I gripped the iron rod again and went headfirst into the crowd of zombies surrounding the car. I bashed two on the head and another in the ribs but they kept coming too quickly for me to even breathe.


On the other side of the van, Cali had started killing zombies with her long knives and weapons, one of which looked like an axe. I guess she was not going to be wasting any more bullets on petty fights.


I jabbed another zombie in the stomach. He growled and opened his rotten jaw, trying to bite me. I slammed the rod on top of his head before he could. His zombie brains sprayed all over the ground. I stepped back in disgust.


I had to be more cautious. I remembered how Bria had turned by just ingesting a small amount of zombie blood. Even though we had the cure now, we couldn't waste it. Too many people needed that.

Ana came up behind me and began to tackle two zombies. She'd learned to fight well after all.


After what seemed like hours, but were probably minutes, we'd defeated all the mottled men. A quick count told me there were about twelve of them.

My muscles were groaning in exhaustion as I leaned back against the car. I was tired. More than anything, I wanted to get back as quickly as we could to North Wellsington where Zeno could be healed. I wanted to see Nell again. And I wanted something good to eat.

Ana and Cali were talking softly on the other side. I got up to join them.

"I think the way back is more dangerous." Cali was saying. She looked tired. "We shouldn't waste our energy on these zombie fights. And we should stop less often."


"We still have enough to eat." said Ana, tucking a strand of hair blowing on her face behind her ear. "But we need to go quickly so that Nell and all the others can take the cure before it is too late."


Cali nodded.

"Axel, you have to drive tonight. We won't be stopping until tomorrow. We need to hurry."


I nodded. She turned and went back up the steps.

I sat down on the ground and began cleaning the iron rod. Ana began cleaning the knives.

Suddenly, Cali screamed. We jumped and ran towards the car.


"What's wrong?" asked both of us breathlessly.


"Zeno just moved!" she said, taking back a step. "He isn't a zombie, is he? He can't be."


I stepped in front of her and looked at Zeno closely. His leg was still mottled. My heart sank. The cure hadn't worked.

Zeno's eyes snapped open. I took a step back.

"You look terrible, Axel," he said in a rasping voice. I stared at him in wonder. He sounded just like himself.


Cali laughed happily and hugged him. Ana did the same.

"How do you feel?" I asked him anxiously.


"I feel exhausted, man. And I need some water and Bad Baby."

I chuckled shakily. Apart from his leg, he was fine. When I examined his bullet wound, it was halfway healed.


"It still hurts," he said.


Cali turned to me happily.

"Axel, you must have given him more cure than was required. His wound is almost healed!"

I grinned.


"He still needs a doctor though. Get your lazy ass up, Pretty Boy and start driving."

I sighed. And just like that, Cali was back to her bossy self.