POV: Rick
The group trudged through the forest, the eerie glow of the strange building fading behind them. Rick kept his focus on the path ahead, his mind racing. The pods, the glowing stones, and the mutants—they were all connected. But how?
"We're too exposed out here," Sarah said, breaking the silence. "If Kane attacks again, we won't have time to react."
Rick nodded, his jaw tightening. "We'll find cover soon. But first, we need distance from that place."
He glanced over his shoulder at Jenna, who was busy herding her zombie gang. Her nonchalance grated on him, but he couldn't deny her value. Still, her curiosity had nearly gotten them killed—again.
"Jenna," Rick called, his tone sharp. "Next time, don't touch anything."
Jenna threw her hands up in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. No touching. But you have to admit, it was kind of cool."
"It was a death trap," Rick snapped, turning away before he could say something he'd regret.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna watched Rick stomp off, her brow furrowing. "What's his deal? It's not like I broke anything important."
Carl sighed, walking beside her. "You opened a pod full of mutants."
"Details," Jenna replied with a shrug. "Besides, we handled it. Team effort and all that."
Carl gave her a sidelong glance. "You're impossible."
"And yet, you're still here," Jenna said with a grin. "Admit it—you'd miss me if I was gone."
Carl didn't respond, but the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth didn't escape Jenna's notice. Victory.
---
POV: Kane
Kane sat in his makeshift command center, his fingers steepled as he reviewed the footage from the hidden cameras inside the building. The group's reactions, their decisions—they told him everything he needed to know.
"Jenna is the key," Kane murmured to himself. "Her unpredictability keeps them alive, but it also makes her a liability."
Theo frowned from across the room. "She's reckless. That could work in our favor."
Kane nodded slowly. "Exactly. Push her enough, and she'll break. When she does, the rest will fall."
---
POV: Carl
The group stopped at a small clearing, the fading light signaling the end of the day. Carl took charge of setting up camp, his movements efficient and methodical. Jenna, predictably, found a log to sit on and began rummaging through her hoard.
"What are you doing now?" Carl asked, exasperation evident in his tone.
"Inventory check," Jenna replied, pulling out random items—a flashlight, a can opener, a roll of duct tape. "You never know what might come in handy."
Carl sighed. "You're impossible."
"You keep saying that," Jenna said, smirking. "And yet, here I am."
---
POV: Rick
Rick sat by the fire, his knife resting on his knee as he stared into the flames. The day's events replayed in his mind, each unanswered question gnawing at him.
"What do you think those stones were?" Sarah asked, breaking the silence.
Rick shook his head. "Something important. Something dangerous."
"And the pods?" she pressed.
Rick's jaw tightened. "A warning. Whatever Kane's planning, it's bigger than we thought."
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna leaned back against a tree, her zombie gang huddled nearby. She watched as Carl and Rick discussed the day's events, their serious expressions making her roll her eyes.
"Why does everyone have to be so gloomy?" she muttered to one of her zombies. "We survived, didn't we?"
The zombie growled softly, tilting its head.
"Exactly," Jenna said, nodding. "They should be thanking me for keeping things interesting."
Carl approached, his sword sheathed but his expression as serious as ever. "Get some rest. We're moving at first light."
Jenna yawned, stretching dramatically. "Fine, but only because you asked so nicely."
---
POV: Kane
Kane stood at the edge of the forest, his sharp eyes fixed on the faint glow of the group's campfire in the distance. The pieces were falling into place, and he was content to let them think they were in control.
"Soon," Kane murmured, his smile widening. "Very soon."