*Archer*

The scent of salt lingered in the air, mingling with the rhythmic crash of waves as I stepped aboard the military ship bound for the infected island of Cresha. Once a vibrant vacation paradise, Cresha had become a dangerous wasteland following a laboratory accident six months prior. The stark reality of its lost glory weighed heavily on my mind. Since that fateful day, strange creatures began to roam the island. While most of these beings posed little threat, the few that did offer meagre comfort to those who lived in fear.

Among the more dangerous varieties was Test Object 307. With their greenish skin and grotesque organs jutting from their bodies, they were commonly referred to as zombies. Yet, these weren't the slow, lumbering undead of folklore; many were swift and agile. Alarmingly, about 5% exhibited mutations, sporting additional limbs or features borrowed from both animal and plant D.N.A.

In essence, the island was a treacherous realm, a danger zone that few should dare enter. Yet, with many people still trapped on Cresha, protests erupted over whether we should attempt a rescue or abandon them to their fate. The operation was fraught with challenges—concerns about radiation exposure and the potential for infection to spread to the mainland loomed large, heightening the tension surrounding our mission.

Amidst the uproar, a wealthy billionaire's wife—whose name eluded me—founded an organization called the International Rescue Team (I.R.T.). Their mission was to reduce the population of these creatures on the island. Many hailed it as a noble cause, a way to alleviate their guilt for leaving others behind. Surprisingly, many young people signed up, likely lured by the promise of substantial pay.

I, too, joined the I.R.T., but not for the money. My decision was fueled by a commitment to my morals, shaped by experiences and in hopes of finding my family, that I, after I moved to the state, lost contact with. Although I chose to search for my family, a gnawing unease settled in my gut as the island loomed ever closer to the horizon.