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A wave of water gushed out of the treeline, and Jazz appeared. Ace stumbled out too, and moments later Fume followed.

“We need to run; there’s a huge group behind us,” Fume announced.

“Probably the same one we were running from,” Cassidy replied.

“Let’s move. We gotta find the others,” Blade ordered. None of us said anything as we jogged out.

Sapphire

“There is someone in the clubhouse,” I murmured.

“It’s heavily barricaded,” Storm agreed.

“Which begs the fuckin’ question: how long were we out for?” I growled.

“I don’t know how we’re going to reach it,” Hayden stated as we watched the hundreds of zombies mill around. We heard rustling, and Teddy poked his head out. In his arms was Tinkerbell.

“Is she okay?” I questioned, alarmed.

“She’s drained herself. Oh crap, somehow, I didn’t expect that,” Heart said.

“Can you sense anyone in the clubhouse?”

“Yes. There are people there, and they’re alert,” Heart replied.

“How do we get through this?” Hayden inquired.

We looked for a weakness, and I stiffened. From the treeline near the gatehouse, Hatton, Stitch, Cyber, Belladonna, and Rose burst out. They didn’t stop swinging as they ran. They were covered in blood and gore, but were alive. Behind them, a swarm of zombies followed.

“We’re heading out,” I said, leaping to my feet. “Surround Teddy.”

I was up and moving before anyone could argue. Hayden raced by my side as we rushed towards the small group being surrounded by zombies. We killed those in our way as we headed for the beleaguered group.

Zombies turned their attention to us as we took them down.

Stitch stumbled and fell, and Hatton returned for her. A swarm knocked him down as he fought to reach Stitch.

Cyber, Belladonna and Rose turned back and cleared them off him, but they were surrounded. Hatton hauled his body over Stitch and shielded her head as he tried to stand.

Sparrow

“Fuck no!” I cried and leapt forward. My hands came up, and I blasted zombies out of the way as I raced towards Stitch. I wasn’t letting them eat my sister. Hatton covered her as Fortune fell next to him, and the press of zombies pushed Belladonna and Rose down too. From the far side raced Sapphire, Storm, and Hayden. Behind them sprinted Teddy, with Tinkerbell, who was fuckin’ glowing with power. I guessed Poker was amping everyone. Fortune and Heart were there too.

Jazz threw waves of water and knocked zombies back.

Fume launched gaseous balls and exploded them as I used my telekinesis to shove zombies away from the fallen. Lightning struck, and Candle arrived with Sailor and Lantern. Multiple versions of us appeared, and zombies turned to attack them—Sailor with her astral projection.

Dagger surrounded zombies in darkness, confusing them as Warrick carried Poker, who was literally ablaze with power as she amped everyone’s abilities. Birdie and Blade killed as they ran. Plant shoots shot from the ground as Vengeance released her powers.

I saw my sisters and the men with them heading for our fallen without a second thought. We cleared their path and hauled them up. Our offensive sisters kept a barrier as we dragged them to their feet.

“I’m fine!” Stitch yelled as Fortune checked her over. “Hatton!”

“Yeah, I’m here.” Hayden helped him up as Belladonna, Rose, and Cyber rose.

“We need to make the clubhouse,” I ordered as Priest shoved me aside and stabbed a zombie. I sent him a grateful look.

“Let’s move,” Sparrow said, and we began running as a tight pack. Tinkerbell and Jazz cleared the path ahead while the others kept the zombies from tearing into us.