Story 506: Shadows of the Forgotten Village

The ZETU convoy came to a halt at the edge of a desolate village. The moon’s pale light barely illuminated the eerie sight ahead: charred wooden cottages surrounded by shambling figures. Flames flickered in the distance, licking the edges of the central square, where the smell of burning flesh was thick and overpowering.

“Another village wiped out,” Captain Marcus Kane muttered, his voice heavy with frustration. “Zombies don’t burn villages. Something else is happening here.”

“Scans show concentrated movement near the square,” Ethan "Brain" O’Connor reported, studying the drone feed on his tablet. “Looks like survivors are trapped in the main hall, surrounded by a larger-than-usual horde.”

“Time for us to thin the herd,” Sergeant Jenna "Blaze" Hart said, loading a fresh canister into her flamethrower.

“Riley, find a vantage point. Shield, Huntress—you're with me,” Kane ordered. “Blaze and Brain, hold the perimeter. Keep an eye on those houses; we don’t want any surprises.”