POV: Jenna
Jenna couldn't stop glancing over her shoulder as the group moved away from the glowing stones. The strange energy of the place lingered in the air, making her skin tingle.
"Do you think those stones are important?" Jenna whispered to Carl, who was walking beside her.
"They're alien, glowing, and in the middle of a creepy abandoned building," Carl replied. "What do you think?"
Jenna frowned, her curiosity tugging at her. "I think they're worth checking out. Maybe I could—"
"No," Carl said firmly. "We're not taking any unnecessary risks."
Jenna huffed, crossing her arms. "You're no fun."
Behind them, her zombie gang shuffled along, groaning softly. One of them tilted its head, looking toward the chamber they had just left.
"See? They agree with me," Jenna said, pointing at the zombie.
Carl sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "They're not agreeing with you."
"Debatable," Jenna muttered.
---
POV: Rick
Rick led the group deeper into the building, his knife in hand as he scanned the dimly lit corridors. The faint hum of machinery grew louder, the sound reverberating through the walls.
"This place feels alive," Sarah whispered, her hand resting on her knife. "Like it's watching us."
Rick nodded. He felt it too—the sensation of being observed, of unseen eyes following their every move. "Stay close. We don't know what else is in here."
The corridor opened into another chamber, this one filled with strange, pod-like structures. Some were cracked and empty, while others glowed faintly, their interiors obscured by a thick, greenish mist.
"What the hell is this?" Rick muttered, stepping closer to one of the pods.
"Definitely not a coffee machine," Jenna quipped, peering over his shoulder.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna couldn't resist poking at one of the pods with her crowbar. The metal was cool to the touch, and the faint glow inside seemed to pulse in time with her heartbeat.
"I don't like this," Carl said, his voice low. "Let's move."
"Hold on," Jenna said, pressing her ear against the pod. "I think I hear something."
"Jenna, don't—" Carl started, but it was too late.
The pod hissed, its front panel sliding open to reveal a twisted, half-formed mutant. Its glowing veins pulsed weakly as it let out a low, guttural growl.
"Oh," Jenna said, stepping back. "That's not good."
---
POV: Rick
Rick reacted instantly, driving his knife into the creature's chest before it could fully emerge. The mutant let out a choked snarl before collapsing back into the pod, its glowing veins dimming.
"Everyone, stay alert!" Rick barked, his voice cutting through the tension. "There could be more."
As if on cue, the other pods began to hum louder, their lights intensifying.
"Great," Sarah muttered, drawing her knife. "You just had to touch it, didn't you?"
Jenna raised her hands defensively. "Hey, I was just investigating!"
"This isn't the time for jokes," Carl snapped, his sword at the ready.
"Who's joking?" Jenna replied, gripping her crowbar tightly. "I'm serious!"
---
POV: Kane
Kane's smile widened as he watched the scene unfold through a series of monitors in a hidden control room. The group's panic was palpable, their movements frantic as the pods began to open.
"Perfect," Kane murmured. "Let them see what they're up against."
Theo frowned, standing beside him. "Are you sure this is wise? If they figure out what's really happening here—"
"They won't," Kane interrupted, his tone calm. "Not yet. For now, let them think they're in control."
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna swung her crowbar at the nearest pod, shattering the glass before the creature inside could emerge. "One down, a million to go," she muttered, glancing at Carl. "What's the plan, boss?"
"Destroy the pods and keep moving," Carl replied, slashing through another mutant as it stumbled out of its pod.
"Simple enough," Jenna said, smashing another pod. "But next time, can we pick a less creepy place to explore?"
The zombies in her gang were surprisingly effective, tearing into the emerging mutants with feral intensity. Jenna couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. "Good job, team! Show them who's boss!"
One of her zombies growled, its head tilting toward the far end of the chamber. Jenna followed its gaze, her eyes narrowing as she spotted a massive, heavily reinforced pod at the back of the room.
"That looks important," Jenna muttered, pointing her crowbar at it.
Carl followed her gaze, his expression darkening. "We're not touching that."
"But—"
"No," Carl said firmly. "We're leaving. Now."
---
POV: Rick
Rick took one last look at the chamber, his instincts screaming at him to leave. The mutants were relentless, but the larger pod at the back of the room radiated an ominous energy.
"Carl's right," Rick said, his voice tense. "We don't have time to figure out what that is. Let's move."
Jenna pouted but didn't argue, falling in line as the group retreated from the chamber.
---
POV: Kane
Kane watched as the group fled, his smile never wavering. The larger pod pulsed softly behind him, its occupant still dormant.
"Let them go," Kane said, his tone almost amused. "They'll be back. They always come back."