The sound of footsteps grew louder, each step deliberate, echoing with a menace that made the hairs on Luke’s neck stand on end. Mira and Joseph turned toward the sound, their expressions shifting from relief to alarm. They knew who was coming.Akin stepped into the ruined auditorium, his tall, imposing figure framed by the morning light spilling through the broken windows. His sharp features twisted into an ugly sneer as he took in the sight before him—the shattered remains of his sentient zombie sprawled lifeless on the floor. His dark eyes narrowed when they landed on Luke, standing over the body, bloodied but defiant."You," Akin hissed, his voice low and venomous.Luke straightened, wiping blood from hand as he locked eyes with the man who had caused so much pain. Akin’s gaze flicked to Mira and Joseph, then back to Luke, his expression a mixture of disbelief and fury."The last time I saw you," Akin said, his voice cold, "you were barely alive. Weak. Helpless. And now…" He took
The air in the auditorium was thick with tension, Luke’s body trembling as he lay on the floor, bloodied and beaten. Akin stood over him, the taser in one hand, a twisted grin on his face as he relished his victory.“You thought you could take me?” Akin mocked, his voice dripping with disdain. “You’ve always been weak, Luke. Always.”Mira and Joseph shouted in protest, their voices hoarse and desperate, but their bindings held them back. Akin glanced at them, his grin widening.“Don’t worry,” he said, his tone mocking. “You’ll be joining him soon enough.”He turned back to Luke, crouching down, his eyes gleaming with malice. He raised the taser, ready to deliver the final blow.But before he could strike, the auditorium doors burst open with a deafening crash.Akin froze, his head snapping toward the noise. Standing in the doorway was a figure they all thought was lost—Justin.Covered in dirt and scratches, his once-jovial expression replaced with a determined glare, Justin stepped in
Akin stumbled to his feet, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth as he glared at Bayo. The smirk that had once graced his face was gone, replaced with something raw—fear mingled with anger. He raised his hands, trying to regain control of the situation.“Bayo,” Akin said, his tone soft, almost pleading. “You don’t have to do this. You and I… we’re the same now. Look at yourself. You’re stronger, faster, smarter. Together, we could be unstoppable.”Bayo stood still, his expression unreadable. His eyes bore into Akin’s, and for a moment, it seemed like he might consider the offer.Akin pressed on, his voice growing more confident. “You’ve seen how weak they are.” He gestured toward Justin, Mira, Joseph, and Luke. “They’re liabilities. They hold you back. But with me, Bayo, you’d be free. Free to be what you were meant to be. A leader.”The room was silent except for the faint hum of tension in the air.Bayo finally moved, taking a slow step forward. Akin’s expression flickered with
Major Erickson stood inside the large, hastily constructed command tent, his broad shoulders tense as he scanned the group before him. Favour, Collins, and Sarah sat on the edge of their seats, their faces pale and drawn from exhaustion. The faint hum of generators filled the air, occasionally drowned out by the sounds of worried parents outside the encampment.He leaned forward, resting his hands on the metal table between them, his piercing gaze fixed on the three survivors. "Tell me everything you know about the situation in the school," he ordered, his voice firm but not unkind. "I need every detail."Sarah, looking exhausted, was the first to speak. “It’s chaos in there, sir. The zombies are everywhere. They’re fast, relentless, and... they seem to be spreading the infection rapidly. We barely made it out alive.” Her voice cracked, but she pressed on. "I really thought I would die there to be honest."Collins nodded, his normally fiery demeanor subdued. “The library was the worst
The tension in the brightly lit auditorium was palpable. Akin lay sprawled on the ground, bruised and bloodied, his once-dominant presence now a shadow of itself. His chest rose and fell with labored breaths, his eyes closed as if finally subdued. Luke stood over him, his fists still clenched and his breathing heavy from the intense battle. His enhanced senses hummed with alertness, ready for anything. Beside him, Bayo stood tall, his expression grim, his broad shoulders rising and falling as he recovered from the fight. Joseph,Justin and Mira huddled together in the corner, Mira's hands were tied, heeyes wide with both fear and relief. The morning sun streamed through the cracked windows, illuminating the aftermath of the confrontation. Luke glanced down at Akin, his jaw tightening. “We need to end this now,” he said, his voice cold and firm. Bayo stepped forward, shaking his head. “No, Luke. We don’t kill him.” His voice was calm but resolute. Luke turned on him, frustratio
The air in the auditorium was thick with tension as the groans of the infected swelled in intensity. Luke darted through the chaos, his movements precise and calculated. His enhanced senses painted a vivid picture of the battlefield: Justin crouched beside Joseph, trying to lift him, while Mira remained tied to the chair in the corner, fear etched into her face.Luke turned to Bayo, who was swinging his makeshift pipe like a man possessed. “Bayo, cover me!” he shouted, sprinting toward Mira.“Got it!” Bayo yelled back, driving the pipe into the head of an infected student that lunged at him.Luke reached Mira in seconds, his strong hands making quick work of the ropes binding her. “Hold still,” he said, his voice low but urgent.Mira’s breath hitched as the ropes fell away. “Luke,” she murmured, her voice shaking. “I thought—”“No time,” Luke interrupted, grabbing her arm. “Stay close.”Across the room, Justin was hoisting Joseph to his feet. Despite his bulk, Justin moved quickly, on
The morning sun filtered through the shattered windows as the group caught their breath outside the auditorium. The air was thick with tension, their collective relief short-lived. Luke set Akin’s unconscious body down carefully, binding him tight to ensure he couldn’t escape when he woke. He glanced at Mira, who stood nearby, her face still pale but her resolve firm. “Mira,” Luke started, his voice softer than usual, “when I was in that camp... stuck in my head, fighting those nightmares... I remember everything you said to me.” Mira’s lips parted in surprise, her cheeks coloring faintly. She stepped closer, her gaze locked on his. “Everything?” Luke nodded, his expression serious. “Every word. It’s what kept me going. You kept me going.” A flicker of emotion passed across Mira’s face, and before she could stop herself, she leaned forward and kissed him. The world around them seemed to fade for a moment, the chaos and danger temporarily forgotten. Behind them, Joseph cleared
Luke carried Akin over his shoulder, his muscles straining but steady. Justin and Bayo flanked him, battered but alive, while Mira walked beside them, her weapon gripped tightly and her eyes darting nervously.Joseph limped along, supported by Justin, his military fatigues torn and bloodied. Despite his condition, he remained alert, his sharp gaze.As they walked towards the barricades, the sound of boots crunching gravel drew their attention. A group of soldiers emerged from behind the barricades, their rifles raised and expressions wary. The tension in the air was palpable.“Halt!” one of the soldiers barked, stepping forward. His eyes narrowed as he took in the disheveled group, especially Akin’s limp form on Luke’s shoulder.Joseph straightened as much as his injuries allowed. “Stand down,” he said, his voice firm despite his exhaustion. “We’re survivors.”The soldier’s gaze flicked to Joseph’s face, recognition dawning. “Sergeant Joseph?” he asked, lowering his weapon slightly.“
The warm evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting a soft orange glow over Lagos. Luke and Mira walked hand-in-hand along the quiet streets, the sound of their footsteps a comforting rhythm beneath the bustling city noises. It had been three months since they had been released from the detention facility, and things had finally started to feel normal again—or as normal as life could be after everything they had endured.Luke couldn’t remember the last time he felt this carefree. For the first time in a long time, there were no heavy burdens weighing on his shoulders. No government scrutiny, no terrifying fear of what the future might hold. He was simply Luke again, the young man who had fought to survive but also the man who could finally enjoy life.Mira glanced at him, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “You seem… different. In a good way.”Luke returned the smile, his eyes lighting up as he squeezed her hand. “I feel different. I feel like I’ve finally been given a second chance
The weeks had dragged on, the sterile walls of the detention facility becoming an oppressive reminder of the world that had come to fear Luke and Bayo. They were no longer the heroes who fought to survive—they were the weapons that had once been their salvation, now seen as potential threats to the fragile stability that the world clung to. The military’s tight control over them, the constant surveillance, and the relentless scrutiny from every corner of the globe had taken its toll. Luke’s mind was weary, and his body reflected the strain. Every day felt like an eternity spent in a cage, the lingering uncertainty about what the world would think of him once he was released only fueling the exhaustion that gripped his every waking moment. It wasn’t just about the physical confinement anymore—it was about how he would be perceived by a world that had watched him fight, watched him kill, and watched him struggle. His parents—Laura and Samuel—visited regularly. Their support was unwav
The chaos at Eko State University was broadcast worldwide, its devastation felt far beyond the borders of Lagos. In a quiet mansion in Ikoyi, far from the inferno, Morenike paced her living room. Her eyes were glued to the TV, where Rachel’s live coverage replayed the horrors of the past hours. Her son, Akin, was on every channel—a vision of destruction and fury. Clips showed him commanding infected hordes, fighting soldiers, and causing untold devastation. The media painted him as a symbol of the apocalypse, a man consumed by the infection yet capable of terrifying control. “No… no, this can’t be my Akin,” Morenike whispered, her voice breaking. She gripped the back of the nearest chair, her knuckles turning white. Her maid, Titi, approached cautiously. “Madam, maybe it’s best to rest. This news… it’s too much.” Morenike shook her head vehemently. “That’s my son. My boy. What have they done to him?” Her knees buckled, and she sank into the chair, tears streaming down her face.
The rhythmic hum of the helicopter's blades cut through the eerie silence of the Eko State University (EKSU) campus. Below, a scene of chaos was coming to a tense standstill. Bayo’s figure, barely distinguishable in the dim light, moved among the lifeless, shambling zombies. His exhausted yet determined strides guided them toward their designated points, keeping the horde tightly controlled. Soldiers and survivors huddled at a safe distance, their wide eyes shifting uneasily between the horde and the sky. Major Erickson stood near the frontline, his steely demeanor masking the weight of the decision he was about to execute. Luke stood beside Mira, her fingers laced tightly through his. They both watched Bayo with a mix of admiration and dread. Nearby, Luke’s parents remained quiet, their expressions frozen in the same disbelief mirrored by every other face. Erickson raised his radio. His voice carried a calm authority that belied the tension in the air. “Echo Base, this is Major Er
The battlefield was eerily quiet, save for the occasional groan of a wounded soldier. The once-mindless zombies now stood frozen, their lifeless eyes staring into the void. Soldiers and survivors stared at the undead in stunned silence, unsure whether to rejoice or remain on guard. The tension hung heavy in the air, a mix of relief and dread. Bayo knelt on the ground, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. He wiped sweat from his brow, his connection to the horde severed but still leaving a faint, nagging hum in his mind. He glanced around, his gaze meeting Luke’s. “You good?” Luke asked, stepping closer. Bayo nodded, though his exhaustion was evident. “Yeah... for now.” Major Erickson approached the group, his face set in a grim expression. He surveyed the scene, his sharp eyes taking in the scattered corpses of zombies and the soldiers who had fallen in battle. His radio crackled to life, breaking the uneasy silence. “This is Echo Base. Major, your package h
Rachel hovered in the helicopter, her camera zoomed in on the chaos below. Her live feed broadcasted to millions worldwide, capturing a battle no one could have imagined. Below her, the scene was apocalyptic: zombies clawing and thrashing, their hunger insatiable. In their midst, Luke fought with a ferocity that demanded attention. “This is Rachel, live from the heart of what might be the most pivotal moment in human history,” she said into her headset. “What you’re witnessing isn’t just survival—it’s war. And leading it are three individuals who may very well change the tide of this conflict.” The camera focused on Luke, his enhanced strength on full display as he tore through the horde. To the side, Bayo stood like an immovable wall, holding the zombies at bay through sheer will and some mysterious connection to them. Above it all, Akin stood on the roof of an overturned military truck, his commanding presence undeniable. His laughter echoed across the battlefield as he spread h
Bayo’s knees wobbled as the weight of the horde's relentless advance seemed to press down on his chest. The battlefield was chaos— filled with growls, screams, and the sharp sounds of gunfire. Every breath he took felt heavier, like something primal was clawing at the edges of his mind. His vision blurred momentarily as he stumbled back, clutching his head. “Bayo, what’s wrong?” Luke’s voice barely reached him over the noise. “I… I don’t know,” Bayo murmured, his words barely audible. The moment Akin had stepped forward, the air had shifted. There was a palpable charge, a sense of inevitability. And for Bayo, something else entirely—a flood of raw emotion that wasn’t his. At first, it was faint, like static on a weak signal. But now it roared through him with a ferocity he couldn’t ignore. He gritted his teeth, his head pounding with every passing second. Rage. Hunger. A deep, unrelenting hunger that burned hotter than anything he had ever felt. --- The horde pressed forward, t
Luke paced restlessly near the makeshift shelter they had found for Mira and his parents, hidden away in an abandoned building far from the chaos of the encampment. Mira sat beside Laura, comforting her as Samuel kept watch by the entrance. Bayo leaned against the wall, sharpening his machete, his eyes scanning their surroundings with the same sharpness as his blade. “You feel it, don’t you?” Luke said suddenly, breaking the silence. Bayo looked up, his expression unreadable. “Yeah. Something’s off.” Luke clenched his fists. His enhanced senses were screaming at him. Ever since the attack started, there had been an inexplicable pull—like a thread connecting him to Akin. It was faint at first, but now it was undeniable, like a beacon drawing him toward the source of the chaos. “What do you think he’s up to?” Luke asked, his voice low. Bayo sighed, sheathing his machete he had picked from a fallen soldier. “You know what he’s capable of, Luke. He’s not the same person you knew
The air reeked of blood, smoke, and decay as Major Erickson crouched behind an overturned truck, reloading his rifle with trembling hands. Around him, the remnants of his unit fought desperately to hold their ground against the horde. Their once-tight defensive line had shattered, replaced by chaotic clusters of men and women firing in every direction.Erickson’s radio crackled, static-laced screams filling the channel. He shut it off, his jaw tightening. There was no point in calling for reinforcements; they were on their own.From his position, Erickson could see the focal point of the horde: Akin. The boy was slumped against a steel barricade as Erickson had freed him in an attempt to escape with his prisoner but had to drop him to save himself as the zombie seemed to focus on him furiously,Akin lay on the ground in a sitting position his semi-conscious form eerily still despite the chaos. His head lolled as if the drugs coursing through his veins had tethered him to some half-drea