The city burned beneath them, a sea of fire and shadows.
Ethan crouched low, his boots scraping against the rooftop's crumbling concrete. They had to move fast.
Blaze leaped ahead, his glowing fur casting faint sparks against the darkness. Olivia and Noah followed, breathless but steady.
And below?
The infected weren't wandering anymore.
They were marching.
A coordinated swarm—toward the tower.
Ethan's gut twisted. This wasn't normal.
Something—or someone—was controlling them.
A Message in the Dark
They sprinted across the rooftops, jumping gaps, dodging collapsed structures.
Noah swore as his foot slipped on loose gravel, barely catching himself before he fell. "I hate this."
Ethan ignored him, eyes locked on the tower in the distance. Still miles away.
Then—a flicker of movement.
Not below. Ahead.
A figure stood on the next rooftop. Watching. Waiting.
Olivia skidded to a stop, gun raised. "You see that?"
Ethan nodded. "Yeah."
The figure was wrapped in tattered clothing, face obscured by a hood. But even in the darkness—something was off.
They weren't running. Weren't afraid.
They were expecting them.
Then—the figure lifted an arm.
Pointed straight at Ethan.
And whispered one word.
"Run."
The Horde Awakens
A low, guttural roar erupted from below.
Then—the swarm turned.
Hundreds of infected—breaking into a sprint.
Straight for them.
Noah fired first. "Shit, MOVE!"
Ethan grabbed Olivia's arm and ran. Blaze barked, electricity crackling as he leaped between rooftops.
The figure was already gone—vanished like a ghost.
But their warning? Too real.
The city streets exploded into chaos.
Buildings shook. Fire escapes collapsed. The infected climbed walls, leaping, clawing, reaching.
They weren't mindless anymore.
They were hunting.
A Leap of Faith
The next rooftop was too far.
Ethan's mind raced—they wouldn't make it.
Blaze leaped first, his small frame disappearing into the night—then landing, safe.
Olivia didn't hesitate. She ran full speed and jumped.
She made it.
Noah cursed. "You're kidding me—"
The infected burst onto the rooftop.
No time to think.
Ethan grabbed Noah's arm. "Jump on three."
"Screw three—"
Ethan shoved him forward. They jumped.
For a breathless second—nothing.
Then—solid ground.
Barely.
Noah groaned. "I'm gonna kill you."
Ethan grinned. "Later."
Because below them?
The city screamed.
And in the distance, the tower pulsed—a deep, rhythmic hum.
Calling the infected.
Calling them all.