The silence filled the place, the cold air biting into their wrapped skin. Rustling sound behind him distract his attention again, yet, he made the same move. They tried to keep quiet as hard as they can, but the pounding filled their ears, the pant of their breathe puff into a fog, as each second in the cold make them breathless.
“More.”
“One more time “
“They're coming.”
The pants just as erratic as their pounding heart. Their hands kept moving for half an hour now, however it wasn't enough. They have done this more than they count, in the morning, and even in evening. Yet, it's can't settle the gap. Each passing second sent them desperate, they know that bit they can't stop now, with those burning desire, they put it into the effort as more keep pouring. Their fingers tingle from the cold and the vibrations, but their head full of it, the rush that keeping their body up with the cold. 
Each head dropped down, more ammo added, and the circle kept going again and again, unstoppable. As they sat back to back, sharing the warmth, their finger kept pulling the trigger of their rifles. With dark leather attire, a mask covering half of their face, and a camouflage on one of the tree house they set up for this exact reason. Each guards will arranged into teams for two, and four group were send to keep an eyes on those undead approaching. 
As nelson and Caine focusing their attention at the back of the outpost, the other three team experienced the same trouble. They couldn't stop more than an hour, another horde and another horde came approaching.
“They behaved oddly recently. Normally our guard took this as opportunity to sleep throughout the lookout turn, but now we can't even have a rest more than an hour. And we usually doesn't need day shift lookout.”
Nelson spoke after five hours of silence. He can't kept the information with him for so long.
“I thought this always happens. So, if it's just how you say it, then, what should we do?.”
“We can't leave this spot since there's stubborn survivors in this region. The only thing we can do is hold our stronghold. But, if push come to shove, I think, we need to leave before it's too late.”
Silence wrapped them up again as their mind focus on one thing in front of them first. 
“We need to call for help from the base, we need to leave this place first. The next shift hours, tell all of the remaining people to prepare to leave, I assumed that hideout still working?.”
A long paused filled with bird chirping before nelson gave his reply. 
“That hideout still working, but like I said, we can't leave those residents here, especially with those reivers and those two.”
Another long paused as their working their focus.
“Give a few days to prepare then we can start taking people to the base, I'll be here with a few guards, in case those stubborn survivors come for shelter.”
Nelson break the silence again after a few minutes.
___________________
“Hey man, what are you watching?. Is there anything interesting?.”
The floor squeak under his weight as his eyeing those riffles the guards holding tightly. As the sun rise to the peak, the padded vest warm up their body making Walter wonder it's material. The guard nod slightly in acknowledgement of his presence next to him and went to stand straight again, eyeing the outside of the outpost’s walls. The nearest guard glance his figure in the middle of the line. They were equipped with thick camouflage common soldiers clothes, padded bulletproof vest, a leather glove seemingly handmade, and a helmet looking scarily thick as of their second skull with adjustable tinted glass to cover their face, looking very much like a fancy motorcycle helmet.
   ..  
“Hmmm, don't you think those horde coming closer?. You're not gonna shoot them down before it's too late?.”
He pointed to the 1 o’ clock from their position. The nearest guards turned in confusion, there was nothing coming from those abandoned village but old houses mostly already crumbled down, however, they still pay attention to his words and take extra care on that area. Walter looks to the guards with confusion, wondering why their didn't take any action as those undead coming closer.
“Ahh, I miss being a shooter. Anyone with extra riffle?. No?.”
The guards shook their head one by one. He tilted his head. ‘is there a rule where they can't speak?.’
“Hey, tell me, will that cowboy guy get angry if you guys speak?. Because it's getting ridiculous the longer this get.”
“Apologies sir, however, you're a respected figure, we didn't mean to offend you in anyway, nor we want our mouths to speak nonsense with you, sir.”
Walter got even more confused. He crossed his arm on his chest.
“Tsk tsk. We just going well before, why the sudden change?. And what about this respect shit?. I don't understand. Just speak to me like before, is our relationship that weak?. That sounds weird, I mean, our friendship, brotherhood or whatever.”
“No sir, we can't make the same mistake twice.”
“You guys just being a jerk right now. Come on!.”
They stay rigid on their spot, did not falter at his attempt to talk. They used to have a whole discussion during the meal and way before that, when he still cope in the tent, some weeks ago, they did try to make a conversation whenever the tent were open. Walter sighed. 
“Horde on sight!. 2 O’clock!.”
A voice from somewhere higher, when he looks up, there's two guards on what was supposed to be a post. Walter thought it was just a store or something from the door on the below, but he never noticed the post above. As the guards take their spot, Walter once again filled with a strange feeling that start as a small thing at first but it's boiling to his head. An unknown rage that make his back hot and warm, his fingers tingle in yearn to choke something kill something, his teeth felt strangely itchy, he want to sink them into something, more preferably flesh, the sudden hunger that make his stomach twist and harden, a crave of something, a terrible crave for something that his throat feel dried and scratchy. A d before he knew it, his body shiver in an overwhelming hunger, overwhelming rage, the need for violence filled his every inch of body. 
He steps back as the loud gun sounds filled his ears, ignoring the wailing, screeching and all inhuman groan sounds from far below. Adding more carcasses and corpses of undead. The zombies still marching forward even with the showers of bullets, his feet felt like there's an invisible punching hole that hurt so bad that he fell on his back, away from the guards and onto the half wall, it's feel as if there are a lot of bullets piercing his body. He can't even make a sound with his scratchy and dried throat but an inhumane groan, he was gasping in pain as all the limbs burning in pain, his head feel like there's thousand holes as his head throbbing as of there's a knife stabbing into his skulls again and again. 
On the post above, a guard pulled a string from the big handmade bow, a little awkward shaped but it's still do it's work, the tip of the arrow wrapped with a small white sheet that filled with some powder, as the guard pulled it until the string stretch over, and he fire the arrow into the air, aiming onto the horde, the bullets didn't kill them unless it's into their brain or legs in which stopping their movements. Even if there's one leg left, the zombies would moving forward hopping or even worse crawling. As the pile of unmoving undead increase and there's no more horde in sight, they start to burn the pile. 
That familiar feeling for the past few days, his body felt that lick of fire before one and one that familiar snapping loud sound in his head, as if there's something connection, a string that has been cut clean with scissors. The excruciating burn increased as the flame on the undead burning more wildly along with those inhuman sounds, they screeched until the end. As soon as the horde of undead were put down, the guards loosening their stiff movements until one of them noticed his terrible gasping behind. 
Walter's face were completely red, his eyes were tearing up his face, his eyes were wide as if there's ready to burst out of the socket, he was clenching on his oversize shirt tightly, as if he was shirt on air, as if he wa choking, as if he was in pain. The guard yelled something that can't get processed by his burning mind. All the pain filled his head so much that he wish for the death. He didn't know all the commotion around him, all his limb felt as if they were being broke, he wait for the crack sound of his every broken bone but no sound came but the pain. 
As the commotion died down, he flopped onto the ground, taking the deepest breathe he can take. He wondered if there's anything defects about him, he felt the change ever since he was shoot back in the laketown secondary residence. Did the bullet poisoned, is there any possibility?. 
“Feeling alright?.”
One of the guard asked, concerned seeing how he laid motionless on the floor. 
“Yeah, trying to practice your silence, it's seem admirable.”
He answered rather half ass. He blew the air before pushing himself stand. He glance as the pile earlier, it's still burning high but that doesn't stop the second horde, and the familiar feeling crawl down his spine. The harsh and violent urge and incoherent rude whisper in his head, and the pain on his body as if getting stab hundreds time over and over again. He placed his hand on his waist, the urge getting more tempting, the fact that the urge to try a flesh and blood, the urge to rip a throat was too much before he push the sleeve to his cotton shirt higher to his elbow. 
“This getting nowhere.”
He push his legs, ignoring the concerns from the guard earlier. He follow the tall tower they used to survey up there, which he never noticed before until the tower stretched down on the ground. There was a big door, as if it's a quarter size of common warehouse, he hopped down from the railing to the ground. Without stopping he went for the door, as cautiously as he can, looking around as if to steal something. The window to the back of the kitchen was wide open, and the ladies were busy working their way for the dinner soon. Trailing slowly without making a sound with his worn out shoes. 
The door creaked under the force as he pushed it open. He glanced at the window, scared that he could be caught by the cooks. However, they went over some potatoes like nothing filled the air just a moment ago. He pushes the door again, letting it open slightly ajar, enough for his body to squeeze in as his eyes wildly tracing everywhere to detect any human in his sight. 
As he steps inside, the door eased close as if the creaking never happened. He turned around in the darkness, regretting his choice. He patted his surroundings to find the door again, opening with another loud creaking in which he clicked his tongue in annoyance. As he turned around again to estimate the light pouring in, he was hit with numerous type of gun hanging on the walls and a crates of whatever inside piling in the middle, he gape in shock before it's turn to amazement and then excitement to the brim almost sending him to dance right there and then. 
He suppressed his squeal before jumping to the nearest weapon on the wall. The familiar riffle was a beauty just as if new, the sleek black colour, polished and well taken care of, he can guess it. His eyes swiftly move to one gun next to it, and next to it, and another next to it, as if his body was filled with joy, bubbling to every part of him, his head filled light and all he can think was the guns, beautiful and well polished babies. It's seems wrong to not let the baby enjoy the fun ride, or is it whoever's fault that he can find it right there, squealing like a little boy at the toy store?. 
Taking one riffle he felt calling to him the most, he rummaged the boxes to find the ammo, right after he did on his tenth attempt, he shoved the smaller boxes into his pants pocket. Before he can proceed to hide the evidence of him was there, he saw another box without a lid next to it, there were bombs laid innocently in there. They were dangerous just sitting there but he supposed that's why this area was forbidden during the laketown resident’s stay, but now he allows himself to take a few into his pocket, not before he check the safety pin. As far as he knew, it was a bomb that explode into fire and small area exploding instead of a large damage a bomb can do. This much seems to be far too safe compared to another type of bomb. Perhaps it isn't called as bomb but he did so. One glance all he took and he recognised it right away, he can differentiate them with another type of bomb, not only that, he can remember the detail on it, as if there's a blueprint in his head about the bombs, he wonder why they didn't use these instead of bow to burn the undead corpses but again, they need more than one box before the next supply arrive, so, only desperate measures will put them in use. But, well, Walter interested in them, so he own them, right?. Not like they would notice two of them missing. 
With a wide smile, he skipping his way out, ignoring the creaking the door make. The sky was paint with a splash crimson and orange in the sky, as he reached the earlier spot, he noticed some small commotion. Intrigued, he walked closer as his heart beating louder subconsciously. Something is wrong, that one thing was clear.
“We need more people. Sam said David was going somewhere, trying to take those undead with him. Michael said he seems to be panicking. We need more people. We will depart in thirty.”
One of the guard explained. They already lacking guards as it is. And they need to rearranged the line perhaps. However,the longer they took their time, the more dangerous it can be for those two. He just saw them this morning, something twist inside and an ugly feeling start to filled him. Even one second is important. His head flashed all the lost lives in laketown residence, the next visit never better either, the corpses, the undead, the people he work with. His head reminded him of both aunty and uncle he work the greenhouse with, how they tied themselves in there, as their sanity disappears. The fear growing in him. 
“Why not right away?.”
He asked absentmindedly. Every guards there suprise to see him with them. But, the look were lasted for a few seconds. They exchanged looks before one of them decide to tell him the truth. 
“We can't. Not when those zombies seems to attack more frequently in horde now.”
As if giving the explanation. The screeching filled the air, they were distracted enough by the news that they didn't notice sooner the next horde coming closer to the outpost. As they take their spot, leaving Walter on his own. He remembers what David said before, it's somewhere on the opposite of the outpost, after an abandoned village and there's a bridge, they would take only a few seconds from the bridge by truck. They can't wait another thirty minutes.
Walter stumbled down the stairs as he sprint towards the back of the outpost, the barn and like the memories served him, there's a lot of transport back there, most were rusty enough but there must be anything he can use. As it's happened, Blythe and Nelson was nowhere to see, and juanne who supposed to looks over him for the rest of day gave him permission to leave the contenna, it's supposed to be his last day of his suffering in there. And by the looks of it, he might get into another grounding. But, he can care less. As he hopped the fence behind the tent spots, he met with another beauty horse who send him a surprise neigh. 
“Buddy, I need your help.”
He whispers before untangling all the ropes on the brown horse, he took something from the corner and easily slide it onto the horse neck,, as if understand his urgency, the horse bent down for him to hop on it's back. Walter went to open the small gate, another horse neigh in reply of the creaking. He hopped on it's back, taking the riffle onto his front before the horse pushed to stand. He was filled with rushing nerves, he couldn't wait for either Blythe, nelson, juanne or even Micah or anyone else he can bring for help, he can't waste another second. All he know, there's two people's lives in danger. 
“Let's go buddy.”
The horse kicking his hind leg, before launching straight out, inching closer to the barn before taking a turn, passing all the truck and others mean of transportation which maybe would take longer in search for their keys, the horse hopped down the tall fence easily. Just like David said, there's indeed an abandoned village he can see not far from the barn, probably two hundred meters from there. 
The horse speed was nothing surprising as they reach the village in second, there's a oath in the middle and he took it, there's indeed a few undead loitering around. But, with the speed it was impossible for them to reach, by the end of the village, he successfully escaped those zombies chase. There's a few machine and a couple of smaller rundown barn as they passed them, and just a few meters from it, there's a sound of a calm water, he heard it before he saw it, the bridge crossing a river and there's a few small hill on the opposite but there's a clear trail in the middle. 
The next seconds was too much, as his heart beating even louder in his chest. Right from the bridge, following the trail he can see a clear space of field before the tall fence, almost the same height with laketown residence’s fort. He glance around, and it's strangely quiet and empty, he don't know what he supposed to see, but not an empty field, even the village were not cleared out and in open and wide space like this, he perhaps expects an horde like the one he saw earlier. 
He pulled the reign slowly as the horde follow suit. He open the door twice bigger than the warehouse each side. The loud creak echoed as he close it behind him, checking twice to make sure the horde was fine before he close it. There were a tall roof with no wall place with machines under them on both of his side, and logs were piled up into many piles that he can't see anything but the sky from down here. There were a large lorry fit for half the size login the middle of the piles. He looks around nervously, didn't know where to start. He took the ruffle in front of him, gripping it tight as he start to walk. Before he could walked passed a pile of log, there's a sound somewhere, like calling a cat or something. He looks to his left and he saw two storey building hiding at the back of the machines earlier. At the top of it, there's a wide balcony and a familiar man was waving to him. He make his way there, checking around him for possible attack. 
There's a stairs leading up there, however, there's also a steel gate around it and a the same made steel door with a lock on it. He looks up to see Sam already looking down with tears streaming down of his face.