Chapter 1

Evan Guzman's first love, Sharon Lynn, and I found the last vial of antidote during the apocalypse at the same time.

I needed it to purge the zombie virus from my body. She wanted to use it to purify a polluted stream.

By the rules, it should have gone to me. I had killed more zombies than anyone else on the team.

However, Evan only hesitated for a moment before placing the antidote into Sharon's hand.

Then he turned to me. "She's the last hope for humanity. Think about the bigger picture. Don't be so selfish."

I collapsed as the virus spread through my body.

One year later, I rose as the new Zombie Queen.

Evan had no choice but to kneel before my throne, with Sharon trembling beside him, begging me to spare them.

He pleaded, "Please, can you let us go?"

I laughed.

Think bigger, right?

I could turn both of you into zombies. That would solve everything.

*****

In the silent ruins of the city, I yanked my blade out of the Zombie King's head.

Black blood hit my face like a splash of rot, stinging and choking.

This was the final high-level zombie of the mission.

I dropped to my knees, breathing hard. My left arm had a deep scratch down to the bone, still bleeding.

I got it when I blocked a deadly strike meant for Evan, the captain of our team.

The zombie virus was spreading rapidly, and half my body was already going numb.

"Nora, hang in there." Evan rushed over and held me up.

I caught a hint of concern in his eyes.

I knew what he was after.

The last vial of antidote was in the sealed lab. One shot, and I could be saved.

"I found it." Sharon's excited voice came from the corner as she walked out, cradling the glowing blue vial in her hands.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

I was going to make it.

I killed over three hundred zombies, took down the Zombie King, and nearly died protecting my teammates while helping them find the antidote.

By every measure, this vial should have been mine.

"Evan, hurry." I reached out, waiting for the medicine that could save me.

Evan took the vial and ran his fingers over the glass.

Sharon suddenly sighed and bit her lips. "Nora, I'm sorry, but I have to take it.

"Captain Evan, I found a stream that's been contaminated. The fish inside is all dead. It's heartbreaking. And everyone's been fighting so long. They're thirsty."

Sharon's voice trembled with tears, and she sounded so righteous.

Evan stopped and looked at me, his expression getting complicated.

My heart sank, a bad feeling creeping in.

"Evan, I'm about to mutate," I gritted out, pointing at my nails, which were already turning into claws.

"I know," Evan said quietly. "Nora, you're way tougher than most people. Just hold on a bit longer. Maybe we can figure something out once we're back at the base."

I stared at him in disbelief.

Serious? Everyone knew there was no other way to stop the mutation except this antidote.

Sharon walked up and tugged Evan's sleeve. "Nora is so strong. She'll definitely pull through.

"Evan, I'm a water ability user. With this antidote, I can purify that stream. It can save the fish and give everyone clean water."

Evan glanced at Sharon, then at me. He took a deep breath, as if he was about to make the hardest choice of his life.

Under my shocked gaze, he solemnly placed the antidote into Sharon's hands. "Go."

Sharon's face lit up with delight, and she spun around and dashed off.

I tried to get up, but I was too weak and fell back down hard.

"Evan, are you out of your mind?" I shouted, my voice rough and broken.

Evan crouched down and pressed his hand on my shoulder. "Nora, think about the bigger picture. Don't be so selfish. Sharon is saving lives and helping the team. You're only injured.

"I'll make sure the base knows what you did here."

I looked at his self-righteous face and felt a chill run through my entire body.

"The bigger picture?" I let out a bitter laugh. "Am I supposed to die for her so-called water purification plan?"

Evan frowned, sounding impatient. "Don't be so dramatic. You're not going to die. Stay here for a bit. I've already contacted the base. Medical support will be here soon."

He checked his watch. "Sharon needs me. She shouldn't be out there alone."

I watched him walk away, feeling like something inside me had died.

Why did he care so much?

Sharon was safe in the back with the best teammates around her, while I was alone in a corpse-filled ruin, fully infected. Who was actually in danger?

"Evan!" I screamed his name with all the strength I had left.

He paused, but didn't look back. "Nora, stay there. Don't make trouble."

He walked away without a second glance, the truck throwing up a wall of dust as he disappeared.

I watched the truck that meant survival drive away.

Low growls came from the shadows around me. The zombies were coming closer because of the smell of blood.

I braced myself on my blade, trying to stand, but my legs had already gone numb.

It hurt so much. It felt like my body was tearing apart.

Warm blood kept seeping from my wound. I looked down through the pain and saw veins moving under my skin like worms.

The medical team still hadn't shown up.

Forcing myself to stay conscious, I reached for the comms on my belt. "This is Nora Jackson. Requesting backup."

The channel stayed eerily silent.

After what felt like an eternity, Alex, the leader of the medical team, finally spoke, sounding unsure. "Nora? Evan said you already—"

"Already what?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"He said you died protecting everyone. He didn't want anyone to see you turning into a zombie, saying it would be an insult to a hero," he said.

I shouted frantically, "I'm not dead. I just—"

"The base is already locked down. I'm really sorry," Alex said.

Then the line went dead.