Chapter 2: Those Left Behind IV

Jason and Nikolai returned to the shelter for weapons, plus they were also looking for more information regarding the butcher shop and the situation outside. Megan reported that the zombies seemed quite disoriented although she did not know the cause. From the cameras it could be seen how they would remain static at some point in the park and, upon any collision with another zombie, they would attack it and initiate a confrontation between them.

—I wonder if the rain has something to do with it... —Nikolai scratched his chin trying to understand why the dead were going into a "recessive" state.

—It must be the exorbitant amount of sound —Jason guessed. —Remember when we rescued Michael and George? What I did to attract them was to use the fireworks... maybe because there was so much noise... or in their case the impact of the raindrops so hard against the vehicles and the ground itself would make them "confused" and not know which way to go.

—If so, we should take advantage of the rain. Where exactly is the butcher shop?

—In Saint Michael's Park. On the far left... the butcher shop is near some warehouses. Maybe you could find a way to access them after investigating the butcher shop. I know those warehouses are similar to this one where we are, however that warehouse is exclusive to Black Card Plaza, Children's Heaven and Pink Flamingo Plaza.

—Which means more food... considering that the Bars and Restaurants area is completely destroyed —Nikolai began to think about how to bring all those materials if true.

—Maybe you could investigate the Pink Flamingo Plaza offices. I'm trying to find the keys to those warehouses... but I can't find them. There must be a spare at Pink Flamingo, just go there...

—At least that will secure our "loot", ha, ha.

Nikolai laughed.

—Let's go to the butcher shop first and then we'll figure out a way to get into that warehouse. So you'll cut out the power, Megan?

—That's right, Jason. It's been two hours now and I don't think we can see anything else...I can only pray for the people we were able to save and those who didn't make it. You have the key to the Bars and Restaurants. Car rides I guess are also exclusive to the park, sorry to complicate things for you.

—It's okay. Hey, Jason, since we're getting out quite a bit and considering it's just the two of us, is there any chance we could bring one of the civilians with us? We might have to get in a tight spot and, I'm getting tired of going alone.

—Oh, right!

—Who do you suggest?

—This guy... Malcolm, seemed pretty interested and upbeat about the whole getting out there and exploring thing. In fact... he was a worker in the Pink Flamingo Plaza area, he told me he was working in eyeglass sales at a local store. Maybe... —Jason started looking for Malcolm in the shelter, followed by Nikolai who was also interested in getting that food.

It took them quite a while to find him because Malcolm was asleep on one of the many beds in the room plus he was covered by blankets which further complicated their search.

—Get up, Malcolm. We need your help.

Nikolai watched as Malcolm rolled up in the blankets to which Nikolai kicked him in the ass.

—Get up, lazybones!

—Hey, I don't like being hit, unless we're doing naughty things. I was in the middle of my beauty sleep. What do you want, Kalinic? —Malcolm smiled when he saw the duo.

—We know you're a worker at Pink Flamingo Plaza. Is it true what Megan says? That there are some offices for workers.

Malcolm grimaced, looking at the floor. He nodded.

—Indeed. The offices are more like workers' rest areas. You can see those offices as a second shelter, although I wouldn't know if they're that effective considering that, well, the only way in is through the third floor door... any infected could get in, kill the workers and have zombies wandering all over the place.

—How many floors do the offices span? —Nikolai asked.

—A total of two. The third and fourth floors, plus the rooftop, but it's only accessible from the steps on the fourth floor, inside the offices. Our boss... Mr. Simpson was constantly scolding us because he thought we were slacking off. On several occasions I had to help take products out of the warehouses and help the stockers with the stupid inventory... You're trying to go to those warehouses, aren't you?

—That's right. We think there might be some good produce, especially food. Maybe you can come with us? —Jason sat down on the side of the bed where Malcolm was, and smiled.

—For my savior I would do anything he ask —Malcolm said in a mischievous tone, which made Kalinic angry.

—Quit it, Hudson. We'll come for you in a while, we have to investigate the butcher shop... Does that shit need keys to get in?

—No, actually. It was always an area that needed constant ventilation, so the most common thing was that the doors were either completely open or closed but could be easily opened.

—In case it is closed...? —Nikolai crossed his arms as he had a slight feeling of what Malcolm was going to answer.

—Go to the offices. What's more... I still have this shit here. It's a master key that Mr. Simpson gave to his best workers, this key opens several points of the squares that connect with Pink Flamingo, such as warehouses, administrative buildings, roofs... There was some money in a safe that I was planning to steal... in fact I was going to quit Vallimorth Shopping Mall for good but not before taking a good part of the cake. The box was located in that jerk's office.

—How did you get the key...?

—It was simple, Nikolai. When you give a blowjob to one of your co-workers who has possession of the key and then go to get a duplicate, things are usually less complicated. I was going to give him some of the money... but now I don't know what happened to him or my other co-workers.

—If we happen to find that friend of yours... What's his name?

—Oh, it would be great if he were alive... his name is Lawrence Redfield. If you find him tell him that Michael Hudson is alive and waiting for him.

—What would we gain if we found him alive? —Nikolai questioned, serious.

—That clown knows everything about the fucking mall, he knows it like the back of his hand, of course... if he's alive.

—Shall we go to the Pink Flamingo offices first, Niko?

—It will be later, I'm very curious about what's going on at the butcher shop, after all we have Malcolm's master key... which made it easier for us to risk going to two potentially dangerous places to go to just one.

—Thank you so much, Malcolm! —Jason grabbed Hudson's shoulder and Hudson immediately smiled.

—Aren't I going to get my award? After you beat me up and woke me up.

—I'll give you your prize. I'm going to bury my shotgun in your ass until it's all the way in. How about that? —Nikolai pulled out his gun and made Malcolm freak out.

—He's just playing. Thanks, Malcolm.

Jason walked over to the gentleman and gave him a pat on his shoulder.

—You can go back to rest, sorry we interrupted your sleep.

—No problemo! —Malcolm stroked his cheek and went back to bed, quite content.

Jason and Nikolai left the room and looked at Malcolm's skeleton key with great curiosity.

—Can you imagine what we can open with it? —Nikolai rubbed his hands together, feigning some mischief.

—So many places... Are we going to the butcher shop or what?

—Let's go.