The upper floor had been completely cleared.
Blood stains were being wiped away.
The windows had been washed.
The last pieces of the bodies were being put into trash bags.
The lower floor was empty.
No zombies remained.
Only a heavy metallic smell…
And the thing people were feeling for the first time:
Temporary safety.
The repairmen were checking the railings.
The cooks were counting supplies in the restaurant kitchen.
The doctor couple was examining the wounded.
Karel leaned against the railing.
He looked down.
Emptiness.
Silence.
Boran came to his side.
"Isn't it strange?" he said.
"For the first time, no one is screaming."
Riven rested her spear on her shoulder.
"This much silence is not a good sign."
Karel spoke slowly.
"True."
The female doctor approached them.
"For now, the inside is safe," she said.
"There's no infection risk."
Karel nodded.
"Good."
The male doctor added:
"If we organize tomorrow, we can make this a permanent base."
Boran immediately reacted.
"Tomorrow?"
Karel replied.
"A watch system will be set up tonight."
While the cleaning continued, Karel gathered the remaining 25 people.
His voice was clear.
"If you want to stay here, there will be discipline."
"Your safety will be ensured."
"Food will be shared."
"Shelter will be arranged."
He paused for a moment.
"But my rules do not change."
"There will be night watch."
"No leaving the area without permission."
"No touching the food supplies."
"If I learn that you are hiding something…"
"You cannot stay here."
No one objected.
Because everyone had just seen what happened to the two thugs and the one who was bitten.
As the crowd dispersed, Boran spoke in a low voice.
"What now?"
Karel closed his eyes.
One second.
Just one second.
No one noticed.
But Boran and Riven knew.
The air trembled for a moment.
Then it returned to normal.
Riven asked quietly:
"Did you look again?"
Karel opened his eyes.
"At the surroundings."
Boran muttered.
"Outside?"
Karel gave a short answer.
"Yes."
No one else understood anything.
And no one would.
Night fell.
The lights were dimmed.
The watch list was written.
First shift: Boran and a repairman.
Riven was on the second round.
Karel appeared to retreat to rest.
But he did not sleep.
He stood in front of the window.
He looked outside.
In the distance, on the parking lot side, a vehicle's headlights turned on for a moment.
Then they went out.
Boran whispered:
"Did you see that?"
Karel replied.
"Yes."
"Not a zombie."
Riven frowned.
"A human?"
Karel spoke slowly.
"Yes."
And for the first time, his voice was slightly harder.
"That's worse."
Because zombies moved by instinct.
But humans…
They made plans.
And karmara Forum was no longer just a shelter.
It was a target.
Karel continued looking out the window.
In the darkness in the distance, another shadow moved.
This time it was clear.
It was armed.
And it was approaching the mall.