POV: Jenna
Jenna sat cross-legged on the ground, poking at the carcass of the massive mutant beast with her crowbar. The creature's body was cooling rapidly, its once-glowing veins now dull and lifeless.
"Do you think I can keep a piece of this?" she asked, glancing at Carl, who was busy wiping green blood off his sword. "You know, for science. Or… hoarding."
"No," Carl replied flatly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Jenna sighed, tossing her crowbar onto the ground dramatically. "You never let me have any fun."
"This isn't fun," Carl snapped, his patience clearly wearing thin. "This is survival."
Jenna grinned. "Survival can be fun if you have the right attitude."
Rick approached, looking as exhausted as everyone else. "We need to move," he said, his voice firm. "If Kane's still out there, this isn't over."
Jenna groaned. "Can't we just enjoy this small victory for like… five minutes?"
"No," Rick said bluntly. "Pack up. We leave in ten."
---
POV: Rick
Rick surveyed the group, his sharp eyes picking out the cracks forming in their cohesion. Jenna's antics were a constant wild card, but her unpredictable nature was proving useful—sometimes.
He glanced at Carl, who was already helping reinforce the group's makeshift gear. "Think they'll come back?" Rick asked, keeping his voice low.
Carl didn't look up from his work. "They will. Kane doesn't strike me as the type to give up."
Rick nodded grimly. "Then we stay ready."
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna shuffled over to her zombie gang, who were busy sniffing around the fallen beast. She crouched down, patting one of them on the head. "Good job out there, team. We showed them what we're made of."
One of the zombies growled softly, tilting its head.
"I know," Jenna said, nodding solemnly. "You're right. Carl is a total buzzkill."
The zombie groaned in agreement, and Jenna smiled. "I'm glad we're on the same page."
Sarah walked by, overhearing the exchange. "You're seriously talking to them like they understand you?"
"They do," Jenna replied, her tone defensive. "We have a bond."
Sarah rolled her eyes. "Sure you do."
---
POV: Kane
Kane stood at the edge of the battlefield, his gaze fixed on the camp as the group began to pack up. The beast's defeat had been unexpected, but it wasn't a total loss. He'd learned something valuable—Jenna.
"She's reckless," Theo said, echoing his earlier sentiment. "But effective."
Kane nodded slowly. "She's unpredictable. That makes her dangerous. But it also makes her a liability."
Theo frowned. "What are you thinking?"
Kane's smile was cold. "Every wildcard has a breaking point. We just have to find hers."
---
POV: Jenna
The group moved out as the sun began to rise, the forest around them bathed in an eerie golden light. Jenna trailed behind, her zombie gang shuffling along with her.
"So," she said, sidling up to Carl. "What's the plan now, fearless leader?"
"I'm not the leader," Carl muttered. "Rick is."
Jenna waved her hand dismissively. "Details. You're the one with all the ideas."
Carl shot her a look. "We're heading to higher ground. Easier to defend."
"Sounds boring," Jenna replied, twirling her crowbar. "Got anything more exciting planned?"
Carl sighed. "You could try taking something seriously for once."
"Where's the fun in that?" Jenna said, grinning.
---
POV: Rick
Rick led the group through the dense forest, his knife in hand as he scanned their surroundings. The air felt heavier than usual, the distant sounds of groaning and growling putting him on edge.
"Stay sharp," he said, his voice low. "We're not out of danger yet."
Sarah fell into step beside him. "Do you think Kane's still watching us?"
Rick's jaw tightened. "I'd bet on it."
Sarah glanced over her shoulder, her hand tightening around her knife. "Then we need to figure out his next move before he makes it."
Rick nodded. "Agreed. But first, we need to survive the night."
---
POV: Kane
Kane watched the group disappear into the forest, his mind racing with possibilities. Jenna's chaotic nature was both a strength and a weakness, and he intended to exploit it to the fullest.
"Let them run," he said to Theo, his tone calm. "It won't matter. They can't outrun what's coming."
Theo frowned. "You're talking about the mutations?"
Kane smiled faintly. "And more. The next phase is already beginning."
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna yawned as she plopped down on a fallen log, watching as the group set up camp for the night. Her zombie gang settled around her, their growls softer now that the immediate danger had passed.
"Another day, another disaster avoided," she said, stretching. "We're really killing it."
Carl walked by, giving her a flat look. "You're impossible."
Jenna grinned. "And you love it."
Carl didn't respond, but Jenna caught the faintest hint of a smile as he turned away.