Perhaps I have well taken my own abilities for granted. From now on, I would only find less time to accomplish my tasks, attributed to the so-called scheduling program that I was forced to adapt to. Nevertheless, it is highly unlikely that it would affect the quality of my works, only the amount of time it takes for me to put one out. Then again, it might not, you'll never know. Admittedly, however, I have to say that my initial assesment of how I might be able to handle my time was wrong on various levels. All of the above has nothing to do with the story itself, but it's too late now is it?

Chapter 3: The Passing

"Hey!"

"Oh man; am I glad to see you!"

Nothing short of excitement were present as Francis spotted the group of four coming up from the tunnel on the far side. They seemed a lot more beat up than he remembered, but that was to be expected. The fact that all four of them made it through in one piece proves that they were definitely not to be taken light of. Regardless, there were more pressing matters.

"So, what is the plan?" Louis inquired out of the blue. Naturally, considering how the group from Savannah never met him before, they had not much obligation to answer. However, considering the fact that he was obviously on their side, nothing was lost in exchanging information.

"Well, you three are going to help us lower the bridge, right?" Coach spoke up to them. Francis, Zoey and Louis were stationed on top of a nearby balcony, directly facing the bridge. They have successfully gathered up supplies without a hitch, so everything was going according to plan so far. However, that was not the hard part.

"Yeah," Zoey nodded, as the expressions of the new survivors cheered up. This time, nothing turned against them in the end, and they were happy to be able to continue with their previous arrangements. Of course, there was always a twist. "However, we don't have the manpower to do that at the moment."

"What do you mean?" Rochelle's face questioned the validity of that last comment. She, as anyone else in her position, did not like the part where they still had to do more things in order to start rolling again. As if the trip through the sewer pipes filled with infecteds and hazardous traps were not enough, now they had to deal with this too.

"When we used the generator to raise the bridge before, it quickly ran out of power afterwards." Zoey continued on with her explanation. She was rather defiant about people's questioning looks befell upon her own. It was high time she took matters into her own hands, since there was no one around to tell her what to do anymore. "So, you need to restart it."

"For your convenience, it's right over there." Francis could not help but chimed in, finger pointing at the nearby mechanical contraption that appeared like it was made during the 60s. As far as generators went, it was about the most disheartening model they had ever come across, and its faults were nothing less than accursed.

"Alright, so what do you suggest us do now?" Nick had his hand on the machine, evidently analyzing the state of the device. For reasons others could not quite place, he appeared to be rather informed about things like these. Someone had to be, of course. "This thing is almost as old as Coach," the physical instructor shot him an annoyed glance, but Ellis clearly was amused, chuckling uncontrollably. That statement might have actually been factually accurate. "It will work. It needs a decent amount of gas to power up though."

"Are we going to have to scavenge those again?" Rochelle sighed. The last time they did that; their bodies were almost buried alive in Liberty Mall. It did not help that farm boy Ellis hesitated to shoot the head off his once-not-quite-dead-role model Jimmy Gibbs Jr., almost letting him set the entire mall on fire with his oil-slick costume. They did not even know where to gather up gas cans around here. However, considering that this actually was quite a busy city, things like that should not be too hard to come across.

"I think so." Ellis, in his best serious expression he could mutter, stated. It did not quite work though, as there were things that were better suited for adults after all. "We just gather up them gases and be done with this, right?"

"Ah, gases, classic." Francis rather appreciated the young man's sense of surplus humor. He was somewhat getting sick of people being all serious around these parts. Zoey shot him a look, which he responded by simply shrugging at her. "Yeah, that's basically it."

"Small question, how exactly are you going to help us, sitting on that balcony and all?" Rochelle narrowed her eyes. She recalled Francis telling her that there were going to be aids coming from his group once they made it through, but the situation, especially Louis' conditions, made her think otherwise. "Besides, isn't your friend there not quite fit to move?"

"Don't worry about me." The middle-aged manager simply waved to her. Their introduction was long overdue. "I take you already know Francis right? Well I'm Louis, and that's Zoey."

"Nice to meet y'all." Ellis, completely oblivious to the disproving look of his fellow Savannah residents, happily returned the gesture. Others were rather amused by his innocence, but then again it did not matter that much. "My name is Ellis; this is Coach, Rochelle and Mr. Cranky, Nick."

"Seriously?" Nick was obviously aware of how his cynicism clashed with Ellis' upbeat idiocy, but he really did not expect the boy to call him out like that. Then again, he really did not know the guy that well yet either. "Never mind, let's get to the point. How are you going to help us if you're up there like that?"

"We'll be providing cover fire." Zoey coldly affirmed. It shook the others a bit, considering how her attitude was just warm and understanding just now. "That's it."

"What, you mean you're not going to come down here?" Coach took that rather harsh. He was not sure of whether to put it off as her being arrogance or simply unreasonable, but he sure that things would be better if the other three, perhaps not Louis, come down and actively participate in the hunt for the aforementioned objects. "Instead you'll just sit there on your ass?"

"Watch it, Coach." Francis seemed annoyed by the gym teacher's reaction to Zoey's words. However, Zoey herself motioned the biker to stop. If it was anything, it was her fight. Francis willingly backed down, to some's surprises.

"Understand that Louis cannot move in his current condition, and I am not going to risk his well-being by leaving him here." The sternness in her voice indicated that she was not in the mood to do anyone any favors. She had already made her decision long ago, and there was simply no use in trying to cogitate otherwise. "We are only to give your support and cover fire when we can, and not directly going down there with you. Just be grateful that we are to help you at all."

"You are scary, you know that?" Ellis was subtly paying attention to Zoey in the mean time, and had said the first thing that came to his mind. It was a fascination, in his opinions, but the way he described it certainly went the wrong way. "Not in a bad way, I mean… you're still a girl and…"

"It's best to shut it, farm boy." Nick halted his companion's tripping mouth, as to not create anymore tension between the two groups, which would be the last thing they would want right now. Either that or complications, which in his opinion are just as bad. "So, alright, we're down with your plan. Is there anything else you need to tell us?"

"Right, that generator runs loud." Zoey established perhaps the most important piece of the problem. Of course, she had lived through its consequences once, and she knew what it took. She could see the cold sweat rolling already. "Really, really loud, and I'm sure you know what that means."

"Right, do our thing, and do it fast." Rochelle cocked her gun up, as the rest of the survivors. They obviously noticed how expedient the ammo pile was placed, just near the generator. It was to help them pack things up should everything runs low. It was a fortified position within the last fight, and it probably had to be again.

"We're ready when you are." Louis stationed himself to take control of the mounted gun. It was the most powerful, and most immobile, piece of firearm they could find right now, and who else would be better to arm it than a man who could not move. Zoey nodded in agreement, her M16 in hand. Francis grabbed his Hunting Rifle as well. The other group began to patch up their apparent wounds and stock up on ammos and carriage. A few minutes before they were all fully prepared and eager to move out.

"Alright, let's go." Coach declared, as the four set out to find the canisters lying somewhere around town. Zoey stood still on the balcony, her weapon armed with laser sight quite ready, looked to the boat, where she had left Cindy to her own devices. She just hope that when the horde breaks out, the Witch would not be agitated and draw in other infecteds. Zoey had already taken precaution and move the boat far off sight, but then again they could not know of what would really happen. Soon enough, the other four returned with a gas can in hand.

"Get ready." Zoey told them, as all nodded. Nick quickly poured the liquid into the generator, and it started up. The ear-breaking noise came from it as a result was definitely enough to startle everyone, as they knew fully well what was coming.

"Holy shit, that's loud." Rochelle commented before the first sighting of the responding horde of infected appear at the far end of the horizon. They were coming, and the four needed to complete their task as soon as possible. That was not to take into account those who were already here from the last fight, simply wandering around. It was akin to a battle cry, signalling a bloody massacre will follow. "Come on, let's go."

Without indication, Louis' machine gun started firing. From every direction around them, countless of infecteds were swarming in, probably the same that the original group failed to clear out last time. Stray bullets were everywhere, as blood and dead bodies dropped like flies. Soon, the group of four came back with another can, and into the generator it went. The contraption continued to work, but it only got louder in the process. The group stock up quickly and set out once more. All of them knew that with anything this loud, it would only be a matter of time when the Tanks appear. However, before then, all worked hard to clean out as much of the commons as possible.

"Zoey!" Francis' words immediately interrupted the girl's train of thoughts. Their reactions had been sharpened throughout the weeks of fighting, and she knew what to look out for. "Smoker!"

Dodging with complete intuition, the extended infected tongue missed her by barely a few inches. Francis was quick on his fingers as well, taking the enemy out within two shots from the scope. Sniping was not really his thing, but Louis'. However, this was definitely not the time to discuss on his skills. Louis was still focused on running the infected wave right through with his mounted gun, and he seemed to be enjoying it as well.

"Good work you two." Zoey's smile was much needed for the guys' motivation, as if it lighted up the entire scene. Her being mostly positive all the time in battle helped immensely as well. "Now come on, we have a job to do!"

One by one, the other group come back with gas cans, as the bridge slowly lowered itself down. However, it was definitely too slow in their opinions, especially considering how they were busy on-hand with shooting their ways to a seemingly endless amount of oppositions. After the 5th can, what must come had come.

"TANK!" Zoey screamed, as all of them opened fire on the huge monstrosity charging at them with inhuman speed. It had distracted them from the threats closer on hand, however. A Jockey had managed to jump Ellis and steer him away. As the other four was forced to pursue, the Tank was not yet dead. "Francis, give me fire."

"Here" Zoey, by all virtues of strength she could muster, flung the Molotov bottle at the Tank chasing after the other four. It was a direct hit, as its flesh immediately caught on fire and slowed it down significantly from the aftershock, albeit its killing intent was anything but shaken. The Jockey was soon disposed of, but it had not gone down without dealing severe damage to its victim. As Ellis had to stop and patch himself up, it only made people's job harder than it already was. A lot of the Infecteds got closer than one would like, inflicting damage too fast for the others to react to. It took considerably longer than they would have liked for everyone on the ground to get back on their feet, but the supplies had already thinned out. "Damn it, hey guys, come here!"

As the 7th gas can went straight down the power-hungry machine, Rochelle also received the last bottles of pills thrown from the balcony.

"Thanks guys." She wasted no time before moving out again, but her gratefulness was clear. Zoey only gave the other female a quick nod before going back to shooting. It was exhausting, if one could say so. It was definitely not the worst fight they had gone through, but it was much more tiring since everything was being dragged on, and the time it took to find just one can seem like forever. Zoey, being on the balcony, was unaware of where the other group went to in order to get those cans, but she knew that its availability was being thinned out fast. Should they run out of gas cans before the bridge fully lowered, everyone was going to have a bad time.

Half an hour from when they started, and it was already the 11th can, yet the bridge was still several feet above the line they would like. Zoey was sure that the other group went into the warehouse where Bill's body was several times, but she knew that she no time to think of such trivial matters, when her job was only getting more difficult by the minute. The more gas it was fed, the louder the generator become. As the 12th canister arrived, so did two Tanks, and they look rather pissed.

"To hell with this." As the group on the ground was busy not getting themselves swarmed by hundreds of infecteds, Zoey knew that there was little chance of them handling this if it continued. "Louis, how many throwables do we have left?"

"Two jars, four grenades and five bottles." Louis seemed rather distressed. The Tank were coming in fast, but still too far for his clunky aiming gun to be of any use. He could not go full throttle on those on the ground either, as it would severely risk hitting the other four in the process. "We don't have much ammo left either."

"Damn," Zoey had only one plan in mind. Should they let the Tanks approach the generator, they could punch it broken and everything was all for nothing. However, if they follow the other group as they gather the cans, it would disappear from view and the three on the balcony could no longer provide cover fire. There was never a time when they could have taken on two tanks at once, and this did not seem like the first time for it either. Determined, she had gone through with her guts. "Guys, get to the other gas cans!"

"There are two Tanks on our tail!" Coach screamed as loud as he could without straining his own heart, while his hand was still busy slicing off infecteds in melee range.

"We'll take care of it!" All six others stared at the girl, but she was not going to let anyone talk back. Time was of the essence, and there were none of left should she did not get her idea to work. "Just go!"

The four had no other choice but to trust her, as they made a blood path and ran off to the far side, as the Tanks drew closer. Zoey tucked her gun on the back, eyes to her companions.

"Cover me." Louis and Francis had no idea what she was about to do, but they knew it was going to be quite insane. Then again, they had no hope of stopping her regardless, so they only nodded. "Throw the fire only when you can hit both the Tanks at once, alright?"

Without waiting for confirmation, Zoey was off. Francis had to switch to an AK-47 in order to do cover work better. The girl grabbed the weapon she had no plan on using up until now, and swung herself down the nearby truck's top straight form the balcony. In her hand was nothing but a Chainsaw, fresh and running like a mad murderer. Its noise attracted the other infecteds quite well, as they gather up around. The two Tanks did the same, charging at her instead.

"This is for Bill, you overgrown bastards." Zoey charge directly at them with her Chainsaw in hand, cutting down all the nearby annoyances and straight to the Tanks. Francis was reluctant on throwing the Molotov, afraid it would hit Zoey. However, only when she was dangerously close to the two building-sized enemies did he realize her plan. Zoey abandoned the Chainsaw as the Tanks got close, she screamed. "Now!"

Moments later, the fire erupted on the ground, catching the Chainsaw in the progress. The weapon failed catastrophically, igniting the fuel within and creating an explosion rivaling that of five propane cisterns. It obliterated all the nearby commons, while making the Tanks stumble, letting Louis unleash his machine gun on them. Zoey was thrown a few feet forward by the detonation, landing on her chest. Her skin was bruised heavily, but it protected her Assault Rifle from sustaining heavy damage in the process. At times like this, one could never ask for everything to get out unscathed. As the Tanks fall, Zoey made her way back onto the balcony, one arm grabbing the other.

"Are you alright?" Francis eased his stance as the girl returned. She gave him quite a scare down there, because for a moment he thought she was going to be another Bill. "That was reckless girl, where did you learn how to do that?"

"I learned from the best." Zoey tried her best to smile. She noticed the other group was beginning to return as well. They were flabbergasted to see the amount of carnage surrounding the two Tanks' bodies. "Welcome back"

"How did you?" Rochelle could not believe her eyes. Her gaze raced to Zoey, to see that the teenage girl was in pain. "Why are you hurt?"

"It's a long story, but we don't have time for that right now." Zoey tried her best to stay composed, even though her entire body was still shaken up from being so close to the explosion. She could barely hold her gun up right at the moment. "Go, you're almost done."

"Thanks!" Ellis spoke for the rest of his group before going on his way again. Louis seemed concerned about Zoey most of all, however.

"You should take a rest Zoey." The middle-age man was unable to operate the mounted gun at the moment due to its overheating, but he still had a Rifle to the side should his aid be needed. "We can take care of this. We have enough Molotovs for five of them sons of bitches."

"After this, we can rest however we want Louis." Zoey, leaning on the wall nearby, panted out her words one by one. She was in much pain, but none of her wounds were particularly life-threatening. She seemed even more confident because of it. "Right now, I know we'll look after our own, but I still have my morals."

The other two stayed silent. Soon enough, more gas cans were brought back and they got back to shooting without much thought. Luckily, there were not apparent signs of anymore tanks, and the bridge was almost fully lowered.

"This is the last one." Coach, carrying the 16th canister in his hand, raced to the generator. The bridge was almost touching the ground at this point, and there were no doubt it would be enough after this one. However, there were more dire things that made apparent to them. While the generator worked its last run, the far side of the road was blocked. There were Tanks, a lot of them, obviously drawn by the hideously loud noise the generator was making. "Oh… god."

"With that many road blocks, we would never make it through even if the bridge lowers in time!" Nick exclaimed. He hated situations like this; similar to the 4th time he went to jail. Those were dark memories, and he'd rather not relive them.

"So all of these would be for nothing?" Rochelle was at the end of her rope as well. Even though the commons were already cleared off to a sufficient degree, those numerous tanks would do nothing but make everything so much harder, and neigh impossible, even.

"No back talk." Zoey screamed at them from above, pulling their attention together towards her. In her hand was nothing but an out-of-ammo M16, but she had no plan to give up anytime soon. "All of us had come too far, live through too much to go down like this! Those Tanks won't get here before the bridge is lowered. When that happens, I want you to get your car as soon as possible and floor it. We will take care of the rest."

"Are you sure you can do that?" Ellis stared at her in disbelief. He knew that she was a fascination, but now seemed more of a goddess than anything else. "I mean, you're a girl and all, and you're hurt too."

"Hey, farm boy," Zoey put up a mockery smile, assuring her position, as if she needed it. "Didn't your daddy ever tell you to not disrespect a woman?"

The young man was silent after that, as was any other trace of conversation. The generator stopped making noises as it ran out of gas. While the Tanks moved closer, the group of four dashed through the bridge and onto the other side, where their vehicle was waiting. The giants followed them handily, crossing the bridge just as well. When the car started up and moved, it had no choice but to charge right at the Tank.

"Francis, give me the Grenade Launcher." Zoey received said weapon from her companion soon enough. It was a powerful firearm, but they had to tuck it away due to its likelihood of hitting the other survivors in the process. For what reason does Zoey want it now was not clear, but the two men on the balcony knew that they should always trust her. The huge weapon on her shoulder, Zoey fired a shot, over the heads of the Tanks, aiming right at the moving car. It landed in front, propelling the race car onto the air with extreme force, away from reach of the colossal behemoths in hot pursuit and onto safety. As it runs off, the rest knew what to do. All of the fire bottles were tossed onto the bridge, engulfing the infected brutes in their own fiery burial, as all of them dropped not too long after.

The battle had finally concluded. As she was sure that the other four survivors were celebrating within their car, as well as Louis and Francis congratulating each other on a job well done, there was only on thing one Zoey's mind.

Cindy.