POV: Sarah
The last thing Sarah expected that morning was to face a deadly wave of evolved zombies, but the nightmare only got worse.
The mutated wolf emerged from the fog, snarling with its toxic breath. Its eyes glowed an eerie green, and its fur seemed to pulse with poisonous energy. The creature was unlike anything Sarah had ever seen—fast, lethal, and terrifying. Its presence sent waves of panic through the group.
"Rick, look!" Sarah yelled, pointing at the beast as it loped toward their hastily fortified position. The toxic fumes wafting from the wolf caused plants nearby to shrivel and die, spreading the danger.
Rick's eyes widened. "Get the traps ready! And for the love of all things, stay back from that thing!"
The group scrambled to follow orders, rigging up their makeshift traps while keeping their distance. But even as they set their defenses, they knew it wouldn't be enough. This mutated wolf wasn't just a mindless predator. It was a hunter, enhanced by whatever strange mutation had occurred.
And behind it came more—a horde of zombies, their skin tinged with the same green hue.
"We're sitting ducks here," Sarah muttered under her breath, tightening her grip on her crowbar. Her hands were trembling, and she wasn't sure if it was from fear or the sickening fumes the wolf exuded.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna had seen a lot of strange creatures in this apocalyptic world, but this was new. The toxic wolf prowling near the human camp was a problem, sure, but what really caught her attention were the strange mushrooms sprouting in its wake. Thick, grotesque mushrooms that seemed to ooze with toxic spores every time they moved.
"Carl, this isn't just another zombie," Jenna muttered, staring at the wolf and the creeping fungal growth.
Carl narrowed his eyes, sword in hand. "No. It's worse."
The mushroom-like growths seemed to spread wherever the wolf walked, and as if sensing their danger, Jenna's zombies kept their distance. Even undead instincts couldn't ignore the threat of the poisonous fumes wafting from the creature's mouth.
"We should kill it before it gets too close to the human group," Carl said, grimly tightening his grip.
Jenna groaned, shifting her weight from foot to foot. "Yeah, yeah, let's help the humans again. Can't have all the fun alone, can we?"
Her gang of zombies was already edging forward, though they, too, were hesitant to get too close to the creature or the growing mushrooms.
---
POV: Sarah
The wolf lunged, fast and fierce, crashing through the group's barricades like they were made of straw. The poisonous spores released by the mushrooms that followed it seemed to cloud the air, making it harder for anyone to breathe.
"Fall back!" Rick yelled, his voice hoarse from the toxic air.
But even as they retreated, the wolf pressed on, its snarls echoing in the air as it tore through anything in its path. Sarah swung her crowbar, hoping to slow it down, but the creature was too strong, too fast.
And then, out of nowhere, a figure appeared—slamming into the wolf and knocking it off balance.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna wasn't exactly thrilled to be facing down a mutated wolf, especially one that reeked of poison. But Carl was right—they couldn't let this thing rampage unchecked. Her zombies flanked the wolf, keeping it distracted while Carl moved in for the kill.
The wolf's glowing eyes locked onto Jenna as it snarled, but she was faster. With a sharp thrust of her makeshift weapon, she stabbed the wolf in its side, hitting one of the pulsing toxic growths on its body. The wolf howled in pain, its energy faltering.
Carl didn't waste the opportunity. His blade flashed, severing the creature's spine in a clean strike. The wolf collapsed, its body twitching as the toxic fumes dissipated into the air.
But before they could catch their breath, the poisonous mushrooms began to spread rapidly over the wolf's body. Their caps expanded, releasing more toxic spores into the air.
"We need to move, now!" Jenna shouted, her voice urgent.
Carl nodded, already backing away. "The spores are spreading too fast. If we don't get clear, we're dead."
They ran, leaving the mutated wolf's remains to be consumed by the expanding fungal growths. Whatever this new mutation was, it wasn't just affecting the creatures—it was spreading through the environment, threatening to turn the land into a death trap.
---
POV: Carl
Carl watched as the toxic mushrooms completely overtook the wolf's carcass. The air became thick with the pungent scent of decay and poison. It was clear that this wasn't just an isolated mutation—it was spreading, evolving, turning the very environment against them.
"We need to figure out what's causing these mutations," Carl said, his voice grim as he scanned the toxic field growing before them.
Jenna frowned, brushing some ash from her sleeve. "Yeah, because that's just what I want—more plant monsters trying to kill me."
Carl smirked despite the situation. "Better than letting it take over the whole area."
Jenna sighed. "Great. Another long day in paradise."