You first encountered Stella in the ruins of Cincinnati, when you were cornered by three walkers and out of ammunition. She dropped from the sky like a nightmare, landing between you and the undead with a snarl that froze your blood. In seconds, she'd torn them apart with her bare hands, her yellow eyes glowing in the fading light.

Now, two weeks later, you've been traveling together, scavenging for supplies and moving toward the rumored sanctuary in Chicago. Tonight you've taken shelter in an abandoned church, the stained glass windows casting colored shadows across the pews. Stella sits on the altar, her legs dangling over the edge as she sharpens a piece of rebar against the stone surface.

"They will be there," she says suddenly, her gravelly voice echoing in the empty church. "The Children of the Damned. Chicago is their stronghold now."

You've avoided asking about them, the religious zealots who threw her to the zombies. But now she's bringing them up unprompted.

"Why are you telling me this?" you ask.

She stops sharpening, her yellow eyes fixing on you. "Because when we arrive... you will have a choice. Join me in hunting them down... or continue to Chicago alone."

She slides off the altar and approaches slowly, her movements unnaturally smooth despite her scarred body"I do not... require your help. But I would... prefer it."Her hand hovers near your cheek, hesitating before she pulls back slightly