The creature twisted upward, letting out a guttural snarl as it launched itself toward him. Its jaw snapped shut just inches from his face.
'Like hell you will!' he thought.
He willed his system to activate.
(Agility +1)
A rush of heat spread through his body, and suddenly he felt lighter and quicker. His instincts took over. He dropped low, twisting to the side as the zombie flew past him. The air stank of rot as it brushed by.
Without even thinking, Jaxon let go of the axe and rammed his shoulder forward, hitting the infected with everything he had. The impact sent both of them crashing backward.
The zombie stumbled, its arms flailing, and fell hard to the floor with a wet thud.
Jaxon stepped back, breathing hard, and grabbed his axe from the floor. The thing twitched and snarled, its cloudy eyes fixed on him again. He gripped the handle with both hands, raised the axe high, and swung down hard...
...but the infected twisted its head to the side in a way that didn't seem natural, bones cracking as it moved. The blade smashed into the floor, sparks flying from the metal.
Jaxon's eyes widened. 'This bastard… it know how to avoid fatal blows.'
Before he could even pull the axe back, the zombie lunged again, letting out a roar that rattled his chest. Jaxon stumbled to the side, barely dodging its grasp.
Up close, the thing was terrifying. Its face was half-torn apart, flesh hanging off its jaw, and it smelled thick and rotten, making him want to throw up.
It came at him again, faster this time. Jaxon didn't have time to think. He jammed the axe handle between them just as the zombie's mouth snapped shut.
The force knocked him backward, and they both crashed to the ground, the infected on top, its teeth gnashing just inches from his throat. Jaxon struggled to keep the handle steady, his arms shaking from its unnatural strength. The creature's breath stank as it pressed closer, inch by inch.
'Shit... no...' he thought, his strength fading.
Then...
Twack!
A loud crack echoed through the room. A chair smashed into the zombie's side, sending it rolling off him.
Jaxon blinked, gasping for air, then looked up.
"Natasha..." he breathed.
Without hesitating, he jumped to his feet, grabbed his axe again, and swung with everything he had. The blade finally connected this time. It sank deep into the zombie's skull with a sickening crunch, ending the fight for good.
(10 EXP, 15 coins, and 0.10 Intelligence obtained from the zombie)
Jaxon breathed heavily, his chest rising and falling fast. Sweat was dripping down his face as he turned to Natasha.
"I told you to stay in the room," he said, still trying to catch his breath.
"You idiot!" Natasha suddenly ran to him and threw her arms around him, hugging him tight. Her hands were shaking as she held on. "Don't ever do that again."
Jaxon froze for a second, then sighed softly and patted her head. "I'm sorry, Sis."
She pulled back a little and looked up at him, her eyes filled with worry. "Are you hurt anywhere?"
"I'm fine. Thanks to you," Jaxon said, managing a small smile. "You saved my ass back there."
Then something clicked in his mind. "Wait, the door."
He turned quickly and peeked outside. The street was still empty. No groans, no movement. He finally let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
"Natasha, help me carry this one," Jaxon said, pointing toward the corpse.
"Got it," Natasha replied, wiping the tears from her eyes.
Together, they dragged the limp, bloody body outside the gate and dropped it on the street. Jaxon locked the gate tight, his eyes lingering on the latch.
"An infected… opening a gate now," Natasha whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Yeah," Jaxon muttered, frowning. "Help me block it, Sis."
The two of them struggled to move a heavy cabinet from inside the house. Little by little, they carried it to the gate and pushed it hard against the latch. Now, even if another zombie tried to open it, the cabinet would hold. It wouldn't be easy to move.
When they were finally sure it was secure, they went back inside, locked the door, and piled more furniture against it for extra protection.
Jaxon leaned back and took a deep breath, his body still tense but slowly starting to relax. Natasha sat next to him, her face pale but calm.
"Jaxon... that zombie," she started quietly.
"I know," he said, nodding. "I need to tell you something, but first, go get Mom and Cindy."
A few minutes later, Natasha returned with the two. Cindy's eyes were red and swollen.
"Brother, I'm sorry," she cried as she ran to him. "I'm sorry I couldn't help you. My body just froze in fear… I'm so useless…"
Jaxon caught her in his arms, his heart softening.
"Jaxon…" Isabel's voice trembled. Guilt was written all over her face. "I should have done something. I-I left everything to you again."
"Mom, Cindy," Jaxon said gently, patting Cindy's back. "It's okay. You don't need to blame yourselves. I told you to stay inside."
"But… brother…" Cindy whispered through tears.
"Shh," Jaxon said softly. "I told you, I'm fine."
"Jaxon, forgive us," Isabel murmured, stepping closer and wrapping her arms around both of them.
Natasha, who had been watching silently, felt her chest tighten. She joined the hug too, holding them close.
For a moment, the four of them stayed that way, quiet and tired, holding on to the warmth that still remained between them amidst the horror outside.