POV: Jenna
Morning came too quickly for Jenna's liking. The faint light of dawn barely penetrated the dense clouds overhead as the group gathered near the edge of the camp. The tension was palpable, and Jenna could feel it settling like a weight in her chest.
"Alright," Rick said, addressing the group. "We've got two priorities today: take down that creature and secure whatever supplies are left in the store."
"Great plan," Jenna said, raising a hand. "Quick question—how do we take down something that's practically indestructible?"
Rick gave her a flat look. "That's what we're about to figure out."
"Excellent," Jenna muttered. "Love the confidence."
Carl smirked beside her. "Don't worry, Jenna. If things go south, you can just hide behind me."
"Tempting," Jenna replied. "But I was thinking of hiding in my space instead. Much cozier."
---
POV: Rick
Rick led the group back to the convenience store, his senses on high alert. The faint sound of groaning and shuffling behind him reminded him that Jenna's zombie gang was tagging along, their presence both unsettling and strangely comforting.
"Keep your eyes open," Rick warned. "We don't know what else might be in there."
As they approached the store, the silence grew heavier. The shattered windows and splintered door were stark reminders of yesterday's battle. Rick signaled for the group to stop and turned to Carl.
"Scout ahead," he said. "We need to know what we're dealing with."
Carl nodded, slipping inside the building with practiced ease.
---
POV: Carl
The air inside the store was thick with the stench of decay. Carl moved cautiously, his sword drawn as he scanned the room for any signs of movement. The shelves were toppled, the floor littered with debris. The storage room door was still ajar, and dark stains marked the floor leading to it.
Carl's grip tightened on his sword as he approached the door. The faint sound of wet, crunching noises reached his ears, sending a chill down his spine.
He peered inside, and his stomach churned. The mutant creature was there, hunched over the remains of what looked like another wolf. Its grotesque body twitched and pulsed as it fed, the veins in its flesh glowing faintly.
Carl retreated silently, his heart pounding. Whatever that thing was, it was getting stronger.
---
POV: Kane
From his position near the back of the group, Kane watched as Carl emerged from the store, his expression grim. Kane smiled faintly. The creature's presence was both a threat and an opportunity—a chance to see how far Rick and his group could be pushed before they broke.
"What's the verdict?" Kane asked, his tone casual.
Carl ignored him, addressing Rick instead. "It's still in there. Feeding. It looks… worse than before."
Rick's jaw tightened. "Great. Any bright ideas?"
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna raised her hand. "Have we considered diplomacy? Maybe we can convince it to, you know, not kill us."
Rick shot her a look. "This isn't a joke, Jenna."
"Who's joking?" Jenna replied. "I'm just saying, maybe it's misunderstood."
Carl sighed. "Jenna, not everything can be solved with jokes and hoarding."
"Alright, fine," Jenna said, rolling her eyes. "But if we're going to fight it, we need a plan. Preferably one that doesn't involve me getting eaten."
Rick nodded. "We'll draw it out. Force it into the open where we have the advantage. Carl, you take point. Jenna, stay back and cover the retreat if things go south."
"Got it," Jenna said, already mentally preparing to stash anything interesting the creature left behind.
---
POV: Rick
The group spread out around the store, forming a loose perimeter. Rick signaled to Carl, who moved to the entrance, his sword glinting in the dim light.
"Here we go," Rick muttered under his breath.
Carl banged on the store's metal frame with the flat of his sword, the sound echoing through the air. The mutant creature roared in response, its hulking form crashing through the storage room and into the main area of the store.
"Come on, you ugly bastard," Carl muttered, backing away slowly.
The creature followed, its glowing veins pulsating with energy. As it stepped into the open, Rick felt a cold chill run down his spine. The thing was even bigger than he'd thought, its body twisted and unnatural.
"Now!" Rick shouted, and the group sprang into action.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna hung back as Rick and Carl engaged the creature, her zombie gang forming a loose barrier around her. She gripped her crowbar tightly, watching as the creature lashed out with its massive limbs.
"Alright, guys," she muttered to her gang. "Time to prove your worth. Go be terrifying."
The zombies groaned in unison and shambled forward, their movements slow but deliberate. Jenna watched with a mix of pride and anxiety as they surrounded the creature, distracting it just long enough for Carl to land a solid blow on its leg.
The creature roared in pain, swiping at the zombies and sending two of them flying. Jenna winced but couldn't help feeling a tiny bit impressed. Her gang might not be the brightest, but they were surprisingly resilient.
"Not bad," she muttered. "Keep it up, guys."