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“Let’s keep moving. Make for the clubhouse. If we get separated, that’s your goal. We’ll meet there and figure out what the fuck is going on,” I said finally.

Everyone nodded, and we headed out. It was fine until we hit Sagamore Ave, when we were forced to accept the truth. At the crossroads of South Street and Sagamore Ave, the road was teeming with zombies. I wasn’t talking a dozen or so; no, there were several hundred here.

“Fuck,” Hayden said, his face paling.

“Retreat,” I ordered quietly.

“Sapphire…” Hayden whispered.

“Babe, back up.” We began moving slowly backward, sticking to the shadows as the zombies faced away from us.

Then someone stumbled over a trash can, and the clatter bounced off the walls. A moaning hiss rose from the mob as heads turned, followed by bodies. Milky white eyes stared into the darkness, spotted us, then shuffled forward.

“Scatter!” I yelled, knowing that if we stayed together, we’d be dead. We split up and began racing away. An ice barrier swept across the road, giving us extra time, and I saw Teddy slinging Tinkerbell over his shoulder and running. Fortune, Maid, and Heart followed behind him.

Hatton grabbed Stitch and ran with her, chasing Storm, Cyber, Belladonna, and Rose. Nun broke with Priest and Blue, while Warrick grabbed Dagger, Blade, Birdie, and Poker. Cassidy raced off with Sparrow, Vengeance, and Twilight. Sailor, Candle, and Lantern headed out, leaving me and Wylde. Jazz threw a wave of water in front of us and disappeared with Ace and Fume.

Wylde gripped my hand, and we began running. Both of us had our guns out. Lightning fell from the sky away from us—Candle was using her powers. Ice shards flew through the air towards something hidden behind a building, and Tinkerbell was on the attack.

As we ducked down a street, I saw plants erupt and spotted Vengeance before she was dragged away. Wylde and I followed and saw a swarm of zombies heading toward us. We hurried down another turn and lost sight of them.

“We gotta get to the clubhouse,” I gasped as Wylde hauled me into a doorway to check our route.

“I know. We’re on Pinehurst Ave, let me think,” he whispered. “At the end of the road is the health care centre. We can cut through that and hit Jones Ave; we can take stock there.”

“Okay,” I agreed.

“This is not what I expected to be doing tonight,” he muttered as he glanced out. Seeing it was clear, he grabbed my wrist, and we quietly made our way down the street. Luckily, cars were parked up, which gave us cover when we had to duck and dive. A noise made me jump, and I spun and nearly shot Storm.

“I lost the others,” she whispered, looking guilty.

“You’re fine, come on,” I ordered as we began moving again. As we neared the treeline, I relaxed just as several zombies erupted from the trees. We fired, dropping four, but three kept coming. I drew my knife from my boot and stabbed the first in the head. Storm dropped hers the same way, and Wylde let his get close before he shot it between the eyes.

“Save the bullets. We’re going to need them,” I ordered, and they nodded.

We headed into the trees and made our way quietly through them. I kept a tight grip on Storm and Hayden’s hands. Storm was shaken at losing the others, and I knew she worried.

Fuck, I was too. No, actually, I was scared shitless.

“It looks clear,” Hayden said as we gazed at the health centre’s car park. We cautiously walked around the outside of the buildings and towards Jones Ave before stopping.

“That’s fucked,” Storm muttered. More zombies milled about, moaning. I swapped glances with Hayden, and we slowly backed away. We ducked back into the trees and headed into the scrap metal yard. From here we could see the back of the zombie crowd on Jones Ave, but we crossed the road without incident.

“We’ll circle round to Tidewatch Condominium and cross Sagamore Ave from there. Hopefully, it’s empty. Then we can cross-country until we hit the clubhouse,” Hayden whispered. We nodded and began walking.

Cyber

“We’ve lost Storm!” I cried as we ran.

Belladonna paused, and I grabbed her. “Don’t stop,” I gasped as we saw the crowd behind us.

Belladonna looked torn, but Hatton caught her and made her run again. I’d no idea how this had happened, but somehow, we’d ended up in the worst place ever during a zombie attack. The Proprietors’ Burying Ground Cemetery. Worse, four more were attached to this fucker. Cotton, Elmwood, Harmoney Grave and Sagamore cemeteries all formed what was commonly known as the South Cemetery complex.

“Keep moving,” Hatton ordered.

“But Storm—”

“Storm will be fine. She can kick ass,” Hatton said, but doubt clouded his eyes. Hatton wanted to return but was putting us first. He pulled us behind a mausoleum as shambling figures passed. He put a finger to his lips and led us around the back before we crept forward again. Our eyes searched the darkness, looking for zombies as we inched our way through. We spotted plenty, but luckily none saw us. It felt like hours before we reached the end of the cemetery.