Day 2: Raw Meat Part III

—Why do you think the idea of rescuing people is not THAT bad? Like... Are you serious? —Slater asked, rather confused.

—Because... we all deserve a second chance, plus I was too ungrateful and selfish. You know how much I'm against rape and torture... because I was a victim myself. I had no mercy on the idiots at Black Card Plaza...and I definitely wouldn't have mercy on the butchers. Now things make more sense... it was a "connection"... as the idiots in the gunshop raided the groups, they sent the men to the butchers and they kept the women.

—Did they really kill all those guys? —Jason felt chills at the lack of respect.

—The butchers? No. A lot of the bodies had gunshot wounds.... bullet holes in areas of the body. Apparently the butchers didn't have any firearms at their disposal that could make some wounds. I think they were just working the corpses... and sexually abusing anyone who was dead or alive. That's why there weren't any women in there, because it was a win-win for the armory and butchers. The best men for the butchers and the women for the raiders.

—Why did you decide to film them being devoured?

—I can't tell you, but I have my reasons. Don't think I'll take pleasure in it... I'm not that kind of guy.

—What a relief...

Jason and Nikolai arrived some time later at the shelter. There was a beautiful orange sunset visible in the sky from the rooftop. It had already stopped raining, so it could feel quite cool.

The two went down to the safe area and, they could see how some of the children were playing with a board game in the middle of the ground. Asha was watching over them. Since they didn't feel much like doing anything, Jason and Nikolai went to their respective rooms to sleep.

It was a well-deserved rest.

About two hours had passed at most when they began to hear a knock on their door. When Jason opened it he saw it was Michael.

—Jason! Nikolai! George wants to talk to you about the civilians you brought back from the butcher shop.

—Thanks, Michael. In the infirmary, right?

—Right, Jason. Sorry to wake you up, but they want to talk to you.

Both men went to where they were told to go, where they could see Lilly and George talking to each other. As soon as they saw Jason and Nikolai approaching they greeted them, but there was also something else in that discouraging tone that indicated bad news.

—What about the civilians? What can you tell us about them?

-It's... complicated, Nikolai. Who do you want to know about first? We have some names... Bobby Phillips, Cliff Emerson, Rob Shiner and Danny Lennox.

—Danny Lennox.

Danny Lennox**Danny Lennox** is the man with the missing left arm.  We did a physical and were able to determine that he is dehydrated and apparently hasn't eaten any food for a day now, so his situation is quite delicate. Right now we are helping him by administering serums... on the other hand he has many wounds around his body, I could count at least thirty-two, I can't determine with certainty what caused them, but I can tell you that they are from different sharp objects.

Lilly gave a long description of how they had to work on the man in view of the fact that he lost a limb, yet he was so well worked on from before that the person who injured him also knew how to preserve him alive.

—What about Cliff Emerson? —Jason asked.

Cliff Emerson
**Cliff Emerson** is the man who has only one injury of note.. .apparently his right eye was removed, when we brought him in he was in complete shock. We don't know how, but whoever did it was a professional, as they made sure to remove it completely. Cliff still refuses to talk and, we had to sedate him because he wouldn't stop screaming. I'm afraid we have to be careful with him.

George replied, clearing his throat.

—Rob Shiner?

Rob Shiner**Rob Shiner** is quite a case, Nikolai... Rob has open wounds over most of his body, especially on his feet as he has no toenails, as they were completely removed. When we examined him we realized that he had an object inside him... it was a human finger. Rob's anal cavity is... there is no name for what they did to him, as there are wounds and clear sexual abuse on repeated occasions... which led to a tear. The poor guy will have a lot of trouble evacuating considering how easily wounds can become infected with fecal matter. I offered to help him clean and disinfect.
—Lastly, there is **Bobby Phillips**. Bobby was repeatedly sexually abused, his most notable wounds are those on his neck, arms and legs... we had to remove the wires that were embedded with extreme care without tearing. How the fuck are these people still alive? —Lilly couldn't believe the miracles of life.

Bobby Phillips—We could have saved them...we could have done something, but we ignored what that asshole Ryan told us... or whatever his fucking name was. He told us they were holding people hostage in the butcher shop but we never listened... We're such-! —Jason felt guilty because he believed that because of him many men lost everything.

—Don't blame yourself, Jason. You brought them to safety, these people can have time to heal and try again, they are alive because of you. —Lilly tried to comfort him. —Think of George, think of me... Jason, Nikolai and you have saved our lives and we are grateful for that.

—But the other sixteen are not... the other sixteen are dead, and we could do nothing to save their lives, nothing.

—Jason...

—I'm sorry... I must....

Jason pulled back Nikolai's hands as he was clearly feeling down.

—I think I should apologize to you for my behavior. At first I thought this whole saving people thing was stupid...that it was idiotic to recruit people...but with what happened today... I want you to know that I am deeply sorry for my actions. I know that if people are still alive it is for a very good reason, and for that I apologize. I may not be the leader you want, but from now on I will try, I will try to be better...

Nikolai stretched the collar of his shirt and sighed in anguish.

—We understand you, Nikolai. Maybe you should go see Jason... we'll stay and help the wounded and try to talk to them —George grabbed him by the shoulder and shook him.

Lilly and George returned to the infirmary clearly distraught.

Nikolai went in search of Jason...he knew it was time to talk.