POV: Jenna
Jenna stood in the middle of camp, hands on her hips, surveying the chaos that was "operation fortify." Humans scrambled to reinforce barricades with salvaged scraps of metal, wood, and—surprisingly—an old mattress someone had deemed useful. Meanwhile, her zombie gang hovered nearby, groaning in confusion at the activity.
"Alright, team," Jenna said, addressing her gang. "This is our time to shine. We're going to help out and prove we're valuable members of this apocalypse."
One of the zombies let out a low groan that sounded suspiciously like a complaint.
"No whining," Jenna scolded. "Just follow my lead."
She grabbed a piece of scrap metal and marched toward the nearest barricade, where Sarah was hammering a plank into place. "Need a hand?"
Sarah glanced at her, eyebrows raised. "Uh, sure?"
"Perfect," Jenna said, slapping the metal against the barricade. "Look at me, being all helpful."
One of her zombies shuffled over and picked up a rusty nail, examining it curiously before dropping it into the dirt. Another zombie grabbed a board and promptly began chewing on it.
Sarah sighed. "This… isn't exactly what I meant."
"Hey," Jenna said, pointing at her gang. "They're trying, okay? Baby steps."
---
POV: Carl
Carl watched the scene unfold from a distance, a mix of amusement and exasperation on his face. Jenna's attempts at "helping" were, as expected, causing more problems than they solved. But her enthusiasm was oddly endearing.
"She's going to drive me insane," Carl muttered to himself.
Rick approached him, his expression grim. "How's the scouting going?"
Carl tore his gaze away from Jenna. "We're still mapping the area. No sign of anything unusual so far, but that doesn't mean much."
Rick nodded, glancing at the activity in the camp. "We need to be ready for whatever's out there. That last fight was too close."
"And Jenna?" Carl asked, nodding toward her.
Rick sighed. "She's… a wildcard. But she's also proven she can handle herself when it counts."
Carl raised an eyebrow. "If you say so."
---
POV: Kane
Kane strolled through the camp, his sharp eyes taking in every detail. The humans were working hard to reinforce their defenses, their desperation evident in their frantic movements. But it was Jenna and her gang that held his attention.
Her chaotic energy was fascinating, unpredictable. She didn't fit neatly into the human or zombie categories, and that made her dangerous—and valuable.
He approached Theo, who was pacing near the edge of camp, his frustration clear. "Still unhappy with Rick's leadership?"
Theo glared at him. "He's too soft. We're wasting resources on these zombies and their idiot leader."
Kane's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Patience, Theo. Change takes time."
Theo huffed but didn't argue. Kane's words were sinking in, planting seeds of doubt and ambition.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna wiped her hands on her pants, feeling oddly accomplished despite the minimal progress her gang had made. "Well, I think we've done enough for one day," she announced, brushing a speck of dirt off her crowbar.
Sarah stared at her, incredulous. "You hammered in one nail."
Jenna grinned. "Exactly. It's called pacing yourself. You should try it sometime."
Before Sarah could reply, a distant howl cut through the air, sending a shiver down Jenna's spine. The camp fell silent as everyone turned toward the sound.
"What was that?" someone whispered.
Carl was already moving, his sword drawn. "We're about to find out."
---
POV: Rick
Rick's heart raced as the howls grew louder, closer. He barked orders, rallying the group into defensive positions. "Get to the barricades! Stay sharp!"
The camp buzzed with nervous energy as humans scrambled to arm themselves. Jenna and her gang took up positions near the center, her zombies growling softly as if sensing the approaching threat.
"What do you think it is?" Sarah asked, gripping her knife tightly.
"Probably nothing good," Rick replied, his voice grim. "Stay ready."
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna twirled her crowbar nervously, her gaze fixed on the horizon. The howls sent a chill down her spine, but she couldn't help feeling a flicker of excitement. Whatever was coming, it was bound to be interesting.
"Alright, guys," she said to her gang. "This is it. Our moment of glory. Don't screw it up."
Her zombies groaned in response, their glowing eyes scanning the darkness.
Carl joined her, his sword gleaming in the dim light. "You ready for this?"
"Always," Jenna said, grinning. "Besides, I've got you to save me if things go south."
Carl smirked. "Don't push your luck."
---
POV: Kane
As the howls grew louder, Kane felt a spark of anticipation. Whatever was coming would test the group's resolve—and reveal their true strengths and weaknesses.
He smiled faintly, his gaze drifting to Jenna. "Let's see how far you can push them," he murmured.