POV: Rick
The morning light brought no relief. The forest remained oppressive, its gnarled branches like claws scratching at the sky. Rick led the group with steady determination, but his instincts screamed at him with every step.
"We should take a different route," Sarah whispered, her eyes darting around nervously.
Rick shook his head. "Too late for that. If Kane's been following us, he's already planned for every path we could take. We stick to the plan and stay alert."
Sarah frowned but didn't argue. The weight of exhaustion and fear hung heavy on all of them.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna wasn't exactly enjoying the hike. Her boots squished uncomfortably with every step, and her crowbar felt heavier than usual.
"Do we even know where we're going?" she asked, breaking the tense silence. "Because I feel like we're walking in circles."
Carl, as usual, didn't answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at her zombie gang, who were lumbering along behind her like loyal, albeit clumsy, puppies. "They're quieter than usual."
Jenna tilted her head, listening to her gang's subdued groans. "Huh. You're right. Maybe they're tired?"
Carl sighed. "Zombies don't get tired. Something's wrong."
Jenna blinked, her usual grin faltering. "Oh. Well, that's… not great."
---
POV: Kane
From his vantage point, Kane watched as the group approached the clearing ahead. The terrain had been carefully chosen—narrow paths, uneven ground, and plenty of cover for his controlled zombies. It was the perfect ambush site.
"They're walking right into it," Theo said, his tone both impressed and uneasy.
"As they should," Kane replied. "Fear is a powerful tool. Let's see how they handle it."
---
POV: Jenna
The clearing ahead felt like a trap. Jenna didn't need Carl or Rick to tell her that—her zombie instincts were screaming at her to turn back. But the group pressed on, and Jenna followed reluctantly.
As they stepped into the open space, the air seemed to shift. The forest grew unnaturally quiet, and even her zombie gang stopped growling.
"Uh, guys?" Jenna said, her voice hesitant. "I think we're in trouble."
The first attack came from the trees—a mutant zombie leaping down with a feral snarl. It landed between Jenna and her gang, its glowing veins pulsing ominously.
"Well, that's new," Jenna muttered, gripping her crowbar tightly. "Carl, any tips?"
"Don't die," Carl replied, drawing his sword.
"Great advice," Jenna deadpanned.
---
POV: Rick
Rick was already moving, his knife flashing as another mutant lunged from the shadows. The ambush was perfectly coordinated, the mutants attacking from all sides in a relentless wave.
"Form a circle!" Rick shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Protect the weak points!"
The group scrambled to follow his orders, but the mutants were faster, stronger, and disturbingly organized.
"Jenna, your space ability—now!" Rick barked.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna hesitated, her crowbar frozen mid-swing. Using her portal was always a gamble—she couldn't guarantee it would work under pressure.
"Any day now!" Rick snapped, fending off a mutant with his knife.
"Alright, alright, keep your pants on!" Jenna retorted, focusing on the nearest mutant. With a flick of her wrist, the creature disappeared into her portal, its startled snarl cut short.
Jenna grinned. "Ha! One down, a million to go."
Her confidence wavered as another mutant charged her, its glowing claws slashing through the air. Jenna barely dodged, stumbling back with a yelp. Her zombie gang rushed to her aid, tackling the mutant to the ground.
"Good boys!" Jenna shouted. "I'll get you all treats later!"
---
POV: Kane
Kane's smile widened as he watched the battle unfold. Jenna's group was holding their own, but the cracks were showing. They were outnumbered, outmaneuvered, and growing more desperate with each passing second.
"She's unpredictable," Theo said, his gaze fixed on Jenna. "That space ability of hers… it's a problem."
"It's a solution," Kane replied cryptically. "All we need is the right pressure point."
---
POV: Rick
Rick's muscles burned as he fought, his knife sinking into yet another mutant. The clearing was chaos, but they were starting to push back.
"Hold the line!" he shouted, his voice hoarse. "Don't let them break through!"
Sarah was beside him, her movements quick and efficient as she took down a mutant with her crowbar. "We can't keep this up forever, Rick!"
"We don't have to," Rick replied, his eyes scanning the battlefield. "Just long enough to get out of here."
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna was starting to regret her decision to join this fight. The mutants just kept coming, and her arms felt like they were about to fall off.
"Seriously, where do these guys keep coming from?" she shouted, swinging her crowbar at another attacker. "Is there a mutant factory somewhere?"
Carl appeared beside her, his sword slicing through two mutants in one fluid motion. "Focus, Jenna."
"I am focused," she shot back. "Focused on not dying!"
Despite the chaos, Jenna couldn't help but notice the small, almost imperceptible smile on Carl's face. For some reason, it made her feel a little better.
---
POV: Kane
Kane's expression darkened as the group began to retreat, their movements slow but deliberate. They were battered, but not broken.
"They're learning," Theo said, his tone laced with grudging respect.
"They're surviving," Kane corrected. "For now."