Day 1: Death Knows How To Dress Part ll

Jason watched intently as Mia rested uneasily in one of the lounges in the break area. He opted to go to the cafeteria and heat up some coffee. After doing so, he brought a cup of hot coffee to Mia and sat down beside her on the edge of the bed.

—Is this for me? You're so cute! Thank you!

—I hope you like it. How are you anyway? You seem uneasy about something. Is it about your sister?

Mia took the cup of coffee and chose to take a sip, then put it on a drawer on the side of the bed where she was lying.

—That's right... Tess and I came here to have fun like we always did. I'm so terrified of whatever has happened.... I can't dial my dad because I lost my cell phone back there. I'm sure my dad must be worried to death because we don't answer his calls...

—It's a shame, believe me it is. I'll go back out there, and I might find her. What's Tess like?

—Oh! Tess is a taller girl than me, she has red hair and we dress pretty much the same. We're here to have fun as we're here to cut the red string for a new store that opened here. The owner asked us to come because we are friends... We drank a lot and I don't remember what else happened. I was too drunk... maybe if I didn't drink that much I...

—Maybe you would be dead. There's no point in dwelling on that. Where did you last see each other?

—Oh! It was at the Black Card Plaza. Black Card Plaza is a long way from here, you would have to walk quite a way and go through the park as the plazas are divided into two separate buildings.

—I'll see what I can do. We are so glad to have you here. If I hear from your sister I'll let you know, okay?

—Thank you very much! And by the way... I'm Mia Westerfield, I'm the daughter of Rick Westerfield, one of the founders of the Mall. In the past I was a make-up artist... although I guess dead people don't like cosmetics, do they?

Mia Westerfield—I don't think so... Do you need anything else, Mia? Are you feeling comfortable?

—I'm fine, thank you. This place feels so empty and lonely... I wish there was someone to talk to... And... Jason, right? I thought I heard your name on the walkie-talkie... Thank you, I am deeply grateful at you for saving my life. I have to believe that we will be here for quite a while, won't we?

—I think so, we will be in this place for a long time until we find the corresponding help. Mia, by any chance... Do you think you could draw me a map of the most important places in Vallimorth?

—Are you not from here, Jason?

—I came with some friends to visit my family, but with everything that happened... since I got here I couldn't go to their house...

—Oh, you poor thing! Well, I need some pencil, colors and paper. I'll finish the map in a while as I need to be specific with the streets. For the time being why don't you go and relax or go to bed? You look very tired.

—It's okay, Mia.

Jason saw Nikolai call him from the door, so Jason said goodbye to Westerfield and went out into the corridors to chat with his friend.

—That's quite a woman you found, she's hot.

—Mia, her name is Mia Westerfield. Apparently her father is someone important, and she has a sister who is missing at the mall.

—Well, shit... By the way, Jason... How are we going to deal with Ashley? Ever since what happened with that asshole Rocky...

—I don't know, I don't know how we're going to tell her what's going on and how things are going to be. I don't have time to think about Rocky, I want to get out of here as soon as possible, and alert everybody of what's going on.

—Okay, good. I'll back you up on that. I really liked the way you escorted the girl. You actually read my mind when you took off those heels.

—We had to run... and I don't think she could have made it if I didn't take them off. At least I gave them back to her. Besides, the heels made noise, and that might alert them.

—How clever you are! I found some snacks and other goodies as well. I suggest that I still stand by the idea of going to the pharmacy and getting medicine, as much as can be obtained.

—I will, Ashley needs them too. Has Megan said anything to you?

—Some things, like the outbreak happened a few hours ago... so I have to assume that up until just a few hours ago, everything was normal, people doing their shopping...

—Even the owner of this —Jason pulled out the pink stuffed rabbit.

—Fuck! That's pitiful...

—Now do you see why Megan wants me to bring in as many civilians as I can? She's seen horrible things on the cameras, and if she sees that there's at least a chance to rescue someone, like Mia....

—Jason, you look very tired, why don't you stay and get some sleep and I'll be sure to go to the pharmacy. I know you want to sleep, and tired going out there you are a danger to yourself and everyone you come across.

—I don't know... I'm so excited about this whole situation... or maybe I'm scared and don't want to sleep for fear of dying in my sleep. Did you seal the entrance to Grand Mont yet?

—We did, Jason. We locked the door to the hallway and Megan lowered a metal gate to make sure the entire hallway connecting to Grand Mont Plaza is inaccessible.

—Have you tried calling the police?

—The fucking lines are dead. We can't access the internet either, no connection at all. I've tried to connect to the net with your laptop but it didn't work. Apparently in Vallimorth all the signals are completely fucked. Don't you find that curious?

—So... we're alone...

—We're on our own. The best we can do is wait and come up with a plan to escape together. Apparently Megan was helping you escort Mia since she set off some alarms in some stores near the square you were in, that's why there were so few dead. We could use that to our advantage.

—I like that. I'll take your word for it and go rest and... oh...

Jason received a hug from Nikolai, one too tight, almost as if the Serb didn't want to let go.

—Having death so close makes me think of all the time we've wasted. I'd like to take you somewhere after we get out of this mess.

—And what's on your mind, Niko?

—Someplace fancy, like Gerald's food truck, haha. Do you have the map and the walkie-talkie? Give them to me, I'll go to the drugstore for new medicines and bandages. You go to rest and we'll see what to do later, right?

—Please take care of yourself.

—I will.

Just then Mia came out of the room.

—Jason! Megan gave me what I needed. I wrote down for you the most important places in town, which are the Church, the Town Hall, the Police Station and the Fire Station. There are also other places of "interest" such as the Library, the General Hospital and also the Plaza, which is a place similar to a park, where all the important events of the city take place.

Mia spread out the map she had made for Jason, in great detail and separated by sections and colors.

—Great, Mia, this will be very helpful.

As she looked at the map, Megan entered.

—Good morning, Jason. I saw a couple of people through the cameras. I saw a couple of women building a barricade at a "My Little Buddy" children's store in Children's Paradise. I think they might need help.

—I'll go! You rest, Jason. I just need the map, I like that armor you made yourself, with sporting goods. I'll get me a backpack too...

—Take care, please! —Jason hugged his friend and said goodbye. Soon he saw him leave with Megan and follow the same path to the rooftop.