Chapter 2: Those Left Behind ll

After what happened in the infirmary, the children were taken to a room where they could stay safe. Asha and Markus also had to prove that they were not infected, and so they were admitted with the girls they were to take care for. Holly offered to help them and ask them if they were comfortable or if they wanted anything else.

They were all too shocked to even think of anything.

Jason and the other council members were seen in the office that once belonged to Megan's boss. Among the council members were:

—Jason Slater and Nikolai Kalinic as the leaders of the group.

—George Tennyson and Lilly Christensen as the group's doctors and also as members of the team evaluating possible infections.

—Bryan Fisher as the First Guard.

—Megan Knox and Ashley Carter as Supervisors.

—All right, people. We've gathered you here to talk about what happened to the people at Children's Heaven. Clearly there were a lot of dangers and, we realized, cameras seem to be a necessity if we are to continue this stupid game of rescuing anyone we come across.

Nikolai was furious. He had by his side a bottle of vodka and also some ices.

—In view of recent events, if we want to save electrical power the most effective thing to do would be to stop looking out for other civilians. What happened today endangered everyone...

—There's no need to repeat it, Nikolai. I almost died back there, that's why I suggested to you to have the meeting. I'm starting to think that... maybe it's not such a bad idea to cut the power for as long as possible. There's nothing to be gained by letting stores that no one is going to use have light. We must manage it very well for the next month or... our shelter will just be a... dark labyrinth where anyone can die.

—So, Jason, what do you propose then? —Ashley crossed her arms. —Turning off the cameras completely is insane.

—Why, Ashley? If it will allow us more time to harness the electrical power. We'll need to use drills, equipment that is used with ELECTRICITY if we want to make use of the barricades and the materials we'll have at our disposal.

—Nikolai, the only reason we have access to medicine is because of George, whom we rescued thanks to the cameras. The only reason we have weapons and took down a group that was terrorizing people in Black Card Plaza was because of the cameras. Oh! I almost forgot, the reason we have medical service personnel here who can treat the wounded is because of the FUCKING CAMERAS.

—And also the reason a woman came and committed suicide here, and who might have caused a second massacre was because of the cameras! That we risked our asses for a bunch of brats and to top it off one of them was infected was thanks to the FUCKING CAMERAS.

—For being my friend's boyfriend you're an asshole. I don't know what Jason saw in you, you fucking piece of shit.

—Hey, Ash, Niko. Don't fight. I actually had something in mind... maybe we can use the cameras and electricity for a limited time, I don't know... Half an hour? An hour maybe? —Jason intervened as he didn't want to see them argue anymore.

—We need to have more control in the group, I suggest the scans be done on the rooftop. Jimmy, the infected child, could have transformed inside the shelter and at least bitten someone or killed someone. I for one suggest building something that will allow us to see if people are fit to enter.

—I like that. I like your initiative, Lilly. Good. Anything else we should cover? —Nikolai took a drink from his glass of juice and vodka.

—We're making progress with Grand Mont Plaza. Eventually we will take control of the plaza. On the other hand we had target practice with some people. Harry seems to be the most qualified person as a sniper, plus he has an unusual skill with other weapons —Bryan commented quite happy, in fact he was very proud to see how the group was starting to join in these activities.

—How is your son doing, Bryan? —Jason asked.

—My son is doing well, thanks to the unusual care of a young lady....

—Lilly? —George guessed, but when he saw Lilly, she shook her head.

—It's Molly Jones, George. Yesterday during rounds to care for and observe Thomas, she asked me all sorts of basic nursing stuff, this morning we had to change his bandages and Molly was the first to help. My intuition tells me that the two of them get along very well... and are a little, maybe a little too... close to each other.

—Really? Wow, people don't waste time.... —Said Nikolai, sarcastically.

—Very careful how you express yourself, Kalinic. It's my son you're talking about too. Anyway, you don't waste time either... Or isn't that why you got a room exclusively for you and Jason? It didn't go unnoticed by anyone.

—It's none of your business, Bryan.

—Neither what my son does with Molly is your business, Kalinic.

—Hey, don't argue. So what time can we turn on the cameras in the other plazas? This is to power them as well. We've cut the power for the moment —Megan said as she was a bit stressed from being awake for so long.

—I suggest they turn the cameras on sometime during the afternoon —Jason suggested.

—I can't imagine what will become of all those people we were able to rescue but died for...

—It's not our problem, Megan!—Nikolai interrupted sharply.

—Nikolai! —Jason grabbed him by the shoulder and asked him to calm down.

—Don't yell at her, asshole! —Ashley clashed with Kalinic and raised her voice at him as well. —You like to impose quite a lot, don't you, you fuck? I don't know how we could have all accepted you as our leader if you're such a bastard.

—As much of a bastard as Rocky?

Ashley got up and slapped across the face.

—Nikolai, stop it! We don't have time for discussions. We have a place to take and people to prepare for the worst. Fighting among ourselves won't help anything. And enough with your comments, don't you realize how nasty they can be? —Jason confronted Kalinic who just looked at Slater without saying anything, just making that serious grimace that made anyone who saw it uncomfortable, including Jason who looked away but still somehow felt the Serb's penetrating gaze.

—Agh, this is getting bored. If you'll excuse me, I must tend to the wounded, had I known in advance that I would be invited to a CIRCUS, I would have refused to attend. With your permission, well, WITHOUT your permission, I'll leave.

Lilly got up from her seat and as she walked out the room.

—Anything else we should discuss? —Jason asked again, but everyone looked away without paying much attention.

Ashley got up from her seat, followed by Megan, who at least said "goodbye".

—I'm going to visit my son. I'm sure he and his girlfriend who doesn't waste time with really need my presence.

—You're about to start... —Nikolai commented, grimacing and crossing his arms.

—Fuck you, Kalinic.

—It looks like you're on your period....

—I'm always on my period, asshole.

Like Lilly, Bryan slammed the door on his way out.

—Now we need you to tell us something —Nikolai looked George straight in the eye and he just smiled.

—I have a lot to say about you and your behavior, I have a sneaking suspicion that the only reason we were rescued was because of the medicines we had, and the fact that we can still stay here is because I am a paramedic. I get the impression that you see people more for their value and usefulness to the group. You clearly have no respect for anything or anyone, not even Jason. And to think you sounded so convincing yesterday... it's never too late to show our true colors, am I right? —George stayed in his seat without looking away from Nikolai's black eyes who was not happy. —Look, you idiot, I understand your point and believe me I'm on your side in many ways, but your shitty personality, your shitty actions and the way you impose doesn't help at all. You're lucky I didn't tell Bryan that you were planning on leaving him and his son behind to die.

—What the fuck, Niko?

—We needed the meds, Jason. If we hadn't rescued these two assholes we wouldn't have gotten shot and we wouldn't have risked our asses. We almost didn't make it to the mall, we almost died. Why don't you tell them, George? Tell them, go on, you fag, tell them how they broke the rear view mirror and how they screwed Thomas because they precisely shot him in the chase.

—In Rusia everyone is just as violent and unfriendly?

—In the United States are all just as stupid as you?

—Enough, both of you! This discussion ends now. George, Michael is probably looking for you, why don't you go with him or see if you can help Lilly cure Lexie? I hear she needs a wound re-stitched.

—I'll do that. Thank you, Jason, with your permission I'll leave.

—What about me, Tennyson? You don't even kiss me good-bye?

—Kiss my ass.

—Careful what you wish for, I'm pretty good at it. You might enjoy it...

George withdrew.

—What the fuck was that, Nikolai?

—Nothing...

—You need to calm down, man. You'll make people distrust us.

—I told you how little I care about these people, Jason.

-We need these people, Nikolai... You know that.

—I don't, you do.

—I don't have time to talk to you like this. Goodbye.

Before Jason left, Nikolai grabbed him by the arm and pulled him to him.

—Don't go, Jay. Please.

—You need to calm down.

—Tell them that they make me lose my temper, everyone but you. You know I love you, right? And I'd do anything for you.

—I know that...

—And you know that you're the most important thing in the world to me, right? Right?

—Yes...

—Then why don't you give me a kiss, let's forget about this and go to bed for a while? I'm absolutely sure you need a good rest, and what better than with your man?

—Sounds tempting... but only if you apologize to them.

—Agh! You know I won't.

—I'm going out to the mall to see what I can do to help...

—Okay, okay! Okay! I'm sorry. I'm sorry. First I'll apologize to you for the embarrassment I put you through. Can I have a kiss?

—Any kiss you want.

Nikolai and Jason's lips met in a deep kiss. Nikolai went a little further down Jason's neck, which made him moan.

—You know not here... someone could get in....

—Let me smell you....

—Ah...

—I want you, Jason. I want you now...

—You must wait... I won't do anything but in the privacy of our bedroom. You understand that.

—It's a punishment, isn't it? For talking ugly to your friends. I understand... but you should also know that I will be a beast when I have you where I want you and how I want you.

Nikolai left the room with a big smile.