POV: Rick
The forest had gone silent again, the sounds of battle fading into an eerie stillness. Rick stood in the middle of the clearing, his knife dripping with blood. Around him, the group was catching their breath, their faces pale and drawn.
"They're retreating," Sarah said, her voice trembling as she scanned the tree line. "Why are they retreating?"
Rick's jaw tightened. "It's not a retreat. It's a regroup."
The group exchanged uneasy glances, their exhaustion evident. They'd survived the ambush, but it had taken a toll. Supplies were low, morale was lower, and the constant pressure was starting to crack their unity.
"We need to move," Rick said, his voice firm despite the heaviness in the air. "Now."
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna was slumped against a tree, her crowbar resting on her lap. Her arms felt like jelly, and her legs weren't much better.
"Can we not?" she asked, looking up at Rick. "Just for five minutes? I think I'm dying."
"You're already dead," Carl said dryly, walking past her with his sword at the ready.
"Wow. Thanks for the pep talk," Jenna muttered, pushing herself to her feet. Her zombie gang gathered around her, their growls softer than usual. Jenna patted one on the head. "You guys are real troopers, you know that?"
Carl glanced back at her, his expression unreadable. "Stay close."
"Don't I always?" Jenna quipped, though the weariness in her voice dulled the humor.
---
POV: Kane
Kane watched the group from a distance, his sharp eyes following their every move. His controlled zombies stood silently behind him, their glowing veins casting faint shadows in the dim light.
"They're weakening," Theo said, his voice low. "Another push, and they'll break."
"Not yet," Kane replied, his tone calm but firm. "They need to feel safe first. Let them think they've escaped."
Theo hesitated. "And if they recover?"
Kane's smile was cold. "They won't."
---
POV: Rick
The group pressed on through the forest, their movements sluggish and uncoordinated. Rick could feel the tension growing, the weight of exhaustion and fear threatening to pull them apart.
"We need a plan," Sarah said quietly, falling into step beside him. "A real plan. We can't keep running forever."
"I know," Rick replied, his voice heavy. "But right now, survival is the only plan we have."
Sarah frowned but didn't argue. She knew as well as he did that their options were limited.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna trudged along at the back of the group, her zombie gang trailing behind her like tired puppies. Her usual grin was gone, replaced by a look of frustration.
"This sucks," she muttered, kicking a rock. "I didn't sign up for this."
Carl glanced at her, his brow furrowed. "What exactly did you sign up for?"
Jenna shrugged, her crowbar swinging idly at her side. "I don't know. Less running, more snacks?"
Carl shook his head, muttering something about misplaced priorities. Jenna grinned despite herself. "Admit it—you'd miss me if I wasn't here."
"Focus," Carl said, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice.
---
POV: Kane
Kane's controlled zombies moved silently through the forest, their glowing veins barely visible in the dim light. Kane followed at a measured pace, his sharp eyes fixed on the trail left by the group.
"They're heading for the ridge," Theo reported, his tone cautious.
"Good," Kane replied. "The terrain will slow them down. They'll have nowhere to run."
Theo hesitated. "And Jenna?"
Kane's expression darkened. "She'll fall. Just like the rest of them."
---
POV: Rick
The ridge loomed ahead, its steep incline promising a difficult climb. Rick didn't like it—it was too exposed, too vulnerable—but they didn't have a choice.
"We'll stop at the top," he said, his voice steady despite the unease in his gut. "It's defensible. And it gives us a view of the area."
The group nodded, though their exhaustion was evident. Rick led the way, his knife in hand as he scanned the forest for any signs of movement.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna stared up at the ridge, her shoulders slumping. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Keep moving," Carl said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Jenna groaned but started climbing, her zombie gang following close behind. "I hate this. I hate this so much."
Carl smirked faintly, his expression softening. "You're still talking, so it can't be that bad."
"Don't test me," Jenna muttered, though a small smile tugged at her lips.
---
POV: Kane
Kane stood at the base of the ridge, his gaze fixed on the group as they climbed. His controlled zombies waited silently, their glowing veins pulsing faintly in the dim light.
"They're cornering themselves," Theo said, his tone laced with satisfaction.
"Exactly," Kane replied, his smile sharp. "And when they reach the top, we'll finish this."