Erik could tell his disgust was showing on his face. "Brains? That's revolting," he told Bella frankly, before glancing at the blonde woman and attempting to sound reassuring. "You're going to be fine. The two of us are more than a match for anything out there."

As if offering him a chance to illustrate his point, a zombie shuffled into view several yards away by the corner of the building. Before it had even registered their presence, Erik sent one of his blades flying. It arrowed down the alley, guided by his power, and sheared through the thing's neck with a horrible squelching sound. Its head toppled one way, its body another, and the blade sailed neatly back into Erik's outstretched hand.

He shook it to get rid of some of the grey matter still clinging to it, and addressed Bella again. "You said the door was behind us-- that way?" He pointed away from the street, where the alley disappeared into almost total darkness.