"Die!!!"

The monster gripped my wrist—just above my nose—leaving my mouth free to scream. The next second—

*Squelch!!!*

*SKREEE!!!*

A guttural shriek pierced my ears. At the same time, I felt the rebar in my hand sink deep into something. Before I could yank it out, a monstrous force crushed my skull. It hurled me away like trash!

As my eyes flew open, I caught a fleeting glimpse of the beast—it clutched its head, howling in agony from its single massive eye.

The world spun violently. I crashed into the grass, nearly snapping my neck. My vertebrae crackled under the strain.

The soft grass cushioned my fall. I should’ve been grateful. But… I had no strength left to run. My flip-flops had vanished during the first throw. And now… that strange surge of energy had just drained away…

*Am I… really going to die here?*

I forced myself up. To my right, a faint *click-click* sound cut through the despair. I whipped my head down—

*Great Black Eagle!!!*

There it lay. My crossbow. Loaded. Drawn. Ready. In that instant, nothing else existed in my world.

I snatched it up. Its heavy weight strained my arms. Dirt and grass clung to its frame—kicked up when it fell.

I didn’t pause to check. The moment I grabbed it, those wet, squelching footsteps echoed again—

*Thwack… thwack… THWACK!*

It was coming!!!

A jolt shot through me. I spun around. The monster charged. One eye gone, yet it barreled straight for me. For a split second, I saw strands of putrid, whitened flesh clinging to its jagged teeth inside that gore-dripping maw—

"Die!"

I raised the Great Black Eagle. The beast leaped, using its momentum to pounce—

*TWANG!*

I pulled the trigger. Then I surrendered my fate to the sky. It moved too fast. I couldn’t track it. The next instant, its body slammed into me.

*Ugh!*

A choked gasp escaped me. Darkness swallowed me whole. Sight vanished…

…

I woke gasping for air. My body felt wrapped in dozens of pounds of cotton. Lifting a finger took effort.

My hand brushed something icy and flabby. Bumpy. Like fingertip-sized nodules. I froze.

I snapped my eyes open. The monster lay sprawled across my chest!!!

Horrible images flooded my mind. I thrashed wildly. The creature tumbled off me like a corpse, landing in the muddy grass.

*Is it… dead?*

I rolled upright. Every muscle screamed. I sucked in a breath. Moonlight revealed the beast…

Same monster. But now—a crossbow bolt pierced straight through its jaw, exiting the back of its skull. A blackened, scabbed arrowhead glinted in the pale light.

It was dead… I could only thank luck. That blind, desperate shot had found its mark.

Under the moon, the veins on its skin had turned an eerie shade. I didn’t want to stay. I staggered up, retrieved the Great Black Eagle, and slung it over my shoulder. Then I limped back to where I’d first been thrown. My combat knife lay there—grabbed in panic before the fight. Leaning on the Samurai Sword’s blade, I trudged home.

No strength left. All I needed was my bed.

A cold wind bit my bare back. My shirt was gone—shredded by the monster. Only my white lace bra remained, torn down the middle. It dangled uselessly over my shoulders.

The clasp… was broken. I had to hold the cups in place, stopping my jiggling flesh from bouncing free.

*I wasn’t eaten while unconscious… My theory was right.*

Alone in the pitch-black night, weak as a kitten, dread coiled in my gut. Even a single ordinary Zombie could kill me now.

I forced my mind to wander. Anything to numb the fear.

I couldn’t draw the crossbow anymore. Only the Samurai Sword in my hand and the combat knife on my chest remained. I was glad its leather strap held firm—thick, tough, yet supple.

*These mutated creatures have territories. Zombies avoid them… Or… do they eat Zombies too?*

The more I thought, the more it made sense. Then I remembered—the strand of pale flesh in its jaws earlier. Nausea surged up my throat. I gagged. Nothing came out.

*This time…* My knees buckled. I nearly collapsed. Only the long Samurai Sword kept me upright. I steadied myself. Kept walking.

Thankfully, no Zombies crossed my path. Going or coming back. Small mercies.

Finally, I reached the iron gate outside my apartment building.

I exhaled sharply. Leaning on the Samurai Sword in one hand, the railing in the other, I dragged my leaden legs up the stairs. Fumbled for my keys.

The moment I stepped inside, every ounce of strength vanished. A tidal wave of exhaustion crashed over my brain. I slammed the door shut behind me. Stripped off the filthy clothes. Glanced at my jeans—

Stained black with blood. *Right… when the Great Black Eagle was grabbed, I fired blindly. Did the bowstring slice off a chunk of its hand?*

No energy left to confirm. I stumbled into the bedroom. Slammed my body flat onto the mattress. *THUD!*

Even that couldn’t stop the crushing weight of sleep.

*Please… don’t leave… yet…*

Darkness pulled me under. I prayed the helicopter would wait. And closed my eyes.