POV: Jenna
The "guest quarters" turned out to be a repurposed shipping container, complete with bunk beds and a single flickering lightbulb. Jenna stepped inside, wrinkling her nose at the faint smell of rust and damp. Her zombie gang shuffled in behind her, growling softly as they sniffed the air.
"Well, it's no five-star hotel," Jenna said, plopping down on the nearest bunk. "But at least it's not a hole in the ground. Progress!"
Carl leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed. "Try to take this seriously."
Jenna grinned up at him. "Oh, I'm serious. Serious about appreciating the finer things in life. Like not sleeping in a cave."
Rick walked in next, his expression grim. "This isn't a vacation. We're here because they think we might be useful. If we prove otherwise, we're out."
"Yeah, yeah," Jenna said, waving a hand. "Play nice, don't cause trouble, save the world. Got it."
---
POV: Rick
Rick sat down on a crate, rubbing his temples. The meeting with the council had gone better than he'd expected, but the tension in the air was impossible to ignore. Haven was a well-organized settlement, but its people were on edge. The apocalypse had left everyone raw, suspicious, and desperate.
"We need to tread carefully," Rick said, his tone low. "They're giving us a chance, but that's it. A single chance."
Sarah dropped her crowbar onto the floor, flopping onto a bunk. "No pressure, huh?"
Rick ignored her sarcasm, glancing at Carl. "You and I will work on convincing them we're an asset. Jenna…"
"Will behave," Carl interrupted, giving her a pointed look.
Jenna raised her hands in mock surrender. "Scout's honor."
Rick didn't look convinced, but he didn't argue. "Good. Because if this goes south, we're not going to have a second chance."
---
POV: Sarah
Sarah rolled onto her side, watching the group through half-lidded eyes. "So what's the plan, exactly? Share what we know, hope they believe us, and then… what? Fight some glowing alien rock together?"
Rick's jaw tightened. "One step at a time. First, we establish trust. Then, we figure out how to deal with what's left of the stone."
"And if they decide they don't trust us?" Sarah asked.
Rick's silence was answer enough.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna swung her legs over the edge of the bunk, her grin fading slightly. "Look, I get that we're not exactly everyone's first pick for the apocalypse dream team. But we've got something they don't."
"Which is?" Rick asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Me," Jenna said simply, motioning to her glowing-eyed zombie gang. "I mean, come on. Who else has a pet undead army and a magical hoarding portal? We're a walking miracle."
Carl sighed, rubbing his temples. "She's not wrong."
"See?" Jenna said, pointing at him. "Carl gets it."
Rick shook his head, but there was a faint twitch at the corner of his mouth. "Just… don't do anything to prove them right about their doubts."
"Cross my heart," Jenna said, miming the gesture. "I'll be a model citizen."
---
POV: Mara
Outside the shipping container, Mara leaned against the wall, her arms crossed as she listened to the muffled voices inside. The zombie girl—Jenna—was unlike anything she'd ever seen. Intelligent undead were rare, but one with a sense of humor and a penchant for hoarding? That was new.
Mara's gaze flicked to the armed guards patrolling the settlement's perimeter. Haven was strong, but it wasn't invincible. If the newcomers were telling the truth about the stone, they couldn't afford to ignore it. But trusting them was a gamble, and Mara hated gambles.
"They're trouble," a voice said behind her.
Mara turned to see Finn, the burly man from her patrol, his shotgun slung over one shoulder. "Maybe," she admitted. "But they might also be our best shot at surviving whatever's coming."
Finn grunted, clearly unimpressed. "If that zombie girl steps out of line, I won't hesitate."
Mara nodded. "Neither will I."
---
POV: Carl
Later that night, Carl sat near the container's door, his sword resting on his lap. Jenna's zombie gang had settled in a loose circle around her, their glowing eyes dim in the faint light. Rick and Sarah were asleep, their breaths even and steady.
Carl glanced at Jenna, who was leaning against the wall, her eyes half-closed. "You alright?"
Jenna opened one eye, smirking. "Aw, Carl. Are you worried about me?"
Carl didn't respond, his gaze steady. Jenna sighed, sitting up straighter. "I'm fine. Tired, sore, and a little sick of being stared at like a science experiment, but fine."
"You're doing better than most would," Carl said quietly.
Jenna tilted her head, studying him. "Is that your version of a compliment? Because I'll take it."
Carl shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Just get some rest."
"Only if you promise to lighten up," Jenna said, leaning back with a yawn. "We can't have two grumpy leaders in this group."
Carl didn't answer, but the faint twitch of his lips was enough to make Jenna smile as she drifted off to sleep.
---
POV: Mara
From her vantage point in the shadows, Mara watched the interaction between Carl and Jenna, her mind racing. The group was an odd mix, but there was something about them—something that made her want to believe their story.
"Let's hope you're as good as you say you are," Mara muttered under her breath before turning and walking away.