POV: Jenna
Jenna sat cross-legged on the ground, surrounded by her zombie gang, who were busy growling softly as they poked at the remains of the glowing zombies she'd stashed in her space.
"You know," she began, twirling her crowbar like a baton, "I think we're finally getting the hang of this apocalypse thing."
Carl, standing nearby with his sword resting on his shoulder, raised an eyebrow. "You call that 'getting the hang of it'? We barely survived."
Jenna grinned. "And yet, here we are. Alive and fabulous."
Carl rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath about misplaced priorities. Jenna chose to ignore him, turning her attention back to her gang.
"Alright, team," she said, clapping her hands. "We've got a good haul here. Let's see what we can use."
The zombies tilted their heads, clearly not understanding a word she said, but Jenna nodded as if they had given her a brilliant response.
---
POV: Rick
Rick crouched near the edge of the clearing, his knife in hand as he studied the horizon. The group had moved quickly after the attack, but Kane's relentless pursuit was taking its toll.
"They're getting stronger," Sarah said quietly, standing beside him. "And Jenna… she's unpredictable. We can't keep relying on her to bail us out."
Rick nodded, his expression grim. "I know. But for now, she's all we've got."
"And Carl?" Sarah asked, her tone carefully neutral. "Do you trust him?"
Rick hesitated, his gaze shifting to where Carl stood with Jenna. The former soldier-turned-zombie was an enigma, his motivations unclear. But one thing was certain—he was dangerous.
"I don't trust anyone anymore," Rick admitted. "But if he keeps Jenna in line, that's good enough for now."
---
POV: Kane
Kane leaned against a tree, his expression calm as he observed his controlled zombies regrouping in the distance. The failed attack had given him valuable insights, but it wasn't enough.
"They're holding together better than expected," Theo said, standing beside him. "Jenna's space ability is a problem."
Kane nodded slowly. "It's a problem we can solve. She's reckless, impulsive. Push her hard enough, and she'll crack."
"And if she doesn't?" Theo asked.
Kane's smile was cold. "Then we find another way."
---
POV: Jenna
The group set off again, moving through the dense forest with cautious steps. Jenna trudged along at the back, her zombie gang trailing behind her like a parade of undead minions.
"You know," she said, turning to Carl, "I've been thinking."
"That's dangerous," Carl replied without missing a beat.
Jenna ignored him, continuing, "What if we just… stopped running? Built a fort, hoarded supplies, lived like kings and queens?"
Carl shot her a look. "And let Kane come to us?"
"Exactly," Jenna said, grinning. "Let him do the legwork for once."
Carl sighed, shaking his head. "You're impossible."
"And fabulous," Jenna added, swinging her crowbar dramatically. "Don't forget fabulous."
---
POV: Rick
Rick stopped abruptly, holding up a hand to signal the group. His sharp eyes scanned the area, his instincts screaming that something was wrong.
"Movement," he said quietly. "Two o'clock."
The group tensed, their weapons drawn as they prepared for another attack. But instead of mutants or zombies, a small group of humans emerged from the trees, their weapons raised.
"Hold it!" one of the newcomers shouted, a burly man with a rifle slung over his shoulder. "Who are you?"
Rick stepped forward, his knife visible but not threatening. "Survivors. Same as you."
The man's eyes narrowed. "Prove it."
"How do you prove you're not a zombie?" Jenna muttered, earning a sharp look from Rick.
"We're not here to fight," Rick said calmly. "We're just passing through."
The tension in the air was palpable, but after a long moment, the man lowered his rifle. "Fine. But don't try anything."
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna watched the interaction with mild interest, leaning on her crowbar as she eyed the newcomers. They looked tired, desperate. But more importantly, they had supplies.
"Friendly bunch," she muttered to Carl. "Think they'd share their snacks?"
Carl didn't respond, his focus on the humans as they exchanged tense introductions with Rick.
"Seriously, though," Jenna continued. "If this turns into a fight, can I keep their stuff?"
Carl shot her a warning look. "Not helping."
Jenna shrugged. "Just saying. Waste not, want not."
---
POV: Rick
Rick's conversation with the newcomers was interrupted by a distant growl, the sound sending chills down his spine. The humans tensed, their weapons snapping up as they scanned the forest.
"What the hell was that?" one of them muttered.
Rick didn't answer, his focus shifting to the shadows. The growl came again, louder this time, accompanied by the sound of snapping branches.
"We need to move," Rick said urgently. "Now."
The humans hesitated, their distrust evident, but the growing sound of approaching danger spurred them into action.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna jogged after the group, her zombie gang trailing behind her like loyal shadows. "Looks like we've got company," she said cheerfully, her crowbar swinging at her side.
Carl glared at her. "Take this seriously, Jenna."
"I am taking it seriously," Jenna replied, her grin widening. "Seriously enjoying the drama."
The growl grew louder, and Jenna's grin faded as a massive shape emerged from the trees. The creature was unlike anything they'd seen before—a twisted combination of mutant and plant, its glowing veins pulsing as vines writhed around its body.
"Okay," Jenna said, gripping her crowbar tightly. "That's new."