POV: Rick
The riverbank provided little comfort, but it was better than nothing. Rick sat with his back to a rock, his knife in hand as he scanned the surrounding forest. The sound of rushing water masked any distant noises, leaving him on edge.
Sarah approached, handing him a water bottle. "You should drink."
Rick took it with a nod, though he didn't relax. "We're exposed here."
"I know," Sarah said quietly, sitting beside him. "But people are running on fumes. If we don't stop, we'll collapse before Kane even has to strike."
Rick sighed, taking a sip from the bottle. She was right, of course. But knowing that didn't make him feel any better.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna sat cross-legged near the river, watching her zombie gang attempt to catch fish with their bare hands. It was, predictably, a disaster.
"Guys, you're zombies, not fishermen," she called, shaking her head. "Leave the fish alone."
One of the zombies groaned in protest, holding up a handful of weeds as if to say, I tried.
Jenna chuckled, leaning back on her hands. "A for effort, I guess."
Carl was sitting a few feet away, sharpening his sword with the same focused intensity he always had. Jenna tilted her head, watching him for a moment before speaking. "Do you ever take a break?"
"This is my break," Carl replied without looking up.
"Wow. You're a riot at parties, aren't you?" Jenna said with a grin.
Carl finally glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "Why do you talk so much?"
Jenna shrugged. "I'm trying to make the apocalypse a little less depressing. You should try it sometime."
Carl didn't respond, but Jenna thought she saw the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes.
---
POV: Kane
Kane stood at the edge of the forest, his controlled zombies hidden among the trees. He could see the group by the river, their movements slow and tired.
"They're resting," Theo said, his voice low. "Should we move?"
"Not yet," Kane replied, his gaze fixed on Jenna. "Let them think they're safe. The longer they rest, the weaker they'll be when we strike."
Theo hesitated. "And Jenna?"
Kane's expression darkened. "She's reckless. That will be her downfall."
---
POV: Rick
Rick was on his feet the moment he heard the first snap of a twig. His knife was in his hand, his eyes scanning the forest for the source of the sound.
"Everyone up!" he barked, his voice sharp. "We're not alone."
The group scrambled to their feet, weapons drawn as they formed a defensive circle. Jenna stood beside Carl, her crowbar in hand and her usual grin replaced by a nervous frown.
"Great," she muttered. "I was just starting to relax."
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna's heart pounded as she scanned the trees, her zombie instincts screaming at her that something was very, very wrong.
"Carl," she whispered, glancing at him. "Do you see anything?"
Carl's grip on his sword tightened. "Not yet. But they're here."
"Fantastic," Jenna muttered, gripping her crowbar tightly. "Why can't we ever get a break?"
The first attack came from the shadows—a controlled zombie lunging at them with eerie precision. Jenna swung her crowbar instinctively, the metallic clang echoing in the air as she knocked the creature back.
"Here we go again," she muttered, her voice tinged with both annoyance and fear.
---
POV: Rick
The battle erupted in a blur of snarls and flashing weapons. Rick moved with practiced efficiency, his knife slashing through one controlled zombie after another. But for every one they took down, two more seemed to appear.
"Hold the line!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Don't let them surround us!"
Sarah was fighting beside him, her movements quick and precise. "This isn't just an ambush," she shouted over the noise. "This is a message."
Rick didn't respond, his focus entirely on the fight. But Sarah was right. Kane wasn't just attacking—he was making a point.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna swung her crowbar with all her strength, the impact sending a controlled zombie sprawling. "Is it just me, or are these guys getting stronger?" she shouted.
"It's not just you," Carl replied, slicing through another attacker. "Stay focused."
"I am focused!" Jenna retorted, dodging a swipe from a mutant. "Focused on not dying!"
Her zombie gang joined the fight, their growls turning into feral snarls as they tore into the attackers. Jenna couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. "Good job, guys! You're getting extra head pats after this!"
---
POV: Kane
Kane watched the battle from a distance, his expression calm but calculating. The group was holding their ground, but he could see the strain in their movements.
"They're resilient," Theo said, his tone grudgingly impressed.
"For now," Kane replied. "But resilience has its limits. And they're reaching theirs."
---
POV: Rick
The tide of the battle began to shift as the group fought with renewed determination. Rick slashed through another controlled zombie, his movements sharp and efficient.
"We're pushing them back!" Sarah shouted, her crowbar smashing into a mutant's skull. "I think we're winning!"
Rick didn't share her optimism. He could feel it in his gut—this wasn't the end. Kane was testing them, and this was only the beginning.
"Stay sharp," he said, his voice low. "It's not over yet."