[34] The center team

Brittney, Chloe, and Blake walked down the deserted, dusty street, the silence of the town pressing in around them. The broken windows and peeling paint on abandoned buildings made the whole place look like it had been dead for years. The quiet was almost eerie, like the town was holding its breath, waiting for something to go wrong.

Chloe looked around, clutching her Sig Sauer a little tighter. "This place gives me, like, serious bad vibes," she muttered, glancing over her shoulder. "Feels like a setup or something."

Brittney nodded, her eyes darting to every shadow and alley they passed, her Beretta held steady at her side. "Let's just get in and get out. The longer we're here, the more likely we'll run into something nasty."

Just then, Blake stepped forward, clearing his throat as if he'd been waiting for the perfect moment. He shifted his grip on his .22, straightening up and looking at them with what he clearly thought was a noble expression. "Ladies," he said, his tone solemn, "I want you to know that, as a man, it's my duty to protect you both. You're valuable—strong, resilient—but no one should expect you to shoulder the dangers alone. I'm here to watch your backs."

Brittney shot him a look, raising an eyebrow. "Uh, yeah, thanks, Sir Knight. I think we can manage just fine."

Chloe groaned, rolling her eyes. "Blake, this isn't, like, a medieval fantasy or whatever. You're not our knight in shining armor."

But Blake wasn't backing down. He took a deep breath, apparently undeterred by their reactions. "No, really. I just think it's important that you know I'm here for you in every way. Women like you shouldn't have to go through this apocalypse alone or unprotected. Society may have collapsed, but that doesn't mean chivalry is dead."

Brittney groaned, squeezing her eyes shut. "Oh my God, Blake, can you please save the feminist speech for when we're not about to get eaten by zombies?"

Blake's face softened, his expression earnest. "I just think it's important. You two shouldn't have to risk your lives like this. If anyone should be on the front lines, it's me. It's, like, the least I can do as an ally."

Chloe looked at Brittney, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Is he serious right now?"

Brittney snorted, shaking her head. "Apparently. Blake, newsflash: this isn't some, like, feminist rally. We're just trying to survive, not listen to you try to earn 'ally' points."

Blake held up his hands, as if to defend himself. "No, I mean it! I've studied this. The patriarchy has historically burdened women with undue responsibilities, and I refuse to let that happen here. If it means stepping in harm's way for you, I'm willing to do that."

Chloe shook her head, half-laughing, half-disgusted. "Bro, the patriarchy is, like, the least of our problems right now. There are literal zombies out here!"

Brittney rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Yeah, Blake, maybe just focus on not getting yourself killed instead of making us your personal feminist cause."

Blake sighed, clearly frustrated that they weren't taking him seriously. "I'm just trying to help! It's ingrained in me to stand up for women in times of crisis. If we're being honest, men have a duty to take on the heavier burdens in these kinds of situations. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make you feel safe."

Chloe laughed, unable to keep it in. "Blake, trust me, the last thing that's gonna make me feel safe is you giving us some, like, weird-ass white knight speech in the middle of zombie town. You're more likely to scare us than any undead lurking out there."

Blake looked genuinely hurt, and he glanced between them, seeming to search for the right words. "I just think there's value in having someone who... who respects you, you know? Someone who's willing to do the hard work and protect you."

Brittney let out an exaggerated sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Listen, Blake, if you really want to help, just, like, keep an eye out for zombies. We don't need 'protection'; we need a third pair of eyes watching our backs."

Blake opened his mouth to argue but thought better of it. He nodded, though he looked reluctant, gripping his pistol a little tighter as he finally scanned their surroundings. "Fine, but just know that I'm here if you need anything. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to support you both."

"Wow, thanks," Chloe said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "We'll keep that in mind next time we need, like, a monologue on gender roles or something."

Brittney shot Chloe a smirk, clearly amused. "Right? Maybe Blake can make himself useful by distracting the zombies with a speech on toxic masculinity or something."

Chloe stifled a laugh. "Yeah, Blake, maybe tell them about 'respecting women'—I'm sure they'll think twice before they try to bite us."

Blake looked at them, clearly hurt. "You're mocking me, but I'm serious. I would lay down my life for you two."

Brittney softened slightly, though her tone stayed teasing. "Blake, look, I get it. You're trying to be a good guy, but you don't have to go full 'hero mode' for us. We're all in this together. You focus on staying alive, and we'll do the same. Deal?"

Blake let out a small sigh, his face relaxing. "Alright, deal. But I'm just saying… don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything."

"We'll be sure to let you know if we need a lecture," Chloe muttered, rolling her eyes as she walked ahead.

Brittney snickered, nudging Blake with her elbow as they followed. "Come on, 'Sir Blake,' let's just get this over with. The faster we find that auto shop, the faster you can get back to, like, 'defending our honor' or whatever."

Blake's face brightened a little, and he nodded. "Alright, alright. But seriously, don't hesitate to call on me. I'm here for both of you."

As they continued down the empty street, Chloe whispered to Brittney, "If he starts talking about 'being an ally' one more time, I'm gonna lose it."

Brittney grinned. "Yeah, just remember—he's probably more scared of us than the zombies are."

Q: Are you losing it?