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Jill's shout tore through the chaos the instant she saw the rocket streaking toward them, its exhaust carving a white scar through the air.
"Dodge it, you lunatic!"
Jack didn't even look back. His voice was calm, almost bored, as if the incoming missile were nothing more than an inconvenience. "No need to dodge completely. Just come here."
Before Ada could register what he meant, Jack grabbed her wrist and shoved her into the driver's seat. Her back slammed against the seat as her hands were forced onto the steering wheel.
"Jack—what are you doing?!" Ada shouted, instinctively trying to brake.
Jack was already moving.
He leapt forward, crashing straight through the windshield. Glass exploded outward in a storm of fragments, scattering like ice in the air. For a brief, impossible moment, his body was suspended between sky and metal.
Ada's breath caught in her throat.
Then Jack reached out.
His fingers closed around the warhead of the rocket.
Time seemed to stall.
Ada's eyes widened so far they hurt. "Are you insane?!"
Jack's muscles tensed, veins bulging as he twisted midair. His voice roared over the wind and fire. "Take this back to your mother and turn it into a big watermelon!"
He hurled the rocket.
It became a blur.
The missile slammed into an all-terrain vehicle behind them, detonating in a violent explosion that ripped the machine apart. Fire blossomed outward, metal fragments spiraling through the air. The shockwave rolled across the street, rattling windows and knocking zombies off their bikes like broken dolls.
Jack landed cleanly on the roof of the cargo train, knees bending slightly to absorb the impact. He straightened, brushing glass shards from his shoulder as if he'd merely stepped over a puddle.
"Keep going," he shouted toward the cab. "Steamroll them all."
Jill stared at him, her mouth tight with disbelief. "That man is completely insane."
Teri glanced sideways at Jack, her cheeks warming despite the chaos. "I… kind of like that about him."
Ada shot her a look so sharp it could cut steel. "You're terminally ill."
Behind them, the remaining motorcycle-riding zombies roared, engines screaming as they opened fire wildly. Bullets sparked against metal. Some riders swerved, others turned directly toward the cargo train, faces twisted in feral determination.
Inside the Rolls-Royce ahead, Luther glanced into the rearview mirror, his jaw tightening. "How bad is it behind us?"
Leon leaned sideways, peering back. "The cargo train is flattening them. Completely."
Alice allowed herself the faintest smile, one that flickered and vanished just as quickly. "They've arrived."
"Jack and the others?" Luther asked, still half-disbelieving.
"Who else could it be?" Alice replied quietly.
The cargo train thundered forward like a steel beast unleashed, crushing motorcycles, bodies, and debris without slowing. Within moments, the pursuit collapsed into wreckage and flame. The train surged forward and pulled alongside the Rolls-Royce.
Ahead, Moscow's Red Square opened before them.
Both vehicles screeched to a halt.
The silence that followed was heavy, unnatural.
Alice stepped out first, weapon raised. Jill followed, then Ada and Leon. Jack jumped down last, landing with a dull thud, eyes already scanning the surroundings.
Then came the sound.
A deep, wet roar echoed across the square, vibrating through stone and bone alike.
Everyone turned.
A massive Licker burst into view.
It was far larger than any they had encountered before—its body grotesquely overgrown, muscles bulging beneath raw, exposed flesh. Each step cracked stone. Saliva dripped from its open mouth as its claws tore furrows into the ground.
"One of our old friends," one of the commandos muttered weakly.
Jack's eyes gleamed. Too many people. Too much noise. Someone was going to die.
"Get back on the vehicles!" Alice shouted. "Now!"
"There's no time!" Luther yelled, firing wildly. Bullets struck the creature, tearing into muscle—but it barely slowed.
Alice, Jill, Ada, and Leon joined in, muzzle flashes strobing the square. The Licker roared louder, its hind legs compressing as it prepared to leap.
"Scatter!" Ada screamed.
They ran.
The Licker crashed down like a living meteor. The ground shuddered violently, dust and debris exploding upward.
Someone hadn't moved fast enough.
The creature advanced, claws slicing the air.
"No—!"
The scream ended in blood.
Jack watched from the side, his expression disturbingly calm. Someone had to die. It wouldn't be him. It wouldn't be Alice. Jill, Ada, and Teri were off-limits.
That left Luther… and Leon.
Gunfire echoed again.
Jack raised his voice deliberately. "Hey, ugly! Over here!"
The Licker's head snapped toward him instantly.
"Jack, be careful!" Teri shouted, fear lacing her voice.
Jack grinned and ran.
He controlled his speed carefully, letting the monster close in but never catch him. Its tongue lashed out again and again, slicing the air inches from his back. Claws slammed into the stone where he'd just been.
"Move!" Jack shouted toward Luther ahead, feigning urgency.
Luther sprinted sideways.
Jack jumped.
His body soared upward, seven or eight meters into the air.
The Licker landed exactly where Jack had been.
Directly in front of Luther.
Luther's eyes widened in horror. He dove, rolling desperately as the creature slammed down. For a heartbeat, it seemed he might escape.
Then the tongue shot out.
It pierced straight through his torso.
Luther screamed.
Jack landed smoothly nearby, already turning. He shook his head once, as if witnessing an unavoidable accident. "How unfortunate."
"Luther!" Alice screamed.
Her pupils sharpened, her power surging violently outward.
The ground exploded.
Shockwaves ripped through the square as Alice unleashed everything she had. Concrete shattered, debris lifted into the air, and the Licker was hurled backward, tumbling end over end.
Alice and Leon rushed to Luther's side.
"You're going to be okay," Alice said, though her voice trembled.
Blood bubbled from Luther's lips. "Doesn't… look like it…"
His eyes dimmed.
Jack watched the Licker writhe in the distance, regret flickering briefly across his gaze. He had hoped it would take Leon too.
Leon turned slowly toward Jack, his stare cold and accusing. "You planned that."
Jack raised his hands lightly. "Now that's unfair. That thing was dangerous. Even I had to dodge."
Alice said nothing, but she understood. Jack had decided. And once he did, no one could stop him.
"We're out of time," Ada said sharply. "Move."
Leon shot Jack one last look before turning away.
Jack smiled faintly.
Soon enough, only his people would remain.
They descended into the underground station.
"Father! Mother!"
A small figure rushed forward.
Becky threw herself into Jack's arms, relief shining in her eyes. "Father, you're safe! That's great!"
Jack caught her effortlessly, holding her close. For just a moment, the cruelty in his eyes softened.
Only for a moment.