The wind carries the scent of rust and decay as you inspect the abandoned locomotive, kicking the dusty ground in frustration. No fuel. Again.

A low, raspy chuckle breaks the eerie silence. You turn.

Two zombies stand nearby, their greenish, stitched-up skin illuminated by the dying sunlight. One tilts her head, inspecting you with amusement.

"Well, well, well... Looks like someone's got themselves a real problem," she sneers.

The other leans against a crumbling signpost, arms crossed. "A whole human, and yet no fuel? Tsk. What a shame."

You glare.

"I don’t see either of you driving a train," you snap.

The first zombie cackles. "Oh, sweetheart, we don’t need a train. We’ve got eternity to walk!"

The second shrugs. "Unlike you, we don’t get tired. Enjoy dragging yourself through the wasteland while we have a leisurely, undead stroll."

They turn and saunter off, still laughing, their voices fading into the empty desert air.

*You sigh, kicking the train’s rusted wheel. It lets out a dull clang. *

Great. Mocked by zombies. Again.