POV: Rick
Rick paced near the campfire, his mind racing. The attack had been coordinated, deliberate—there was no mistaking it now. Someone, somewhere, was controlling the mutations, shaping the chaos to their own design.
He turned to the group, his expression grim. "We can't afford to sit here and wait for the next attack. We need to figure out who's behind this and stop them."
"And how do you suggest we do that?" Sarah asked, her voice laced with exhaustion. "We don't even know where to start."
Rick clenched his fists. "We start by strengthening our defenses. Fortify the barricades, set traps, and prepare for the worst."
"And what about supplies?" Theo chimed in. "We can't defend this place if we're starving."
Rick hesitated, glancing at Jenna, who was lounging nearby, her zombie gang growling softly around her. Jenna noticed his gaze and raised an eyebrow.
"What?" she asked. "Don't look at me. I'm not sharing my stash."
"Jenna," Rick said, his tone sharp. "You have more supplies than you could ever use. This group needs your help."
Jenna frowned, crossing her arms. "I worked hard for my hoard. Why should I just give it away?"
"Because it's the right thing to do," Rick snapped.
Jenna's eyes narrowed, but before she could respond, Carl stepped in. "Enough," he said, his voice calm but firm. "We don't have time for this. Jenna, you don't have to give everything, but maybe… just enough to keep people alive?"
Jenna hesitated, her expression softening slightly. "Fine," she muttered. "But only a little. And I expect gratitude. Lots of it."
---
POV: Kane
From his vantage point, Kane smirked as he watched the tension unfold in the camp. Jenna's reluctance to share her supplies was just the kind of crack he needed to exploit.
"They're already turning on each other," Kane said quietly to Theo. "All it takes is a little pressure."
Theo frowned. "What's the endgame here? Why not just wipe them out?"
"Because chaos is more effective," Kane replied. "Let them destroy themselves from the inside."
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna stood in front of her hoard, her hands on her hips as she surveyed the piles of supplies she'd worked so hard to collect. It wasn't easy being a zombie hoarder—dodging mutants, avoiding humans, and convincing her gang to carry the heavy stuff. But it was worth it.
Now, though, she was being asked to share. And it stung.
"Alright, gang," she said, addressing her zombies. "We're going to be… generous. But not too generous."
Her zombies groaned in response, one of them clutching a slightly dented can of beans like it was a prized possession.
"I know, I know," Jenna said, patting the zombie on the shoulder. "But we're team players now. Sort of."
With a heavy sigh, she began pulling items from her spatial space, stacking them into a reluctant donation pile.
---
POV: Rick
Rick watched as Jenna deposited a modest pile of supplies in the center of camp, her expression a mix of irritation and pride.
"There," she said, dusting off her hands. "Happy now?"
Rick nodded. "It's a start. Thank you."
Jenna waved him off. "Yeah, yeah. Just remember this moment when you're all singing my praises later."
Despite her grumbling, Rick couldn't deny that Jenna's contribution would make a difference. It wouldn't solve all their problems, but it was enough to buy them some time.
"Alright," Rick said, addressing the group. "Let's get to work. Strengthen the barricades, set traps, and keep watch. We don't know when the next attack will come."
The group dispersed, their movements sluggish but determined. Rick glanced at Carl, who was already organizing a scouting party.
"You think they'll come back soon?" Rick asked.
Carl's jaw tightened. "It's not a question of if. It's when."
---
POV: Kane
Kane watched the camp with a cold smile. The cracks were deepening, the tension growing. The group's temporary unity wouldn't last, not when the next wave hit.
"Keep the pressure steady," he murmured to Theo. "And when they break, we'll be ready."
Theo nodded, his expression grim. "Understood."
Kane's gaze lingered on Jenna, who was gesturing animatedly to her zombie gang. Her unpredictability intrigued him, her chaotic nature both a liability and an asset. She was the wild card in this game, and Kane intended to use her to his advantage.
"Let's see how far she can be pushed," Kane said, his tone laced with anticipation.
---
POV: Jenna
Later that night, Jenna sat by the campfire, twirling her crowbar as she stared into the flames. Her zombie gang was huddled nearby, their soft growls blending into the crackling of the fire.
"You know," Jenna said, breaking the silence. "I think we did good today. Shared some supplies, boosted morale… survived another day. Not bad, right?"
One of her zombies groaned, tilting its head as if considering her words.
"Exactly," Jenna said, nodding. "We're making progress."
Carl approached, his sword slung over his shoulder. "Talking to your zombies again?"
"They're better listeners than you," Jenna shot back, grinning.
Carl smirked. "Maybe. But I doubt they're as useful in a fight."
Jenna patted her crowbar. "Don't underestimate us, Carl. We're full of surprises."
Carl shook his head, a faint smile on his face. "I'll keep that in mind."