as they realized what was approaching them. Jenna recognized some of the zombies leading the charge—zombies like hers, but different. Controlled. Evolved.
"So, that's happening," Jenna said with an awkward chuckle. "Should we help or…?"
Carl didn't answer right away. His brow furrowed as he weighed their options. "If they get overwhelmed, it could turn into a massive wave. We help them, we're helping ourselves."
Jenna sighed. "Fine. But you owe me for this. I was just getting used to avoiding people."
---
POV: Sarah
The first wave hit faster than expected. Zombies slammed into their hastily built barricades, snarling and snapping, but it was clear they weren't working alone. Some of the more evolved zombies seemed to be directing the lesser ones, like generals commanding troops.
The survivors fought with everything they had. Sarah was swinging a crowbar wildly while Rick barked orders from the rear. But even as they held the line, it was obvious they wouldn't last long.
"Hold the barricade! Don't let them break through!" Rick shouted, though the desperation in his voice betrayed his confidence.
Just when Sarah thought they might have a chance, a sickly, sweet odor filled the air. From the ground behind the zombies, small white-capped mushrooms began sprouting rapidly. Their growth was unnaturally fast, and their spores puffed into the air in clouds. The humans barely noticed at first, but Sarah caught a whiff of the air and immediately felt lightheaded.
"What… what is that smell?" she muttered, coughing.
The others started to slow down too, swaying on their feet. The spores were toxic.
Sarah's heart pounded as she realized what was happening. They weren't just fighting zombies—they were being poisoned.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna watched in disbelief as the mushrooms rapidly overtook the battlefield. It wasn't just the humans—they were poisoning the zombies too. Even her gang was stumbling, disoriented.
"Carl! Those mushrooms—" Jenna started, but Carl was already on the move.
"I see it. They're toxic!" Carl shouted. His eyes darted across the battlefield, trying to find the source. "We need to take them out, or this whole area will be a death trap."
Jenna nodded, her brain scrambling for a solution. Her space ability wouldn't help here—this was an environmental threat. But maybe… She had an idea. "I can store the mushrooms if I get close enough. But you'll have to cover me."
Carl didn't hesitate. "Do it. We don't have much time before everyone's down."
---
POV: Carl
Carl slashed his way through the disoriented zombies, clearing a path for Jenna. The air was thick with spores, making it hard to breathe, but he kept pushing forward. His body was still resisting the toxins, but not for much longer.
Behind him, Jenna was moving fast, trying to reach the largest cluster of mushrooms. She disappeared into her space momentarily, reappearing just as quickly with an armful of spores trapped inside. But it wasn't enough. The mushrooms kept growing, their spores spreading faster.
Carl turned to see the human group struggling to stay on their feet. If they didn't do something soon, it wouldn't matter how many zombies they killed—the air itself would finish them off.
"We need to destroy the source!" Carl shouted to Jenna.
"Working on it!" she yelled back, her frustration clear.
Carl's heart raced as he fought his way toward the largest mushroom. This was no ordinary mutation—it was deadly, and it was evolving right before their eyes.