Chapter 3: Prayers for the Slayers

After a long night. Jason woke up in the makeshift room Nikolai had made for the two of them. Jason couldn't believe he was still alive and had somehow figured out a strategy, an advantage against the zombies to go unnoticed among them.

Knowing that death was touching him Jason began to rethink what he wanted to do with his life, wanting to expand into aspects that seemed unknown to him and, try to live his life as much as possible. For a moment Jason thought he wasn't going to make it, for a moment Jason was sure it would all be over... and that he wouldn't get a chance to say goodbye.

He wondered what it would feel like to be a zombie. Would it be possible to feel? If so... he didn't want to find out, didn't want to finally discover what the barriers of death had to offer. Jason grabbed another pair of blankets which he threw over himself and the naked Kalinic. He snuggled into the Serbian's chest and really liked the feel of Nikolai's body hair coming into contact with his cheeks, as well as the particular scent of sweat.

Nikolai slowly opened his eyes and noticed that his partner lay watching him with that pair of hopeless eyes that were so characteristic of him. Nikolai grimaced, his nostrils flared after inhaling and exhaling, and with his thick left hand he caressed Slater's face.

—You scared the hell out of me, you big jerk.

—Good morning to you too, Nikolai.

—Not good morning, asshole! You scared me! I thought... I thought... I thought you were going to abandon me, that maybe you were in the middle of something and when you saw the horde you thought it would be a good opportunity to end it all.

—I'm so sorry I hurt you. I'm so sorry...

—I don't want your apology, Jason... I don't want it. That's why I wouldn't want to leave you alone, that's why I started accompanying you... I don't want you to die. I promised Ashley that I would take care of you... It's not like a give a fuck about her.

—Oh....

Jason pulled away and hugged himself. He pulled the rest of the blankets over himself and covered him, leaving only his face exposed.

—I lost you... and I found you again, Jason. Don't ever do that again, ever. Not by anyone. They're complete strangers and they're not worth anything, not worth your sacrifice. You were going to die for some stupid dogs and...

—It was my decision, Nikolai, as it was my decision to bring people to this shelter. I did NOT die, I am here. I know I worried you, I know I hurt you... I don't want to talk about this.

—Just don't die, you idiot. That's all I ask of you. Let me be the first one to die, please. I don't want to bury you.

—You won't, Nikolai... you won't. Can we rest a little longer? I'd like to...

Before Jason could close his eyes someone knocked on the door. A respective "knock knock" was heard. Jason stood up, walked to the door and, after turning the doorknob, was able to open the door and reveal the person who was looking for him.

Megan Knox.

—Hello, Jason. Good morning... you see... one of the civilians...has started a riot in the cafeteria. Other civilians want to... you'd better come and see for yourself.

—Huh? —Nikolai looked quizzically at Megan Knox who was standing in front of the door. —What the hell are you talking about, woman?

—Someone has started a riot! You'd better get over here quick. Quickly!

Nikolai barely put on a pair of pants while Jason accompanied him. Slater didn't take long at all as he was already dressed, at least in pajamas.

Jason and Nikolai's hurried footsteps were not to be expected in the shelter, plus somehow they both had a strange feeling that could be the reason why Megan looked so serious and dismayed at the same time.

—That's why we Vallimorth workers should be the leaders of the shelter! Our opinion should carry more weight than that of complete strangers who aren't even citizens of our beautiful Vallimorth to begin with!

On a table in the cafeteria was Lawrence Redfield, around him a group of people including Chris, Clark, Harry and Malcolm, others were Vallimorth Shopping Mall Workers.

—Hey, asshole! What the hell is this circus all about? —Nikolai raised his voice, immediately catching the attention of Lawrence and the group.

—There you are! You! You took over OUR shelter and have been taking OUR resources! I can't believe we should be subjected to the decisions of you strangers! —Lawrence commented rather furiously.

—What are you trying to pull with this nonsense? —Nikolai questioned, crossing his arms.

—Let you get the hell out of our shelter! We are more. We don't want you here... you are a danger. We know you have murdered people... we know how badly you have been managing the resources and that is why we will not tolerate....

—What the fuck are you talking about, asshole? Everyone is a danger, everything is a danger, you stupid fucking dumb. Have I murdered people? Of course! I've murdered men who tortured women to death and a couple of sick people who ejaculated on corpses, not even people, corpses! Are we misusing resources? Do you realize that we were looking for ways to save energy and water from the mall and besides, we're trying to get to the Spring Plaza stores to get more resources?

—Even so! Your presence is not required here. That is why we have chosen to expel them from OUR shelter. It is only fair. It would also be good for the other civilians who are not part of Vallimorth team of workers to leave, with the exception of the medical team.

—What the fuck, Lawrence? This wasn't the point! —Harry raised his voice when he saw that Mia could be in danger of being expelled.

—What the fuck? They can't do this to us, Mom! It's hell out there! —Molly said upset.

—To expel the non-workers would also be to expel the girls and even the dogs, Lawrence! For a moment there I thought you had good points about this! For a moment there you were convincing us, but not anymore! You're so wrong! —Asha could not believe what she was hearing from Redfield.

—As a Vallimorth worker I consider it's too selfish for us to expel those who are not workers, Lawrence. Our goal has always been to defend life, especially those who cannot defend themselves. We are supposed to be a team! Not... whatever this is. —Megan stepped forward, ready to argue with Lawrence if necessary.

—We can't bend for them! We didn't even ask them to save us to begin with.

—And you're asking us to leave the shelter even though we saved your asses? Can you believe this fuck, Jason? —Michael could only laugh.

—Fuck you, Lawrence! At first your arguments were solid, you really almost made us follow your stupid idea but if that means turning our backs on innocents and behaving like real animals, then fuck off! I declare myself a civilian instead of a Vallimorth Shopping Mall Worker! Because if being a worker at this stupid place means being fucking heartless... Fuck this then! Fuck you too!

Markus took his badge as a Teens Paradise monitor and threw it in the trash can.

—I'm quitting as of today, Lawrence. I already want to see you take me and the girls out —Asha did the same, tossing her badge into the trash can. —Bring it on motherfucker! Try me! Can you believe this asshole, Markus?

—Why the hell are Kevin and Malcolm keeping quiet? Speak up, you cowards! Say how much you agreed with Lawrence. Say how much you dislike Nikolai and how obnoxious you find Jason —Harry protested his colleagues' silence.

—Can I comment on something? —Amber raised her hand so they could give him the floor.

—What do you have to say, sweetheart? —Asha looked at her with a smile, then proceeded to remove her dirty plate of leftover cake.

—Judging by Lawrence's facial and body expressions, I'm guessing it's not his words he's saying. It seems to me that someone else may have put the absurd idea in his head about kicking civilians out of the shelter. The lack of defense in his arguments and the constant silences, plus the look on his face, makes me believe that he is not the person who would actually think something like this, not to say that his thinking could not possibly reach this level of complexity.

—Are you insinuating I'm stupid, kid? —Lawrence defended himself.

—Stupid enough to let a coward take control of your thinking and flood your judgment, besides... I look at you and I don't see the kind of man who would actually think something like this. Yes, you are jealous that Nikolai and Jason are leaders, because of the things you said about you haven't accomplished anything relevant in your tenure as a worker, plus you are a pretty racist guy. Maybe you are hurt by the fact that... a Serbian man who is not a worker here has accomplished more in two days than you could have accomplished in years, and that is leadership.

—Remind me NOT to mess with her —Cindy said to Lilly, while pointing at Amber.

—But what the hell is a little girl like you going to know? Talking pure...

—Bullshit? The same bullshit that sounds the same or worse than yours? The fact that you put Zoey's life at risk with your stupid ideals has made you my personal enemy. I hope Nikolai has no mercy on you or the entourage of imbeciles who supported you, and I mean them.

Amber pointed to Kevin, Malcolm, Chris and Clark.

—I believe there should be exemplary punishment for those who dare to disturb our peace. —Cindy was unhappy with the attitudes taken by Lawrence. —I will not allow this monster to put in danger the lives of Lexie and Chelsea who are very delicate. To expel them would be... it would be to subtract the little faith I have in people, because the one I had with God I have already lost.

—As a member of the Council, I think they should be expelled from the shelter —Lilly raised her hand. —People like them will not hesitate to cut our throats while we sleep. Therefore they should be banned.

—Those of you who want them expelled, please raise your hands. —Nikolai was the first to raise his hand, followed by other survivors, most of them in fact. Michael did not.

—I think they should be killed. —Michael commented so coldly. -A plague disappears when it dies. A good plague is a dead plague.

—Then it is decided. Idiots, you are permanently expelled from this shelter. The only thing left for you to do is pray, because I don't think anyone is good enough to risk their neck for complete strangers like we do—Kalinic had no problem giving that order.

The cafeteria fell silent.

## Next Chapter

Chapter 3: Prayers for the Slayers Part II