Day 3: A Glimpse into the Past

Shortly after Jeff's admission, Nikolai went to the security room to see what things had changed on Megan and Ashley's bulletin board. He noticed that several papers that were taped to the board were missing, so it was not surprising that these were civilians who had died.

—What's up, Megan? —Nikolai approached the young worker who immediately stepped back.

—Next time you come up from behind I'll bury these up your ass. —Megan pulled out a pair of scissors and pointed them at Nikolai's neck.

—Okay, okay! You don't have to get so aggressive... I didn't mean to scare you...

—Is something wrong, Megan? —Jason asked at Knox's sudden hostility.

—I know what you did, Nikolai. —Without further ado, the young woman went back to watching the security cameras in search of new civilians.

—Bitch... —Nikolai whispered.

—There appears to be a duo of civilians outside the Dark Horse Plaza antique store, Jason. You won't believe this... but they've dressed up as gladiators and are killing zombies with swords and shields. —Ashley pointed out to Slater the location of these men, on the third floor of the plaza.

—They look pretty good, huh... —Jason stared at one man in particular who had a very nice body for his tastes, a big and muscular guy killing dead people with that big sword...

—Maybe you could talk some sense into them and bring them to the shelter. I've been watching them since this morning. They look like good people.

—They must be having the adventure of their lives. Have you seen the suits they have on? But look what one does! —Jason pointed to a man who put his arm against the zombie's mouth, which, when bitten by the dead man, embedded its teeth into the leather without penetrating the man's skin, and then the guy stabbed the zombie to death.

—They must have heard about the **smell theory**... they are stained with blood and if you notice they are the ones who hunt the dead. Maybe it would be good to pay these men a visit. They might have something useful to offer. —Ashley said.

—All right. Let's see what they can tell us... Who will come with me? —Jason asked those present. Greg raised his hand as did Nikolai, but Matthew kept it down.

—I don't feel like going down there again... I think I'll go check on Connor and help with something in the infirmary.

Young Matthew left the room and soon the group consisting of Jason, Nikolai and Greg went out to the roof to undress and change back into their blood stained dirty suits.

—At this rate we're going to smell like the dead from inside and out. —Nikolai noticed the curious smell emanating from the suits.

Once they had changed Nikolai took the lead and made sure he was followed by the policeman and the photographer who had little trouble crossing in the middle of the horde due to their "camouflage". As a precaution, Nikolai decided to take a zombie prisoner, take him to a store where he proceeded to murder him and rub his body with the zombie's blood.

So did Jason and Greg, who began to emanate a very strong scent after re-staining their suits with rotting zombie remains. As they went through the gates of Grand Mont Plaza to go to Dark Horse Plaza, Jason could see in the distance how a group of zombies were devouring a man.

However, what frightened him was looking at his face, seeing how the man was having fun as he was being eaten and his screams were a mixture of pain and pleasure. He eventually died after being disemboweled by one of the dead men who cut him open with no problem while the others around him removed his organs.

Since Jason entered the mall he had never seen someone so close being devoured.

In a way Jason liked watching him die.

They all arrived at Dark Horse Plaza and slaughtered the dead that stood between the escalator and them. Watching the zombies fall and break was a treat for Greg who once again proved how weak they were. Nikolai took the lead and charged the zombies himself to throw them away from the ladder for the sheer pleasure of hearing their bodies hit the ground.

When they reached the third floor they could see that the civilians who were dressed as gladiators were still fighting the dead... and they were getting tired. One of the zombies was about to take a good bite out of one man's face if it hadn't been for the man's head being sliced off when Jason raised his axe and killed the poor bastard.

The gladiator was stunned to see how an unknown man saved his life and noticed how the unknown guys in suits were picking off the dead that were about to surround them.

—You're taking all the fun away, ladies. —Greg went into the antique store where he pulled out a short sword. —Just like in the movies!

—Poor thing. —Nikolai looked at him with indifference. —We'll be direct, because as soon as these bastards find out we're not one of them they'll be all over us. Come with us. You'll have a roof over your heads, a hot meal, and a good rest, that's all I can say.

Nikolai turned to the man with a golden mask and whose limbs were covered by metal plates of the same color, apparently he was the "leader" of the duo since the other warrior didn't look in such a good condition, besides he had a silver suit.

—Nice of you to stop by and help us! We've seen so many jerks go from one place to another and pass us by.

—Dude... I don't care! Are you coming with us or would you rather tire yourself out until one of those shits catches you off guard and shoves your guts out your mouth? Your colleague on the other hand...

—Byron! Come on, man! I'm getting tired! One of them almost killed me! Please, let's get out of here! —The man in the silver armor could tell he was really exhausted, both by the sound of his breathing and by the way he was touching his chest as he breathed.

—I don't know, man! We've seen so many people killing each other... I don't know if I can trust you guys. —The aforementioned Byron replied. —Trust is something that has to be earned! And as for going with you... You must look in a mirror! You reek of the dead, I'd think you might be one.

—Well, fuck you, then. Jason! Greg! Let's go! —Nikolai turned around and ordered his team to leave the floor. The other man dressed as a gladiator grabbed Nikolai by the shoulder and asked him to stop.

—Take me with you, please! My body can't take it anymore and I'm sick of not being able to sleep for fear that these shits will kill me in my sleep! Take me with you, I implore you!

Nikolai looked sideways at the gladiator and signaled with his head for him to follow him.

—What about you, Byron? Your friend is coming with us. I don't think you can fight alone.

Nikolai scoffed at the golden-armored gladiator's precarious situation.

—Fuck this shit! I'm coming with you.

Byron shrugged and followed Nikolai's group. Being five men in total they had fun using their weapons on the dead who had no chance as they were split in half by the swords of the gladiators who due to their great corpulence even tackled them and smashed their heads with their metallic footwear.

Nikolai led the group and to divert the attention of the zombies he was shooting at one of the windows of the nearby premises. He realized too late that inside the premises there were some civilians who died because of him, but he didn't seem to care as his and his group's survival were far more important than anyone else's life.

Jason was becoming more and more aware of Nikolai's brutality and how he seemed to show no emotions at the things he was doing. He seemed to have his goals straight and the death of those civilians he indirectly murdered didn't faze him at all.

—Stop looking at me and move your ass before I move you myself. —Nikolai ordered Jason who lowered his head and nodded, besides he was in Kalinic's way.

Arriving at Grand Mont Plaza and hastening their pace in the face of the zombies staring at them, Nikolai escorted the gladiators safely to the rooftop. When they arrived they were the center of attention of the civilians resting on the spot as they saw their armor and weapons, especially their swords, stained with blood.

—And to think that this was our favorite place for free hours! —Jamal took off his helmet to breathe better. As he did so, his sweat-soaked reddish face could be seen.

—More people... Oh hell. Gentlemen, please remove your armor and whatever you have underneath. I am Doctor George Tennyson and if you wish to enter our shelter you must submit to inspection. —George folded his arms after both men approached him and looked at him closely. George was not afraid of them despite their large size and armspan.

—Since when do I have to ask permission to enter an area of my workplace? —Byron was aggressive at George's request.

—Since the world went to shit and we made your workplace our place, princess. Take off your armor and clothes so we can confirm you haven't been bitten or worse. —Nikolai stood in front of Byron. Byron removed his helmet and seeing a man a little taller than him, he walked over until he was face to face with Nikolai.

They could both feel each other's breaths hitting their faces.

—Come on, Byron! We don't want any trouble. —Jamal began to take off his armor, starting by removing some leather ties from his arms, and then he removed his metal boots and some belts that allowed him to carry several knives at the same time.

—Fighting with the new guys again, Nikolai? Get a hold of yourself. —Lilly came out of the hold and onto the roof, carrying a logbook in her hands and a first aid kit in her other arm.

Seeing Lilly, Byron approached her and had to bend down a bit to get a better look at the nurse's gray eyes.

—You have very pretty eyes.

—Thank you, Grandma, they're to get a better look at a couple of big guys who are competing to see who has the biggest cock. Are you going to undress again, Nikolai? I'm going to need eye drops if necessary. —Lilly smiled at Nikolai.

—Only if necessary. —Nikolai laughed at Lilly's words. —I'd give you a hug, but I'm covered in blood and shit.

—Why I'm not surprise? You should be like your friend... uh... what's your name, werewolf? —Lilly turned to Byron.

—Byron Fox, miss. And with whom do I have the pleasure? —Byron was reassured to see Lilly and the fact that he could talk to her pleased him.

Byron Fox—Lilly Christensen, and if you wish to enter the shelter you must remove your clothing, even your underwear, so we can examine you. You've already met paramedic George, he will be in charge of the inspection.

—How about you do the inspection for me, nurse?

—Ha ha! People don't waste time. I'll make you a promise. If you get undressed and let you and your friend be part of the examn, we can grab a bite to eat in the cafeteria once we've verified you're not a danger. Okay? —Lilly crossed her arms and watched Byron laugh.

—It's a deal!

—And what's your name, little buddy? —Lilly walked over to Jamal, who was covering his crotch with his shirt.

—Jamal Johnson!

Jamal Johnson—Jamal Johnson, miss! I'm Jamal Johnson and it's a pleasure to meet you!

—It's nice to meet you too, Jamal! If you ever see this big ape named Nikolai get violent again, will you promise to let me know?

—I'm not violent, woman! I'm just making my point the way I know best.

—By hitting people? By making them feel uncomfortable? By lashing out at them? —Lilly looked at him sideways and with a face that denoted her indifference.

Byron started to take off his clothes but by then Lilly handed the logs to George, turned away and paid no attention to the gladiator.

—You're not fucking her, bro. She's a lesbian. —Nikolai tapped Byron's shoulder, who could only smile.

—With you around I wouldn't be surprised if she's a lesbian. —George sneered at Nikolai. —Damn! If it was up to me, I would be straight by being next to you!

—Calm down you fag, calm down your fucking pussy, or you're going to meet me angry.

—You know what, Nikolai? I'm sick of you and your stupid attitude. Fuck you.

—Hey! Calm down you two. Nikolai, calm the fuck down, you're acting so fucking weird. Will you check on these men, George? I promise we won't bother you. —Jason stepped between the two of them. George nodded and entered the checkpoint which was the small office on the rooftop and Nikolai stared at Jason with a very strange look, as there was no sparkle in Kalinic's eyes.

—Can you just stop, dude? You're scaring me, you're scaring us.

Nikolai didn't say anything as he went down to the mall again.