The growls grew louder, reverberating through the trees and filling the cabin with a palpable sense of dread. Jacob's heart raced as he turned to face his friends, determination etched on his features. "We need to stay calm and stick together," he urged, gripping the axe tightly. "We can do this."
Marcus nodded, his eyes narrowed with focus. "Everyone, grab your weapons and get ready. If they break through, we fight."
Gina picked up a heavy flashlight, the beam cutting through the darkness. "I'll take the back window. If they try to come in that way, I'll let you know."
"Good thinking," Jacob replied, appreciating her quick thinking. "Alex, stay close to the door with me. We'll hold the front."
Alex nodded, gripping the butcher knife tightly, the blade glinting in the dim light. "I'm ready. Let's make sure they regret coming here."
As the group took their positions, Jacob's pulse quickened. The growls were closer now, the infected relentless in their pursuit. He could feel the weight of their situation pressing down on him, the reality of their survival ever-present.
The first crash came suddenly, reverberating through the cabin as the infected slammed against the door. Jacob jumped, instinctively tightening his grip on the axe. "Here they come!" he shouted.
The door shuddered again, the sound echoing like thunder through the small space. Jacob exchanged a worried glance with Alex, who looked equally tense.
"Keep your eyes peeled!" Marcus called from the back, watching the window. "They're not far behind!"
The door groaned under the weight of the infected, and Jacob felt a surge of adrenaline. "Get ready! On my count!"
"Now!" Jacob yelled as the door burst open, splintering wood flying across the room. The infected stumbled into the cabin, their grotesque faces twisted in hunger.
Jacob swung the axe, narrowly missing one as it lunged for him. He felt the rush of air as the blade sliced through the air, and he quickly followed up with another strike, this time catching the infected in the shoulder. It let out a shriek, stumbling back.
"Watch out!" Alex shouted, lunging forward to stab another infected that had come too close. The knife plunged deep into its chest, and the creature fell to the ground.
"Keep fighting!" Jacob urged, adrenaline coursing through him. "Don't let them overwhelm us!"
The cabin erupted into chaos, the air thick with the sounds of growls and desperate shouts. Jacob swung the axe with all his might, every strike fueled by the instinct to protect his friends. He could feel the sweat pouring down his brow, the exertion almost overwhelming.
Gina's flashlight beam danced wildly as she aimed it toward the window, illuminating another wave of infected closing in. "They're coming from all sides!" she yelled, panic creeping into her voice.
"Stay focused!" Jacob shouted, his voice breaking through the noise. "We can't let them in!"
Marcus moved swiftly to the back, fending off any infected that approached. He swung a heavy metal pipe, connecting with one of the creatures and sending it sprawling backward.
"We need to push them back!" Marcus urged, adrenaline fueling his movements. "If we can create some space, we can regroup!"
"Let's move!" Jacob yelled, leading the charge as they pushed toward the door. He swung the axe, clearing a path as they fought to regain control of their space.
The infected were relentless, a tide of flesh and decay that seemed never-ending. Jacob felt his muscles burn as he fought, but the thought of his friends kept him going. They had come too far to give up now.
"Here!" Gina shouted, throwing a heavy chair toward the door. It collided with an infected, knocking it off balance and giving them a momentary reprieve.
"Good job!" Jacob called out, taking advantage of the opening to strike again. He swung the axe, feeling the satisfying thud as it connected with another creature.
But even as they fought, Jacob could see more infected appearing at the edges of the clearing, drawn by the sounds of chaos. The situation was growing dire, and he felt a cold knot of fear settle in his stomach.
"We can't hold them off forever!" Alex yelled, breathless as they fought back to back with Jacob. "What do we do?"
"Retreat to the kitchen!" Jacob shouted. "It's smaller, and we can defend it more easily!"
As they moved, Jacob felt the weight of the axe in his hands, the familiar comfort turning into a burden. They made their way to the kitchen, shoving furniture in front of the door to create a barricade.
"Get the knives and anything sharp!" Jacob ordered, as they gathered supplies. "We'll need every weapon we can find."
In the cramped kitchen, they quickly armed themselves, adrenaline fueling their movements. Jacob glanced around at his friends, determination mixed with fear in their eyes. They were in this together, and he couldn't let them down.
"They're coming!" Gina shouted, her voice a mix of fear and resolve.
As the infected pressed against the barricade, Jacob felt the cabin shake under their weight. He gritted his teeth, readying himself for the fight ahead. "We need to hold them off for as long as we can. No matter what, we protect each other."
Just as he finished speaking, the barricade shuddered, and Jacob could feel the door creaking under the pressure. He braced himself, axe ready, as the infected pushed against the wood, growls echoing through the cabin.
"Here they come!" Marcus shouted, gripping his pipe tightly. "Stay strong!"
As the door burst open, a surge of infected poured into the kitchen, and Jacob swung the axe with all his might. The chaos erupted once more, and he fought with everything he had, determined to protect his friends.
In that moment, surrounded by darkness and despair, Jacob felt a flicker of hope ignite within him. They were alive, still fighting, and together they would face whatever shadows lay ahead.