Chapter 3: Prayers for the Slayers Part II

—There is no need to expel Chris and me, or the other workers that agreed with Lawrence. This was all a misunderstanding... you see, I was talking to stupid Lawrence about trust. We came from another group where our leader betrayed us, and we had to run for our lives because we were part of a... sadistic game. Lawrence misunderstood everything and, he thought that because you are... foreigners, you were not to be trusted —Clark used his characteristic charisma to dialogue.

—It's true! We're just a little suspicious of the situation, but it's nothing personal... You have to believe us, please! We're just scared... and how can we know that the people who rescued us are not really doing it with other intentions? —Chris supported Clark, holding his hand.

—We apologize in advance if our conversation got out of hand, but we can't help but feel responsible for what happened. Is there any chance we can put this misunderstanding behind us and...?

—It was just a misunderstanding, gentlemen. Please allow the most sincere and honest apologies from Clark and me. We just wanted to know if we could trust you... you must understand our context. To resolve this misunderstanding please give us the opportunity to discuss with you personally, or with your counsel. We have excellent ideas and plans that will be useful to the group. I understand that a greenhouse is part of your plans and the takeover of Grand Mont Plaza as well, correct? —Chris smiled, totally at ease with everyone.

—I'm getting the hell out of here! —Kevin stood up from his seat. —I don't have to do anything here anymore... I don't have anyone and I'm not going to waste my time in this place. I honestly think Nikolai is a jerk and a two-faced snake. I don't trust him or the other strangers.

—Well fuck off, then. What about you, Lawrence? I'll be honest, we don't want you here, I do NOT want you here. It doesn't matter if you beg us... we won't let you stay.

—Well, I'm out of here then, you stupid Russian!

—Well fuck off!

—Let's go, Malcolm! We can't stay here.

Lawrence ordered Hudson to leave the shelter with him, however Malcolm stood behind Chris and Clark, as he did not want to leave.

—I think this is too extreme, and honestly... I wouldn't want to go back to the mall, not like this. I won't go with you, Lawrence... least of all with someone as ungrateful as you. I asked them to bring you along, I spent a lot of time thinking how great it would be to have you join us... but I didn't think your insecurities could take control over you. I'm staying, and in advance I'm very sorry if I was ever on your side, because if I knew that it would put others' lives at risk... and mine...

—Are you really doing this to me, you fucking traitor? To think that I really liked you!

—Well, you never showed it! I thought... that there was something special about you, but I was wrong! I won't tolerate your glances away while I'm talking to you, or interruptions followed by long silences.

—Then fuck off! You'll see how right I was! Nikolai will betray you...

Kalinic was angry because all he wanted to do was sleep, rest, recuperate after what happened yesterday, and they were getting him up too early to cover what he thought was "bullshit".

Nikolai escorted Kevin and Lawrence out of the shelter. No one saw him take his pistol, which he had fitted with a silencer beforehand, and shoot the duo in the head. Kalinic looked indifferently at the corpses, inert bodies that a few seconds ago were alive. He looked at his bare chest and saw that some drops had splashed on it, which is why he wiped them off with Kevin's shirt.

Nikolai will kill all those who pose a threat... and he cannot afford to give them the luxury of returning, putting their peace at risk in the name of another group.

Kalinic picked up Lawrence's body and carried it to the edge of the rooftop. As he dropped it, Nikolai felt some satisfaction as he listened to the body fall and, breaking bones in the process. He looked down to find Lawrence's body, deformed and fractured... being surrounded by the dead who rushed towards him to proceed to eat him.

—And there is another prize...

Kevin was the next to fall. His corpse fell on top of some of the zombies who, ended up dead due to the impact, while those around him started tearing off his clothes and biting. They started tearing off the layers of skin and ate him with no mercy whatsoever.

Nikolai wiped the sweat from his forehead and sighed contentedly for, he had finished a job without even blinking.

On his way back to the shelter he saw who he least expected.

—Well, well...

—Clark...

—So that's your method of expulsion... interesting.

—How long have you been standing there?

—Long enough. Why? Are you going to kill me too? —Clark approached Nikolai triumphantly, standing face to face with him.

—To get a rough estimate of the time I'll spend torturing you and then throwing you to the dead.

—Interesting. I like the idea... you must make sure you do it slow, too slow.

—What the fuck do you want?

—You see... I don't like you, Nikolai, I don't like you at all. People may respect you for your "merciful" work of helping others, but I don't believe this fantasy story of yours. I know what your intentions are and with what little I know I am absolutely certain that you are not who you say you are. I'm going to screw you in ways you can't imagine... I even got a hard-on just thinking about it. You'll thank me when I fuck you so hard you'll be in a wheelchair. I'm not warning you, I'm threatening you.

—Why shouldn't I kill you right now, since you've revealed your Machiavellian plan?

—Because I'm a good resource, you fucking Russian piece of shit. Besides... I must behave myself for Chris's well-being. Believe it or not... he is the only thing I have left and what really matters to me in this painful life. You must understand that... I will put his safety as my top priority... so I offer you my silence in exchange... for something.

—What do you want? I'm listening.

—I want you to let me accompany you on your "adventures". I know the mall and I know a few shortcuts. Besides... I need a new outfit. Did you see those handsome men in uniform? I'd like to look like them.

—I think we have some suits available from the gun store... however... Why do you want to join us? You might as well stay here like everyone else does.

—Because I don't stand idly by, you European cunt. I want to move, I want to contribute because eventually people will see that. I want to make a name for myself among your group, and that way I will become closer to the leaders and those in control.

—For what purpose?

—So I can do this more often.

Clark moved closer to Nikolai and gave him a deep kiss on the lips. Kennedy's hard hands caressed the Serb's erect nipples and, descending to his stomach, stroked his body hair.

—You and I are the same, Nikolai, we are men with ambitions, with desires... we seek the best for our loved one. Why should we compete to see who has a bigger cock? When perfectly you and I can do something great... and by that I mean doing fun things with them. I'm not like those stupid civilians and workers, except for Chris. Believe me...

—You're a guy dangerously similar to me...

—We are not similar, Nikolai... we are the same, I could say we... we are equals. We both have goals together and, you may have met me a few hours ago... but you'll be glad to know you have me on your side.

—What if I don't want you on my side?

—I have my ways of getting what I want...

Clark's hand descended to Nikolai's zipper and gently touched the bulge that had formed around it, his fingers touching the tip of it. Nikolai got lost at Clark's touch, those magic fingers doing things...

—F-fuck...

—You're already starting to sweat... I wouldn't mind knowing what you're capable of when you're....

—Nikolai!

Jason's voice was heard in the distance. Clark turned away from the Serb and wiped the sweat dripping from his forehead. Jason's footsteps were approaching, and when Clark turned to Slater, the young man was smiling.

—I was looking for you! What happened to Lawrence and Kevin? —Slater asked, wanting to know how it went with the two civilian deserters.

—It has been wonderful. They won't be bothering us anymore....

—What a nice boyfriend you got yourself, Nikolai... Jason! Jason... brave Jason... everyone at the shelter is talking about you... and they are all good things, except for your particular... well, get some shoes. Chris' and my proposal still stands. I just mentioned it to Nikolai... if you wish to "blow off some steam", we'll be waiting for you at Warehouse 4-B.

Clark returned to the shelter, triumphant, while Nikolai looked him up and down.

—With what happened to me yesterday... I'm hesitating whether to accept his proposal or not.

—Why don't we both accept it? I see that it catches your attention... and taking into consideration what is happening to us... Would you like to go with them?

—Honestly? Yes... however what about...

—We are ours, Jason. With them it'll just be casual sex. Besides... I'll be with you, I won't let them to do anything bad. So shall we go then?

—Yeah! We're all gonna die anyway.

—Exactly!

With a smile both men headed to the warehouse.

It didn't take long for them to find Chris and Clark in a compromising situation... which Jason and Nikolai joined soon after.