POV: Jenna
The morning sun filtered through the trees as Jenna shuffled along at the back of the group, her zombie gang following close behind. Every step felt like a monumental effort, but she refused to let anyone see how drained she truly was.
"Well, that was fun," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Nothing like a near-death experience to start the day."
Carl, walking beside her, didn't bother responding. His sword was still in hand, its blade streaked with dried blood. Jenna glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "You know, Carl, you could try lightening up a little. Maybe crack a joke or two."
Carl gave her a sidelong look. "I'll work on that."
"Wow," Jenna said, grinning. "Was that sarcasm? I'm so proud of you."
---
POV: Rick
Rick led the group through the dense forest, his knife at the ready. The battle had taken its toll on all of them, but the sense of urgency hadn't lessened. Kane's cryptic warning about the stone was still fresh in his mind, a dark cloud hanging over their hard-won victory.
"We need to find shelter soon," he said, glancing back at Sarah. "Somewhere we can regroup."
"Yeah, because wandering around like sitting ducks is working out so well for us," Sarah muttered, her grip tight on her crowbar.
Rick ignored the comment, his focus on the path ahead. The forest was eerily quiet, the usual sounds of wildlife replaced by an unsettling stillness. "Stay alert," he said, his voice low. "Something's not right."
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna perked up at Rick's warning, her eyes darting around the trees. "Not right how? Like, mutant bear not right? Or 'we're about to walk into another ambush' not right?"
Rick didn't answer, his expression grim. Jenna sighed, gripping her crowbar tightly. "Great. More surprises. Just what we needed."
Her zombie gang growled softly, their glowing eyes scanning the shadows. Jenna patted one of them on the head. "Relax, guys. We've got this. Probably."
---
POV: Kane
Far beneath the earth, the stone pulsed again, its light growing brighter. The energy radiating from it seeped into the surrounding soil, spreading like veins through a living body. Something was awakening.
---
POV: Sarah
The group came to a halt in a small clearing, the tension palpable. Sarah set her crowbar down, leaning against a tree as she caught her breath. "So, what's the plan?" she asked, glancing at Rick.
Rick crouched down, examining the map they'd scavenged from a nearby base. "There's an old bunker about two miles from here. If it's intact, it might be a good place to lay low."
"And if it's not?" Sarah asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Then we move on," Rick replied simply.
Sarah shook her head. "Great. Love how everything's just 'move on' these days."
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna plopped down on the ground, her zombie gang forming a loose circle around her. She reached into her portal, rummaging around until she found a slightly squished bag of chips.
"Snack time," she announced, ripping the bag open. "Anyone want some?"
Carl shot her a look. "You're eating?"
"Gotta keep my strength up," Jenna replied, munching on a chip. "You know, for all the inevitable doom that's probably headed our way."
Carl sighed, muttering something under his breath. Jenna grinned. "Come on, Carl. Live a little. You can't fight on an empty stomach."
---
POV: Rick
Rick glanced at Jenna, his frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. "Can you take this seriously for once?"
Jenna raised an eyebrow, her grin fading slightly. "I am taking it seriously. But if I don't laugh about it, I'll just cry. And nobody wants to see that."
Rick didn't respond, turning his attention back to the map. Jenna sighed, leaning back against a tree. "Tough crowd."
---
POV: Kane
The stone's light flared, a pulse of energy rippling outward. Far above, the ground trembled faintly, a warning of what was to come.
---
POV: Jenna
The faint tremor made Jenna sit up, her snack forgotten. "Uh, did anyone else feel that?" she asked, glancing around.
Rick tensed, his knife in hand. "Everyone, stay close."
The group moved into a defensive position, their weapons at the ready. Jenna's zombie gang growled, their glowing eyes fixed on the ground.
"What now?" Jenna muttered, gripping her crowbar. "Please don't be another mutant bear. I can't deal with more bears."