The Undead

THE UNDEAD CHAPTER ONE — THE TRANSMISSION Static seeped through the bunker speakers, low and heavy, like pressure pushing through the walls. “…this is a call to all survivors… Redvil Forest is secure… protection guaranteed…” The voice looped. Same pause. Same tone. Same timing. Mylo sat close to the radio, unmoving. Mara leaned against the steel wall, arms crossed, uneasy. Luke stared at the signal monitor, brow furrowed. “It’s looping,” Luke muttered. “Perfect intervals.” The air felt tight. Mara rubbed her temples. “Why does it feel like it’s pressing into my head?” The door slid open hard. “This again?” Jay crossed the room and shut the radio off. Silence crashed down. “It’s fake.” “It’s the fourth time this week,” Mara said. “And today’s only Tuesday.” Jay faced them. “We’re alive because we don’t chase voices. We have food. Weapons. Walls.” “That’s a cage,” Mylo snapped. “We eat, sleep, train. That’s all.” Luke lifted his head. “Why train for a world we’re scared to step into?” Jay’s jaw tightened. “No. End of discussion.” He left. The bunker seemed smaller after. Mara exhaled slowly. “I’m leaving.” Luke nodded instantly. “Me too.” Mylo swallowed, then nodded. “Same.” That night, bags were packed quietly. At dawn, the bunker’s massive door groaned open. Light poured in. Real air burned their lungs. They stepped outside. CHAPTER TWO — THE OUTSIDE WORLD The forest stood tall and untouched—too untouched. “No birds,” Mara whispered. Luke pulled out his compass. A glowing map flickered to life. “We’re here. Redvil Forest is through the city.” “The city?” Mylo frowned. “That’s suicide.” “There’s a path,” Mara said, pointing toward cracked streets swallowed by vines. Above them, something shifted in the clouds. Mara felt it before she saw it—eyes on her—but when she looked up, there was only sky. Inside the Vic Research Facility: “Sir, movement detected.” “Walkers?” Dr. Victor asked. “No. Three kids.” Victor rushed to the screen. His face hardened. “After six years…” “Heading toward Redvil Forest.” “I need them alive.” Beside the feed, a massive dome glowed on another screen: QUARANTINE ZONE Back in the bunker, Jay woke to silence. No voices. No footsteps. Footage confirmed his fear. He grabbed his pack and gun. The bunker door opened behind him. CHAPTER THREE — THE ENCOUNTER The man stood in the road. Too still. “Someone’s there,” Mylo whispered. They called out. The man’s head tilted—listening. Then he ran. Fast. “That’s infected,” Luke shouted. The gun jammed. Panic surged. The shot echoed violently through the forest. The body dropped. Up close, the truth was horrifying—torn mouth, faded skin, blood everywhere. Footsteps followed. Many. “They heard us,” Mara said. They ran. Behind them, the forest answered. Jay emerged from the bunker to the sight of sprinting figures—ripped clothes, blood-slick skin. Walkers. He ran. CHAPTER FOUR — THE CABIN The cabin appeared just in time. They slammed the door shut as hands clawed through cracks. Then—movement inside. “I’ll check,” Mara whispered. She pulled the curtain. The infected lunged. The gunshot was deafening. Blood splashed her face. They shoved a wardrobe against the door as moans filled the walls. One walker stopped pounding. Listening. Luke pulled out a grenade. “They follow sound,” Mara whispered. CHAPTER FIVE — UNINFECTED The grenade exploded near Jay. He dove—and someone dragged him down. A woman pressed his mouth shut as walkers ran past. “Who are you?” he whispered. “The one who kept you alive.” She carried a bow. “They’re walkers,” she said carefully. “Sound draws them.” “You know a lot.” She didn’t answer. “My siblings went this way,” Jay said. She nodded. “Then we walk.” “My name’s Jay.” “…Emma.” CHAPTER SIX — THE BRIDGE The bridge was crowded. Walkers stood still—waiting. “Slow,” Mara whispered. They crossed without breathing. On the other side—the city, broken and silent. “Guys…” Mylo froze. “Jay.” “JAY!” he shouted. The walkers turned. Gunfire cracked. Everything woke. “Jump!” Emma yelled. One by one, they leapt into the river. The dead followed. The water swallowed them.