Zombie apocalypse:whispers from the dark

The stalker

The following days were grueling. The group pushed deeper into the woods, moving through treacherous terrain, scavenging for supplies, and avoiding large hordes of zombies. But through it all, Anastasia felt a presence lingering at the edge of their camp—a shadow that followed her, always out of sight but never too far away.

It was Zach. She knew it, felt it. He was watching her.

The nights were the hardest. As the others slept, Anastasia lay awake, her heart racing with a strange mixture of fear and anticipation. Every rustle of leaves, every distant sound made her wonder if he was near. If he would come for her.

It was the third night when it finally happened.

Anastasia had been restless, lying near the campfire while the others slept. The darkness around them was thick, the forest alive with the sounds of distant creatures. She sat up, her eyes scanning the trees, sensing something—or someone—just beyond the fire’s glow.

Suddenly, there was a rustling behind her. Before she could react, a strong hand clamped over her mouth, pulling her into the shadows. Panic surged through her, but then she recognized the familiar scent—the scent she had never forgotten.

Zach.

Her heart pounded as he silently dragged her deeper into the forest, away from the camp. She didn’t struggle, knowing he wasn’t here to hurt her, though the uncertainty of what he wanted made her tremble.

After what felt like an eternity, he stopped, releasing her in a small clearing. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting long shadows on the ground. Anastasia spun around to face him, her breath coming in quick gasps.

Zach stood there, tall and imposing, his piercing blue eyes glowing in the dim light. His face was mostly hidden by his hood, but she could see the hardness in his expression—the coldness that hadn’t been there before.

"Zach," she whispered, her voice shaking. "Why are you doing this? Why didn’t you come to us?"

He said nothing at first, his gaze locked onto hers, intense and unreadable. For a moment, Anastasia thought he might walk away again, leaving her with more questions than answers. But then, he spoke, his voice low and rough, as though it had been a long time since he’d used it.

"I couldn’t," he said, his tone distant. "I’m not the same person anymore, Ana. You wouldn’t understand."

Anastasia stepped closer, her heart aching at the sound of his voice, but she refused to be afraid. She had waited too long for this moment. "Then help me understand," she said, her voice stronger now. "You owe me that much."

Zach’s jaw clenched, and he turned his back on her, staring out into the forest. "I’m dangerous. You don’t want to be around me. You and the others… you’re safer without me."

"I don’t believe that," Anastasia said firmly, closing the distance between them. "You’re not dangerous to me, Zach. I know you. Whatever’s happened to you, we can figure it out together."

He scoffed, a bitter sound that made her heart twist. "You think you know me?" he muttered, finally turning to face her. "I’ve killed more people than I can count, Anastasia. Not just zombies. People. I’m a monster."

Anastasia took a deep breath, refusing to back down. "You’re not a monster. You’re a survivor. And I know you—maybe better than you know yourself. You would never hurt me."

Zach’s eyes softened, just for a moment, as he looked at her. The man she had fallen in love with was still there, hidden beneath layers of pain and darkness. She could feel it, even if he couldn’t see it himself.

"I didn’t come to hurt you," he admitted quietly. "I just… I needed to see you. To make sure you were okay."

Her chest tightened at his words. "Then why are you running from me? From us?"

Zach turned away again, his shoulders tense. "Because if I stay, it’ll only bring danger. The people I’ve been with… the things I’ve done… they’ll catch up with me. And when they do, I don’t want you anywhere near it."

Anastasia stepped closer, reaching out to touch his arm. He flinched at her touch, but didn’t pull away.

"We can face it together," she said softly, her voice filled with emotion. "Whatever it is. You don’t have to carry this alone, Zach."

For a long moment, he was silent. His breathing was ragged, his mind clearly torn between staying and fleeing. Finally, he turned to her, his piercing blue eyes locking onto hers.

"You’re better off without me," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Anastasia’s eyes filled with tears as she reached up, cupping his face with both hands. "No. I’m not."

And then, before he could stop her, she kissed him.

The world seemed to stop in that moment, the weight of everything else disappearing as their lips met. Zach hesitated for a heartbeat, but then he pulled her close, kissing her back with a hunger that matched her own. It was a kiss filled with longing, with all the pain and love they had both carried for so long.

When they finally broke apart, Zach’s forehead rested against hers, his breath coming in shallow gasps. "I’ve missed you," he admitted, his voice raw with emotion.

"I’ve missed you too," Anastasia whispered, her hands still resting on his face.

For the first time in a long while, Zach’s hardened exterior seemed to crack. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as if afraid she would disappear.

But the moment was fleeting. Reality came crashing back, and Zach stepped away, his expression hardening once more.

"I can’t stay," he said, his voice hoarse. "They’ll come for me, and when they do… you need to be far away."

Anastasia’s heart sank. "Zach, don’t—"

"I have to go," he interrupted, his tone final. "But I’ll be watching. I’ll keep you safe from a distance. Just… promise me you’ll stay with the others. Don’t come looking for me again."

Before she could protest, he was gone, disappearing into the shadows as silently as he had come. Anastasia stood there, her heart shattered, watching the darkness swallow him whole.

Tears streamed down her face, but she knew one thing for certain: no matter what he said, she wasn’t going to give up on him. She would find him again. And this time, she wouldn’t let him go.

Anastasia returned to the camp just before dawn, her heart heavy with the weight of what had happened. She hadn’t told the others yet, but deep down, she knew that their journey was far from over.

She would find Zach again, no matter what it took.

And when she did, she would remind him that love could conquer even the darkest of nights.