The wreckage of the ship was an unrelenting maze of shadows and debris, each step forcing Zack and his group to move cautiously. The glow of moss on the walls provided faint light, but it wasn't enough to ease the tension that had settled over them.
"This place is too quiet," Josh muttered, gripping his crowbar tightly.
"Keep your eyes open," Zack replied, his voice steady but firm.
Jess didn't say anything. She kept close to Zack, the kitchen knife clutched in her hand, her eyes darting nervously between the broken walls and twisted beams.
The attack came without warning.
A blur of movement shot out from the shadows, slamming into Zack with enough force to knock him back. He barely had time to react before another figure lunged toward Jess.
"Zombies!" Josh yelled, swinging his crowbar at a creature rushing him.
Zack rolled to his feet, the jagged pole in his hands as the first zombie lunged at him again. Its glowing veins pulsed with eerie light, its movements jerky but terrifyingly fast.
He sidestepped and drove the pole into its chest, the sharp end piercing through with a sickening squelch. The creature snarled, its glowing eyes locking onto him even as it collapsed to the ground.
Another zombie charged at him from the side, its claws swiping wildly. Zack ducked, swinging the pole in a wide arc. The jagged end caught the creature in the head, the force of the blow sending it crumpling to the floor.
But there wasn't time to celebrate.
A guttural roar echoed through the corridor, and Zack turned to see the hulking zombie emerge from the shadows. Its massive, hunched frame made it tower over the others, and its glowing veins pulsed brighter with every step it took.
"Zack!" Jess called out, her voice strained as she fended off a smaller zombie.
"I see it!" Zack shouted, tightening his grip on the pole.
The massive zombie swung one of its long arms, the sheer force of the blow sending debris flying as Zack barely managed to dodge. He countered with a thrust of his pole, aiming for its chest, but the creature batted the weapon away with ease.
This wasn't like the others. Its movements were slower but deliberate, its strength far surpassing anything Zack had encountered before.
It swung again, and this time Zack used the pole to block, the impact reverberating through his arms. Gritting his teeth, he planted his feet and pushed back, his body surging with adrenaline as he forced the creature to stumble.
"Come on!" Zack growled, his voice filled with determination.
He swung the pole in a wide arc, catching the zombie in the side of the head. The creature roared, its glowing veins flaring brighter as it turned back toward him.
Meanwhile, Jess was locked in a desperate fight with one of the smaller zombies. The creature clawed at her, its glowing eyes unblinking as it pressed closer. She slashed at its arm, cutting deep, but it didn't seem to slow down.
Josh swung his crowbar at another zombie, the blow connecting with a sickening crack. The creature crumpled to the ground, but Josh didn't stop, slamming the weapon down again to ensure it stayed down.
"Jess!" Josh shouted, turning toward her.
Jess screamed as the zombie lunged at her, its glowing teeth sinking into her arm. She stabbed it in the neck, pushing it off, but the damage was done.
Josh rushed to her side, his eyes widening as he saw the bite wound. The edges of the wound glowed faintly, the blue light spreading slowly up her arm like cracks in glass.
"Jess, your arm—"
"I know!" Jess yelled, clutching her arm as tears welled in her eyes.
Zack's fight with the hulking zombie reached its peak. The creature swung wildly, its massive arms smashing into walls and sending sparks flying from exposed metal. Zack ducked and weaved, using his newfound strength to stay one step ahead.
With a roar, Zack thrust the jagged pole forward, the sharp end piercing the creature's chest. The zombie snarled, its glowing veins flaring brighter as it grabbed at the weapon.
"Not this time," Zack muttered, planting his foot against the creature and pulling the pole free.
The massive zombie staggered, but it wasn't down yet. Zack readied himself for another strike, his muscles burning with exertion but his resolve unwavering.
"Zack, we need you!" Josh shouted, his voice desperate.
Zack glanced back, his eyes landing on Jess and the ominous glow spreading up her arm. The sight sent a surge of anger and determination through him.
"Hold on!" Zack yelled, turning back to the hulking zombie for one final attack.