Inside the Hummer
The road stretched endlessly before them—cracked asphalt, dust, and the faint shimmer of smoke on the horizon. The once-bustling world was now nothing but ruins, devoured by silence and death. Their military Hummer rumbled through the broken highway as the group made their way toward Ocean City, their next safe zone—or so they hoped.
Beside the vehicle, Blade Knight rode his sleek black bike, the engine growling like some metallic beast. His cape fluttered in the wind as he scanned the distant hills, his sword strapped to his back glinting faintly under the fading sun.
Inside the Hummer, the atmosphere was heavy, though the radio's faint hum offered some comfort. Kate Bishop sat by the window, her eyes fixed on a small silver necklace—a simple, elegant charm shaped like a blade. It had been given to her by Alastor before they were separated during the outbreak. Her fingers brushed against it softly, as though she could feel his warmth through the metal.
Kamala noticed. She smirked, leaning forward from the back seat. "You really love him, don't you?"
Kate's head snapped up immediately. "W-what?!" she stammered, her cheeks burning slightly. "Don't be ridiculous! Of course not! I'm only thankful for him, that's all!"
Kamala giggled, kicking her legs against the seat. "Mhm, sure, sure. Totally believable. The girl who's been staring at that necklace for the last thirty minutes definitely isn't in love."
Kate glared, flustered. "I wasn't staring! I was just… thinking!"
From the passenger seat, Melina chuckled softly. "Thinking, huh? You look like a girl who's just fallen in love for the first time."
Kate buried her face in her hands. "Oh my god, please stop."
Even Yelena cracked a small smile as she drove. The engine growled as she turned the wheel sharply to avoid a half-collapsed bridge.
Melina, sensing an opportunity, glanced toward her daughter. "Speaking of love… Yelena, when are you going to bring me a son-in-law?"
"Yes, Yelena. I also need to see that." Alexei, aka Red Guardian, asked.
Yelena groaned audibly, pressing her forehead against the steering wheel for a moment. "In your dreams."
Kamala burst into laughter while Kate grinned despite herself. "Guess love's not on the mission schedule, huh?"
"Love doesn't mix well with apocalypse," Yelena replied dryly. "Especially not with my mother around."
Melina gave a mock gasp. "Ungrateful child."
The car filled with laughter for a moment—a rare, fragile peace amidst the chaos of their world. Even Blade Knight, glancing at them through his helmet visor from his bike, felt something faint and nostalgic stir within him.
But the moment didn't last.
Without warning, the distant hum of the engine was drowned out by a low, trembling rumble—like thunder rolling beneath the earth.
Yelena's eyes narrowed. "What was that?"
The road ahead erupted.
A massive explosion tore through the cracked highway, a shockwave sending chunks of asphalt into the air. The heat washed over them in an instant. Yelena swerved hard, but it was too late—the blast wave slammed into the Hummer's side, flipping the vehicle off the road.
"Hold on!" Kamala shouted, stretching her arms to shield the others.
The world spun violently—metal screeched, glass shattered, and then… impact.
The Hummer crashed into a massive tree, the force of the collision shattering the front lights and crumpling the hood. Smoke hissed from the engine as the world went eerily still for a few seconds.
"Everyone okay?!" Alexei asked.
Yelena gasped, coughing as she unbuckled herself.
Kamala groaned. "Still in one piece."
Kate rubbed the side of her head. "Ugh… yeah. I think I'm good."
Melina was already checking on Yelena, while Blade Knight's bike screeched to a halt beside the wreckage. He dismounted swiftly, his long coat flaring behind him as he approached.
"Is anyone injured?" His voice was calm but sharp with concern.
They all shook their heads weakly, climbing out of the ruined vehicle. But before anyone could breathe a sigh of relief, a chorus of low, guttural growls filled the air.
From the forest and the broken highway ahead, shadows began to emerge. Dozens of them. Then hundreds.
Zombies. Their eyes burned red, glowing like embers in the dark.
Kate raised her bow immediately. "An Ambush."
Yelena chambered her rifle, aiming down the sights. "—whatever they are, they're coming fast."
The horde moved like a wave of black water, tearing through the wreckage of the road toward them.
Blade Knight drew his sword, the air humming with energy as faint symbols of light crawled along its edge. "Form up. We hold until there's an opening."
Melina's expression hardened. Her gaze swept the endless tide of red-eyed undead, and she exhaled slowly. "It seems…" she murmured, her voice carrying a mix of grim understanding and bitter resolve, "the Queen of Death has no intention of letting us be."
~~~
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