The image on the parking garage camera sharpened.
Five vehicles.
Two pick-ups.
One minibus.
Two black SUVs.
The engines stopped.
But no one got out.
The headlights were still on.
As if they were trying to see inside.
The mechanic muttered:
"Bro… these aren't ordinary civilians."
Boran narrowed his eyes.
"What if they're stronger than us?"
Riven straightened his shoulders.
"What if we're stronger?"
Karel was staring at the screen.
His face was calm.
But his eyes were calculating.
---
The vehicle doors opened at the same time.
Fifteen…
No.
Close to twenty people.
All armed.
Some were wearing old military vests.
One had a sniper rifle over his shoulder.
Boran whispered:
"Organized."
Karel tilted his head slightly.
"They're testing."
"Testing what?" said Riven.
"Whether there's someone inside."
---
A tall man stepped out of one of the SUVs.
His beard was neatly trimmed.
His face was dirty but orderly.
He had a megaphone in his hand.
He lifted it.
"ANYONE INSIDE!"
His voice echoed across the mall's facade.
Everyone on the food court floor flinched.
The female chef shivered.
"Did they see us?"
The male doctor tried to stay calm.
"Maybe they're guessing."
The voice came through the megaphone again.
"This place is under our control now. Do not resist. Food and ammunition will be distributed."
Boran grumbled:
"Damn, he says 'distribution' without shame."
Riven chuckled lightly.
"The word 'distribution' changed a lot after the apocalypse."
---
Karel didn't respond through the megaphone.
He simply zoomed the camera in.
He examined the man's eyes.
"He's the leader."
Boran asked,
"What do we do? Fight?"
"No."
Karel turned around.
"The entrances are sealed. They can't get in."
"They'll try," said Riven.
"Yes," said Karel.
"Let them."
---
Three of the men outside approached the main entrance.
They examined the gate barricaded with steel racks.
One tapped the glass with his rifle.
Another checked the pallets stacked with a forklift.
"Boss, they sealed this tight," said the mechanic.
Boran grinned.
"We didn't exactly half-do this."
---
Suddenly, a gunshot rang out.
From outside.
A bullet struck one corner of the glass but didn't penetrate.
The leader raised the megaphone again.
"You inside! You have five minutes!"
"Either you come out…"
"…or we come in."
Silence fell.
Boran clenched his teeth.
"Bro, they're serious."
Riven smiled faintly.
"Then let's be serious too."
---
Karel walked forward.
He reached the railing of the food court.
He looked down.
His eyes adjusted to the darkness.
Then he turned back.
"The plan doesn't change."
"We're not defending."
Boran raised his eyebrows.
"Then what are we doing?"
Karel smiled slightly.
"We're letting them in."
Everyone froze.
The female doctor, shocked:
"What?"
"Controlled."
"How exactly?" said Riven.
Karel fixed his eyes on the screen.
"Sometimes the hunter leaves the door open."
A metallic scraping sound came from the main entrance below.
The outsiders had brought a hydraulic jack.
They began forcing the gate.
Boran took a deep breath.
"This is about to get big."
Karel's eyes darkened.
"It was supposed to."
At that exact moment…
The sensor alarm at the parking ramp went off.
The mechanic shouted in panic:
"Boss! The real crowd is coming from the back!"
On the screen, dozens of shadows appeared.
And this time…
The ones coming weren't human.
A zombie horde.
End of chapter.