Life is the Apocalypse.

*Search and Rescue*

The wet leaves crunched underneath our feet nonetheless of their state, as If nature wanted us to be caught and ate alive.

"I'm freezing," Kate whispered.

"Yeah, me too..." I said, twisting my head to look at her. "It's unnaturally cold right now. It's never felt this way before. I hope it's not some kind of new... Zombie."

Victoria shook her head from side to side. "Yeah, that would be bad, considering you're the only one with a weapon."

It was then a clawed hand picked her up and slammed her onto the ground with enough force that's knock her out.

Which, as I figured, it did.

But whatever it was, wasn't done with her.

A tail slipped out, or maybe it was a tongue, and jerked at her shot leg a couple times.

"Hey!" I yelled, readying my Javelin. "Hands off!"

The zombie broke it's head through the narrow branches.

It was... Not a zombie I'd ever seen.

But, it was a zombie.

Flesh was torn from it's face, and one of it's eyes were missing. Claw marks were left in the sand in front of it, yet it wasn't a Cutter. Horns prickled off the front of it, and a long, forked tongue lolled out the side of it's mouth. It's breath smelled of rotten flesh... Or maybe that was just it. And a white cloud surrounded it. Perhaps that's why it was so cold? The creature had jagged teeth... That almost looked like bone.

"What's the price of just one life, if your own is being spared?" It said in a whispering echo.

"Y-you talk?" I gulped. I'd never heard a zombie talk before.

"You are correct, in a way." It riddled. "Unlike some of my undead companions, I am willing to make a deal. Before we invaded, was this one of your friends?" The creature waggled Victoria's unconscious body around like a ragdoll.

"No, not really." I admitted. "But-"

"So why would you care, if she died?" It spoke slowly, and as if it was in great pain.

"Because she's one of us, now!" I reasoned.

"But that makes no sense," It said. "If I bit her, she'd be one of us, yes?"

It had a point. Dammit, it was out-smarting me!

"Yes, that's true..." I said aloud, inside, struggling to find a point it couldn't support.

It began to swirl around Victoria's body, readying to take her.

"Wait!" I shouted.

It twisted towards me, baring it's teeth in a disgusting, foul smelling, smile.

"Yes?" It flicked its tongue.

"What do the zombies bring you in return for service?" I asked, coming up with an idea.

"Fresh meat. What are you saying?" It sounded worried. It knew I was out-smarting it!

"Aren't there more of them than us?" I continued, grinning.

"Well, yes, but, why are you asking this?" It questioned, smile fading.

"Can't you join us, and eat them? You'd be fed a lot more, now wouldn't you?" I asked, hoping to whatever was left that the creature'd believe me.

It lunged towards my face, stopping inches away. I forced myself not to vomit.

"Yes." Was all it said.

"Yes, you'll join us, or yes, you'd be fed more?" I asked.

"Both. But, why would you want me? What say, one of our others?" It questioned sincerely.

"You're more civil. And, you look much... Cooler." I admitted. "And, you're probably stronger."

"You make excellent points." It confessed, after several long minutes. "Yes, I will join you, and whatever numbers you currently have."

Kate watched from a safe distance away, gasping. I didn't blame her.

I took a journal and pencil out of my back pocket, sketching the creature out.

"One last question," I said, before it walked over to Kate. "Why is it so cold?"

"Oh, why, because of me, of course. I make it freezing by my own will." It answered, continuing its lumber over to Kate.

I went out and sat down beside Victoria's unconscious body. At the top of the journal page, I labeled, "Fogger," after, "Bull," "Bomber," "Beefer," and "Cutter."

I jotted down my description and it's abilities, than shoved the Survival Handbook back into my pocket.

Kate was petting the creature when I looked over there, and its eyes were squinty with delight.

'Fast friends,' I thought. 'Kate was always good with animals.'

After a couple more minutes of rest, I loaded Victoria onto the Fogger's back, and me and Kate climbed on after.

We directed the Fogger in many different directions, searching for Max and the other members of our group.

Just as we were going to give up, the Fogger alerted us of a scream. It said it was feminine, which could only mean it was Max.

"A female scream, I hear, with my sensitive ears." It said.

"Bolt in the direction of the scream!" I practically screamed.

"Are you sure?" It asked. "What if it's a trap?"

"Just go!" I spurred its sides with my worn out black boots, and it began galloping towards the sound.

"Max!" I shouted as we road. "Max, where are you!?"

"CHLOE!?" A shriek, that, could ONLY come from Max sounded.

"Max!" I spurred the Fogger's sides again, and it ran faster in Max's direction.

There were at least three or four attacking Max when we got there, and two more laying at her feet, actually dead this time.

"Oh, great!" She yelled, seeing the Fogger. "Because I just absolutely needed-"

The Fogger chomped down all four of them with us still on its back, coating us in oily blood.

"Max, its us!" I said, hopping off the Fogger's back.

Kate held it in place, as it performed small circles around the perimeter, making sure nothing else was going to jump Max or I.

She instantly fell into my arms, and to be honest, I enjoyed the feeling of holding her. And something inside of me told me, she liked it too.

"Chloe," She tightened her grip on my jacket, smearing black blood all over her clothes, as if making sure I was really there. "I am so glad you're here."

"Max," I breathed over and over again, laying my head on top of hers. "Max, Max, Max..."

"Chloe, it's me. I'm here," She tried to soothe me.

And then, again, I noticed why.

Though it was a good time for me, I was experiencing yet another panic attack.

Which meant, either a Beefer was near, or I was just extremely happy.

And, judging by the burning, searing, pain in the scar on my back...

It was a Beefer. And it wasn't a normal one.