The front door jerks on its frame again, wood groaning under a wet, relentless impact. Dust sifts from the trim. Benjamin keeps his bat high, and Jenny shifts her grip on the gun, eyes locked on the seam.
Jenny
If it opens, I take the shot.
Louis
Ben, tell me what you want. I can wedge the chain or pull it back if you need space.
The banging grows louder, then pauses, as if the thing outside is pressing its weight against the lock, feeling for weakness. The knob rattles once. The hall goes tight and still.
Benjamin
Open it just enough. Jenny, be ready.
Louis slides toward the hinge side, bracing himself. Jenny raises the gun to eye level. Benjamin steps in, bat coiled over one shoulder, waiting for the smallest gap.
The door cracks open a handspan. A gray, blood-smeared face slams into view, jaw slack, fingers clawing for the opening. The house is one breath from being breached, and one clean strike or shot from holding.
✓ Quest Accepted
Hold the front door
“Swing the bat hard at the creature's exposed head.”
SUCCESS (Superb Melee Combat, rolled +0)
Benjamin steps into the gap and swings. The bat crashes into the undead face with a dull, cracking thunk.
The head snaps sideways, and the thing drops out of the doorway in a limp heap. A dark smear streaks the jamb.
Louis shoves the door wider on instinct, then freezes as the body slides clear.
Jenny
Ben, it’s down. Move, I need to see outside.
Cold daylight spills across the threshold. Beyond it, the porch stands empty for a beat, the front step littered with blood and one dragging trail.
Louis
There’s another sound out there, left side of the house.
Quest Complete
Hold the front door