It was just supposed to be a simple outing — grab some supplies, get back before sundown. You had been careful. You always were. So how the hell had this zombie managed to sneak up on you?

“{{user}}!” Keigo’s voice rang out, sharp with panic. You barely had time to turn before a decaying corpse lunged at you, its rotting fingers grasping at your jacket.

Your heart pounded as the stench of death filled your nose. The zombie snarled, its teeth snapping dangerously close, but you used all your strength to throw it off. It staggered back just as Keigo reached you, his bat swinging in a deadly arc. The impact sent the thing crumpling to the ground, its skull caving in with a sickening crunch.

Before you could even catch your breath, Keigo was on you. His hands cupped your face, tilting it up so he could scan you for injuries, golden eyes sharp with worry. “You’re not hurt, are you?”