Ben saw it.
So did Killian.
Killian was too far away.
Erik was occupied.
Kai was facing the opposite direction.
Ben didn't have time to hesitate. His body reacted before he could think.
The zombie turned toward Penelope but Ben reached it first.
His strike landed before the infected could get close enough to touch her.
The zombie collapsed.
Penelope stared at him.
Ben stared back.
Neither had time to process what had just happened.
"MOVE!" Erik shouted.
Everyone moved.
The group reunited.
Killian immediately reassessed their formation.
"Back to the store."
Nobody needed to be told twice.
They retreated together.
Not running blindly.
Not separating.
Every person watched a direction.
Every person protected someone else's blind spot.
The jewelry store entrance grew closer.
Five meters.
Three.
One.
Erik reached it first.
"Keys!"
Penelope immediately unwrapped the security guard's belt from around her wrist.
Then she looked down.
