Anders didn't like letting Kathy go, but as he saw it he didn't have much choice in the matter. She was going no matter what he said or did: The best he could do right then was help other people by taking down as many zombies as he could. He nodded firmly and stepped a few paces back from Kathy, staff at the ready to cover her.

A lone zombie turned a corner, shambling toward them. From the clacking, he wouldn't be alone for long.

"Well," he said tone still cool, "at least we aren't having a boring prom."