"You lost someone?" The bartender asked, looking at Warren who only continued to drink, "Seems like that's all we ever do these days. Makes you wonder if it's even worth being around people anymore."

He turned around, shuffling around some glasses.

"Was it family?"

Warren remained silent.

"Yeah, that's what I thought." He sighed, "You're gonna need a few more of these."

He poured Warren another glass before moving over to me. I gently shook my head, Warren and I had been going glass for glass the past hour and I could feel myself starting to get a bit tipsy. As much as I desperately wanted to get hammered, I didn't want to risk the chance of being eaten alive because I couldn't defend myself.

"Well well well." I turned to look beside me, a random guy flashing at rather disgusting grin at me, "And how are you ladies doing?"

Warren just rolled her eyes, taking another swig of her alcohol. The guy remained unbothered by Warren's rejection, keeping his eyes focused on me. His eyes roamed the length of my body, lingering over my chest area. It couldn't tell if his was his general perviness or that alcohol running through my veins that made me want to deck him right in the mouth.

"Names Harry." He extended his hand out to me.

I ignored his extended hand, instead taking another swig of whiskey. He pulled his hand away once he realized I had no intentions of shaking it, placing it on the counter in front of him.

"A lady who can handle her alcohol." He shuffled a bit closer, "That's kinda hot."

"Some zombie-looking mother bit me!" A man exclaimed, taking a glass of whiskey from the bartender.

The words 'zombie-looking' surely caught my attention because there was only one man here that held those features. And it wouldn't surprise me if Murphy had done something stupid.

"If it was a zombie, you'd have turned." The bartender tried to reason with him.

"I don't know what he was but he wasn't right! He's like some kind of animal or something." He continued to rant, "He took the keys to the Formanmobile! And he'll steal your stuff too! And who knows who else he's gonna bite!" He pointed to each of his men, "You! You! You!"

"I'm finding that dude and I'm taking him out before he has a chance to bite anyone else!" He yelled, "Who's with me?!"

The group of men stood up them, all of them chanting "Let's go" or "Let's get him!". They all gathered their weapons, following behind the Forman as they walked out the door.

This couldn't be good.

"You smoke?" Harry offered me a cigarette.

"Sometimes." I smirked, taking the cigarette from him and holding it between my fingers. I held it up, placing it between my lips. "You got a light?"

Harry smiled, retrieving a lighter from his shirt pocket. He held the lit lighter up to cigarette, placing the end into the flame. He pulled away once it began to smoke, placing the lighter back in his pocket. I took a long drag, letting the smoke fill my lungs before I exhaled.

"So." Harry whispered, leaning a bit closer to me. His hand slowly creeping up my thigh, resting only a few inches away from my privates. "Why don't we get out of here?"

I could feel the bartender's eyes locked on me as I quickly began to unravel. Harry, however, remained oblivious to my boiling outbreak. I took another drag to keep myself calm, my hands shaking with anger. It wasn't until he moved his hand closer that I finally snapped. My hand clenching into tight fist. Without warning I swung, my first colliding with Harry's nose.

"Oh!"

Harry didn't even have time to react as my first struck his nose, the force of my swing knocking him off his barstool. He landed on the ground with a thud, groaning once he hit the ground. I hopped off my barstool, coming to stand beside his fallen body.

"I'll take these." I bent down, shoving my fingers into his shirt pocket and removing his pack of cigarettes and lighter.

Harry didn't even bother to fight me, still moaning and groaning as he held his bleeding nose. I shoved the cigarettes and lighter into my pocket, walking out the door without saying another word. While Warren remained unbothered I knew that I needed to find Murphy before those other guys did. I'll be damned if they ruin our mission over some stupid vehicle.

I looked around the parking lot, knowing Murphy if he had stolen Forman's keys he was probably running around looking for the vehicle himself. And the man was far from stealthy or secretive. I flicked my cigarette on the ground before I climbed on top of the truck. The alcohol made me a bit light headed but I managed to keep myself steady. With this high of view I could had a much better chance of spotting Murphy and with those stupid goons out searching for him it was rather important that I found him first.

"Gotcha!"

Surely enough I had assumed correctly because a few cars over I could see Murphy peeking around cars. His sickly appearance truly made him stand out, really made him one of a kind. I hopped down onto the hood of the truck, then leaping to the ground. My feet had barely hit the ground before I took off into a light jog. I didn't want to draw much attention to myself but I knew I had to reach Murphy before those other guys did.

"Murphy!" I whispered.

I watched as he ran up this white vehicle with the most hideous looking drawing on the side. He placed the key into the lock, struggling to twist it. I came up behind up, placing my hand on his shoulder.

"I didn't do-" He began to panic.

I clamped my hand over his mouth, "Shut up Murphy, someone is going to hear you." I whispered harshly.

Murphy removed my hand from his mouth, "Don't sneak up on me like that."

"You didn't hear me besides I had to find you before those other guys did."

Murphy looked at me, his eyes widening, "What guys? What did they look like?"

"That's him!" We both turned around, "That's the Z that bit me!"

"Hey Murphy," I whispered, slightly smirking, "That's what they look like."

Murphy glared at me.

"Get the Z!"

"That's him!"

I came to stand in front of Murphy, blocking the Forman from attacking him. We came face to face, his breath fanning over my face.

"Can I help you fellas?" I asked, staring Forman down.

"Hey, guys. What's up?" Murphy smiled at them.

In a quick instant Forman shoved me aside, into one of his random followers. The man quickly restrained my arms, preventing me from getting to Murphy. Two men seized Murphy by either side, holding his arms and forcing him to the ground.

"He's not a zombie, he's talkin'" One of his friends stated.

"I said he looked like a zombie!" Forman argued, "I mean look at him!"

"As if you look any better." I smirked.

"You better keep your mouth shut bitch!" He glared at me, turning back to Murphy, "But it doesn't matter. He stole my keys!"

"Uh, that's a lie." Murphy lied.

"Then what are you doing at my machine?" Forman asked him, "Search him!"

One of his men stepped forward, beginning to pat down Murphy. He started with his pants pockets slowly making his way up. Murphy and I exchanged glances when they reached his chest area. If they saw his bite marks it would be over, they would be fully convinced that he was Z.

"It's a Z!" The man exclaimed, examining Murphy's bite wounds.

"I told you!"

Shit.

"I am gonna put him down!"

As soon as Forman pulled out his gun I knew that it was my time to act. Without any warning I whipped my head back, slamming it against the man who was holding me. I could feel the back of my head colliding with his mouth and nose. With the new found pain the man's grip weakened, giving me the leverage I needed to escape. I quickly snatched his gun from him gripping it tightly in my hands before striking him with it, knocking him clear to the ground. I rush to Forman, shoving his hand aside just as he pulled the trigger. I managed to reach him just in time, the bullet going somewhere in the distance.

That's when shit really began to hit the fan.

Gunfire began to spray like water droplets, Doc managed to make a surprising appearance, coming forward to grab ahold of Forman. Forman with his gun still gripped tightly in his hand, pulled the trigger, sending another stray bullet into the air. He pulled the trigger once again when struggling to get free from Doc. When one of Forman's friend pointed his gun at Murphy I did the only thing that could come to my mind. I moved in front of Doc and with a hard shove, I pushed Forman in front of Murphy. When his man pulled the trigger it struck Forman directly in the chest, killing him instantly. We all looked at each other shocked.

"Zombies!"

My head snapped towards the zombie walking towards us, his pants around his ankles as he shuffled towards us. The men that we once trying to kill us began to rush to kill him. Doc and I rushed to Murphy, seizing him by the arms as we began to run.

"Let's go! Get out of here!"

The three of us ran, running as fast as we could to get from the rapid fire and zombies. Doc drug the two of us back to truck, releasing me as he shoved Murphy to the side of the truck. I could tell by Doc's tone that he was not happy and there was no way shape or form that I was getting involved in that. I stayed to the front of the truck, leaning against the hood as I struggled to catch my breath.

When Doc appeared several minutes later he came to the front of the truck to stand in front of me, his hands on his hips.

"Is there a problem?"

"Are you drunk right now?" Doc questioned, raising his eyebrows as he glared at me.

"I'm a bit tipsy." I shrugged my shoulders.

Doc raised his hands, throwing them back down in frustration, "Just keep an eye on Murphy."

"Aye, aye captain." I saluted.

Doc rolled his eyes but he didn't say anything further. I could tell by the look on his face that he was a mixture of disappointed and angry with me but if you wanted to be honest I really didn't care, the alcohol had me feeling rather great. When Doc was well and gone, Murphy came creeping out of the truck.

"Where are you going?"

"I-I'm thirsty." Murphy answered, clearly startled with my presence. He must've thought I disappeared with Doc.

"Ok." I shrugged my shoulders.

Murphy with a surprise look on his face, he started to take off but he turned back around, looking directly at me.

"Where did you learn to fight?"

I was a bit taken back by his questioned, I didn't really take Murphy as someone to pay attention to detail. I lifted myself up onto the hood of the truck, scooting myself back against the windshield. I took my time answering Murphy's question, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it as he began to get impatient.

"Juvie."

I knew Murphy couldn't tell if I was being serious or not which kind of made me smile while I took a drag of my cigarette. He didn't bother to ask me though, instead of took off towards where ever he intended on going. Which I could tell by the direction he went that it definitely wasn't to get a drink. It wasn't any of my concern though, as much as they wanted me to be I wasn't Murphy's babysitter. I wasn't going to hold him at gunpoint to get him to stay.

Grr!

The sound of Z's sent me scrambling up to the very top of the truck. I couldn't believe my eyes as they all started to run by, chasing after the men and woman in front of them. With my cigarette in one hand, I pulled out my machete as I prepared to defend myself. Despite the fact that they all seemed to be preoccupied by their live bite running around I knew it was only a matter of time before they started to climb up here. I remained unbothered, peacefully taking another long drag from my cigarette.

I could see in the distance the shooting contest they had 10k sign up for. He was kneeling on the ground, his rifle perched on the piece of wood they had set out for them. It was down to him and a young girl now. I could tell by the way he arrogantly smirked that he more than likely was going to kick this girls ass, he was just being nice about it.

That's when I saw them.

Off in the distance was a small herd of Zs that were stumbling forward. They were heading directly towards where 10k and the others were gathered. I quickly took the last and final drag of my cigarette. I flicked it to the ground as I shot up, sliding down the windshield as I took a running leap off the hood of the truck. I was thankful that my ankle had healed because otherwise that totally would've hurt.

I sunk my machete into a nearby Z, yanking it out as I continued to run. There were dozens of them now, making it rather difficult to dodge weave while I struggled to find the rest of the group. I couldn't see 10k or any of the others anywhere, Murphy, Doc...no one.

Warren...

I had completely forgotten that she was still in the Fu-bar, getting drunk off her ass. She was probably still sitting on the barstool with no idea that this place was being practically overrun my Zs. I finally put my machete away, stuffing it back into its sleeve and pulling out my gun. As much as I wanted to save ammo, there was to many zombies to be trying to fight them with a knife. I'd be dead before I know it.

Bang!

Bang!

I pulled the trigger without hesitation, dropping zombies as I continued to run. I could see others running and fighting as well, either helping me drop the Zs or becoming ones themselves. I just kept running, searching frantically for the others.

"Carley!"

My head whipped around, turning to see a rather pretrified Murphy running towards. I had nearly forgotten that Murphy was absolutely terrified of Zs. Even though they completely avoided him and didn't even bother to eat him.

"Where are the others?"

"I have no idea, all I see are zombies!" He answered.

I looked around, raising my gun and pulling the trigger at a Z running at me. I looked back at Murphy who looked like he was nearly ready to crap his pants.

"Let's go back to the truck." I panted, "I have to make sure you get to California, we're all gonna die if we keep running around here."

Murphy nodded his head and once again we took off running. I dodged behind Murphy for the most part, letting him sort of be my shield in attempt to save my bullets. If the others didn't show up I was going to need my ammo. I tried my best not to think like that, the thought of losing the others devastating me but I had to be realistic as we were surrounding by a herd of zombies.

"Are we almost there?"

"I think so!"

I naturally assumed that we were at least in the general area of where the truck was, I started to see more and more cars. It was just so hard to decipher where we were with all of the chaos going on. People and zombies were running everywhere, either doing the eating or being eaten.

"Murphy! Carley!

Murphy grabbed my arm, gaining my attention as he pointed to the side of us. "Look!"

Warren and Doc were waving their arms as they climbed in the truck. Murphy nearly dragged me to the truck, pulling me by the arm while I took down the surrounding zombies. Murphy ran to the passenger side, Murphy climbing in front with Doc and Warren while I climbed in the back with Cassandra.

"Where's 10k?"

Doc sighed, "We have no idea, we thought he was with you."

"What?!" I nearly yelled, my hand instantly going to the door handle.

Doc's hand clamped over mine as he reached over the seat, preventing me from the opening the door. I could feel my heart racing as I glared at him. I couldn't imagine how 10k felt being out there by himself, practically surrounded by Zs.

"I know that you two have your thing." Doc spoke, "But there's to many Zs out there, you'll get yourself killed."

As much as I hated him for it, I knew Doc was right. There was no way of knowing if 10k was alive or not. I nearly died last time trying to save him at the compound, this was the double if not triple amount of Zs. It would basically be a suicide mission.

"How much longer are we gonna wait for him?" Murphy complained, still panicking from the surrounding Zs.

"Not much."

"He'll be here." Doc reassured us.

I looked down, fiddling with my thumbs. I didn't want to look out the window anymore, I knew as the time passed that it was less likely that 10k was going to be coming with us.

"Hey!"

My head snapped up at the sound of 10k's voice. He was right outside my window, jogging towards the truck. He had the most relieved smile on his face. Then out of nowhere, a Z smacked against him, holding onto him as 10k struggled to get him off. Warren and I scrambled out of the vehicle, Warren pulling out her gun and pointing it directly at 10k. 10k continued to fight with the zombie, twisting and turning that it nearly made it impossible for Warren to get a shot without hitting him too.

"Hold him steady, kid!" Doc instructed.

"I can't!" 10k cried, continuing to fight with the Z.

The Z kept coming at him relentlessly, snapping his jaw and growling at him.

Bang!

The sound of a gunshot rang out, a bullet leaving a ginormous hold in the Z's head. 10k immediately shoved the dead zombie off of him, turning to look at the source of the gunshot. The girl from the competition was kneeling with her gun sitting on a nearby car. She offered 10k a smile before she took off, running to a nearby van.

"Thank god!"

10k and I met for a brief hug, it was quick and comforting. We didn't waste our time making it long and meaningful, at that rate we surely would've been eaten. Instead I pulled away after a few seconds, practically dragging 10k behind me as we climbed into the truck. He slammed the door as soon as he sat down, his hand smacking against the lock. Warren didn't waste anytime speeding away, getting us the hell out of there.

I looked over at 10k, his face soaked with the Z's blood. I sat up, pulling my t-shirt off and over my head, leaving me in my tank top. 10k looked at me with a confused look on his face at first, clearly not understanding what I was doing. I held my t-shirt up to his face, pressing the fabric against the splattered blood, wiping it off. The red liquid soaked into the fabric rather quickly. I continued to wipe away the blood, doing my best to not press to hard. I threw the t-shirt on the floor when I had wiped it away the best I could.

"All better." I smiled.

"You know where you're going?"

"Followin' the sun." Warren looked over at Doc, "It's what Charlie...it's what he would do."

"I hope we catch up with Mack and Addy."

"Me too."