"Oh?"
They'd stumbled upon three survivors, cautiously moving through the service corridors behind the shops.
"Oh god… oh god…" One man dropped to his knees, completely drained. Relief swept through the group as they saw the volunteers carrying weapons.
"You okay?" Nick asked, helping the man to his feet. "All of you?"
"Thank God…" the man whispered through tears.
"We're fine, but someone else isn't," one of the others replied.
That drew a sharp look from the third survivor—wide-eyed, accusatory. His glare said, "Why would you say that?"
"Who's not?" Nick asked.
Instead of answering, the man deflected. "Did you guys find a good hiding spot?"
"We did," Nick said. "We'll get you all there—after we rescue the one who's still out there."
The man's expression shifted—tightening jaw, trembling fists, red veins surfacing in his eyes.
"Where is he?" Nick inquired.
"Stuck in the washrooms," the woman explained. "Through that door, into the ice cream shop. The washrooms are across the mall from there."
"What does he look like?" a teenage girl asked quickly, stepping forward.
"Like a teenage boy, I guess?"
"Was he wearing an oversized white shirt? Tall—like this?" she held her hand above her head.
"I… think so. I'm not sure."
"Whoever it is," Nick said firmly, "we're getting him out."
He moved toward the door the woman had pointed to, but was halted by a desperate voice.
"Wait!" The third survivor bowed deeply, his tears falling to the floor. "Please, take us to the hiding spot first."
Nick nodded. "Of course. Isaac, take them ba—"
"Dad!"
Nick turned at the sound of his daughter's voice. Samantha had followed the trail of bloody footprints he'd left behind.
"I'm coming too."
"What? No—I told someone to keep you back there." He grabbed her wrist, trying to pull her away. "Go back."
But she yanked her arm free. "No. I'm coming, whether you like it or not. You know I'm better at fighting. And I'm already here."
"You're going back." Nick turned to Isaac. "Take her with you—"
"I'm not leaving."
"Stop it, Sam," he said without turning.
"No."
Nick finally turned, placed a firm hand on her shoulder, and squeezed. His intense stare tried to shake her resolve.
But she didn't flinch.
He sighed. "I can't lose you."
"Yeah… same. So don't die."
"I won't."
"Neither will I."
Nick shook his head. "You don't even have a weapon."
Samantha glanced at her empty hands, embarrassed.
"Damn it…" Nick handed her a knife. "Here."
"Thanks."
He turned to the woman. "This door?"
She nodded.
Nick slowly opened it, careful to avoid creaking hinges. On the other side was a dim storage room—stocked with cups, tubs, and ingredients. The ice cream shop.
Isaac, with the three rescued survivors, began the trip back to the kitchenware store while Nick, Samantha, and the others crept inside. The room was silent—but the dim red glow leaking through the cracks in the main door gave the space an eerie air.
Nick gently pushed the door open just wide enough to peek through. They were now behind the counter of the shop. Across the mall, near the public restrooms, two monstrous hounds prowled, their mouths dripping blood.
He quietly shut the door and turned to whisper.
"Here's the hard part. Let's say we haven't killed a single dog yet. There are 18. Two are right outside those washrooms—that's why he can't get out. He's safe for now, if they can't hear, smell, or see him. And judging by their behavior, they don't know he's there."
"But if they decide to barge in—" one volunteer began.
"He's dead," Nick finished. "Those doors won't hold. Same problem we'd have back at the kitchenware store. So technically… we could leave him. It's a solid spot over there."
"No!" the teenage girl protested. "It might be Sean! You said there are already two dogs right by him. That isn't safe."
"You're not wrong. But…"
"Please." She grabbed Nick's hand. Her grip was trembling, her eyes pleading. "Please don't leave him."
Nick hesitated. He looked down at her shaking hands, then back into her eyes.
"…Alright. But we need a plan."
"Taking down two dogs silently?" a volunteer asked. "How?"
"I have an idea," Samantha said, stepping forward.
Nick smiled faintly. "That's my daughter, alright."