A nearby guard rushed over, grabbing a U-shaped iron restraint pole and pressing it firmly across Zuzu's body, pinning him to the ground.
The creature writhed, letting out guttural growls that no longer sounded human.
The civilians froze.
Then chaos erupted.
"How did a zombie get into the line?!"
"I was just talking to him!"
"I thought he was just a strange guy!"
Panic spread like wildfire. People began backing away, shouting, stumbling over one another as fear took hold.
Ivy felt her heart sink.
'If this spirals out of control, the entire base will fall into unrest.'
Before she could speak, Silas's voice rang out, firm and commanding.
"Everyone, calm down!"
The authority in his tone cut through the noise like a blade. One by one, people stopped and looked at him.
Silas continued steadily,
"This creature's ability to blend in is precisely why we detected it early. Our security measures worked. This proves that no zombie can enter the base unnoticed."
