Even though I had a fear of guns, Synthia taught me how to shoot one after being ambushed out in the snow. It didn’t take long for me to learn to shoot for the head. Without my glasses, getting close made it a bit hard, but I did a decent job at it.

No one at the military base knew I could shoot a gun until recently.

I was shooting at a dummy in the shooting range, seeing if I was still any good at it. It was a good thing to know in times like that.

I preferred being in close combat with zombies because it was faster in a way. Removing the head was a swift and fatal movement that was easily done since my body’s cells work like tank engines every time I had to fight anything.

Jacob came in while I was shooting and wrapped his arms around me tight, making me gasp a bit for air. I laughed and put the gun down, smirking behind me at him.

“Since when have you known how to shoot a gun?” he prodded.

“My friend showed me.”

“What’s her name?”

“Synthia.”

“She taught you well.”

“Yeah, I know.” He moved my hair.

“This would be a great thing to use when there are undead here.”

“It’s harder to shoot zombies when you’re in their faces.” He kissed my neck and cheek and smiled at me.

Then, his radio turned on, reporting that there was a horde breaking down the gates. He responded and rushed out. I followed close behind, waiting to hear if they needed me. I wondered if they ever used Danny, but it was probably a lot harder to calm him down after the fact. I never even asked if that’s what happened before I ever came there. Maybe I should’ve.

Military men and women were shooting into the horde, trying to tame it down, but the gate started buckling under the pressure.

I could see something controlling them and a heartbeat that wasn’t mine was making my ears ring. Jacob started shooting into the crowd, making me a bit anxious. He was strong but the horde was stronger due to whatever was controlling them.

The gate collapsed, rattling against the floor.

The area was put on lockdown with only guards that were willing to give their lives for the cause, which included Jacob.

He used to tell me that there was a waiver when you joined the military that asked if you were willing to die for your country. With no one left in his life before, he marked “yes”. Danny said he had signed the same flyer but was at less of a risk as Jacob was.

“Zombie boy, get in there!” the commander yelled at me, so I rushed inside, trying to find the center.

Nails and teeth ripped into my skin, tearing up my clothes and limbs.

But, I found it.

Or, her, I should say.

The ringleader of the zombies scoffed as she nailed me in the face with her fist. I hit the ground and kicked her in the chest. I swung hard punches into her and she did the same until we both grew tired.

I had one more option: my gift.

I never used it, never even spoke of it, but it was there.

I charged my body up and exploded, electrocuting her and destroying the walking corpses around us. She hit the floor and her zombies stopped trying to force their way through. I dragged her out into the open before hitting the tile, weakened and sick to my stomach.

I started throwing up, choking and coughing on the acid from my stomach. I watched the ringleader get dragged off by two guards.

My eyes focused on Jacob then. He was gripping a bleeding arm and yelling for someone to help me. My ears were ringing, and he was fighting for me, even though he was hurt. Someone tightened their belt on his arm to stop the steady flow and helped him away.

The commander called Danny to come and get me since I threw up, which could hurt others. Except for Danny.

He lifted me in his arms and took me to an ICU room. He started a fluid drip on me and started cleaning me up, trying not to tear up at how much pain I was in.