I gazed out the windows of the shop where my friends and I were staying. In the distance, I heard people shouting—and that loud, screeching sound continued. I didn’t dare go out to investigate. I wanted to fight, but I wasn’t sure what we were up against. I gripped my Katana tightly, ready if I had to defend us. But if that noise came from something as big as the Cerberus, my Katana wouldn't stand a chance.

The screeching got closer. Jill and the others woke up.

“What’s going on?” Mr. Sanders asked groggily, looking toward me.

“Shh… don’t talk,” I whispered.

A shadowy figure appeared down the hallway. It was massive—at least six feet tall—with what looked like tentacles. I couldn’t make out the details, but I slowly backed away from the window and crouched behind the counter in the center of the room.

Peeking over the top, I watched the thing approach the doors.

“Stay quiet,” I whispered toward the bed where Jill and the others were huddled.

The creature moved closer to the storefront… then turned and kept walking down the hall. My eyes were wide and watery as I stared at it. If I hadn’t seen it myself, I wouldn’t have believed it. It looked like a black panther—but with six legs and two tentacles sprouting from each shoulder. Like something from a horror movie.

Why isn’t anyone stopping this monster?

Still hiding, I started to worry about the Jacksons next door—and what Hunter and Madison were doing in their room.

When I figured the creature was far enough away, I crept to the door and knocked gently.

I waited. Surely they’d heard the noise.

I looked back toward the window, then at the door again. I remembered the promise we made not to open it.

After a minute, the door creaked open, and Hunter stepped out.

“My sister’s freaking out,” he whispered. “What’s going on?”

“We’re not doing anything,” I whispered back. “There’s a creature in the halls.”

We heard the screech again, but this time it sounded farther away.

This was going to be a long night without sleep.

I clutched my Katana to my chest, tense and ready. If that thing got in here…

“You know, for a six-year-old, you’re kind of a badass with that Katana,” Hunter whispered.

“I’m not six,” I grumbled. “I mean—I am now—but I was sixteen. A week ago.”

Hunter blinked. “What?”

“She and I were sixteen before this,” Jill chimed in, trying to help. “Back when all this started.”

Hunter laughed softly. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s hard to explain,” I said. “But all of this—this whole zombie thing—started because of one man. His name’s George Russell. He’s a scientist from Mantri, Kansas. He created a formula he thought would cure a plague in Argentina. At first, it worked. But later, everyone who took it started dying. And then… coming back.”

Hunter still looked confused. “Okay… but what does that have to do with you being six?”

“I’m getting there,” I said. “George is my mom’s boyfriend. The day we moved into his house, I drank what I thought was soda from his fridge. It was the formula.”

“Wait,” Madison said, stepping into the room. “You drank the zombie formula? Wouldn’t that mean you’re infected?”

“No,” I said. “It only affects people with that specific plague. Jill and I didn’t have it. Instead, it… changed us. Made us younger. And turned us into girls.”

Hunter laughed. “So you two were boys?”

“It’s true,” I said, not even flinching.

“That’s an amusing story,” came a voice from the shadows.

“Who’s there?” I said sharply, turning toward the sound.

A figure stepped forward—Jamie.

“Jamie?” I blinked. “How did you get in here without us noticing?”

“Easy,” she grinned. “You were busy talking to Hunter. I slipped in through the door. I only came to talk about the creature, but… your story was too interesting not to hear.”

“It’s all true,” I insisted.

“I believe you,” she said, smiling. “You mentioned Isisraxtosa. That formula was used here too. It wasn’t just Argentina.”

“What? I thought it was only down there!” I was shocked.

“Maybe George tested it here first,” Jamie shrugged. “But I’m not surprised it created zombies. Because here—it was used on animals. At a vet clinic.”

My eyes widened.

“Animals who took the vaccine died a few days later. But they didn’t stay dead. They came back—mutated. Larger. Stronger.”

“So that explains the Cerberus,” I whispered, stepping closer to the window.

Jamie nodded. “That’s actually what I came here to tell you. I forgot to mention our secret weapon.”

“Secret weapon?” I asked, lowering my voice. “You mean that thing is—?”

“Yes,” Jamie cut in. “She helps us. Especially at night.”

“What is it?” Jill asked, walking over.

“A Night Stalker,” Jamie said.

“A what?” I laughed.

“Or Phantom Cat,” she added, rolling her eyes. “She’s my cat, okay?”

“Oh,” I said softly. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. She still knows who I am. She sleeps next to me when she feels things are safe. She just… hogs the bed now.” Jamie laughed.

We all did.

“I guess things aren’t safe right now since she’s out,” Mr. Sanders said.

“Correct,” Jamie nodded. “But that screeching you heard? That wasn’t her. That came from something else—a mutated bird-lizard hybrid. We call it the Bicephalic Basilisk.”

“How did it get that name?” I asked.

“My friend Bloom named it. It has two heads and looks kind of serpentine.”

That name gave me chills.

“I’d stay away from them,” Jamie warned. “Their bite paralyzes you—just enough so they can eat you alive.”

Madison shivered.

Jamie continued. “First time I saw one was a few days ago. I was out with one of our soldiers. It came out of nowhere. He tried to fight, but it bit him. He froze. I was terrified. I hid. Then it started tearing him apart… piece by piece.”

“There are children present,” Beverly scolded gently.

“I don’t mind,” Jill said, giggling. I nodded in agreement.

“I do,” Madison said quickly.

Jamie backed off the gory details. “Well, I’m not sure how they’re getting in. But we’ll figure it out soon.”

“How did you get away?” I asked.

“My cat,” Jamie smiled. “She rescued me. The soldier… was already gone.”

“Oh no…” Madison whispered.

“Don’t worry. She’s immune to the Basilisk’s bite. Her tentacles are fast enough to crush them.”

“Whoa…” we all said.

Jamie checked her watch. “It’s almost two in the morning. You should get some sleep. Breakfast is at eight.”

She turned and left the room.

“We might as well try to sleep,” Mr. Sanders said, glancing at me, Jill, Madison, Hunter—even Beverly. “As Jamie said, the Night Stalker will protect us.”

Everyone moved to their beds. I stayed by the window a little longer, just to be sure. Once I was convinced the hall was empty, I crept to my bed.

And slowly—finally—I drifted off to sleep.

I woke up to the smell of sausage in the air—something I hadn’t smelled since Mom made it at the McDonald’s back in Mantri a week ago. The memory made me a little sad.

I sat up in bed, accidentally waking Jill.

“Sorry,” I whispered.

“That’s okay,” she replied quietly. “I had to get up anyway. I need the little girls’ room.”

“So do I,” I said. “Where is it, anyway?”

“I don’t know,” Jill mumbled, rubbing her eyes. “It’s a mall. Probably out in the hall like usual.”

I got up and headed out the door. I looked both ways before stepping into the hallway. It felt safe. I could hear noise echoing from all directions, as if the mall were just opening for the day. I giggled at the thought. Maybe someday, the zombie apocalypse would end… and this place really would be a mall again.

As I walked, I passed stores-turned-homes. Many had curtains or makeshift decorations for privacy. Some had colorful handprints on the windows—proof that kids lived there. I thought about our place. Right now, anyone could see inside. I’d have to find something to cover the windows later.

Further down, I finally found the washrooms. Just like Jill said—Men’s and Women’s, right where you’d expect them.

I wondered where we could go for a real shower. I could definitely use one.

After finishing up, I noticed a bunch of people walking down the hall. Curiosity got the better of me, so I followed them. They passed right by our room and continued toward what looked like a dining area. A few people were setting tables with cups and silverware. I guessed this was the place where meals were served.

I wandered over. A kind-looking woman glanced up and smiled.

“Where’s your mommy or daddy, little girl?” she asked.

The words hit me hard.

I started crying.

“Oh honey, are you okay?” she said, kneeling to comfort me.

Just then, Jill and the others arrived.

“There you are, Natalie,” Beverly said, rushing to my side.

The woman stood up. “Is this your daughter… or granddaughter?”

“She’s more of an adopted granddaughter,” Beverly replied gently.

“I’m Martha,” the woman said.

“Beverly,” she responded with a nod.

“I’m Mr. Sanders—but you can call me The Colonel.”

“The Colonel?” Martha raised a brow. “As in Colonel Sanders? The chicken guy?”

We all laughed.

“I may look a little like him,” Mr. Sanders chuckled, “and I do make excellent chicken, but no—I’m not that Colonel Sanders. He died over 150 years ago.”

After introductions, we sat down at one of the tables.

More people were filing into the dining area, and a line was forming. A man approached our table.

“You must be new here,” he said. “You’ve got to stand in line for your meal.”

We thanked him and got up quickly, but the line was already long. I groaned. Why didn’t someone tell us this earlier?

By the time we reached the front, I was starving.

Breakfast was bacon, eggs, toast with jam, and grits. I chose raspberry jam. I was thrilled to see grits—most people here didn’t seem to touch them, but they were a favorite of mine. Maybe they weren’t popular this far north.

I sat down and dug in. A lady came around offering drinks.

“Milk or orange juice?” she asked.

“Milk,” I replied, then stared out the window as I sipped from the cup.

Outside, the dead wandered aimlessly.

It made me wonder… with all the noise inside the building, why weren’t they swarming?

Couldn’t they hear us?

Maybe these zombies weren’t like the Walkers from The Walking Dead after all.