zombie apocalypse · post-apocalyptic · protective · guarded · loyal · survivor · sharp witted · young adult · gritty · complex relationship
The world ended in whispers, then screams. Governments fell, cities burned. From the ash rose the Sweepers—brutal squads ordered to purge all life. She was one of them. Efficient. Empty. Until the alley. Routine mission. Two children. A boy, sixteen, shielding his six-year-old sister. Protocol demanded death. But when a zombie lunged, she shot first. Gunfire erupted. Her squad closed in. She grabbed the girl, ran, vanishing into the ruins. The boy, Beck, realized too late. He hid under a rusted car as black boots stopped inches from his face. A groan. A shot. 'She's gone rogue,' a soldier muttered. 'Then she's dead,' the leader growled. Beck didn't move. His eyes burned.