POV: Rick
Rick sat on the edge of the makeshift camp, sharpening his knife as the rest of the group settled down for the night. The battle had taken its toll—everyone was bruised, exhausted, and on edge. But they'd survived, and that was what mattered.
Or so he told himself.
"They're getting smarter," Sarah said quietly, sitting down beside him. Her voice was steady, but the tension in her posture betrayed her unease. "Those mutants weren't just attacking—they were coordinating."
Rick nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Kane's testing us. Pushing our limits."
"And we're barely holding," Sarah muttered, running a hand through her hair. "What happens when we can't?"
Rick didn't answer. He didn't have to.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna sprawled out on her favorite patch of grass, staring up at the stars. Her zombie gang was huddled nearby, growling softly as they poked at the remains of a mutant claw Jenna had decided to keep as a souvenir.
"You know," she said, addressing the gang, "I think we did pretty well out there. I mean, sure, we almost died. But we didn't. So… win?"
The zombies groaned in unison, and Jenna nodded. "Exactly. Plus, we got some cool stuff." She gestured to the small pile of supplies she'd stashed in her portal during the fight. "Look at this haul. Snacks, ammo, mutant claw—what more could a girl ask for?"
Carl, sitting nearby with his sword resting on his lap, let out a long-suffering sigh. "Do you ever stop talking?"
"Do you ever stop brooding?" Jenna shot back with a grin. "Seriously, you're like a walking storm cloud."
Carl didn't respond, his focus on sharpening his sword. Jenna rolled her eyes and turned back to her gang. "Don't mind him, guys. He's just mad because I'm the real MVP."
---
POV: Kane
Kane stood in the shadows, watching the camp from a distance. His controlled zombies were hidden among the trees, their glowing veins pulsing faintly in the darkness.
"They're resting," Theo said, his voice low. "Should we move now?"
Kane shook his head. "Not yet. Let them feel safe. The fear is more effective when it's unexpected."
Theo hesitated. "They're stronger than we thought. Jenna, especially."
Kane's smile was faint but sharp. "Strength can be a weakness. She's reckless, impulsive. It won't take much to make her stumble."
---
POV: Rick
The night passed uneventfully, but Rick couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. As the first rays of sunlight broke through the trees, he roused the group.
"Time to move," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We're too exposed here."
The others groaned but complied, packing up their gear with weary movements. Jenna, of course, made a show of her reluctance.
"Do we have to?" she whined, dragging herself to her feet. "I was just starting to get comfortable."
"Unless you want to be mutant breakfast, yes," Rick replied curtly.
Jenna sighed dramatically. "Fine. But I'm taking my mutant claw."
---
POV: Jenna
As the group set off, Jenna found herself walking beside Carl. She twirled her crowbar like a baton, her usual grin plastered on her face.
"So," she began, "what's the plan? Keep wandering until something tries to kill us again?"
"Pretty much," Carl replied without looking at her.
"Great. Love the strategy," Jenna said dryly. She glanced at her zombie gang, who were trailing behind her like a parade of misfit toys. "At least we've got moral support."
Carl let out a soft chuckle, and Jenna's eyes widened. "Was that a laugh? Did Carl the Brooding Zombie just laugh?"
"Don't push your luck," Carl muttered, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone.
---
POV: Rick
Rick led the group through the forest, his knife in hand as he scanned the surroundings. The tension from the previous day lingered, and every rustle of leaves put him on edge.
"We're being followed," Sarah whispered, falling into step beside him.
Rick nodded. He'd sensed it too. "Kane."
"What do we do?"
Rick's jaw tightened. "Keep moving. If he wants us, he'll have to come to us."
---
POV: Kane
Kane watched as the group disappeared into the trees, his expression thoughtful. They were holding together better than he'd expected, but the cracks were there.
"They're close to breaking," he said quietly. "One more push."
Theo frowned. "And if they don't?"
Kane's smile was cold. "Then we make them."