Chapter 2

I awoke abruptly to the sound of fighting beyond the iron gate.

"Declan! Hurry back and save us! Zombies have broken through the outer city and reached the neighborhood!" My sister-in-law's words jolted me back to reality.

I had truly been reborn!

Suddenly, I heard my brother's impatient voice on the phone:

"Women are such a hassle. Aren't you already pregnant? Why are you bothering me?"

"Today's Phoebe's twentieth birthday. She’s been alone her entire life. Only I, her mentor, can give her a proper celebration."

"You two always exclude her. Can you stop causing me trouble?"

"Every time there's a zombie attack, you call me with excuses. I've had enough! No matter what happens tonight, it won't stop me from celebrating Phoebe's birthday!"

Seeing the zombies about to break through the gate, I pressed my sister-in-law's phone, "Brother, we got it. Zombies are out tonight. Be careful."

Then I hung up and quickly pulled my sister-in-law to the armory. She looked at me, confused and panicked, asking, "Cora! Why won't you let your brother come save us? He's an elite guardian martial artist of the City of Laurel. No matter how busy he is, he shouldn't be out now!"

The explanation caught in my throat. My sister-in-law still believed my brother was a peerless hero, not realizing that beneath his cool, restrained exterior lay a black heart. He claimed he was discussing defense strategies with a senior martial artist, but he was actually preparing a fireworks display at the beach with his junior student, Phoebe Carter.

The fireworks we could only buy with high honors were casually used for Phoebe, enough to fend off zombies for three months. After two failed attempts to unlock the armory, a message appeared: only one chance left, or it would lock permanently.

Meanwhile, the sound of zombies approaching grew louder. My sister-in-law couldn't resist and called my brother a fifth time. Again, I heard my brother's impatient voice:

"I knew you would try to bring me back. Do you want to open the armory and face the zombies yourselves?"

"Luckily, Phoebe reminded me to prevent you from using the armory at home! I've changed the password remotely, so don't bother trying!"

My muscles tensed. I couldn't believe that even in this reborn life, even without asking my brother for help, he gave us no chance to survive! He was so heartless, sealing off the armory completely. How would two women, unarmed, escape the zombies’ grasp?

My sister-in-law sobbed, overwhelmed by the stench of blood. She cried, "To your brother, is Phoebe more important than his wife, child, and sister?"

"Groaning sounds!"

Before I could respond, a skeletal hand with decayed flesh appeared over the wall and leapt into the yard. My pupils shrank as I grabbed a stick and smashed the small zombie's head, sending it rolling across the ground. Seizing the moment, trembling, I grabbed my sister-in-law's wrist to flee. In the basement, she clutched her aching abdomen.

I hugged her tightly, placing her hand on her stomach and reassuring her, "Sister-in-law, hold on! Now's not the time to be sad. We have to save ourselves!"

"My brother isn't coming back. We have to find a way to survive!"

"The City of Laurel is the most important defense barrier! If it's overtaken, more of our family will perish!"

I called my brother's superior, Heath, for help. After five rings, someone lazily answered, with fireworks crackling in the background.