6

Ethan fought like the apocalypse had been made for him. Before long, only a few wolves remained.

The danger had thinned. I decided it was a good time to leave.

I took one cautious step.

Ethan caught the back of my collar.

"Trying to run?"

"Hhrrr."

Could zombies look embarrassed? If so, I was doing a wonderful job.

Then one wolf sprang at Annie from behind.

I disliked Annie. I did not want to watch her die.

I opened my mouth to warn Ethan.

Before any sound came out, Ethan grabbed me and threw me into the wolf's path.

I hit the animal hard. Ethan yanked Annie safely into his arms.

I turned back, teeth bared, ready to accuse him in my limited vocabulary.

A bullet punched through the center of my forehead.

I froze.

So did Ethan.

A squad of soldiers stood behind him. The man in front held an assault rifle aimed straight at me.

He rushed to Annie.

"Annie, are you hurt?"

She shook her head, cheeks flushed. "Ethan protected me."

Her brother handed Ethan a metal pass stamped with the crest of the survivor compound.

"This will get you in. Come with us."

Humans reunited. Zombie eliminated. What a perfect ending.

If only I had not been the zombie.

As I fell, my life moved through me in bright, broken pieces.

I had tried so hard to live.

I had never thought living would be this difficult.

Before the dark took me, I looked at Ethan one last time.

He had not taken the pass.

He was staring at me.

His eyes were red. His voice shook.

"Maya?"