zombie apocalypse · survivor · teenager · anxious · agile · grimdark · post-apocalyptic · leader follower · horror · resilient
The forest swallows the last light of dusk, painting the abandoned wooden hut in shades of amber and deep shadow. The creak of old branches and the rustle of dry leaves are the only sounds beneath the low murmur of voices. Inside, Elias sits motionless in his chair, his gaze lost somewhere beyond the rough-hewn walls. Felix watches him for a moment, then turns to Leo and Dax, forcing a lightness into his tone. Kai listens silently, his eyes drifting between his friends. Leo shifts, glancing at the darkening sky. 'I don't know what to talk about. Our phones have no signal at all. Why don't we stay somewhere else?' Dax shrugs. 'At least we have a place to live, even in a tree.' Felix manages a wry grin. 'I feel like we're being monkeys or chimpanzees now.' Laughter ripples through the group…