Laundry
Chores aren't always a bore
"Shit shit shit! There's a freaking ta-" A short woman yanked the taller teenager down by his shirt, slapping her hand over his mouth. "We know that. Be quiet or else it will hear us!" She whispered harshly, removing her hand after she was sure he would be quiet. A chunkier man nudged them and, once gaining their attention, pointed towards the nearest building - A laundrymat. They hesitated, glancing around for a more appealing option - at least till the shaking ground set their legs in motion. They sprinted the short distance from the alley to the front entrance of the building.
Once inside, the heavier man all but collapsed, using a machine to lean on while he caught his breath. "Goddamn, I wish I quit smoking when I tried three years ago. What I'd give for a puff now..." He panted, finally able to stand on his own. Before any of them could say anything in response, the roar of the tank and shaking building made them realize that they'd failed to sneak past it.
They frantically moved away from the doors, searching for somewhere to hide. All at once they spied the single person bathroom. Rushing forward, they elbowed and shoved each other, desperately to trying to fit together in the tiny room. The man suddenly drew a knife, forcing the other two to back down. "So much for teamwork, asshole!" The teen scoffed as he backed away.
With the tank only seconds from barging into the laundrymat, the teen looked to the woman for guidance. Sighing internally as she realized she was in charge now, she grabbed his arm and dragged him to the back area where the large industrial machines were kept.
The sound of smashing glass and brick sent them scampering into the nearest dryer. Looping the strap of a gun around the door's handle, they pulled it till it was closed without latching. At least they wouldn't have to worry about getting locked inside the machine, that would be worse than getting killed by the tank.
Judging by the noise and ever growing tremble of the building, the tank was making quick work of the wall. With a final, ferocious roar the tank charged inside, snorting and huffing like an enraged bull. It ran around the building, looking for victims. Unable to find them it calmed suddenly, appearing to look around more carefully and listen for noise. It realized they were hiding, but it knew they were still in the building. Roaring and pounding it's fists on the ground like a toddler having a tantrum, the tank started smashing and throwing things around, trying to flush them out.
Yelping as a chair smacked into the dryer they were in, the two survivors suddenly slapped their hands over each others mouths. Grunting, the tank stopped it's assault on the machinery. Turning, it moved towards the source of the noise, thumping it's way over to them. Watching in silent horror as it grew closer and closer, the two survivors were shaking like leaves, clinging to the other in desperation and terror.
Just as the tank got within punching distance of the machine, the creaking of old hinges drew it's attention away. Turned around, the tank spies the husky male survivor attempting to slip out of the building while it was busy. Roaring, the tank took off at an awkward gallop. Screamed as he realized he was no ninja, the man fled out the demolished store front with the tank on his heels.
Waiting till all the noise and shaking had died down, the two remaining survivors cautiously opened the dryer door, peeking out. With no other infecteds in sight, they carefully climbed out, trying not to make a sound as the tank may not have gone far. Neither would miss the other man, but their diminished numbers may hurt their chances at making it through this hell.
Carefully maneuvering around the shattered glass, the teammates kept their backs together as they glanced outside the laundrymat. No sign of the tank, and only a handful of commons milling about, the odd pair felt safe enough to continue on. The next safehouse was only a few blocks away and the sun was hanging low in the sky. "Hey, hold still for a sec" Pausing at her partner's voice, the woman half turned to looked at the teen as he stepped up to her. Reaching out to her, she felt him touch her back. Upon retracting his hand, he chuckled and held up a dryer fabric sheet, "you had a cling-on."