"Zombie Dawn: Rise of the Hunted"

Chapter 20: The Unwanted Encounter

Chapter 20: The Unwanted Encounter

Rena's POV

Things had felt... different since Filip and I became a couple. The world outside was still terrifying, overrun with death and chaos, but inside, when it was just the two of us, I found a strange sense of peace. Filip was more possessive now, protective in ways that sometimes made me worry. But I knew he loved me, and in this twisted world, that love was something real and precious.

One day, while we were out scavenging for supplies, we ran into trouble. Real trouble. Leon, Filip, and I had just finished looting a small store, hoping to grab enough to last us a few days, when a group of men showed up. They were scruffy and armed, clearly survivors like us. But it was the way their leader looked at me that sent a chill down my spine.

He stepped forward, tall and broad-shouldered, with an unsettling grin on his face. His eyes locked onto me, and I could feel his gaze crawling over my skin. I instinctively stepped closer to Filip, but the man didn't seem to notice-or care.

"Well, what do we have here?" the man said, looking me up and down. "A girl. Didn't think I'd see that again in this mess." His grin widened as he casually rested a hand on the hilt of his knife.

Filip moved in front of me, his posture tense and protective. "She's with us. Move along."

But the man wasn't deterred. He took another step forward, his eyes still on me, completely ignoring Filip and Leon. "Relax, man. I'm just making conversation. You know, it's rare to see a woman out here, especially one who's survived. She's gotta be tough, right?" He chuckled, his gaze never leaving me. "My name's Jason, by the way. No need to get hostile."

Jason. His name sounded casual, but there was nothing casual about the way he was eyeing me like a piece of prey.

I kept my eyes hard, refusing to show any fear. "I'm not interested in talking, Jason. Just keep moving."

Filip's fists were clenched at his sides. I could feel the tension in him rising, but Jason seemed oblivious-or maybe he just didn't care.

"You don't have to be so cold," Jason said, that unsettling smile still on his face. "I'm just saying you'd be safer with us. Guys like me? We know how to keep people alive. Maybe you'd like to join up with our group. We could take good care of you."

I could feel Filip's anger building beside me, his knuckles white around the handle of his gun. Leon was silent but tense, watching Jason and his men closely.

"She said she's not interested," Filip growled, stepping forward. "Back off."

Jason finally shifted his gaze to Filip, his grin fading slightly. "Relax, buddy. I'm just trying to be friendly. No need for threats." He glanced back at me, his eyes lingering too long. "But I'd think about it, sweetheart. You won't find many offers like this out here."

"I said, back off," Filip repeated, his voice deadly calm now.

Jason raised his hands in mock surrender, but the smirk never left his face. "Alright, alright. No need to get worked up. I'll leave you and your... boys alone. For now."

He turned away, motioning to his men to follow him. But as they left, I could feel his eyes on me, that unsettling smile still playing on his lips.

When they were finally out of sight, Filip turned to me, his face a mixture of fury and concern. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, though my heart was still racing. "Yeah. I'm fine. But something about him... He's dangerous."

Leon, who had been silent through the whole exchange, finally spoke up. "We need to keep an eye out. I don't trust him. He'll be back."

Filip's jaw tightened. "If he comes near you again, I'll put him down. I swear it."

I touched his arm, trying to calm him. "We'll handle it. Together."

But I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't over. Jason wasn't going to let this go, and the way he looked at me... I knew he'd be back. And next time, it wouldn't just be words.