POV: Rick
The summit felt safer, but Rick's instincts told him otherwise. He stood at the edge, his eyes scanning the forest below. It was too quiet, too still, and Rick had been in enough battles to know what that meant.
"They're out there," he muttered, gripping his knife tightly.
Sarah approached, her brow furrowed. "You think they're waiting?"
Rick nodded. "Kane's patient. He's watching, waiting for us to make a mistake."
Sarah's jaw tightened. "So what do we do?"
Rick didn't answer immediately. His gaze shifted to the rest of the group. "We make sure we're ready when he does."
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna was sprawled out on the ground, her zombie gang gathered around her. They were sniffing at the air, their low growls making her uneasy.
"Guys, chill," she said, patting one of them on the head. "You're making me nervous."
Carl, sharpening his sword nearby, glanced at her. "They're sensing something."
Jenna sat up, frowning. "Like what? Mutants? Controlled zombies? A really big bear?"
Carl didn't respond, his focus back on his blade. Jenna sighed, her fingers drumming against her crowbar. "You're not exactly a font of information, you know that?"
"Focus," Carl said, his tone clipped.
"On what?" Jenna retorted. "The overwhelming sense of impending doom?"
Carl shot her a look, and Jenna grinned despite herself. "Relax, I've got this."
---
POV: Kane
Kane stood at the base of the hill, his sharp eyes fixed on the summit. His controlled zombies were in position, their glowing veins blending with the shadows.
"They're boxed in," Theo said, his voice laced with satisfaction. "They can't run."
Kane nodded slowly. "Good. Let them sit with that fear. It'll make the strike more effective."
---
POV: Rick
Rick gathered the group in a loose circle, his tone firm but calm as he addressed them. "We're surrounded. Kane's not attacking yet, but he will. We need to be ready."
"Ready how?" Sarah asked, her grip tightening on her crowbar. "We're outnumbered, outarmed, and exhausted."
Rick didn't flinch. "We've faced worse. Use what we have. Traps, terrain, anything that gives us an edge."
Jenna raised her hand. "Quick question—does sarcasm count as a weapon? Because I've got plenty of that."
Rick shot her a look, and Jenna shrugged. "Worth a shot."
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna crouched near the edge of the summit, her crowbar resting against her shoulder as she peered into the forest below. Her zombie gang was restless, their glowing eyes darting between the shadows.
"Okay, guys," she said softly. "If we're going down, we're going down swinging."
One of her zombies growled, tilting its head as if to say, We always do.
Jenna smirked, patting it on the head. "That's the spirit."
Carl appeared beside her, his sword gleaming faintly in the dim light. "They're moving."
Jenna tensed, her fingers tightening around her crowbar. "How do you know?"
"Instinct," Carl replied, his gaze never leaving the forest. "They're closing in."
---
POV: Kane
Kane watched as his controlled zombies began their advance, their movements slow and deliberate. They were methodical, surrounding the summit with precision.
"They're running out of time," Theo said, his tone confident.
Kane's smile widened slightly. "And options."
---
POV: Rick
The first attack came suddenly, a controlled zombie lunging from the shadows. Rick reacted instantly, his knife flashing as he took it down. "They're here!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.
The group moved into formation, their weapons raised as more controlled zombies emerged from the forest. The air was filled with snarls and the clash of metal against flesh.
"Hold your positions!" Rick barked, slashing at another attacker. "Don't let them through!"
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna swung her crowbar with all her strength, knocking a zombie back with a satisfying thud. "Why is it always us?" she shouted, dodging another attack. "Do we have a magnet for trouble or something?"
Carl was beside her, his sword cutting through the attackers with precision. "Focus, Jenna."
"I am focused!" Jenna retorted, slamming her crowbar into another zombie. "Focused on not dying!"
Her zombie gang lunged at the attackers, their growls turning into feral snarls. Jenna couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. "That's it, team! Show them what we're made of!"
---
POV: Kane
Kane stood at a distance, his expression calm as he watched the battle unfold. The group was holding their ground, but it was clear they were struggling.
"They're resilient," Theo admitted, though his tone was begrudging. "Stronger than expected."
Kane nodded, his gaze fixed on Jenna. "Strength doesn't matter if they're outnumbered. And they are."
---
POV: Rick
Rick's muscles burned as he fought, his knife sinking into yet another controlled zombie. The group was battered, but they were holding.
"Jenna!" he shouted, his voice sharp. "Your portal—now!"
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna groaned, sweat dripping down her face as she activated her portal. Several zombies disappeared into the glowing void, their snarls abruptly silenced.
"Ha!" Jenna shouted, a triumphant grin spreading across her face. "Take that, you glow-in-the-dark freaks!"
Her victory was short-lived as another wave of zombies surged forward. Jenna's grin faltered. "Oh, come on! This isn't fair!"