"Are you sure it's safe being so close to them?"

After a tumble with a few hunters, they make it to the hideout. Well, with some extra cardio, they made it.

To Maeve's surprise, the hideout was above the toy store. The decay of the buildings happened to make it difficult for them. She didn't appreciate how maze-like the city was. It made her head spin in ways she never expected her head to spin, and she thought math was confusing.

Ahead of them, Henry plucked a key from his pocket. "I'm the only one with a key, man."

"And where'd you get that?"

They passed bathrooms. She wondered if they'd notice if she just sneaked inside and do her business? On the run, she obviously did not have the time to squat and go. She'd ask, but she would feel too awkward. Considering that the only females here were her and Ellie.

She decided against it. It wasn't like her bladder was about to burst.

"I killed one of 'em," Henry grinned as he opened the last door on the left. "He won't miss it now. Everybody through."

Sam entered first. "It's back here. So...how old are you?"

He directed the question at Ellie, or at least that's what Maeve assumed. The whole time since they met these guys, she noticed Sam had a strange attraction to Ellie. Like some lovesick puppy... or a kid with a crush.

"Me? Fourteen. How old are you?"

"Ah...the same."

"Oh, so you're fourteen, huh?" Henry amusingly commented.

"I'm close." Sam glared at his brother.

"Alright."

"I am."

Maeve glanced around the cubicles. Nothing but office supplies, customized desks, and old chairs. Nothing is seemingly worthwhile.

"Holy shit —"

Everyone became alert by the sudden profanity while Henry hurried toward a shut door...to someone sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall, clutching his right side.

It was a boy, probably no older than TJ. His dark skin was stained with blood, his shaved afro had leaves and bits of debris stuck within the tiny curls. His clothes were dirty, and parts of his jeans were matted with mud or wet. His dirt-covered shirt was stained red, the same spot he had his hand on.

Tiredly, the boy glanced up and once he realized they were friendlies, he managed a small smile.

"You're alive!" Sam was relieved.

"Barely." The boy is helped to his feet by Henry.

"What happened?"

"It's just a graze. Nothing I can't handle. Who're they?"

"They're trying to get out of the city too," Henry answered and unlocked the door, allowing everyone to enter.

"Are you sure you're okay, Jordon?"

Maeve almost froze. It completely caught her off guard. No...he looked nothing like her Jordan. This Jordon wasn't hers. But why did she clam up like that? She tried to shake it off and spotted a long leather couch. At that moment, she forgot everything. Exhaustion jolted her entire body while she sluggishly beelined for the long couch.

"I'm fine," Jordon dismissed. "Most of it isn't mine."

"I think I have a spare shirt—"

"It's cool, kid," the older boy chuckled. "I got my own."

Maeve tuned out their conversation, sliding off her backpack, tossing it on the floor by the couch, and then lounging. Her body seemed to relax immediately on the cushions. Surprisingly, the furniture was still springy, and the cushions were fluffy.

She stared up at the ceiling when TJ crossed her vision.

"Don't be a couch hog," he said.

"Ugh..." She was too tired for words, so she moved her legs to make room for him.

"You're impossible." TJ shook his head but claimed the empty spot.

"How long have you guys been holed up here?" She heard Ellie ask.

"A few days. We found a bit of food, though. Here."

"Blueberries. Want some?"

She was too tired for food. Maybe she was exaggerating, but she was exhausted, for sure. Her eyelids were so heavy and achy. Should she allow herself to slip into awaiting slumber without them noticing?

"So y'all got names?" The guy, Jordon, glanced at them.

"Oh, I'm Ellie," the younger girl introduced, proceeding to gesture around. "That's my sister Maeve, that's TJ, and Joel's over there."

Maeve weakly waved at him, and then closed her eyes. Maybe she should sleep, and get a few hours in. Then perhaps she'd have the energy to deal with the pressurizing doom on their asses.

And that's exactly what she did. She adjusted herself to her side, ignoring TJ when he complained as she sprawled her legs over his thighs. 

And then lights out.

"Mae."

Maeve violently jolted awake. Her eyes flew open to meet a darkened room. She didn't know why she flinched so badly, but it got her some odd looks.

"Whoa, hey, chill!" Ellie waved her down.

"Sorry..." Maeve groaned and sat up. Her body was stiff...how long did she sleep?

"Henry says it's time to go."

Blinking her eyes rapidly, stifling a yawn, and doing a little stretch, Maeve grabbed her bag, sliding it on. She looked around, everyone was ready. She assumed they were going to try to escape this shithole of a city. Maybe the hunters roamed less during the night.

"Where are we going?" Her voice came out sluggish.

"Oh, right," Ellie grinned lightly. "You snoozed before Henry could explain the plans."

"You're impossible," TJ commented, though he didn't sound at all annoyed. "We're getting out of the city. There's this small crew guarding a gate to the bridge, Henry said it's our best chance out."

"It is," the boy from before, Jordon, said. He joined them, settling next to Maeve's other side. "It's our only chance."

Maeve couldn't help but frown. How were they so sure they'd get out? If it was a chance to escape, there'd also be a chance for them to die. A small crew was still large compared to the seven of them. Sure, they had put a dent in their numbers, but they still had the weapons and bloodlust, not to mention that demonetized truck. They were sure to be caught and killed.

"—we're gonna be moving fast, okay?" Henry leaned toward Sam, a hand on his shoulder. "So no matter what, you stick to me like glue."

"Like glue," the boy nodded. "Got it."

"Like glue. Good, good. Alright, y'all ready?"

Though Joel said they were, Maeve felt otherwise. She had her moments of bravery, but that was only because of Ellie. In truth, she was a coward trying to stick her chin up for her sister. And for her Jordan too. She knew if he saw her like this, he'd probably do something cheesy to cheer her up, or something incredibly stupid. The thought of it made her want to cry, maybe laugh?

Maybe if she were older, more mature, she'd be able to pull through like a champ, or like Joel, or TJ. They seemed to be hardened, unfazed by the threat of the hunters.

She wasn't a killer; she couldn't hold a gun without having night terrors, and she panicked in the face of peril. She tried so desperately to have some dignity, using the knowledge passed down to her by Jordan, she tried. Sure, she had her wits, but how long would that last?

"Mae?" Ellie's hand felt warm on her arm. "You cool?"

The older girl took a deep breath. She wanted to say what she truly thought, but she'd hold her head high for Ellie.

"I'm cool."

"You sure?"

"Yeah," she reassured her sister.

She knew Ellie saw through her weak smokescreen, but she wasn't outed, so that was that. She was also aware of various pairs of eyes on her.

"What?" She practically snapped, annoyed.

"Nothin'," Joel rolled his eyes and then turned to Henry. "You tried this before?"

"Uh, yeah."

"That's reassuring," Maeve let her sarcasm slip accidentally.

"Relax," Henry sweetened his tone as if to try and calm her nerves. It did not. "It'll work."

"I just hope you know the way."

Henry led them through an architectural office, a table with a model of part of the city, more or less, the bridge they needed to get to. They passed it and into a dark stairwell. Joel and Henry clicked on their flashlights, whereas everyone else just descended behind them.

"This way."

It was cooler than the day, Maeve noticed. It was quite chilly, in fact, but it definitely better than the feeling of sweating her skin off. She felt herself shiver, and goosebumps traced up and down her arms for whatever reason.

"Cold?" She heard Jordon whisper behind her.

"I'm fine." Had she been so translucent? Or was she subconsciously exaggerating her movements?

"You sure?" He pressed on.

"She said she's fine," TJ bit, glaring back at the boy, which Maeve caught with her peripheral vision. Now that confused her. Why was he suddenly acting so weird?

"Damn, dude, what's got up your ass?" Jordon sounded a bit pissed.

"Shut up, all of you," Joel raised his voice, keeping it low enough to not alert hunters if there were any nearby.

They entered a lobby, all hurried into a crouch as two hunters stood by a bin with a roaring fire inside. Fortunately for the seven of them, they weren't seen or heard. By some miracle, they weren't even noticed, being a big group.

At least Maeve could breathe easier, knowing these hunters weren't as perceptive as their friends. She watched them try to warm their hands by hovering them over the dancing flames. Was it that cold tonight? Sure, she had the chills, but she didn't think it was so chilly she'd needed a bundle near a fire like those guys.

Henry peeked over the lobby counter, and then at Joel. "Okay...let's take 'em out quietly. I'll follow your lead."

Joel didn't need an invitation, though. His crouched figure slipped through the dark, creeping up behind the hunter on the left, whereas Henry crept the one on the right. They both readied their sharp weapons, swiftly grabbed the men, and cut their throats before they were aware of their fate.

She got that they needed to sneak around, but she truly hated seeing blood split, it was morbid and inhumane, even to sadistic killers like the hunters. Even with infected, her stomach churned at the sight of their rotted blood. Well, anyone would become sick at the sight and smell of blood, or perhaps that was just her.

There was a spotlight surveying the outside, it probably would be easy to evade the light.

Blam!

"Woo!" An armed hunter whooped proudly, killing an infected from afar. "Nailed it! You see that shit?"

"Not bad," another hunter, the one seemingly using the spotlight spoke. "Hold up, there's another one! There!"

The hunter with the rifle began to snipe at the infected, wherever it was.

Selfishly, Maeve was grateful it wasn't her at the end of the barrel. From her hiding place behind a misplaced roadblock, she eyed the one with the gun and the one in the spotlight. Was this the skeleton crew?

She half-expected more than a couple of guys wielding rifles.

No words were spoken as Joel sneaked around a bit. She watched as he disappeared from her sights, and then seconds later, the spotlight suddenly shut off, which alerted the man on the ground.

"What's goin' on — ack!" The hunter is hit on the back of his head by Henry, his body clattering to the asphalt not-so-quietly.

"Terry!" The guy from the spotlight shouted out, dropping down onto the street and aiming his gun at Henry, only for Joel to grab him from behind. It wasn't long for the older man to choke him out.

No other hunters came around. It was silent, finally.

"Is this their crew?" Maeve asked once she stood, cautiously peering around.

"Yeah," Ellie chimed, her gun steady in her hand. "I thought there'd be more of these assholes."

"It don't matter," Joel made a beeline for the shut metal doors that led to the bridge. "Henry gimme a hand with this."

"Alright. Ready?"

As they tried to pry the doors open, a maliciously familiar rumble vibrated through their bodies. A scope light pierced through the darkness, sharply spying around before the checkpoint gate.

"Ah, shit!" They pushed the gate harder, allowing some space one at a time. "Go!"

Maeve squeezed through after Ellie and Sam. TJ and Jordon after her, and then Joel and Henry. The metal gate was slammed shut and a thick metal clamp insured somewhat of an obstacle for the hunters, or at least she hoped.

"Wait, wait, wait!" A man appeared atop a semi-trailer, aiming his rifle at them. "They're over here!"

Pow!

"Got 'em!" Henry shot the man. "Come on, everyone!"

Surprise filled her. She hadn't even seen him draw his gun. Then again, she was too concerned with not falling behind.

"Keep your eyes open," Joel grunted. "We ain't outta this mess yet."

The trailer had a short ladder positioned off the side. Being positive, they'd get boosted and climb over, being negative, it'd take forever. That truck was just outside the gate, ramming it.

Henry got lifted by Joel. He took a quick look around. "We're good. Sam, Jordon, let's go."

The Humvee rammed the barred gate again, partially breaking through. It's the spotlight frantically searching for them.

"Open the gate!" They heard someone yell.

"Ah, shit!" Henry cursed aloud.

"Hurry, hurry!" Joel ushered for Ellie to be lifted next.

Ellie tried to hurry, but her sneakers skidded against the metal frame, having no friction. Henry went to grab her, pulling her up as she tried to get her footing on the short ladder.

"Ellie!" Maeve gasped, her heart lurching for a moment seeing her sister nearly plunge off the trailer. Though her racing heart was temporarily calmed when Henry grasped her, pulling her up to safety.

"Gotcha."

"Go!" The same furious voice from before shouted.

"Move outta the fuckin' way! We gotta ram it!" A second hostile voice growled.

"Okay, we gotta get them up!" Ellie lowered herself, ready to pull one of them up.

"Ah..." Henry frantically looked at the sweet escape of the bridge and then back at them. "I'm sorry. We're leaving."

"What?" Sam blurted.

"Seriously?" Jordon glanced between the ones stuck on the ground and Henry,

"What?" Ellie snapped her attention to him. "This is bullshit!"

"Hey! Now!" The Humvee growled loudly, ramming against the gate, creating this loud, and rattling noise.

"I'm sorry," Henry shook his head, forcing the boys to follow after him.

"What the fuck, Henry!?"

The brothers were gone, scampering off to safety while the four of them were still in the face of danger.

No! Maeve's heart leaped to the pits of her stomach. A horrible, horrible sensation took over her. It was like she had acid reflux and stomach cramps tearing down at her at the same time. She couldn't say she felt numb, she wasn't sure she could feel if she were numb. It was like hot pins were penetrating her flesh, was she angry, or was she flat-out pissed?

Ellie's body drops into her line of sight. Her sister had jumped from the trailer.

"Ellie, what the hell are you doing?!" Her voice betrayed her, it being so strangled.

"We stick together."

"One more time! Punch it!"

"God—!" The Humvee's tires screeched against the pavement, giving a powerful hit to the gate, breaking the bar that locked it.

"TJ!" Joel grappled for a garage door behind them. "Girls, get in!"

A terrified squeak left her as she ducked under the metal sheet of a door. The turret began to fire when the guys slipped under and inside. The bullets ricocheted loudly off the garage door and the side of the building.

"Oh, fuck!" The girls breathed out.

"Go around to the other side!" Though the hunter's voice was slightly muffled, it was clear.

Her body trembled. Yet again, they narrowly escaped death. Maybe she shouldn't jinx them. Her lungs fanned with anxiety, she was practically hyperventilating at this point, being on the verge of a panic attack.

"Maeve, pull yourself together!" Ellie grabbed her shoulders, forcing Maeve to look at her. "We don't have time for episodes!"

She's right...Maeve dryly gulped and attempted to calm her breathing. Her anxiety was still pretty bad, but she would have to tough through it. For Ellie and everyone else.

For what felt like a minute, Maeve nodded.

"Good," Ellie focused on Joel and TJ. "How the fuck do we get outta here?"

The guys say nothing, only entering the building's pub from the back way. Without much said, the girls follow behind them, ducking behind a pool table when spotting a couple of hunters in a front way.

"The hell is going on back there?" One of them said.

"Sounds like they found 'em. Spread out. They might come through here."

Taking the hunters out wasn't the most silent thing. The gunfire seemed deafening to Maeve. It didn't help with the anxiety pulsing through her mind, and it certainly did not soothe the attack she was still trying to calm. She didn't think they could've crept past them without being noticed. She guessed the only way to fight violence is with violence, as confusing as that may be.

"Hey, through here!" TJ flagged them down, pushing a cart from the main entrance. The glass doors were chained together at the handles, but if they went through one at a time, they'd get out.

"Okay..." The girls slipped out onto the street, the guys behind them.

BAM!

She didn't know who it was that screamed, but she heard it. The Humvee rammed the gate opposite the checkpoint. Its engine growled as the driver set it in reverse and rammed the gate again.

"Fuckin' open it!" A voice shouted.

"Go, go, go!" The four took off toward the bridge, as fast as their legs would let them go.

BAM!

The Humvee broke through the gate, throwing the doors open violently.

"Go! There! They're running to the bridge! Go, go, go!"

Maeve sprinted past a couple of roadblocks, and impediments, and around a couple of broken-down cars, trying to her damnedest to hurry away from the demon truck as it spewed bullets, destroying the road signs into splinters or metal bits. The concrete bounced the bullet casings everywhere, metal clinking so fast that it sounded like bells tossed around.

"Oh god..." Maeve skidded to a stop once she rounded a bus, terrified of the sight she witnessed before her.

"What're you doing, go!" TJ ran into her by accident.

"Oh shit!" Joel cursed the second he saw the end of their road, almost running right off the edge, managing to catch himself.

The bride was broken in half, a huge chunk of the road just...gone. The blockage of vehicles seemed to give them some time, but it wouldn't last much longer.

"Fuck!" Ellie peered over the broken concrete.

"How many bullets do you have left?"

He was given incredulous looks.

"They're gonna kill us."

"What other choice do we have?" Joel argued, fiddling with his pistol.

"We jump."

"No, it's too high and you can't swim. I'll boost you up, you run past 'em."

It was the most horrible sound of metal Maeve could've possibly ever heard. Her hands clapped over her ears. Metal continued to scream as the Humvee rammed against the blockage.

"Watch it!" TJ's body collided with hers as the cars suddenly were flung forward.

The first two cars slid off the broken slab of the bridge, plunging into the raging river below. She felt the fear rise within her more intensely. The river completely swallowed the vehicles.

"You'll keep me afloat." Ellie urged.

"Ellie."

"No time to argue!"

"Ellie!" She screamed out as Ellie leaped off the edge of the pavement.

For one moment, she was standing on the bridge, the next she was airborne. Her body clutched by gravity and plunging to the angry waters below, her scream echoed around her. The air was knocked out of her the second she hit the current and she was violently thrust around under the intense pulls of the river. Icy liquid entered her lungs.

And then everything went black.