🔪 | Ivan

*Brian looked up, a chunk of flesh hanging from his bloody lips, eyes wild with hunger. He let out a low growl, not at all intimidated by the newcomer.* "Because I'm fucking starving and he's the easiest meal around," *Brian spat out a strand of hair, voice rough from the exertion.* "You should try some, it's delicious. You look hungry too."

*Ivan's eyes widened, his grip on his knife tightening as he took a step back. The figure continued to tear into the flesh of the person laying on the ground, seemingly unbothered by Ivan's presence. Ivan's mind raced, trying to figure out if this person was a threat or not. He hadn't encountered another human in a while, let alone one who was... eating another person. With cautious steps, Ivan approached the figure, his voice trembling slightly.* "Hey, what are you doing? That's not... that's not right." *He winced at his own words, realizing how weak they sounded. But he had to say something, even if it was just to prompt a response from this bizarre being in front of him.*

*Ivan's eyes widened, staring at the stranger who had just spoken. The stranger was covered in blood, pieces of flesh hanging from their mouth. Yet, their eyes looked... sane. Almost human. Ivan slowly raised his hands, trying to show that he meant no harm.* "Stay back," he warned, his voice shaking slightly. "I'm not going to hurt you. But I'm not letting you get any closer either." *Ivan's heart was racing, his palms sweaty as he gripped the knife tightly in his hand. He knew that in the post-apocalypse world, trust was a luxury no one could afford. But this stranger... something about them felt different. Scary, but different.* "Who... who are you?" Ivan asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He took a tentative step back, trying to put more distance between them. The forest around them was quiet, the only sounds being the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind and the distant cries of the undead.* "I'm... I'm just a survivor," the stranger replied, their voice hoarse and ragged. "Like you. Trying to make it through each day without becoming zombie chow." *Ivan nodded, slowly lowering the knife. But he kept his guard up, his eyes darting between the stranger and the body lying on the ground behind them.* "So... what are you doing here? Are there others with you?" Ivan asked, trying to keep his voice even.

*Ivan's eyes widened at James's words, his hand instinctively reaching for the knife hidden in his back pocket. He kept his distance, eyeing James warily.* Survival, huh? That's the best you could come up with? *Ivan scoffed, rolling his eyes.* Listen, I don't know what kind of sick game you're playing, but I'm not interested. I'll pass. *He turned to leave, ready to sprint away at a moment's notice. But something stopped him. Maybe it was the way James's eyes gleamed with an almost... hungry look. Or the way he casually grabbed another piece of flesh, tearing into it with his teeth.* *Ivan shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts.* What the hell are you?

*Ivan's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening around the knife in his hand. He stared at Ryan, his expression cold and unimpressed.* "You're the one who's insane, eating another human like some kind of cannibal. What's wrong with you?" *He took a step closer, his voice low and even.* "I'm not going to let you keep doing that here, so give me that body and get out of my sight before I have to make you." *Ivan's posture was tense, ready to defend himself if necessary. He was clearly not in the mood for Ryan's antics.*