" The Brace of Shadows"

As they continued to walk, seeing that is no immediate danger to themselves, Alex called them around him and the group gathered around the map, spread out on the hood of an abandoned car. Alex traced a route with his finger, stopping at a small mark labeled Safe House Alpha.

Plus we have to keep moving faster because the night will catch us and this is not a good idea. 

"It's on high ground," Alex explained. "We'll have a clear vantage point and defensible terrain. It's the best option."

"But there's a problem," Carter interjected, pointing at a symbol on the map. "The bridge.

If it's raised, we're stuck."

Alex sighed, glancing at the kids and their parents. Sam and Chloe were sitting nearby, eating some of the food they'd scavenged. Their parents, tired but hopeful, stood close, listening intently.

"We'll have to lower the bridge manually," Alex said. "The control room is here." He tapped another point on the map. "It's a risk, but we don't have much choice."

Nora and Carter nodded reluctantly, but Elliot was less convinced.

"Is it safe?" Chloe asked, her small voice cutting through the tense atmosphere.

Alex knelt in front of her, his expression serious. "I won't lie. It's dangerous. But we'll stick together, and we'll get through it. As we are in it together." She nodded smiling at him and even though they were strangers a few hours ago, she felt closer towards him, like an older brother. 

Alex furled the map and looked at them, nodding. All of them were ready to set off, the towering structure of the bridge looming in the distance like a sentinel of another era.

As the group moved closer to the bridge, the air grew heavier, thick with tension and the faint metallic tang of rust. The bridge loomed larger with every step, its massive iron girders stretching into the sky like the bones of some long-dead beast. The road ahead was littered with debris—burned-out vehicles, shattered glass, and the occasional dark stain that no one wanted to acknowledge.

They reached the base of the structure, where the river's sluggish current reflected the dull gray of the sky. Alex motioned for everyone to stop.

 We can't move all together now, especially when we have Chloe and Sam, we need to separate till we lower the bridge. In my opinion, I should remain with the children and Carter with Nora and Elliot while traversing this path towards the control room, but be cautious for any signs of zombies or noises. Nora and Elliot nodded reluctant but Sam wanted to be brave and said he could also traverse it, but none of the adults wanted the kids to be in danger so they tried to talk him out, but he got a bit upset and went off and Chloe when she saw what her brother did, said to her parents that's okay. She would bring him back, but as they moved, the earth moved and Alex being the fastest ran to grab them, but he fell with the kids, startling their mother shouted "Chloe! Sam!", her voice filled with panic., but Alex told them to stay there and don't come closer fearing that the earth would usurp again under their weight, So He told them that they should prioritize the Control room because he got it covered here and will take care of the kids as its kinda looks as a tunnel.

Meanwhile, Carter led the parents to the control room. The small, enclosed space was filled with outdated machinery and blinking lights.

"Looks like it still works," Carter said, examining the controls.

Before anyone could respond, a zombie shuffled into the room, its rotting form barely held together. The parents gasped, backing away.

"Stay calm," Carter said, pretending to be surprised. But inside, his true nature was exhilarated. He stood back, watching the chaos unfold.

The zombie lunged at the father, its teeth sinking into his arm.

"No!" the mother screamed, grabbing a wrench and bashing the zombie's head in.

Carter feigned shock. "We need to finish this quickly. He's infected!"

The father, clutching his bleeding arm, stared at Carter with wide eyes. "What do we do?"

Carter tilted his head, suppressing a grin. "We'll figure it out later. For now, we need to lower the bridge.