Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 28: Leaving The Mall?

Chapter 28: Leaving The Mall?

Scarlett gave Rose a firm, determined nod, her voice steady. "You can repay me by staying alive. Now, let’s keep moving."

Rose nodded, clinging to Scarlett’s shoulder for support. Scarlett’s crimson eyes glowed as the map materialized before her, showing every twist and turn of the hallways. The low growls of approaching monsters echoed through the corridors, but Scarlett’s enhanced senses picked up on each subtle shift in their movements.

They turned a corner, and Scarlett’s gaze snapped to the map again, her eyes scanning the labyrinthine paths as she dropped tiny fire stones onto the floor, leaving a trail behind.

Ding!

{Host, monsters closing in. Multiple paths available.}

Scarlett’s mind raced through the options, tracking the creatures’ movements in real-time.

"Rose, we need to move faster," she urged in a low, firm tone.

Rose nodded, her breath coming in labored gasps, but she tightened her grip on Scarlett’s shoulder, pushing herself to keep going.

The growls grew louder, and Scarlett’s map updated to show the monsters’ proximity.

"Left up ahead," Scarlett whispered, guiding Rose through the twisting corridors until they reached a quiet corner. Gently, she helped Rose sit, her back resting against the wall. Scarlett handed her a pistol. "Just in case."

Rose’s fingers closed around the weapon, and she nodded, though the strain of her injuries showed in her face.

A snarl echoed from the adjacent hallway, and a pack of humanoid monsters burst into view.

Scarlett moved instantly, summoning flames that erupted from her hands and engulfed the creatures. The corridor lit up in a chaotic blaze as Scarlett’s fire blade cut through the monsters with lethal precision, flames licking the walls and filling the air with the stench of burning flesh.

Rose watched, awe-struck, her eyes locked on Scarlett’s fluid, deadly movements. Suddenly, a monster lunged, its abnormal, ten-centimeter tongue snapping forward.

Rose raised her pistol and fired, the bullet tearing through the creature’s tongue, making it shriek in pain. Scarlett swiftly sliced the monster’s tongue off with a searing flame, sending it staggering backward until it tumbled through a nearby window, vanishing with a final, agonized howl.

Ding!

{+50 experience points}

{+2000 gold coins}

Scarlett continued her relentless assault until the last monster fell, smoldering at her feet. She scanned the hallway, her senses still heightened.

"Clear," she murmured, helping Rose to her feet.

They moved on, Scarlett’s senses picking up fewer alerts as they pressed deeper into the maze of hallways. Then, just as they passed a door, Scarlett’s sharp hearing caught the faint sound of heartbeats of humans.

Wasting no time, she blasted the door open with her fire element.

Inside, two young children, a boy, around seven, and a girl of thirteen huddled together, trembling, their faces buried in their arms. They looked as though they’d resigned themselves to whatever monster was coming for them.

"It’s okay. You’re safe," Scarlett said gently, her voice soft but reassuring.

The children raised their heads, eyes wide and tear-filled. Seeing her, a flicker of hope ignited in their eyes. Scarlett stretched out her hand, and after a brief hesitation, they reached out, clutching it as if it were a lifeline.

Rose followed, limping as she managed to make her way into the room, her face a mixture of fear and confusion. "Scarlett, what are you doing? Why are you saving them?"

Scarlett’s voice was resolute. "We’re leaving the mall today."

Rose’s eyes widened. "Leaving the mall? Why? Where are we going?"

"This isn’t the time for questions," Scarlett replied. "Just follow me. I’ll explain everything later, but right now, we need to move if we want to stay ahead of those monsters."

She turned and led the children out, with Rose reluctantly following, hobbling on one leg. Her injury was nearly healed, and the pain had dulled, but she still struggled to keep up.

"Almost there," Scarlett reassured them as they moved cautiously down the corridor, her voice softening for the children.

The growls behind them grew louder, and Scarlett remained alert, her fire element ready to strike at any threat. At last, an exit sign loomed ahead. Scarlett quickened her pace, and with one final push, they burst through the doors into the cool morning air.

A fresh breeze hit them, a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere inside the mall. The group huddled together near a wall, their eyes wary as monsters prowled nearby.

Rose took a deep breath, her gaze brimming with gratitude as she looked at Scarlett. "Thank you, Scarlett," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Scarlett gave her a warm, reassuring smile. Rose wasn’t afraid of her crimson eyes anymore, but the two children avoided meeting Scarlett’s gaze, still fearful.

Scarlett’s gaze drifted to the mall compound’s exit. It’s only a matter of time for her to buy vehicles that would whisk them away. She then used her fire element in creating firecracker and shot it into the sky, the explosive crack ringing through the air.

Rose’s eyes widened, panic flickering across her face. "You’re going to get us killed!" she hissed, her voice barely a whisper. "How can you let us leave the mall only to hide here away from monsters. What if they sight us?"

"We’re waiting for the others," Scarlett explained calmly. "The firecracker is the signal they’ll know to start moving toward us."

"Oh my goodness! Others are still in the mall." Rose exclaimed at the realization and Scarlett nodded her head in confirmation.

Rose’s eyes were filled with worry, but Scarlett managed a faint smile, though she took was frightened.

"Do you think they’ll make it?" Rose asked, her voice trembling. "Can they handle the monsters on their own? I really don’t understand why we’re leaving the mall. It’s dangerous out here too."

Scarlett’s eyes turned crimson again ignoring Rose question, and the map materialized, showing her arrows representing Garvin and the others making their way through the mall and red arrows representing monsters.

"I really don’t understand you guys." Rose murmured under her breath, her gaze fixed on monsters who were still growling due to the fire works in the sky.

__________

Meanwhile, the other survivors Scarlett had left behind were geared up, each dressed in protective leather and armed with AK-47s slung across their shoulders. Garvin carried Hope, in a sling against his chest. Her small face pressed close to his, an oxygen mask strapped over her nose and mouth to keep her safe from the toxic air and also to reduce her cries.

Garvin moved to the window, his gaze scanning the outside for what felt like the hundredth time. Monsters prowled around, their razor-sharp teeth stained with blood, bits of flesh still lodged between them.

Turning away from the window, he joined the others. The small group, four in total, gathered at the door, each looking like a warrior heading into battle, though fear was etched on their faces.

"Alright we need to go on the count of three." Garvin said, his tone grave. The others nodded, though Mary and the Andersons looked reluctant.

Garvin begin the countdown. "Three...two...one..."