Vell froze as he stared at the parking lot filled with infected.
There had to be at least ten of them, all turning toward the sound of the door slamming open. Their milky yellow eyes fixed on the two humans, and a collective growl rose from their throats.
"Stay behind me," he said, pushing Maya back toward the doorway.
"We cannot go back in there," she whispered, her voice shaking. "There are more coming from inside."
She was right.
He could hear the infected breaking through the staff room door, their growls and shuffling footsteps growing louder by the second. They were trapped between two groups of monsters.
He scanned the parking lot desperately. There was a narrow gap between two buildings about thirty feet away. If they could reach it, they might be able to escape.
"See that alley?" he pointed. "When I say run, you go straight there. Do not stop for anything."
"What about you?" She asked, her eyes wide with fear.
"I will be right behind you."
That was a lie.
He knew he would have to stay and fight, to give her a chance to escape. But he could not tell her that.
The infected in the parking lot began moving toward them, some faster than others. He noticed that a few moved with frightening speed while others shambled more slowly.
Not all of them were equally dangerous, but there were too many either way.
He looked around for a weapon and spotted a metal pipe lying near a dumpster. He lunged for it, snatching it up just as the first infected reached him.
"Run!" he shouted to Maya as he swung the pipe.
The metal connected with the infected's head with a sickening crunch. It dropped to the ground, but he had no time to celebrate. Two more were already upon him.
He swung the pipe in a wide arc, keeping them at bay. "Maya, run now!"
From the corner of his eye, he saw her dash toward the alley. Good. At least she would be safe.
[Skill Activated: Enhanced Strength Level 1]
He felt the familiar surge of power in his muscles as he brought the pipe down on another infected's skull. The creature collapsed, but three more took its place.
He backed up, trying to keep all of them in front of him. His arms already ached from the force of his swings, but he could not stop. Not with Maya's life at stake.
One of the faster infected lunged at him, its claws slashing at his face. He ducked and drove the end of the pipe into its stomach, then brought it up hard under its chin. Its head snapped back, and it fell.
"Vell!" Maya's voice came from the alley. She had not run. Of course she had not.
"I told you to go!" he shouted, dodging another attack.
"I am not leaving you!"
Her loyalty would get them both killed. He needed to end this quickly.
[New Skill Unlocked: Combat Awareness Level 1]
[Description: Slightly improved reaction time and spatial awareness in combat]
The notification flashed before his eyes as he felt a subtle change.
The world seemed to slow down just a fraction. He could see the infected movements more clearly, predict their lunges a split second before they happened.
He spun, bringing the pipe around in a perfect arc that caught two infected at once. Both staggered back, giving him a moment to breathe.
But it was not enough.
There were still too many, and now the ones from inside the store had broken through the back door. They poured into the parking lot, cutting off his path to Maya.
"Vell!" she screamed as several infected turned toward her voice.
No. He would not let them get her.
Something snapped inside him. A cold fury replaced his fear. He charged forward, pipe swinging with renewed strength.
[Skill Enhanced: Enhanced Strength Level 2]
[Description: Your physical strength is 20% greater than normal humans]
The pipe felt lighter in his hands now.
Each swing connected with devastating force, sending infected flying backward. His body moved with a fluidity he had never experienced before, as if he had been fighting his entire life.
An infected grabbed his arm, its teeth snapping inches from his face. He drove his knee into its stomach, then brought his elbow down on the back of its neck. It crumpled to the ground.
Another lunged at him from behind. He sensed it coming and spun, driving the pipe through its chest. The infected gurgled and fell.
"Maya, stay in the alley!" he shouted as he fought his way toward her.
She had picked up a broken bottle and was holding it in front of her, trying to keep two infected at bay. Her hands shook, and tears streamed down her face, but she stood her ground.
One of the infected lunged at her. She slashed with the bottle, cutting its arm, but it barely noticed. It reached for her throat.
Vell roared and threw the pipe like a spear. It struck the infected in the back of the head, sending it crashing to the ground at her feet.
Now weaponless, he grabbed a trash can lid and used it as a shield against the claws of another infected. He slammed the metal disc into its face repeatedly until it stopped moving.
[Skill Enhanced: Combat Awareness Level 2]
[Description: Moderately improved reaction time and spatial awareness in combat]
The world slowed down even more. He could see every attack coming, could position himself perfectly to counter each lunge and swipe.
He fought his way to Maya's side, his body covered in scratches and bruises, but still moving with deadly precision.
"Stay behind me," he gasped, picking up his pipe again.
"You are bleeding," she said, her voice small and frightened.
"I am fine." He was not fine. His left arm had a deep gash where an infected had caught him, and his ribs ached from a hard fall. But none of that mattered. All that mattered was keeping her safe.
Three more infected approached, moving in a group as if coordinating their attack. These were different from the others—larger, with thicker gray skin and more intelligent eyes.
They were stronger, he realized. More evolved.
"Those are not like the others," Maya whispered.
"I noticed," he replied grimly.
The three infected circled them, looking for an opening. Vell kept the pipe moving, trying to watch all of them at once.
One feinted to the left while another lunged from the right. He caught the attack with his pipe, but the third infected slipped past his guard and slashed at his leg.
Pain exploded in his thigh as the claws tore through his jeans and into flesh. He staggered but kept his footing.
"Vell!" Maya cried out.
"Stay back!" he shouted, swinging the pipe in a wide arc to force the infected away.
Blood soaked his pant leg, but he could not afford to check the wound. The three stronger infected were regrouping for another attack.
His vision blurred slightly from pain and exhaustion. He had already killed seven infected, but these last three might be too much for him.
No.
He could not think like that. Maya was counting on him.
He gripped the pipe tighter and took a deep breath.
[Skill Unlocked: Adrenaline Surge Level 1]
[Description: Temporarily ignore pain and fatigue in life-threatening situations]
Suddenly, the pain in his leg dulled to a manageable throb. Energy flooded his muscles, washing away the fatigue that had been slowing him down.
The three infected attacked again, this time all at once.
He met them head-on.