Why did it have to be like this? I had always hated waiting. But waiting in a dark place like this, and all alone, was starting to get to me.

When would the others finally return anyway? "Dammit, why do I always have to keep guard?" I whispered. "I would have much rather went looking for supplies." I scanned around. I was outside of a Safe-room. I had to stay there and clear the way of Infected for when Sofie and Ostin returned. It didn't look like there were many zombies about, though just in case, I had my Shotgun at the ready. You could never be sure when an Infected would come jumping out of the shadows.

After maybe ten minutes of waiting around and shooting the occasional zombie, I heard Sofie's voice in the distance. Thank god! I thought, as I searched with my flash-light for Ostin or Sofie. I didn't see them just yet, but I knew they would be back, and with some supplies, or at least I hoped.

"Hey Daniel, were here." Ostin's voice came in a whisper, and I felt his hand pat my shoulder. "We got some things."

I turned around and grinned. "Hell yeah. Freaking finally you're back, I was worried."

I saw both Sofie and Ostin holding bags in their hands. It didn't look like much but who cared, they were alive at least.

I opened the door to the Safe-house and we walked in. I was pretty darn relieved they came back alright

The electricity in the room didn't work but we had some flash lights so it wasn't much of a problem. Sofie aimed hers down at the bags that she placed on the ground.

"Here." I heard Sofie say as she took out a first aid kit. "This'll help you with your leg, Daniel."

"Oh right, thanks." I actually almost forgot about my injury. It wasn't that bad, despite how gory it looked. I had gotten it from one of those Chargers; it hit me straight into a glass door. I remember how many shards flew around from the impact.

The other two, Ostin and Sofie, were a little roughed up as well, but they would just need some rest. I barred the door to the Safe-room. I turned to my companions with a smile. "So what else is in those bags, you know, other than the first aid kit?"

"We got some food, and a few bottles of water. We also found another flash light in case we need it, a little bit of ammo and a Magnum that was in some guy's apartment," Ostin replied. He looked to be about thirty-eight years old or so. I saw him around Savannah a few times I think, but we never spoke before the Green Flu happened.

Sofie on the other hand was probably twenty from the looks of it, only a few years younger than me. Though for someone who was supposedly the youngest of the group, she was damn well better than us at shooting with her Hunting Rifle.

But I preferred the Shotgun anyway, so it didn't matter to me.

"I think it's pretty good for only going out for about half an hour," Sofie said. She knelt down close to the supplies. "I got a feeling we could have done maybe a little bit better, but, what the hell. Were alive aren't we?"

Ostin nodded. "That we are."

I took some time to look around the supposed Safe-room. It was a little bit closed in, but it would do for three people and for only one night.

I wasn't able to make it to the last evacuation helicopter, but at least I wasn't completely alone, you know? I had Ostin and Sofie, and even though they were basically strangers to me, I was pretty happy they were here.

Ostin stretched his back; a gruff grunt escaped his mouth. He was probably in some pain. We were running around all day, so who could blame him?

I sat on a wooden chair that was in front of one of the barred windows. "I'll stay up for now, you two get some sleep. I'll keep guard." I placed my shotgun on the counter that was by the entrance. I was quite sure that we were safe in the room, but I kept Ostin's two pistols close just in case. "We'll discuss what we do next in the morning, I guess."

"Thanks, you can wake me up when you get tired, I'll take the next shift." Sofie looked around for some pillows or blankets, but seemed to be unsuccessful. After a pause, she sighed. "This is going to be a shitty night."

Ostin curled up in the left corner of the room. "Let's make the best of it, and get as much shut-eye as we can."

Sofie went to the opposite side and lied down.

There was a few cracks in the window, so I could see the hungry Infected walking around aimlessly outside. Fuck the Green Flu…

After two hours and a half I was still sitting on that very chair, I was tired now. I kept counting the minutes and looking down at my watch. Nothing ever happened; the Safe-room was actually pretty darn safe. The zombies basically ignored me so there was no need to shoot them down.

I wanted to wake Sofie like she told me to, but she was resting so well, I didn't want to be an ass and make her keep guard, but then again, she would want me to be rested as well.

I sighed. "Shit…" I walked over to Sofie's unmoving form. She was peaceful; did I really want to take that away from her? Oh what the hell, I need sleep too, I thought.

I touched her shoulder and shook her a little. "C'mon, get up Sofie."

Sofie sat up and blinked the sleep out of her blue oculi. She turned to me, almost disappointed it seemed. "Oh… Right, it's my turn," she frowned. "How long were you keeping guard?"

I glanced at my watch again. It was 2:40 AM. "Two hours and thirty-five minutes," I grinned. "Sorry for waking you, I'm kind of tired now."

"That's alright, you deserve to be." She stood up. "Any of those… Things—bother you?" She asked in a whisper.

"No, actually. Nothing happened while you two were asleep." I turned and pointed at the chair I previously sat on. "I was sitting there the whole time, all of those zombies just keep walking around and groaning and shit. They never noticed me."

Sofie maneuvered over to the chair. "Okay, well you go to sleep then, I'll stay up for a while; then wake Ostin up for his turn." She chuckled quietly.

"Thanks." I lied down on the cold floor. There were no blankets. Nothing. I got into a more comfortable position and thought for a few minutes before dozing off.

"Hey, get up big guy." Ostin shook me awake.

I groggily looked around. Big guy? I thought. I guess. I am pretty tall. "Geez, what time is it?" I looked at my watch. 6:50 AM. I frowned.

"I thought we should get an early start," Ostin said. "Sorry about that."

Sofie walked over to the two of us. "So, what do you think we should do?" She sat down. "We were too late with the last evacuation helicopter… So where do we go?"

That's right. We didn't have a plan. "We need to get out of Savannah. But how do we do that?" I asked.

Ostin looked at Sofie. "Maybe we should try to get a car and drive around Savannah a little bit. Find some survivors?" He shook his head. "If there are any, that is."

I stood up. My leg felt much better, I had patched it up during my first guard duty. "I suppose we could do that." I scowled. "But I don't like the idea of staying here for long."

"Me neither," Sofie agreed. She brushed back her black hair and scrutinized the room. "Well, I say let's do it anyway, and get our shit together." She laughed.

Ostin and I chuckled as well.

We got everything we needed from the Safe-room. I still had my Pump-shotgun in hand because I preferred it to any of the other weapons. I had picked up an Axe last night and strapped it to my back too.

Ostin had his Submachine-gun, and a couple of pistols.

Sofie of course had her Hunting Rifle, and the Magnum that they found last night.

Most of what we could use was stuffed into a bag that we carried around.

"Let's go, I suppose," Ostin said, standing in front of the exit to the Safe-room while holding his Submachine-gun.

Sofie opened the door. "Right."

Everything will turn out alright, everything will turn out alright. I found myself thinking in a Mantra. We walked out.

The Infected reacted almost instantly when they heard us. There were only a few, five maybe. I shot the closest two and Sofie and Ostin took care of the rest.

"That was easy." Sofie stated.

I glanced at her. "Please don't jinx us," I grumbled.

The sun was just starting to show. It was still kind of dark out, but it didn't matter to us, we just wanted to find other survivors, or a safe place to stay.

All three of us were nervous it seemed. We advanced further along the road, my home was just a few miles away, I realized, but I didn't really care. It wasn't my home any longer. It wasn't safe. Just like Sofie's and Ostin's homes probably weren't safe either.

I heard a familiar soft growl coming from atop a close by building. We continued to walk down the road. There were a couple of cars around. We were disappointed to find, though, that they were locked.

I shot a stray zombie to the left.

Sofie took out another that was sitting near a post.

After five minutes of walking down the same path, hoping to find a useable car, I heard that same growling. This time I was sure it was a Hunter. I hate those God damn things! I thought.

I glanced at Ostin, he realized it too. I could see from the look he was giving me.

"Stay close," said Sofie.

The Hunter was getting nearer, but I still couldn't see where it was.

"There it is," Ostin shouted. "Look out!"

I turned just in time to see the Hunter leaping at Sofie. I shot it once with my Pump Shotgun, but I was too worried that I would shoot Sofie if I attempted it again.

Sofie struggled to get the Special Infected away. "Get it off me!"

An idea popped into my mind. I had almost forgotten about the axe! I pulled it from my back strap and attacked the Hunter. I managed to hit it off of Sofie. Blood splattered on me and her from the impact, but I was used to it, so I didn't care.

Ostin shot at the Hunter with his Submachine-gun. It snarled one last time before dropping dead.

Sofie grunted as she struggled to get up.

I lent her a hand. "Are you alright, Sofie?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Sofie patted the dirt off of her jeans. Her blue T-shirt was torn, and a large cut showed through it. A bit of sanguine liquid dripped from her wound. "Thanks guys." She smiled at me and Ostin.

"Come on, let's move on a little bit." Ostin said. He continued to walk the path that we were going before the Hunter assaulted Sofie. "Let's try to find a car that's not locked, and doesn't have an alarm."

We walked on for fifteen minutes. There didn't seem to be too many zombies down the path we were heading. Finally we came to a red Bentley car. It was in good condition, and the front door was completely open. I got close enough to inspect it. The once was owner of the car, was dead, sitting in the driver's seat. He wasn't infected before he died… Is this what will eventually become of me Sofie and Ostin? I didn't like the idea.

Ostin went and pulled the dead guy out of the car. He was pale, and bloody. He probably bled to death.

Damn… Poor guy. The keys to the Bentley were still in the engine.

I heard a couple of gun shots behind me. I quickly glanced to see. It was just Sofie; she had shot down a zombie that was a few feet away from me.

"Oh, thanks…" I muttered.

Sofie got closer to me and Ostin. "Is there enough gas?"

Ostin got inside; he sat on the driver's seat and started the car up. Nothing seemed to be wrong with it. "I think so. This thing will take us to where we need to go." He grinned. "Get in you two. I'm driving."

"I call shotgun!" I shouted to Sofie.

"Fine," Sofie chuckled, and got in the back-seat. "I'm not a child, you know."

I sat in the front seat. "Sure you are, you're like ten or something," I teased.

"I'm twenty-three," Sofie said. "How could I possibly look ten to you?"

I grinned, but didn't answer.

We started driving. I wondered if there were actually other people out there, and whether we would find them.

After ten minutes of silence, Ostin grunted. "So, where exactly are we heading, kids?" He shuffled around in his seat, trying to get more comfortable. "For now, I think we should just try to get out of Savannah, find other survivors. Find the CEDA maybe, if we can."

"Sounds like a plan to me," I agreed.

Sofie sighed. "I don't know guys…"

I scrutinized Sofie. "What do you mean you don't know? Do you have something better in mind?"

"Well, not really." She stared out the window. "It's just that, don't any of you have a relative or friend somewhere that you would like to see?" She turned to me slightly. "That you would like to know is okay?"

"Sofie," Ostin started. "We first have to make sure that we are alright." He shook his head. "Now I know we are all worried about our family and friends, but we have to be realistic. You two are the only other people I have seen this whole time. Either our family and friends were evacuated or…" He frowned. "Or they turned, like most."

I nodded. "He's right Sofie…" I couldn't keep the depression from lurking into my voice. "We need to get out of Savannah and find any other survivors."

"I suppose," Sofie replied. Since no one was sitting on the other side—next to her; she could lie down in the back seat, and she did.

I looked down at my watch. It was 7:42 AM. How much longer would it take to get out of Savannah?

"Hey Ostin, how long do you think it'll take until we are out of this place?" Sofie questioned. Basically she just took the words out of my mind and asked the question I meant to ask.

Sofie and I stared at Ostin, waiting for a response.

"To be honest, I don't know." Ostin drove past a Stop sign. "It'll be a while with all of these infected people getting in the way, I can tell you that much."

I looked out at the scenery as we drove. There were zombies, a lot I guess, walking around. Some chased the car, but they were unsuccessful in dealing any damage to us.

Sofie was also gazing out of her window, again, at all of the—things—that were once human. After a couple of minutes I heard her gasp softly.

I turned my head to see why.

"Guys, look over there. That Hotel is half burnt to the ground." Sofie pointed at a building that was a block away. "I wonder why it's like that."

Ostin slowed down the car a little. "The sign reads Vannah Hotel. Wasn't that one of the places where helicopters evacuated people?"

"Yeah, I think so," I sighed. "Definitely don't think it's evacuating anymore people though…"

Ostin speeded up again.

Thirty minutes went by as we drove around, almost aimlessly it seemed. None of us talked very much.

Ostin said that he knew what he was doing, where we were going and all. But I kind of sensed he didn't actually know what he was doing, or going. He didn't look that sure of himself. He was definitely not around this part of Savannah very often. Neither was I or Sofie.

A couple of zombies got on the road and into the way, Ostin drove into them. He didn't hesitate. He already did that to too many Infected since we found the car.

Sofie must have fallen asleep, because she was lying quite still and her eyes were shut.

I smiled. At least she was getting some rest. I only knew her now for maybe two days or so, but she seemed to be someone I would've liked even before the Apocalypse. Ostin too.

"Look over there." Ostin disturbed my train of thought. "That Mall, isn't it Liberty Mall? I heard over the radio before that they were making that place an Evacuation center."

Sofie groaned. The sudden talking must have awakened her. "What did you say?"

"He said that the Mall over there was made into an Evacuation center," I paused. "Like the Hotel we saw earlier."

"Ah, I see." Sofie sat up. "Maybe… Maybe we should check it out you guys, what if there's some useful things in there?"

I chuckled. "Girls. Always so obsessed with Malls, am I right?" I smiled at Ostin.

Sofie just glared. "Daniel, that has nothing to do with me wanting to check the place out." She shook her head. "Besides, I never cared about Malls that much."

Ostin drove into the Malls Parking-lot. There were actually quite a few zombies around though. "Do you kids want to go in or not?" He continued to drive around the Parking-lot. It was jammed full of cars. "I personally don't want to risk getting killed for some supplies."

"Yeah, let's not go in." I gazed at how many Infected were starting to gather around. "We're good on supplies for now, I think."

Sofie nodded. "You guys are right. Let's just get out of here now."

A zombie reached our car and banged on it. Ostin just drove past it and sped up towards the exit of the Parking-lot.

I noticed while we were getting out, that there were actually quite a few dead zombies about. Was someone here before? I tapped Ostin's shoulder while he drove. "Look at all of those corpses…" I cleared my throat as I spotted one on the side-walk that had a bullet planted straight into its fore-head. "People must have done this, right?"

Sofie looked like this gave her an idea. "You're right, Daniel. Maybe the CEDA was here recently? Or perhaps it could've been someone else? Other survivors, you know?"

Ostin shook his head. "Maybe. But that could very well have been a while ago. There's no way in telling." He slowed down when he reached a curve. "Besides, even if the CEDA or some survivors killed those zombies recently, it doesn't mean that we are going to find them any time soon."

"I guess we'll just have to wait and see," Sofie said. She sighed and gazed out of her window again. She looked over at me. "Hey Daniel, what time is it? You have a watch right?"

"Yeah, I do." I glanced down at it. "It's 8:23 AM."

The sun was out completely now. It illuminated our surroundings slightly, but it still felt gloomy outside. Maybe it was just the mood that I was in.

I turned to Ostin. He looked calm. Content even. He was probably just feeling lucky that we made it this far.

We drove on for an hour and twenty minutes more. We had to stop once because one of those Charger things tackled our vehicle. Thankfully it didn't do too much harm, but we did have to get out of the Bentley to kill the damned bastard.

Ostin said that we were getting close to the exit of Savannah. That made my day. But something else had to ruin it.

"Damn it, what do we do now?" Sofie asked.

Ostin sat for a while thinking. After a couple of minutes he grunted. "Well, there's nothing left to do." A frown pulled at his lips. "There isn't enough gas. We have to go by foot now, kiddies." He turned around to look at Sofie. "We could either A) go look for some fuel for this car, or B) start traveling by foot. There isn't long until we make it out of Savannah, so it shouldn't be too bad."

Traveling with a car seemed to be so much safer than by foot. But I didn't want to go looking for some fuel. That could take ages, because the last Gas-station we saw was miles back. The exit to Savannah was really close anyway. I looked at Sofie, trying to decipher what she was thinking.

"Well…" Sofie began. "I think that we could make it by foot, what do you think Daniel?"

I smiled. "Yeah, I agree with you." I looked at the roof of the car thoughtfully. "Though, I do really like this Bentley, I always wanted one before."

Ostin chuckled. "Let's travel by foot, I think that will be the best."

We got out of the vehicle, and got our supplies and guns in hand. I carried a light backpack with water bottles and food in it, and we got Sofie to put most of the ammo in her purse that she apparently got for her last birthday, from her older brother.

I kind of felt bad hearing that she too had a sibling. It was more to lose. It got me thinking of my younger brother, he was only seventeen. I wondered if he got evacuated. Damn I hope he did.

After forty minutes of traveling by foot, we were finally out of Savannah. All of us were tired of walking, tired of fighting. Now all I wanted to do was to get to a Safe-room. My injured leg, even though I patched it up before, was starting to act up. I needed to sit for a while or something. I realized though, that we were on a Highway, and quite far from any town from the looks of it. Sofie and Ostin were also kind of hurt. We had to stop a while ago, to patch ourselves up.

We continued to walk. I noticed that the farther we went the more cars were piled up on the road. A lot of people were probably trying to get out of Savannah too.

I squeezed through between a truck and a van. I thought that maybe we could use a car to get to another town faster, but that wouldn't work, there wasn't enough space to drive on this road.

A zombie ran at me from a few feet away. I shot her (or it) with my Pump-shotgun, and she fell to the ground. I made sure not to hit any of the cars, because most of them had stupid alarms planted on them. Those kinds of noises attract Infected, something none of us want to do. Ever.

"Hey, guys look," said Sofie. "It appears to be a Stock car, you know, the kind's racers use. I wonder what it's doing out here?"

That Stock car looked familiar. Realization came to my mind. "Wait a second!" I walked over and patted the cars top. "This car belongs to Jimmy Gibbs Jr. I think. He was a well know racer before the Green Flu. You ever hear of him? I wonder if he's still alive or if he turned…" I peeked in the front window to see if there was a zombie in the car. Nothing.

"I never heard of him. I wasn't really into cars and racing before," Sofie chuckled.

Ostin opened the trunk. "Kids, there's a few guns in here, and some ammo, if you want to check it out."

"Huh?" I walked over to see. "Are you serious?" The trunk did indeed have guns and such in it.

Ostin looked up at me. "Did this "Jimmy Gibbs Jr." also like firearms?" He laughed.

"You think that maybe Jimmy's still alive or something?" I know it was a dumb idea to ask, but I was just curious.

"I don't know…" Sofie paused and put on a thinking face. "Maybe it wasn't even Jimmy Gibbs Jr. to drive this car all the way out here. It could've easily been other survivors that found his car and took it for a ride."

"Yeah, well that's a possibility, but it's not going to get us anywhere. If you want to switch out your weapon for one of these, go ahead and do it," said Ostin, changing the subject.

"Alright." I scanned over the guns, though there didn't seem to be much. I continued to look around, and to my surprise, I saw a neat looking Shotgun tucked in the back. "Ah, looky over here, this Shotgun is sweet!" I picked it up to examine it. It was a Combat-shotgun.

For a while I tried to figure out my new weapon. Ostin and Sofie didn't take anything from the trunk, so they waited for me to be finished.

"When are you going to be done with that?" Sofie asked in a tone of impatience.

I put my pointer finger up, while still looking down at the Combat Shotgun. "Just another minute, I think I got this all figured out now." I looked up and grinned at her. "This one's going to be a lot better than my last; it can hold up to ten bullets, while the Pump-shotgun can only hold eight." I chuckled. "Isn't that awesome?"

"Yeah sure," Sofie smiled.

"Okay, I'm ready to go; I got the right ammo for my new and beloved Shotgun." I walked ahead of the others while grinning, and probably like an idiot.