Apocalypse: King of Zombies

"Have you guys ever seen a zombie before?" Ethan asked, his tone casual but probing.

"Uh… zombie?"

A few of the kids looked confused, glancing at each other before shaking their heads.

"Nope. Never seen one."

That answer caught Ethan off guard. The entire town was smack in the middle of what should've been zombie central.

And yet… they'd never seen one?

It was like this place had been deliberately shielded—like some kind of human utopia in the middle of hell.

"Milo! Time to come home for dinner!"

A voice called out nearby. Ethan turned toward it and saw a girl walking over. She looked about seventeen or eighteen, wearing a traditional Ojibwe ribbon skirt that swayed gently with her steps. Beaded strands hung across her chest, and a silver brooch caught the sunlight, glinting softly. A feather clip was tucked into her hair, and silver earrings dangled from her ears, chiming faintly with her movements—like whispers in the wind.

Her features were striking—clear eyes, sun-kissed bronze skin, and a calm, intelligent gaze. There was something about her, a quiet beauty rooted in tradition and nature, that made her stand out without even trying.

"Sis!~~~" the little boy beamed and ran over to her, practically bouncing with joy.

The girl's eyes shifted to Ethan, taking in his clothes and gear—definitely not local.

"You… you're not from around here, are you?"

"Nope," Ethan nodded.

She looked surprised, curious even. Outsiders were clearly a rare sight here. But instead of being wary, she smiled warmly.

"So what brings you here? Need help with something?"

"I'm looking into a few things," Ethan said plainly.

"Oh, okay." She nodded quickly, her big eyes blinking with innocent curiosity. She didn't seem the least bit suspicious. If anything, she looked eager to help. "Wanna come to my place? Maybe I can help."

"Sure. Thanks." Ethan didn't hesitate.

He followed her through the quiet streets, feeling like a stranger being welcomed by a kind-hearted local. In a world gone to hell, that kind of hospitality was rare—almost surreal.

"Man… the world really is full of surprises," Ethan thought to himself.

The siblings' home was spacious and peaceful. The wooden floorboards had the worn sheen of age, and though the furniture was old, everything was spotless and neatly arranged.

Beaded artwork and feather ornaments hung on the walls. In one corner sat a deerskin drum and a small woven willow basket—Ojibwe culture infused into every detail.

A breeze drifted in from outside, making the dreamcatcher by the window sway gently, like it was guarding this little pocket of calm.

The girl clearly knew how to keep a home—Ethan couldn't help but compare her to Nina, his best employee back at the base.

"Make yourself comfortable. Don't be shy."

"Thanks," Ethan replied, settling into a chair.

She smiled, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons. "It's pretty simple here, hope you don't mind. I'll get you some hot water."

"No need, really," Ethan waved her off. He didn't drink that stuff anyway.

"It's winter—you should drink more hot water," she said with a smile, thinking he was just being polite.

They chatted for a bit, and Ethan learned her name was Awan. She lived here with just her little brother. The two of them looked out for each other.

After pouring the water, Awan disappeared into the kitchen. A few minutes later, she brought out a modest but steaming meal: a vegetable soup made with wild onions and fiddlehead ferns, a plate of roasted potato slices with sweetroot, and a small dish of dried gooseberries mixed with wild rice. The aroma was earthy and fresh—like the forest itself had come to the table.

Ethan decided it was time to get to the point.

"Do you guys know the world outside's gone to hell? The whole town's surrounded by monsters."

"Oh, we know," Awan said, unfazed. "But they don't come into the town. They don't attack us."

"Why not?"

"I don't really know," she said, shaking her head. "Logan told us as long as we stay inside the town, we'll be fine."

"Logan?" Ethan's ears perked up.

"Who's Logan?"

"He's another outsider, but he's really nice. Helps people out, goes hunting in the mountains, brings back meat to share with everyone," Awan explained.

Her little brother chimed in, nodding enthusiastically. "Yeah! Logan's the best! He said he'd take me spearfishing in the spring!"

Ethan's instincts kicked in.

Something about this Logan guy didn't sit right.

Just as Ethan was deep in thought, a strange wave of energy suddenly swept through the room—an invisible force that blanketed the space like a cold mist.

It wasn't human. And it sure as hell wasn't weak.

Something unnatural was here.

"They're here…" Ethan's eyes narrowed, his senses sharpening.

BANG BANG BANG! BANG BANG BANG!

A loud, urgent knock echoed from the front gate outside.

"Open up! Open the door!"

"Hey! That's probably Logan! He always brings something good!" the little boy's eyes lit up. Forgetting all about dinner, he jumped up and ran out to the yard.

Clang!

The heavy iron gate creaked open.

Standing outside was a tall, broad-shouldered man—easily six-foot-six, built like a damn tank. His presence alone was enough to make the air feel heavier.

Ethan turned his head, catching a clear view through the window. The moment he saw the guy, his expression shifted slightly.

The man had a black cloth tied over his eyes, covering them completely. Below it, a sharp nose and chiseled jaw gave him the look of someone who could've walked off a movie set—if that movie was about blind warriors or post-apocalyptic monks.

In one hand, he held a hunk of raw meat, still dripping blood. The dark stains had soaked into his pants, leaving grimy streaks down his leg.

"Bagged a deer up in the hills. Thought I'd share the meat with everyone," the man said, his voice deep and calm.

"Thank you so much!" Awan beamed, clearly grateful.

"No problem," the man replied with a grin. Even with the blindfold, it felt like he could see everything—his head turned slightly, eyes hidden, but gaze sharp as a blade.

"Awan," he said, "you've got company, don't you?"

"Yeah, someone from outside town. He's just here asking some questions. We were about to eat—come join us!"

"Sure. I'd like to meet him," Logan said with a smile.

He stepped inside with Awan and her little brother, the three of them walking into the house like it was just another normal evening.

But Ethan knew better.

That energy from earlier—it was coming from Logan. And it wasn't human. Not even close.

If his instincts were right… this guy wasn't just some helpful hunter.

He was one of the last two Zombie Lords listed in the classified files. The Northern King. The one they called Redgaze.

And now here he was, pretending to be human, living among them like it was nothing.

"What is this, cosplay?" Ethan thought, his mind racing. But he figured he wouldn't have to wait long for answers.

Moments later, Logan stepped into the room and stood in front of him.

Two of the most dangerous beings in post-apocalyptic America—face to face in a quiet little house, surrounded by people who had no idea what was really going on.

Awan, still smiling, introduced them like they were just two neighbors meeting for the first time.

"Dinner's ready! Let's all eat together!"

"I'll pass," Logan said, his tone polite but firm. "I'd like to talk with our guest first."

"Oh… okay," Awan nodded, then turned to take her brother to the table.

And just like that, the room was empty except for Ethan and Logan.

The air grew heavy. Tense.

Neither of them moved.

Then Logan broke the silence.

"Didn't expect you to show up so soon."

Ethan gave a slight nod. "Didn't expect to find you living with humans."

"This town…" Logan said, glancing toward the dining table where Awan and her brother were laughing softly, "...is under my protection."

"Why?" Ethan asked, genuinely curious.

Logan turned his head slightly, the black cloth over his eyes shifting just enough to reveal a faint red glow beneath—like embers smoldering in the dark.

"Because…" he said quietly, "I fell in love with a woman."

"...What?"

Ethan blinked, stunned. His expression froze in place, caught somewhere between disbelief and sheer confusion.

"…Are you serious?"

...