A few days ago, someone asked me what I missed the most from my life before the outbreak.

I hadn't really thought about it. Too busy trying to stay alive, I suppose.

I think I have the answer now.I miss the luxury of feeling safe.

The survivors that call this community their home still have that luxury.

The barricades and the guards towers keep them safe.

My job, the job of my brothers in arms, is to protect this sense of safety for them.

Day after day, we go out and risk our lives in order to bring back supplies.

But... we haven't had that much success, lately...

Lost in thoughts, I reach the Headquarters. It's eerily quiet outside, the chilly morning breeze creeping down the back of my neck, making me shiver.

I can't believe it's December again. How long have we been here..?

Soldier: Good morning, Cola!

Cola: Ah, good morning! Hey, have you seen anyone else from Jacob's unit perhaps? There's usually someone outside, but...

Soldier: Oh, they're in the conference room! Rumor has it that your team is being assigned a new mission.

Cola: I better hurry inside, then. Thanks!

Soldier: No problem, stay safe out there!

Curious about this new mission, I rush towards the conference room. Before I reach it, I notice one of my teammates leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest.

If anyone knows about this new mission, it will be Raven. I should ask him about it.

Cola: ...Hey.

Raven acknowledges me with a nod.

He's never been a talkative type... especially not in the mornings.

Cola: What's this about a new mission?

Raven rolls his eyes and shifts in place.

Raven: Another food trip.

Cola: They found a storage that hasn't been raided yet? That's a relief.. But I can see you're not too happy about that.

Raven: ... It isn't something I expect everyone to understand.

Sounds like he's worried about something.

Cola: We're teammates, Raven. You know you can trust me, right?

Raven: It's not a matter of trust. It's... I want to fight. I want to kill every last zombie in this wretched world. I want to take the wolrd back from them.

...Don't we all?

Raven: Instead, I have to sneak around, stealing food like a rat.

Cola: I share your feelings, Raven. I know you lost your brother in this war, and...

Raven narrows his eyes at me.

Cola: I..I'm sorry.

I look away for a moment, embarrassed. Raven stays quiet for a moment, but then his shoulders relax.

Raven: I shouldn't be surprised you know. I've not exactly been trying to hide how I feel about those monsters.

Cola: You're not alone, you know. We've got your back.

Raven: I know, Cola... Thank you.

Cola: Speaking of which, why are you out here all on your own?

Raven: Jacob isn't here yet, and the guys we're being too loud.

Cola: Ah... I better head inside. I hope I didn't bother you too much.

Raven: Not at all. I like your company. How should I put it...? Compared to the rest of those guys, you're...

Cola: ... More mature?

Raven: I was going to say "prettier". But that works too.

I feign exasperation, but I can't help smiling as I open the door to the conference room.

From the little I know about him, he was a loner before joining the community. I would be happy to be his friend, if he lets me.

Cola: Good morning, everyone!

Soldier: It's Cola!

Soldier #2: Mooorniiiing!

Soldier #3: Looking forward to our new mission, Cola?

Cola: Absolutely. We'll bring that food back for sure.

Soldier: Just so you know, I won't let you save my life again! I'll fight beside you without dragging you down!

I nod, bolstered by his determination.

Cola: I look forward fighting alongside you again!

Soldier #3: Dumbass. He's going to get himself killed trying to match our Lioness!

Laughter erupts in the conference room, and the soldiers blushes.

Before I can roll my eyes at them, the door opens again.

Jacob: Settle down, everyone.

Laughter dies down immediately.

Everyone takes a seat, eager to get the details of our mission from our beloved commander.

Jacob: Is everyone here? Good.

Jacob: Our scouts have found a food store for which we have a reason to believe it’s intact and unguarded. The catch, as always, is that it’s situated in an infested area.

I didn’t expect anything else.

These days, it’s almost impossible to find food unless it’s in a place swarmed by zombies, who have no interest in it.

Jacob: The Mayor has received instructions to send a small, stealthy team to scout the location. This team will determine the number of enemies in the area, and bring back proof of an existing food source.

Raven: …Tch.

I look around the room, But it doesn’t seem anyone else noticed his dissatisfaction.

Everyone focuses on Jacob, who slams the desk with his fist.

Jacob: I know you're all eager to fight back, but today is not a day for revenge. Hope! We need something to give people hope that we will survive the cold winter.

If only we could grow food inside the community, evrything would be different...

But the earth is barren. Cursed, some say, although i don't believe in such things.

Jacob: Raven, you will lead the team. Cola, I'm choosing you as his second in command.

Cola: Understood, sir.

Jacob: Here are the details of your assignment. Listen carefully, now. I have faith in all of you, but we're heading into unexplored territory, and that's always dangerous...

Half an hour later, Jacob dismisses everyone except Raven and me.

Cola: Sir?

Jacob: Ah, Cola. You're becomeing quite famous in our community. As expected of someone as brave and skilled as you!

Cola: Thank you, Sir!

Jacob: No need to be formal when it's just the three of us here. I've asked you to stay so that I can tell you not to get too careless in the battlefield. I hear they're calling you "the Lioness" these days!

That nickname again... It's driving me crazy! What could have possibly made them start calling me that?!

Raven chuckles next to me.

Raven: Lioness. It suits you.

Cola: I won't hear about it from someone whose given name is "Raven".

Raven: Have you considered that perhaps Raven isn't my actual given name?

Cola: I haven't. Even if it isn't, it suits you.

Raven: Why, than you, kitty.

Cola: ...Shut up.

Jacob's hearty laugh fills the conference room.

Jacob: I made the right choice with you two. You make an excellent team!

Raven: If you say so, Jacob.

Jacon: One more thing. Raven, we've talked about this before, but I feel like I have to say it again...

Raven: Here we go.

Jacob: You must not let hate affect your actions. One misstep, one small mistake can lead the death of your teammates, and yourself.

Raven: I don't care if I die as long as-

Jacob: As long as you take many zombies as you can with you, I know. But I care, Raven. Your teammates care. We need you to keep your head on your shoulders. You're in charge today.

Raven: I didn't ask for it. I don't want that responsibility.

Cola: Jacob is right, Raven. We must follow our oders. It's our duty.

Jacob: Thank you, Cola. Jacob... I'm your friend but I'm also your commander. I'm sorry. You have to do as you're told.

Raven: I never should have come here in the first place.

Raven storms out of the conference room.

Jacob: That kid... He's an incredible soldier, but he is obsessed with revenge. I'm worried about him...

Cola: I'm worried about him too.

Jacob: Maybe you should go after him. Who knows maybe you can convince him to change his mind.

Cola: I should prepare for the mission ahead. I'll talk to him once we leave.

Jacob: ...Alright. Hope he'll be okay. And Cola... Take care of yourself out there.

Cola: Always. See you soon, Jacob.

I leave the conference room. The hallway is bustling with activity, people running up and down, carrying paper work.

I better go to the armory. Though I doubt they'll let us carry much ammo...

I shouldn't complain. This is primarily a recon mission, after all.

Sometimes, I'm caught off guard by how used to this life I've become. No one on my team was a soldier before the outbreak. With Jacob's guidance, we've become a terrifying force.

We were forced to become killing machines in order to save lives.

Even those who naively believe the zombie could still be cured lost the empathy they had foe them by this point.

Still... they were human once. People like me, or Raven, with dreams of their own. And now we slaughter them like animals.

Elderly Guard: Miss..?Are you okay?

Cola: Huh...? Oh! I'm sorry, I was just thinking about something... I need to make a gear request.

Elderly Guard: Your ID and your mission detail, please.

As soon as he say that, I realize I left my ID card on my end table.

Cola: Do you really need my ID? I'be been here dozens of times...

Elderly Guard: Protocol, Miss. We must always follow it, lest we descend into chaos.

The elderly man narrows his eyes at me and taps his desk with a pencil.

We don't have many people of his age in our community...

The must vulnerble ones were the first to fall. The sick, the elderly... the youngest.

Elderly Guard: You're that Lioness lady. Saved my grandson's life that day at Widow's Creek. I'll file your request without an ID card, but onlt this time. Comeback in an hour.

I remember that fight.. We looked for water but the "creek" had dried out, filled with the bodies of the dead.

Cola: Thank you. I hope your grandson is doing well.

The man waves me away.

We leave after that afternoon. As I had suspected, we were given a limited amount of ammo, but no one said a word about it. After all, one bullet is all it takes to kill a zombie.

Raven: You know what our orders are. Let's move out!

He accepted his task, in the end...

It's been a while since the last time we were allowed use a vehicle in one of our missions.

Fuel is becoming a precious resource, so it's important to conserve as much as possible.

So we march.

I wonder if we'll be back by nightfall. The nights are getting colder...

Jacob chose eight of his deadlliest for this assignment, but here was a last minute addition.

A boy, barely eighteen years old, volunteered to go. I glance at him.

He looks like he's taking his first assignment seriously. His uniform looks crisp, and his gear... Wait what is he doing?

The boy pulls his gun out and points it to our left.

Young Soldier: There! I see one behind that fence! Permission to shoot? Permission to shoot, Sir?

The soldier repeats his question, but Raven doesn't answer.

Instead, he approaches him and pulls his gun out, aiming at the same zombie.

He's not going to do it... is he?

Raven: Three hundred and thirty one. If I took this shot, it would be three hundred and thirty two of my bullets lodge into the enemy's skulls.

What the hell are you doing, Raven?

Raven: Interesting, but not nearly enough. There are millions of them in the world. And hiw many of us here? Nine? How many back in the town? A few hundred?

Young Soldier: Sir, I don't... I don't understand. He could attack us.

Raven: If he does, so will others. It's a long road ahead. Can you kill every zombie on the way to our destination?

Young Soldier: N-No, Sir...

Raven: Then don't challenge them. If tou shoot this one, the others will hear it and swarm us.

Young Soldier: I haven't thought about that, Sir... Here, I'll put my gun away.

Raven nods and steps away from the boy. A sense of pride fills my chest.

He's going to be a wonderful leader...

We hide behind a low wall taking our first look at the location.

A supermarket stands in the middle of a wide, open space filled with zombies wandering aimlessly.

Raven: I can see why this place remained intact... We're goinh to need a distraction if we're going to have any hope of entering.

Cola: Do we have a Runner on the team?

Raven nods and call one of the soldiers over.

We have verry few Runners in our combat unit- the main reason being that it's very difficult to outrun a single zombie, a horde even more so.

Without them, we wouldn't have been able to pull off as many crazy things as we have, though.

The Runner leaves our group, fireworks sticking out of his pockets.

Good luck...

A few minutes later, the first explosion goes off far to the left.

As if fascinated by the smoke and sparkles in the sky, the zombies shamble towards them.

Raven: They're leaving. Our time to shine.

Jackpot.

Raven: Careful. The enemy could be hiding behind the shelves.

Soldier: The bags! Get the bags! There's so much food...

Raven: Only take as much as you can carry. Check for any sign of rats or decay before you decide to take something back.

For someone who doesn't want to be a leader, he sure fills those shoes as well... I'm so proud of you, Raven.

As I'm observing him, he notices me and shrugs.

Raven: I know what you're thinking. I just want this to be over soon, so I can get everyone home safe.

Cola: Because you care about us.

Raven: Of course. We're a team. I know I can't fight this war alone... We all need to rely on someone, right? If it's only to watch our back.

Cola: Exactly, Raven. We can be that for each other. Friends wo watch each other's back.

Raven smiles at me.

Raven: I'd like that.

Crash.

Young Soldier: AAAHH! He bit me! Oh God... ohgodohgodohgod...

Raven curses under his breathe, and we run towards one of our shelves in the back.Broken glass, whiskey and blood mix on the ground.

Our soldier clutches his foot as he takes his gun in the other hand and empties his magazine into a zombie crawling towards his neck.

The zombie twitches once, then stops.

Young Soldier: I'm a goner... lost all my bullets, too... end it, please, before I...I... hhnnn... grrr-

My heart skips a beat as Raven shoots the eighteen-year-old between the eyes.

I gag, and the urge to vomit almost overwhelms me.

Raven: Three hundred and thirty two.

Cola: You did the right thing...

Raven: It was what he wished.

Cola: Are you going to be okay?

Raven: Hmm?

Cola: The... the number. You counted him as a zombie.

Raven: He was one.

He's right... The transformation took place before our eyes.

Cola: Never mind. I just don't want you to...

Raven: Feel guilty? Too late for that. I should have-

Soldier: Incoming!

The sound of windows breaking signals the invasion.

Taking cover behind the shelves, the seven of us that are left rain fire at the zombies that advancetowards us.

Every shoot matters. I must stay focused!

Raven: Cola, look out!

Raven grabs my hand and pulls me behind him, shooting a zombie that almost got me from a point-blank range at the same time.

Raven: You know, when I said I's like to watch each other's back, I didn't mean right this moment.

Cola: Yeah, same. Funny how fate seems to be in hurry, huh?

Raven: Funny indeed.

Running out of bullets, we pull back through the supermarket until we reach a ware house.

In the confined space, it becomes easier to predict where the attack might come from, but it also traps us.

Cola: Out of bullets. Ideas?

Raven: Unless you can kill a zombie with a can of beans, none.

Cola: There must be something we can do! How many of us are left?

Raven: Four, I think. But we got separated, so I can't be sure.

Damn it... I'm sorry, Jacob..

Raven: Wait... What the hell?!

Out of nowhere, a lean shadow leaps at zombie, twin knives flashing in the darkness before they disappear in to the zombie's eye sockets.

Who could that be...?

The shadow dances from one zombie to the next, spilling their black blood with a set of elegant, practiced movements.

Those knives sliced through them as if they were paper thin...

When last of the zombies lies dead on the warehouse floor, the man stops for a moment and then he kicks one of the zombies.

???: Pathetic.

My heart feels like it's about to leap out of my chest. What's happening to me?

I take a step towards the man, but before a word can escape my throat, the deadly dancer points the sharp end of his knife at it.

I only have a time for a quick intake of breath before Raven reacts, pulling his gun out and pointing it at the stranger.

Raven: Drop the knife.

The stranger doesn't move a muscle. He doesn't even look at Raven.

His gaze is fixed on mine, and I wonder what he hides behind thise eyes, one of them an ocean, the other a burning sky.

I lift my chin, exposing my neck to the man's knife.

Cola: What are you waiting for? If you want to kill me, just get it over with.

Raven: Cola!

Cola: Better him than a zombie.

???: A woman after my own heart.

Raven: I said, drop it!

The stranger turns gus head gracefully, like a cat. He takes one look at Raven, and then he drops his knives.

In a split second, he grabs Raven's arm and twist it until he can take his gun away from him.

Cola: No, wait!

The stranger presses Raven's gun against his own forhead. He pulls the trigger.

Click... Click. Click. Click.

He had no bullets left... And this man knew it. He's been watching us.

???: What now, tough guy? Your toy is useless. even if you have a blade in your sleeve, I suggest you keep your distance. You're too slow to match me.

The stranger turns his back to us and takes a few steps.

He could be a powerful ally! I can't let him leave!

Cola: Wait! Come with us!

Raven: What are you doing, Cola?

Cola: He saved our lives, Raven! He's strong. We could use a soldier like him!

???: I am no one's puppet.

He starts leaving again, but I run up to him.

Cola: At least, tell us your name!

Zero: I call myself Zero.

Raven: A nobody, then.

Zero: The last thing my enemies see before their life force is reduced to nothingness.

The tension makes my heart rate quicken.

I know he might be dangerous, but... He could have killed us already if he wanted.

Cola: Wait! You're all alone, aren't you? You could use our help.

Zero: Why would I need the gelp of a couple of weaklings?

Cola: We may look weaklings to you, but we have the advantage of numbers. There are more of us.

Zero: More sheep for the zombies to slaughter?

I shake my head.

Cola: We've managed so far. We have a well-fortified community of survivors.

Zero: If that's true, why would you come out here to be eaten?

Cola: We need this food to survive. Once we bring it back home, it will be the safest place for us to be in.

Zero: The safest place to be in, huh... ? It might be good for... It might be good enough.

Cola: You will come with us, then?

Zero: That's right, little sheep. Show this wolf the way into your shelter.

Raven takes one look at my smiling face and shakes his head with obvious disappointment.

I'll prove to him that I'm right. That it was the right choice to invite Zero to join us.

Raven: Let's regroup. Find our teammates, get the bags, and head back.

It turns out that five of us survived, not only four as we first thought. We Zero as our sixth man, and our bags full of food, we leave the super market.

We'll bring this food back. We have to. For everyone's sake... And to honor those we've lost today.

Raven: We need to be careful. Without bullets, it will be difficult to protect ourselves from a swarm.

Zero: I'll kill them all.

Raven: That's my line.

How could he have survived on his own without a gun..?

I decide not to ask. We all have our secrets. Zero should be allowed to keep his.

Zero: You, woman.

Raven: Her name is Cola.

Zero: I don't care. People who stare at me like that eventually lose an eye or two.

Cola: I was just thinking about what an interesting companion you are. Let's go.

Our way back doesn't go smoothly.

Small packs of zombies reach us from time to time. Their frequency increasing as the sun starts to set behind the hills in the distance.

With no ammo, we would have been sitting ducks... if not for Zero.

Before we even notice a group of zombies approaching us, Zero'a long hunting knives slip into his hands.

He pounces like a cat, stabbing and slashing.

Raven: Too strong... That guy is a monster.

Cola: Yes. But perhaps being a monster is what it takes to win this war.

Raven: I never thought I'd hear you say that.

I'm not really sure if I mean it or I'm just trying to hold on to the idea that Zero will be a valuable ally.

Cola: I guess we'll see.

We arrive home at sunset. The gate opens, and a group of survivors greet us, led by the Mayor and his brother, the Vice-mayor.

Mayor: You're safe! You're all safe!

Raven: Not all of us. We've lost three soldiers and a runner.

Mayor: Your runner has returned home safe and sound. That's why we're all here. We've been expecting you!

Raven: Where is Jacob?

Mayor: He's waiting for you report at the Headquarters... And who is this?

He looks at Zero, he grins, teirling a knife in his hand. The rays of the setting sun set his crimson eye blaze.

Cola: This... is Zero. He saved our lives. We wouldn't have been able to bring this food back if it weren't for him.

The Mayor only takes a moment begore he spreads his arms in a welcoming gesture.

Mayor: Our savior! Welcome! Our home is your home now.

Zero grins wider, but he doesn't reply.

Vice-mayor: He's a quiet one, isn't he?

Cola: I invited him here. I'll vouch for him.

Mayor: Good enough for me! I'm sure he just needs to warm up to us. Come along, now! We'll take thise bags over while you go report to your commander.

Zero: I want to go too. I want to meet this "commander".

Raven: Absolutely not.

Mayor: I'm sorry, but.. our policy is that every new comer must be examined by our medical staff before they can be allowed into the community. My brother will show you the way.

Zero: Hah. You people rely on your skin-deep examinations so much you won't even see the danger hiding on the inside.

What is that supposed to mean...?

Vice-mayor: Follow me.

Zero leaves with the vice mayor, and Raven and I lead our soldiers towards the headquarters.

Jacob: You're back! I never doubted you for a second.

Raven: The mission was success, but we've lost a few men.

Raven gives Jacon an account of our mission, making sure note how he disagrees with my decision to invite Zero into the community.

Jacob: Thank you, Raven. Go get some rest, everyone. Cola, zi need you to stay for a moment longer.

Cola: Yes sir.

I wait for everyone to leave before I approach Jacob.

Cola: What is it you need, Sir?

Jacob: This Zero guy.. I understand that he's strong. Still, Raven didn't seem to have an impression that his presence here will be beneficial.

Cola: He saved our lives. I understand why Raven is cautious, but I believe Zero would be a valuable ally.

Jacob: That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Cola, it's.. it's dangerous to trust someone based on their fighting ability.

Cola: Jacob, we don't even know how many people are left in the world. If we start distrusting everyone... Besides, you heard what the mayor had to say about it.

Jacob: I understand how you feel. I'm not going to tell you whom you can or can't trust, but there's something i want to share with you. Whatever conclusion you make will be your own. A while ago, I was charge of a combat unit similar to yours. I had a subordinate who was an exceptional warrior. He was my right hand man. On the battlefielf one day, I made an error in judgement that resulted in the death of everyone, including that soldier. I trusted his ability, but.. it wasn't enough.

Jacob looks down, his fingers curling into a fist.

Remembering this must becausing him so much pain...

Cola: I appreciate your warning, Jacob. I'll be careful.

Jacob: You have to. You vouched for him. The people are going to blame you if he dies anything bad.

I haven't really thought about that... I guess I'm going to have to live with that, if it happens.

Cola: Understood.

Jacob: There's something else I needed to ask you about...

Soldier: Sir? I'm sorry to interupt, but there's an emergency!

Jacob: What's going on?

Soldier: The zombies.. They've entered the town. They're attacking people in the streets!

Jacob: What?!

Cola: They broke through the barricades?

Soldier: No! No one saw them coming! Raven is trying to fight them off, but there's too many!

Cola: Raven! Jacib, we have to go help him!

Jacob: Cola, wait! We have to make a-

Cola: I can't wait here for you to make a planwhen my friend is in danger. My gun will be enough. I'm going!

With those words, I run out of the conference room, ignoring Jacob's yells.

The townspeople are in danger!

Where did the zombie come from?

Will Raven survive the attack?

How? How did thye get past our watchtowers? The citizens are supposed to be safe!

I run through thehallway as fast as my legs can carry me, barely paying attention to my surroundings.

I have to hurry!

I push my way through a crowd of townspeople running away from what I assume is the site of the battle.

I don't blame them for panicking, but this is not helping!

The Mayor's voice enhanced by a megaphone, reaches me from the crowd.

Mayor: Everyone, calm down! Listen to me! Head towards my home! The walls around it are tall enough to protect everyone, and there's plenty of space!

The Mayor is here.. And it seems people are listening to him. He's gaining control over the crowd.

Grateful for the Mayor's selessness, I push forward.

Once I get through the crowd of people trying to run away from the gates, I see them for the first time.

They're attacking the stragglers.

So many if them already... I can't see Raven anywhere! I need to find him!

Who knows how many of them are there. I need to save bullets.

I relax my shoulders and sharpen my senses, looking for a path that wouldn't put me in the direct path of the swarm.

Unfortunately, sneaking around doesn't get me far. I can't find Raven anywhere, and I become desperate.

Cola: Raven! Where are you?

I regret calling out to him, as two groups of zombies turn towards me, surrounding me.

Looks like my plan won't work as well as I imagined..

Raven: I'm here!

Raven shows up behind me, breathing heavily.

Raven: Got a spare magazine? I'm almost out.

I throw one of the two magazines I carry in my pockets to him.

Cola: One for you, one for me.

There's no way that will be enough...

Raven: Where is Jacob?

Cola: On his way. What happened?

Raven: I have no clue. I was nearby when the first wave appeared out of nowhere. A few others and I tried to contain them, but they spread the infection too quickly.

Cola: It shouldn't be possible. There's no eay they could have breached the barricades!

Raven; It doesn't matter. Whatever started it, I'll end it, if it's the last thing I do.

Cola: Yeah. I assumed so. That's why I ran here as fast as I could, to make sure it's not the last thing you do.

Raven turns towards me, his eyes wide with shock.

Raven: You put yourself in danger for... me?

Before I can reply, I see a grey, rotting hand wrap around Raven's ankle.

With incresible strength, the zombie pulls him to the ground, where he drops his gun.

Cola: Raven! No!

I hesitate, unwilling to get to close enough to pull the zombie away from Raven.

Raven: I... got... this..

With his heavy boot sole, Raven kicks the zombie away and then reaches for his gun.

Black blood spills all over him as he destroys the zombie's head.

Raven: Three hundred and seventy one.

Cola: Still keeping count?

Raven: Always.

He adds about a dozen to that over the next few minutes.

It's getting darker and darker evry moment. We have to end this quickly!

Cola: Are we even making a dent in their numbers?

Raven: I don't know. Cola... Are those...?

I look to my right, my heart dropping to my stomach as I see the milky white eyes of the group of advancing to our positions.

It's... our friends...

Among the zombies we notice three of our former tem members. My hand shakes.

Cola: No... I don't want to do this...

Raven: Cola? What are you doing?! Snap out if it!

Raven pushes me out of the path of a zombie.

Cola: Th-thank you..

Raven: They are no longer you friends, Cola. A moment of hesitation means death.

Cola: Raven, I know, I just-

Raven: You shouldn't have come here. I don't want to have to kill you!

His words pull me back to reality. My friends are dead. And these monsters are wearing their faces.

Cola: You're right. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let my feelings affect my focus.

I look around just in time to see a zombie climbing over a pile of bodies and jumping towarss us.

I shoot it mid-jump. Raven shoots a half-eaten woman crawling towards him her black hair covering her face.

And still they come, pushing us until we're almost out of bullets and exhausted. But then...

Raven: Cola, look out!

A knife whistles past my face, landing into the eye socket of a zombie behind me.

Zero picks it up and leaps toward the next zombie without saying a word.

How does he manage to be so graceful.. while covered in blood?

Zero creates a perimeter of corpses on the ground around us, slashing through a dozen zombies without effort.

Raven and I use our remaining bullets to help... even though he barely needs any.

Cola: Zero...

Suddenly, beams of powerful, blinding light fill the scene, reflecting in the pale eyes of the zombies.

Jacob: EVERYONE WHO'S STILL ALIVE, GET ON THE GROUND AND COVER YOUR HEADS! NOW!

The three of us instantly do as he says and drop to the ground.

A moment later, bullets rain above us and all of the zombies drop to the ground twitching.

Jacob: Cease fire! Stand up one by one, announcing your name first, or you will be shot!

We wait for a few moments and obey his command, slowly walking away from the pile of corpses, blinking.

A few meters away, a few more people stand up.

Raven: Well, that's one way to steal my kills.

Jacob glares at Raven.

Jacob: You! You ignored protocol. You were supposed to fall backand wait for reinforcements. You endangered yourself! And everyone around you!

Raven: If I hadn't stayed behind, the zombies would have spread through the community. I kept a good chunk of them behind.

Cola: Jacob, he's right. There were so many-

Jacob: And you! You ignored my direct orders! Of all people in the wolrd, you were the last person I would expect to do something like that.

Especially considering what he told me... I didn't even consider how much I would disappoint him.

I did exactly the same as the man who got Jacob's entire unit killed.

Cola: I take full responsibility for my actions. I made an emotional mistake in judgement.

Raven glances at me but says nothing.

I hope he doesn't thinkni regret it...

Cola: I should have controlled myself better.

Jacob: You're right. You both should have.

Zero: Interesting... this woman should be punished for this, shouldn't she?

He says nothing this whole time, and now he chimes in?

Cola: It's your call, Jacob. If you believe I should be punished, then I'll accept it.

Jacob: Let's not be too rash. I don't believe in punishment, and we certainly don't punish bravery.

The iron hand around my heart relaxes its grip at hus words.

Zero: Oh?

Jacob: I'm glad both of you are alive. Raven, report! How did the zombie enter the community?

Raven: That's the thing. I have no idea.

Survivor: There were three of them... They appeared out of nowhere and started biting everyone.

Jacob sends a messenger to one of the watchtowers near the gates.

Jacob: Once I get the report on the movement of zombies around the community in the last few hours, it won't be difficult to figure out where they came from.

Zero twirls a knife in the air looking incredibly bored.

Is he even bothered by being completely covered in all that zombie blood?

Zero: Let me save you the disappointment. You eon't find out anything.

Jacob's eyes grow dark as he studies Zero.

Jacob: And how do you know that?

Zero: I've seen something similar before. I thought real hard about it afterwards. I realized that there were only two possibilities.

Jacob: Go on. What do you believe happened here?

Zero: The first option is less likely to have happened, but it's probablythe one you'll want to believe. The guards weren't paying attention, and they let a few zombies slip inside.

That.. does sound like the most logical turn of events.

Zero: The other is that someone is keeping zombies inside the town, and they got released somehow... on purpose or not.

Raven: Shut your mouth.

Jacob: Calm down, Raven!

Raven: He speaks of treason. To keep zombies inside the community as if they were pets... The thought itself is appalling!

Zero: A flock of sheep, ready for slaughter...

Jacob: That's enough from both of you. I appreciate you help today, Zero, but you're just adding fuel to the fire.

Zero shrugs, looking bored again.

Jacob: I'll make sure to find out which of the guards allowed this to happen, and they will be held responsible.

Zero: Hahaha. So, you only believe in punishment when it doesn't involve women? Now I get it.

He points the tip of his knives towards Jacob, and then towards me.

Zero: You two are lovers.

What?!

I glance at Jacob who looks shocked for a moment, but then darkness returns to his eyes.

Jacob: Apologize to Cola. Now.

I have to do something before this gets out of the hand.

Cola: I don't care about that. What do I care about is untangling this mess... and figuring out how many people we've lost.

My words turn everyone's attention to the unmoving cirpses illuminated by the cold white light.

Raven: They were all here celebrating because we brought the food back... they didn't deserve to die. I'll never forgive these monsters...

The rage and despair twist his face into a determined frown.

If Zero is right... if someone let the zombies into the crowd... Raven will never forgive them, either. And the hatred could destroy him.

The soldier jacob sent to watchtower returns.

Soldier: There was no movement in sectors 1-4. two groups roamed in the seventh sector today, nd more of them were seen in sectors 10-14. None of the grouos are close enough to cause this.

Zero: Well, well.

Jacob: I want everyone to assemble in the conference room first thing in the morning. We'll get to the bottom of this.

Jacob assigns a team to collect and burn the corpses, and he sends home to shower and rest.

A day after the fight, the whole unit spends the morning at the headquarters.

Jacob tells us that the Mayor has decided we needed to be battle-ready at any moment.

The training excercises starts tomorrow. I'll do my best... for everyone's sake.

Dismissed for the day, I wander around the communjty, and eventually end uo taking a walk through a meadow.

There, I notice someonei don't recognize sitting under a tree.

Who could that be.. ? He looks familiar, but I can't say I've met him before...

???: Hello.

I must have been staring. Well, no turning back now!

Cola: Uh, hi. I don't think we've met...?

Half of the young man's face is covered eith black, silky hair, revealing one ocean blue eye. His expression is calm, almost... angelic.

Weber: I'm Weber. Are you sure we haven't met? You seem familiar.

Cola: Likewise. But I just.. can't remember. Have you been here long?

Weber: No... I don't think so. What's your name?

Cola: Oh... I'm so rude. It's Cola. I've lived here for a while.

Weber gives me a soft smile.

Weber: Pleased to meet you, Cola!

I wonder if Jacob picked him up somewhere... He seems oleasant enough. Maybe I could find out more.

Cola: How did you get here, Weber?

Weber: I... don't know. But if I'm here, means that it's safe.

What is he talking about? Just yesterday, we had a breach... Something's not right.

Vice-mayor: Good day, Miss Cola.

The... Mayor's brother? Where did he come from?

Cola: Good day, sir.

Weber: Hello!

Vice-mayor: Cola, I couldn't help noticing you friend here, and I was overcome by curiousity... Has he had his check-up yet?

Cola: Sir, he... he says he's been here for a while.

Vice-mayor: That's impossible! I know every member of this community, and I've never seen this boy before.

I was right... Something is seriously wrong here!

Acting on pure instinct, I pull my gun out and point it at Weber.