So near yet so far.

Who says with will, you can achieve anything?

Pain and fatigue are what remind us that we're alive. I'm limping and my vision is grainy. Every step is taking so much out of me. We're 100m away from the safehouse but we can't relax. We gotta keep our guards up as we have no idea how many of them are still lurking out there. Slowly and step by step, we approach the safehouse.

"Keep moving! Stay with me!", I could barely focus on her eyes while Raquel shouted, trying to keep me together. She laid all my weight on her shoulders and dragged me. Meanwhile, Nick was covering for us. He checked his remaining ammos. We are only left with one fully loaded magazine. Given this situation, it seems alright as we are less than 100m away from the safehouse and the coast is clear. That is, when you are optimistic but no, we can't afford that. The horde comes unexpectedly. The remaining ammos can't handle it. We need to move faster and I'm the burden.

Out of the blue, a shadow loomed over and past us followed by a loud crash. A boulder actually flew over us. Behind, standing more than 7 foot tall is the Tank. He was intending to incapacitate us with the boulder. The Tank let out a thunderous roar and charged towards us.

"GO! TAKE MKAY WITH YOU AND DON'T TURN BACK! I'LL DISTRACT HIM!", Nick ran off in a different direction while firing at the Tank.

Raquel urged me to move with more force this time. Now, we are less than 50m away. Almost there. Nick is buying time for us but it won't last long. The Tank is too strong. He can't handle the rampage alone.

40m.... 30m.... I'm losing sight and even my hearing is affected. Thud! Next thing I know, I'm lying face down and Raquel is gone. "SMOKER GOT ME!" This bloody infected has got Raquel with it's tongue and dragged her away. There's no way to save her. Nick is occupied with the Tank and I'm incapacitated. The smoke is gonna rob her of oxygen and finally her life.

All hope is gone. We are not living to see another sunrise. Then, the Tank shifted his focus. He's done with Nick and his rampage continues on me.