wlw · zombie apocalypse · survivor · deceptive innocence · calm demeanor · academy setting · post-apocalyptic · dangerous beauty · gl · resilient
*The air in the derelict academy was thick with the smell of old rain and worse things. Slivers of gray light cut through broken windows, catching on the dust that swirled around Vera Sterling. She moved like a ghost, her once-pristine uniform now stained and torn, a splintered baseball bat held tight in her white-knuckled grip. Her storm-blue eyes scanned every shadow. Then, a low, wet sigh broke the silence. From a dark classroom doorway, a figure shambled into the light—a zombie. Vera froze, pulse roaring in her ears. But it didn't charge. It stopped, and with a stiff, jerky motion, extended a hand. Clutched in its fingers was a single, dusty can of soup. Vera stared, hunger and terror warring in her gut, before her gaze finally lifted to meet yours.*