Chapter 3: Prayers for the Slayers Part V

Clark Kennedy conducted a meeting with Jason and Nikolai on some issues regarding the mobilization of the group to Grand Mont Plaza. Their main concern revolved around the number of bodies that were strewn about the fourth floor and, the cleanup that would have to take place in the plaza to make it accessible.

—I find this situation worrisome. We can't keep taking risks while we go down there. I had to finish off some of those rotten people who didn't die from the sniper fire. If I hadn't had my pads on I would have been bitten —Clark made his point.

The members of the cafeteria murmured.

—We could burn the bodies to charcoal, but to do so indoors is to expose the entire plaza itself as it is at risk of the fire spreading. What we could do for the time being would be to move the bodies to another area on the fourth floor to leave a free area. I'm sure that in these two days the number of zombies has dropped considerably, at least as far as Grand Mont Plaza is concerned, as there are not the same amount as for example I saw when I was escorted —Lilly crossed her arms and, with the help of a map Megan gave her she could see in which area to transport the corpses.

—We've got a fucking plague of flies all over the damn plaza! It's just repulsive. The smell is so fucking bad, soon the shelter will start to stink. What I think we should do would be to throw the bodies outside, outside the mall entrance, not in the park. We could break one of the windows and throw the bodies in there. I'd rather have those sons of bitches rotting outside than inside, than in the place that is supposed to be our new home —Michael said, spinning in circles in his swivel chair.

—Well, we have to do something with the bodies, and the faster the better. I like the idea of throwing the bodies through one of the windows in the plaza, so they would be scattered around the parking lot. However, we have to get to work on reinforcing the fourth floor. I think the best thing to do would be to block all the stairs that connect to the fourth floor, and in turn all the premises that connect to the lower floor, such as the sports equipment store. We would start by parts... —Jason sighed tiredly, no doubt there would be hard days ahead.

—Well, let's make it worthwhile to play hero and bring people in. Get the civilians properly dressed and down to Grand Mont Plaza to move bodies. We could make teams... have some of them finish off and move the bodies while others defend them, be their guards. I think the goal of taking all of Grand Mont Plaza is too big, we should focus on taking the fourth floor of Grand Mont Plaza, barricade the stairwells and completely close off the stores that connect to the lower floor. That way the civilians could get out of the shelter and start helping... of course, the wounded and the medical team along with some guards would have to stay —Nikolai proposed what they could do for the next few days.

—I did a count of the suits we have, maximum eight people would be in charge of getting the bodies down and moving them. —Harry voiced his disagreement with the plan. —I want to go down, but I also want to be sure that I won't die because someone didn't cover my back.

—Maybe I can help you! —Daisy raised her hand, attracting the survivors' attention. —I used to be a designer, I used to make costumes, and I'm also very good at making clothing. If you let me, I could teach the women in the group how to modify garments and make them sturdy.

—As sturdy as a military uniform? —Mia looked at her skeptically.

—And much more! If you provide me with the necessary materials, I could help you design lightweight but sturdy suits for mobility. I have in mind that the important points of the body are the neck, shoulders, hands, hips, knees and ankles as possible areas for a bite. I'm thinking that, if we make use of the clothing we have at our disposal, I can create suits that are composed of several layers of clothing, that way if a zombie bites them, the only thing that will get to bite will be the clothing, perfectly bonded fabric that will protect the skin. —Daisy defended her work. —Clearly we have to think big, and make use of all the resources we have. Right now we don't need pretty dresses or fine suits, we need clothes that are useful to the cause.

—Exactly how many days would it take you to make the costumes, Daisy? —Molly asked.

—It would depend a lot on the material you have! What I would especially need would be denim and thick fabric. I could work with light clothing but it would take a little longer, plus I don't have sewing machines or my kit. Maybe if you could give me the necessary material I would start working with your costumes.

—Well that doesn't solve everything! What about weapons? Eventually the ammunition will run out. We don't have a lot of melee weaponry, and I don't think they're all in condition. —Markus put up another "but". —There are people here who can easily be taken down by zombies and surrounded.

—We'll get weapons from the antique store, I thought I saw some very interesting weapons there at a shop in Dark Horse Plaza. We'll bring you hand-to-hand weaponry, don't worry about that. —Nikolai replied. —Ammunition will run out one way or another. That's not up for discussion. We can save some, but most of it will be for target practice and for snipers.

—Then we need material to build the barricades. We will need cement, work equipment, pastes... one advantage we have at the moment is that the bars block the square in sections. From what I have seen on the cameras, and thanks to having the control panel in my possession, each floor has a total of four areas that are divided by the bars. I can release the areas of each floor when all the dead in the respective area have been killed, even those in the stores and their warehouses. —Megan showed on a blackboard how the grids worked.

—We are in Area 4-D. If we kill all the zombies in Area 4-D, will we have access to 4-C? —Ashley was confused.

—That's right, Ashley! Because we are on the opposite side of the mall entrance, we are in Area D, that is, if we look at it from the perspective of the map, we are positioned on the left, while the entrance is on the right. The areas to the right correspond to A and B, while the areas to the left correspond to C and D.

—That will certainly be useful. —Harry nodded. —Then what are we waiting for? Let's get rid of those bastards!

—For the time being only eight of us will work with the suits, that leaves the rest of us to take care of the shelter. —Nikolai said, glad to have reached an agreement with the group. —Who will participate?

The hands of some members of the group went up.

Nikolai, Cindy, Markus, Michael, Bryan, Harry, Clark and Jason stood out.

—It's decided! We will take care of cleaning Grand Mont Plaza. After we finish cleaning up Area D we will move the bodies at the Make Up-Excuses Shop. It's a large place where we can leave the bodies for the time being. We will work as a group together, we will be everyone's eyes, ears and arms. While two people are in charge of finishing off and moving the bodies, the others will be watching. The corpses will be dumped on site and then we will throw them outside. We will carry the melee weapons we have and also enlist the help of people who are capable of using weapons without being afraid of them. We don't know how many we can deal with. Doubts?

Before anyone could answer anything, Nikolai and the group heard gunshots, plus the sound of something special.

It was the sirens of a patrol.