Ethan's POV
We walked along the shoreline, our feet sinking into the cool sand with each step. The waves continued their rhythmic dance, less threatening now that we'd established a safe distance.
"Hey..." Stella's voice carried a hint of confusion. "Where is everyone? I mean, it's a beach. Shouldn't there be other people out here? Couples taking romantic walks, teenagers having secret bonfires, that kind of thing?"
I checked my watch, and the display was glowing in the darkness. "It's almost midnight. Most normal people are probably in bed by now."
"Normal people are boring." She kicked at the sand, sending a small shower of grains into the air. "Look at this view! The stars, the ocean, the whole vibe. Who'd want to sleep through this?"
"Maybe they're all hiding from the zombie merma
