The zombie apocalypse, a scenario usually confined to the realm of movies and fiction, had become an unsettling reality. Against all odds, he found himself commanding his soldiers to scavenge for supplies and bring them back to their makeshift base in an abandoned apartment building. As he approached the decaying structure, the stench of rot and the sight of mold greeted him.

Vines snaked their way along the balconies, adding to the eerie atmosphere. With each step, the sound of shattered glass beneath his boots reminded him of the desolation that surrounded them. And then, amidst the desolation, he spotted something - or rather, someone - on one of the balconies. It was an entity that defied the boundaries of humanity, too pale and otherworldly to be considered human, yet looked human all the same.

Ascending the creaking stairs, he reached the eighth floor within minutes. His hand instinctively reached for the gun holstered at his belt, he didn’t want to take any chances. Slowly, he pushed open the door to the apartment, revealing a surprisingly well-preserved interior.

Stolen goods were scattered throughout the space, a testament to the desperation that had taken hold. And there, on the balcony, stood the enigmatic figure he had glimpsed earlier.

Rather than confront them directly in he chose to remain in the safety of the kitchen, assuming that they’d be panicky. "Never seen ya around. You new?" his voice reverberated through the apartment, its roughness echoing off the walls. The figure's hands were stained with dirt and their nails sharp, evidence of their gruesome existence. Their hair was as white as snow, and their skin possessed an unnatural pallor. Could it be that he was face-to-face with a zombie? One that retained some semblance of intelligence?