Description Mutagen

      A normal morning as it was supposed to be.

     Unfortunately, the foreshadows had gone unnoticed and Mark who just wanted to pay his electricity bill which was already by its due date was caught unprepared.

     Fortunately, or unfortunate for most people, the world started to plunge into chaos as zombies, infected, mutants, undead, messengers of hell, bringer of judgement, or whatever ridiculous names...

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     Ebook Updates(dot)Net

     .

     -3 Exallion“s Author Note

      In preparation, Keguan Please wait a moment, after the updates, you need to refresh the page to get the latest updates!

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     -2 The Infected

      [Eaters]

     - The slow moving zombies and the kind with the largest population. They were described as the moving dead in a literal manner. They mostly eat their victims and the victims that they ate turned into one of them as long as most parts of the body and head were intact. This resulted to disgusting and mangled bodied Eaters.

     Characteristics

     -Strong

     -Slow moving

     -Not subjected to pain

     -Highly sensitive to loud voices whether it be human or not

     -Dead

     [Biters]

     -The living infected. They had the second largest population among the zombies. They are fast and agile but their only goal was to infect and as such, most of their victims turn into biters with just a bite injury. They were highly hampered by their weaknesses as a living infected.

     Characteristics

     -Strong but with lower strength compared to Eaters

     -Fast and Agile

     -Infinite Stamina (Unconfirmed)

     -Highly subjected to pain

     -Could die even when head was not destroyed but turns into an Eater

     -Highly sensitive to any kind of noise

     -Primarily targets the exposed skin of their prey when attacking

     [Fat Mutant - Tentative]

     -A kind of mutated Biter but the cause for mutation was still unknown. There was a theory that obese people that got infected by a Biter had a possibility of turning them into one of these dangerous mutations. Its body continuously swell due to its body producing methane. Fumes of methane was being released by its body making it distinguishable when it was around. It was dangerous to shoot it or light a fire when this mutant was close by.

     Characteristics

     -Fat and Towering body

     -It's body swells until the limit of expansion was reached

     -Reaching the limit will cause it to release fumes of methane from its body

     -It's body Explodes when killed into a splatter of flesh and blood

     -Using fire or guns to kill it will trigger it to catch fire and explode releasing fire and charred flesh in a large radius

     [Horror Claw - Internet Given Name]

     -One of the first mutants and one of the zombie mutants that were taped in a video. It stands 8 feet tall and it's body had a very thin frame. Its nails were mutated into claws that was made of unknown matter. Its claws could even pierce through military issued bulletproof armors.

     Characteristics

     -8 feet tall

     -Skin and bones body

     -Fast enough to even evade bullets

     -???

     -???

     [The Charred]

     -Mutated Eaters that had parts of their bodies covered with charred substance that were thick and hard. The charred covers had cracks that showed a gel like liquid inside their bodies that had a similar appearance to a lit up charcoal. Their bodies were burning at high temperatures that the air around their bodies distorts.

     Characteristics

     -Slow due to the thick substance covering its body

     -Hard Armor

     -Bodies had very high temperatures

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     -1 Characters

      [Mark]

     -An Otaku, a gamer and a shut-in who got trapped in the middle of the outbreak after failing to pay the electrical bills of his house due to various reasons. He was a loner and a weird aura was around him due to his Cluster A personality disorder. He learned various things due to different circumstances he experienced and the jobs he worked before. He was an Empath and was able to detect emotional fluctuations of humans in a large radius. Mark could also control the release of adrenaline in his body giving him strength, speed and reflexes at a certain duration.

     -

     -

     [Freed]

     -Mark's other personality. There were some mysterious circumstances regarding this personality.

     -

     -

     [Xiao Mei]

     -The princess of Xiao Industries, one of the largest engineering, construction and land development company in the country that worked together with the government before the outbreak. She was shy and emotional due to her standing within her house. She never liked the way her family dictated what she should do with her life and wanted freedom. During the outbreak, the group of gangsters that had been targeting her managed to capture her and pushed her into despair before she was saved by Mark.

     -

     -

     [Abbygale]

     -An unusual child Mark found when he and Paula went to fetch medicine for the fever stricken Sariya. She chose Mark to be her Papa for some reason which Mark had to accept overtime. It turned out that she was Mutator.

     -

     -

     [Angeline Perez]

     -A 2nd year college student under the Business Management course. She had good fighting skills and unusual like to weapons and combat related things due to her father who was a General in the military. Naive and lively was the best traits to describe her personality. Mark really liked to tease and make fun of her due to her funny reactions.

     -

     -

     [Paula Mae Clarence]

     -A 2nd year college student under the Business Management course. She was highly talented in archery and known for being smart and observant. She was Angeline's childhood friend. Inherited from her mother that worked as a private investigator, she had the ability to see through lies of people she was talking to.

     -

     -

     [Charmaine Iveria]

     -One of Mark's closest friends before he detached himself from the society. Their relation ship was close enough and on par with being blood siblings.

     -

     -

     [Miguel Perez]

     -Angeline's father and a General in the military. He was in charge of the evacuation zone in Bay City. Strict and stern towards his men but loving and caring towards his family and his only daughter Angeline.

     -

     -

     [Teresa Cruz]

     -Angeline's future Older sister-in-law and a head medic within the military.

     -

     -

     [Laura Puno]

     -A Teresa's friend and call center agent who became a volunteer in the Information, Relief and Rescue Department set up by the military. Had a lively personality but calm and collected during times of crisis.

     -

     -

     [Fernan Enaje]

     -One of the Enaje trio who were cousins and employees of the City Mall. He was the tallest and most fit of the three. It was a secret that a few and Mark knew but he had a mild gynophobia towards beautiful women.

     -

     -

     [James Enaje]

     -One of the Enaje trio who were cousins and employees of the City Mall. He was the shortest of the three. After Mark put end to his and another survivor's quarrel, he became submissive to Mark and happily obeyed his orders.

     -

     -

     [Rico Enaje](Deceased)

     -One of the Enaje trio who were cousins and employees of the City Mall. Not much was known about him as he died during the incident at the TechZone.

     -

     -

     [Reyah Ismail]

     -A Muslim mother that Paula and Angeline helped during their escape. She was a loving mother that even the unsociable Mark commended her for.

     -

     -

     [Sariya Ismail]

     -Reyah's daughter who fell sick as implication due to what happened during their escape before Mark saved them.

     -

     -

     [Bernard Macaraeg]

     -One of the utility workers the Mark's group encountered at the rooftop of the City Mall. He was popular with the employees and was a father figure to them.

     -

     -

     [Joseph Macaraeg]

     -Bernard's son and one of the utility workers the Mark's group encountered at the rooftop of the City Mall. He had a capricious and reckless personality. His was highly subjected to his emotions and causing trouble due to it.

     -

     -

     [Calvin Roxas]

     -One of the utility workers the Mark's group encountered at the rooftop of the City Mall. He was a man of few words unless he was talking to Mark who he took a liking due to his personality.

     -

     -

     [Ella Roses]

     -One of the clerks that work at a store inside the TechZone of the City Mall. She was one of the leading figures among the employees.

     -

     -

     [Breandan Rivera]

     -A college student at a Japanese Oriented College in Bacoor City. Mark and Paula found him with Julie during the time they went to the first floor to find medicine.

     -

     -

     [Julie Dantes]

     -A college student at a Japanese Oriented College in Bacoor City. Mark and Paula found him with Breandan during the time they went to the first floor to find medicine.

     -

     -

     [Jannette dela Rosa]

     -A college student at a Japanese Oriented College in Bacoor City. She was Julie's best friend. Unfortunately, Mark found her as Biter during the time Mark was scouting the back corridors of the Bacoor City Mall.

     -

     -

     [Odelina Nadasia]

     -The Bone Armored Mutant, a Failed Mutator. She caused the massacre at the basement parking after she mutated and lost control of herself. Her berserk state caused her the life of her husband and she almost killed her two children. Under some circumstances, and with Freed's help, she regained herself and pledged to serve under Mark's orders.

     -

     -

     [Siegfried Nadasia]

     -Odelina's son and the older twin brother of Odette. His body had evolved to have higher regeneration due to the wound that his mother gave him during her berserk period.

     -

     -

     [Odette Nadasia]

     -Odelina's daughter and the younger twin sister of Siegfried. Her body had evolved to have higher regeneration due to the wound that her mother gave him during her berserk period.

     -

     -

     [Prof. Isaach Co]

     -A biology scientist under the government and the head of research at Bay City Evacuation Zone.]

     -

     -

     [Nia Co]

     -An orphan and one of the two victims of the Meteorite incident 6 years before the apocalypse. She gained the ability to control and cool the moisture in the surroundings to create ice at will. She was later adopted by Prof. Isaach Co.

     -

     -

     [Allen Co]

     -An orphan and one of the two victims of the Meteorite incident 6 years before the apocalypse. He gained the ability to able to see and react to the fastest moving objects on his sight. He could even see a sniper bullet and dodge it as long as he could see the source of the bullet. He was later adopted by Prof. Isaach Co.

     -

     -

     [Cong. Lanie Villa]

     -The congresswoman of District 2 of Bacoor before the outbreak. She was known as one of the most decent politicians in the country before the outbreak. Mark's group met her in the City Hall of Bacoor while looking for Charmaine.

     -

     -

     [Chief Eusebio Mallari]

     -The current chief of the Bacoor PNP.

     -

     -

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     1 Prelude to Apocalypse

      9:27 AM, Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, Bacoor City, Cavite, Philippines

     "Haaa….."

     Mark climbed up the stairs of an overpass while sighing. He sighed not because he is disappointed or feeling down but rather, he feel too annoyed that he could punch someone and can't do anything about it.

     He needed to pay his electricity bill which is due by today. He really isn't the type of person to go out too much and if it's is not for the bill being due today, he would still be relaxing at home. To finish things fast and go home, he decided to go to the distribution office as early as possible making him wake up by 6:00 AM and he left before 7:00 AM.

     Due to traffic, it's already past 8:00 AM when he arrived at the office. Lucky enough, there are just four people who came before him. So he thought that he would be able to go home early, but as if just toying with him, no number was called for quite some time.

     More and more people arrived as time passed by but not a single transaction was made since the office opened this morning.

     Mark is getting impatient but he can't just leave the payment for another day or it would be likely that his house won't have electricity by tomorrow. The other customers also started complaining and asked the staff passing by every now and then.

     As he looked around, he noticed the staff getting flustered about something. Many of them are going back and forth as they discussed their work with unnerved expressions.

     At 9:27 AM, the issue was finally disclosed to the customers.

     "Our apologies but there seemed to be problems with our system. Transactions will get delayed until we fix the issues."

     The branch manager explained.

     As the other customers asked more questions, the issue seemed to be on the main office's side making the branch manager unsure of when the transactions would be continued.

     Without any other choices left, the annoyed customers left the office while grumbling about the time they wasted while waiting.

     The frustrated Mark also left while thinking of checking the office back later in the afternoon. He can't delay the payment for another day after all. But if things didn't go well, he might spend some days without electricity at home and also needed to pay a reconnection fee.

     "How troublesome…"

     He grumbled under his breath as he walked on the overpass.

     Since he needed to pass time anyway, he decided to spend it at the city mall a few blocks away. He might as well play some arcade while at it. He needed to cool his head after all.

     Still, he needed to wait until the mall opens at 10:00.

     ***

     Mark walked down the stairs of the overpass and left towards the direction of the mall. Maybe because he is too frustrated or maybe because he didn't really go to this place too much, he did not notice.

     Before he walked up the stairs, there are too many people walking towards the same direction. When he was walking across the over pass where the view of the area is wider, the heavy traffic is rather way heavier than usual. The annoying sounds of car horns never ceased as the drivers of the cars stuck in the traffic expressed their annoyance.

     What is stranger is that the heavy traffic only affected the northbound side of the highway while the other side had its flow of traffic going smoothly.

     And no one would ever notice. That almost all of the cars moving southbound actually came from branching roads and the actual cars coming from the other end of the highway are very scarce. Furthermore, the cars coming from that direction are driving at very high speeds unbefitting the tight space of the highway.

     ***

     10:04 AM Emilio Aguinaldo Highway Cr. Tirona Highway

     An impatient jeepney driver can't wait anymore and tried to counter-flow towards the opposite lane of the highway as he tried to overtake the cars in front of him. It is then when a city bus from the northern end of the highway came at very high speed. As the traffic at this side of the road is going smoothly, the bus managed to avoid accidents despite how dangerous the speed it had took.

     Unfortunately, the jeepney took its action at the moment the bus is coming.

     Before the jeepney could even totally leave its lane, the bus that did not even tried to avoid, crashed against the jeepney. The jeepney with its totally crushed front half was pushed strongly and crashed again at the cars behind it while the bus, due to the force from impact, was sent flying and rolled on its side several times crashing everything, other cars and people, before finally crashed unto another bus halting its onslaught.

     The event is totally horrifying to everyone who witnessed it. Dozens of cars are involved in the accident as the torn off metal parts littered the road along with the bodies of the unlucky people.

     Many of the witnesses felt their knees go weak and some pulled their eyes away from the grotesque appearance of the dead bodies. The shock and fear they felt as they watch everything happen can't be explained with just a few words.

     Those with clearer minds immediately took out their phones to frantically call for help. Unfortunately, for some strange reason that no one here knew about, all their heard from their phones are beeping sounds as no one was actually able to connect their calls from the emergency hotlines they knew.

     The flow of cars totally stopped and the people started gathering around the site of the accident. Those who took out their phones to call for help continued trying while others started taking pictures and videos.

     It is then that…

     "Hey look!"

     No one knew who shouted but everyone's attention was called unto the wreckage that can't even be recognized as a bus anymore. It is because…

     Even if they are crawling, staggering and moving slowly, even wounded and broken bones protruding out of their bodies, the passengers emerged from that bus.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     Ebook Updates . Net

     .

     2 Zombies?

      10:06 AM - Bacoor City Mall 2nd Floor

     Mark slumped on a bench as thought of how this day is just too unlucky for him. First, he was unable to pay his electricity bill early so he decided to play at the arcade center in this mall to pass time but who knew that the arcade is closed?

     Furthermore, there is no sign that it is being renovated or something like that. It is just closed despite the fact that the mall is already past its opening hours.

     Still, he can't help but notice that the arcade center isn't the only one, rather about half of the stores he passed through earlier are closed and some are just barely open.

     Many of the mall employees he saw had worried expressions as they held on their phones while some are even trying to make calls despite the fact that they are on their working hours.

     He breathes deeply as to calm himself down. There is really nothing he can do about these circumstances. He can only blame his luck.

     Still, the atmosphere was surprisingly heavy. As if something horrible is happening somewhere and was affecting everything.

     "I just hope it's nothing too troublesome."

     Disregarding everything else in his mind, he stood up and made his way towards a stall selling drinks not far away from him.

     "BAM!"

     As he paid and received the bottle of soda from the clerk, a loud explosion-like sound coming from below disturbed everyone's mind. Others might not be sure of what caused the sound but Mark exactly what should be the source of it.

     That was a gunshot. To be exact, it is the sound of a shotgun firing.

     The gunshot was then followed by loud terrified screams.

     Everyone from the upper floors that heard the sounds coming from the first floor grew curious as to what is happening. They moved towards the terrace trying to have a view of the commotion below.

     What they saw left them speechless. Mark also watched as he took a sip of his soda. The people below ran away in fear as they screamed. Some pushed the ones in front of them just to get away faster while others pulled their companions who ran slower.

     As the people below scrambled in panic and the people on the floors above watched, the gunshots in the background continued at different intervals.

     Yelling, screams, curses and gunshots… there is a lot of noise that can be heard but what is the cause of these scene?

     "Just what is going on?"

     A man near Mark voiced the sole question on everyone's mind at the moment.

     At first, what all they could see are the people running away from the eastern side of the mall. As the people running away got fewer in number, the sounds of gunshots get closer and closer below them. Soon enough, the security guards of the mall who were firing their guns entered their views as they shoot at something as they retreat backwards as fast as they can.

     Though the people watching from above are terrified by the gunshots, their curiosity got them better as many stayed and watched intently. Those who were cautious and scared enough already left to find a way to hide or escape the place.

     "Shit! What the hell are these things?!"

     Mark heard a guard just below him curse with a very loud voice. This just showed how overwhelmed the guard under his own emotions.

     It is then another guard who is reloading his gun fell down as he screamed, no, rather than falling down, he was pounced on as another person is currently above his helpless body attacking him.

     "F*ck! George!"

     "Clank!"

     The guard who Mark heard cursing just earlier shouted as his companion got attacked. He aimed his gun at the attacker to shoot but all he heard is the clanking sound of his gun. He is also out of ammo!

     Panicked, he shakily reached at his pocket to take out some bullets from his gun. Some bullets fell out of his pocket while he attempted to reload his shotgun with the ammunition he just took out. Unfortunately, he is late.

     Before he could even close the cartridge of his shotgun, the loudest and final scream of his companion is heard. He froze as he slowly raised his head looking at the bloody corpse of the other guard. The attacker mercilessly tore his neck as he or it chewed hungrily at the chunk of the fallen guards flesh on its mouth.

     Filled with rage, the guard held his weapon tight as he ran towards the fallen guard and shot the attacker on the head without mercy. The attacker's head blew up like a balloon being shot at pointblank with a shotgun.

     He just killed the attacker as he looked at his dead companion with remorse. Then he felt severe pain on his back as the floor got closer and closer in his eyes. Only unknown pain and confusion filled his mind as his sight slowly faded to black.

     By the moment the first guard died, the people watching were totally terrified. Like bats disturbed from sleeping in their caves, the people ran away in every direction finding ways to escape. Those who had weaker stomach ran away with pale faces leaving traces of vomit on their initial spot.

     As the people around him scattered away in fear, Mark was remained standing in his spot near the terrace as he watched the second guard being bitten brutally. He then saw the body of the guard who died first move and stood up while staggering, with his head hung to the side revealing the eaten part of his neck dripping in blood. Mark had his brows furrowed but on contrary, his eyes had a slight twinkle of excitement in them and his lips slightly curved in a smile he never showed before.

     "Zombies?" He said but no one around him heard what he said.

     If anyone was to hear his voice as he said that, they would likely notice that his voice isn't filled with fear but rather, is filled with anticipation.

     Taking his sight away from the scene below, he looked at the people who are making their way down in panic. All the escalators and stairs are filled with people. He spotted several students in the middle of the crowed, though their uniforms slightly got his attention, he only looked at them for a second.

     Trying to measure the situation one last time, he turned his head back to the scene below. The staggering zombie guard is already gone while the body of other guard lying on the floor started twitching. Around the guard are bloody figures of people either staggering as they walked or some that are even running at the speed faster than how their physiques are showing.

     Mark started to move, but not following the waves of people escaping from the mall and are rushing down the escalator. He rushed towards the stall were he bought drinks earlier. Seeing that the clerk of the stall had already gone, he picked up a plastic bag and started filling it with snacks and drinks. It is then that he ran the opposite direction countering the flow of people and climbed the escalators going up towards the third floor.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     3 The Third Floor

      Mark reached the third floor after weaving off his way up the escalator because despite the fact that the escalator is actually goes up many people traversed the escalator to go down to the lower floors.

     As he looked around, there's barely anyone left that wanted to go down in panic. Still, there are people who are standing here and there watching the panicked people with a confused expression on their faces. Most of these people wore uniforms bearing logos of shops located here at the third floor.

     Being the only person going up the escalator, the confused people on the third floor immediately saw him as he arrived. The ones close to Mark immediately approached him.

     "Excuse me. Do you know what is going on?"

     The one that asked was a man wearing a polo-shirt with a logo of a phone brand. Actually, they tried asking those people who ran down as they heard the commotion outside their shops but no one bothered answering their questions and just ignored them.

     Looking at the people asking him, Mark just answered one word which bewildered them.

     "Zombies."

     "Hey! You are joking right?"

     Of course, no one will believe an answer like that which is said in a calm and expressionless way. The other people that just arrived also heard the exchange between Mark and the man and surely, they did not believe him.

     With an annoyed expression in his face, Mark answered with discontentment.

     "Everyone else is already running away, do you think I have the time to joke with you?"

     Mark just finished talking when he immediately turned his head behind as screams, louder and closer, entered his ears.

     "Tsk!"

     Mark immediately turned around and ran past the people who also moved to look over the terrace of the third floor. During the short moment that he was held up to answer the man's questions, the situation below turned grave. The people who were previously scrambling in panic to go down and escape out of the mall are now running up the stairs and escalators with the zombies on their tail!

     Furthermore, not all the zombies chasing their prey are your everyday zombies that was slow moving and walks sluggishly, some of the zombies are like rabid beasts, moving fast and pounces toward their prey at any given chance! The people who lagged behind as they flee easily fallen victim to these fast moving zombies! Blood splashed as the bodies of the victims are disgustingly mangled behind their screams of help.

     The ones on the third floor revealed looks of horror and their faces were drained of their color. Many felt nauseated as some vomited after looking away at the gruesome scene below. They soon remembered the person who just climbed up earlier and what he answered to their questions.

     They looked around to find Mark just to see him a little far away twisting off the metal part of a mop and taking its wooden handle and waving it like a staff. Seeing what Mark is doing, the thought popped up on their blanked and panicked minds.

     "Weapons! Find weapons!"

     A man in the crowd shouted. Everyone snapped from their stupors and many scrambled away looking for anything they can use as weapons.

     Only those who was weaker especially women and children were left with their legs shaking. They don't know what to do. Are they really going to fight? The scene of carnage replayed on their minds as their bodies shook. The children started crying as they heard the chilling screams from below.

     Mark saw these people who were frozen in their place. Shaking his head, he approached them with a cold demeanor. They can only stare at him as he approached. He then looked at a woman on the verge of tears who was wearing a uniform with a logo of a PC Brand.

     Seeing Mark looking at the woman, a man with a short build immediately returned and blocked him by standing in front of the woman.

     "What do you want to do?!"

     The man spoke warily. Mark looked at the man and saw that he was also wearing a uniform with the same logo. Seeing the logo, Mark did not bother with the woman anymore.

     Pointing at the entrance of the mall's TechZone behind him with his thumb over his shoulder, Mark spoke.

     "Those steel shutters there. You know how to close them?"

     The man saw Mark looking at the logo on his uniform and sighed in relief that Mark didn't have any ill intentions. Being in this type of work for a long time, he had gone sharp at observing people and he knew that Mark approached his co-employee because their shop is located at the very corner of the TechZone's entrance.

     And in response to Mark's question, he nodded.

     "Then bring these people and children and close the shutters at the other entrance. Hmm, just pull that one halfway down for now. We can use the TechZone as refuge ones the zombies reach the third floor."

     Hearing what Mark said the eyes of the man and those weaker people behind him along with the children lit up. Without further ado, they hurried towards the TechZone and followed Mark's instructions.

     The ones who scattered around to find weapons also saw what happened as they looked at Mark with respect. Though this person looked cold and exudes an aura that deterred people away from him, he showed a calm demeanor and looked for options that they, who panicked, won't be able to immediately think of.

     When they went and looked around for weapons in a hurry, they can only think of fighting to fend themselves despite the fact that they also felt too scared to do so. They saw what happened below, once the monsters below reach this floor, if they can't fight, they will also get eaten. Now, Mark opened another option that they don't need to fight to survive.

     Many of them immediately hurried to follow the ones that entered the TechZone only to hear Mark shouting at them.

     "You people, where do you think you are going?"

     Hearing the shout, they can't help but stop, confused.

     "What do you mean? We also want to get in there and hide! Why are you stopping us?"

     A man voiced his discontent.

     "These idiots."

     Mark murmured, then, he looked above the terrace once more before replying.

     "We still have time, go to the other shops and carry anything you guys think we can use before going there. Especially food and water, we need those unless you want to starve to death in there."

     Mark voiced his concerns with a commanding tone which made these men feel annoyed but they can't refute as what he said is rational. Abandoning the thought of running away for now, they entered the shops juts to get out carrying boxes containing an assortment of things.

     Unfortunately though, as the third floor mostly has shops for tech stuff and sports gear, shops that sells food are almost none existent except for several small food stalls.

     A clever employee of the mall took a few of his co-workers and ran towards the southern wing of the mall as fast as possible. In a few minutes, they came back with several boxes of junk food and cases of cold drinks with a few more people in tow. Mark who ran into a sports gear store saw them and his eyes lit up. It seemed that these guys went to raid the snack bar at the cinema area.

     Mark who entered the sports store a few minute when and had gone out carrying a large sports bag strapped on his shoulder and a metal baseball bat on his right hand. The handle of the mop is nowhere to be found though, he left it in the store as the metal bat is more convenient to use at this situation.

     But as he went out of the store, his eye caught a movement by his right side and turned by reflex. What he saw made him broke into cold sweat.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     Ebook Updates(dot)Net

     .

     4 The Neck to Neck Encounters

      To his right, there is a man wearing a white uniform running towards him like there is no tomorrow with a shotgun is swaying on his side. The problem is this person's clothes are almost turned red because of blood and there is a bite sized chunk of flesh missing on his neck. Another step is all it took and the man lunged at him like a hungry beast.

     Even though he broke into cold sweat, his reflexes did not betray him. Stepping sideways, he dodged the zombie's pounce and while it is still mid-air in front of him, he gave it a heavy swing of his bat coming from above. The bat missed the zombie's head but directly hit the nape of its neck.

     Cracking sounds of bones being broken creepily entered Mark's ears as the heavy metal bat made contact. The impact halted the momentum of its pounce directly hitting the floor with its neck bent back more than it normally would be able to.

     Giving out a few twitches, it almost stopped moving. Why almost? Because its head is still moving! Mark's counter attack broke its neck bones severing all its ability to move its body but still, its brain remained intact and as such, its head is still 'alive'.

     The head glared at Mark like it is looking at its prey growling angrily with its bloody mouth despite its condition.

     Mark on the other hand glared back at the zombie but he is actually trying to get used to the sensation he felt just now. Even if Mark did not hesitate to give it killing blow, it is still the first time he actually tried to kill in real life. In video games, killing is an everyday matter as a large variety of games work by the system of killing enemies, be it be humans or monsters.

     Also the feeling of being close to death is suffocating. After all, it truly is a close one. If his instincts did not kick in, just getting pounced on isn't the end of it.

     The sensation of being near death and killing in real life is totally different. Mark is actually shivering and his heart is pounding loudly as he tried to hold his bat tighter. Getting a few mouthfuls of air, he made himself calm down.

     He glared at the familiar zombie laid on the floor in front of him. It was familiar since he saw this person just a while ago. Failing to reload his gun on time, he got bitten on his neck by a zombie that pounced on him. It was the guard on the first floor earlier whose corpse vanished when Mark was not looking. As evidence, the unloaded shotgun that still had its chamber open lay beside it while still being strapped around its body.

     This zombie guard has no other injury aside from the bite that he got earlier and the broken neck inflicted by Mark. This way, Mark was able to assure himself that like how it is in the movies. A single bite from a zombie can turn a person into one.

     As time is very important, Mark decided to continue mulling over these things later. He raised his bat once more and mercilessly swung it on the head of the guard. The smell of iron scattered in the air as blood splashed on the floor.

     Mark gave his bat another swing to the side to get rid of the blood on it and kicked over the body to make it lay on its back. Covering his right hand with a handkerchief, he carefully removed one end of the strap of the shotgun and pulled the shotgun off the guard's body. He then detached the buckle of the guard's belt and also gave it a pull taking the heavy duty security belt away.

     Giving the contents of the larger bag behind the belt a quick look, he smiled as he took out several shotgun bullets fully reloading the shotgun he just took. He then buckled the belt around his waist as everything inside the pockets connected to the belt contain necessary stuffs like small flashlight on the first right pocket and the two way radio next to it. He just wished that the radio isn't broken after being carried by a zombie who would pounce and jump here and there.

     Without further ado, not even giving the dead guard another glance, he ran towards the direction of the TechZone. It is because he already heard several screams at the third floor!

     Three people gathering supplies in the east wing of the mall are running away screaming as they are being chased by a fast moving zombie. Further behind, there are more zombies that are following as they stagger.

     Still, he commended these people in his mind. They did not want to fight as they were afraid. Still, as they ran away, they never had the impulse to throw away the supplies they gathered.

     They are actually running away pushing two carts with several boxes of food on it!

     As Mark who isn't that far away, since the sports store he just left is located at the southern wing near central area of the mall, saw this, he did not hesitate and ran towards the trio.

     Seeing Mark holding a gun run towards them to help, the trio was elated. They are afraid of fighting this fast moving zombie and more zombies are coming from behind them. Still, they didn't want to leave the food they found with their efforts. They are lucky their job is to restock food at the stalls so they knew where they left their carts before. They found the carts and also emptied the stall they are about to restock earlier but before they can take everything, they saw zombies climbed the escalators unsteadily with fast one leading in front.

     "Continue running!"

     Mark ran past the three and shouted. Of course, the three wouldn't dare stop even if he didn't say this.

     He then stopped running not far from the zombie rushing at him. Seeing the zombie, Mark thought how lucky those three was. If was a normal fast running zombie, the three couldn't have made it but the zombie running after them actually only had one foot! At the part where its left ankle should be is only a stump of flesh dripping with blood. There is no doubt that this is a zombie to the same standard as the guard he killed earlier but it is gravely hindered by its disability.

     As the zombie tried its best rushing at him, Mark held the metal bat on his left hand and pulled out the shotgun with his right hand. As he found a gun, he is actually itching to try shooting it. This shotgun maybe short bodied but it still did not lack a good punch. A gun is just one in the list of an Otaku's most wanted items.

     He stepped his left foot backward turning his body to the side as his right hand aimed the shotgun forward. As a gamer, he knew a lot about the guns recoils so he aimed the gun at the approaching zombie's chest even though he wanted to hit its head.

     BANG!

     Mark felt his right arm go numb after pulling the trigger while blood of the zombie splashed everywhere. The zombie's head flew off the terrace and its body was pushed about a step back before it slumped on the floor. Despite it was shot with a shotgun, the body was not impacted enough to push it back as wasn't directly hit with the gunfire…

     …on its neck…

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     Ebook Updates.Net

     .

     5 Panic and Confusion

      "Damn it! Why the neck again?!"

     Mark lamented as the shot missed his intended target. Still, he managed to do what he needed to do anyway. Furthermore, the stray slugs from the shot flew off passed through the zombie riddling the other zombies behind with holes.

     He didn't actual experience in using guns prior to this event and the things he knew are knowledge that he picked up in the internet and video games. Since that is the case and is not that confident with his arm strength to endure the recoil he aimed at the zombie's chest so as the recoil kicks in and raises the barrel due to the force will still make the shot hit the zombie's head.

     But contrary to his thinking, the recoil did not pull the shotgun up too much. Maybe because the gun's recoil is weaker than he expected or his arm can handle the recoil the gun shot created.

     The trio who are quite a distance already stopped when they heard the gunshot and looked a Mark in awe. They then saw mark retreat towards them quickly so they also continued running away.

     Mark did not dare linger any longer and shot off towards the trio. The zombies already reached the eastern wing of this floor and he can also saw survivors screaming as they climbed the escalators and stairs at the central area from his position.

     As the three are pushing heavy carts of food, Mark managed to catch up to them quickly. They then saw the situation at the central area.

     People from the lower floors who managed to survive came flocking up to this floor. They are screaming and pushing each other. Some can't help but fall down as they are pushed around. Some of the survivors who whore light colored clothes are particularly eye-catching as they escape clutching their dirty shoe printed bodies in pain.

     Still, the numbers were considerably lower compared to the number of people who ran away escaping before when Mark is still at the second floor of the mall.

     The people who never left the third floor tried their best at directing the people but only few of the panicked survivors from below paid attention to them while most didn't even try to listen as they scattered trying to find refuge on their own.

     The woman who Mark tried to approach earlier started helping the survivors who were carrying their children and pointing towards the TechZone. It is then a fat man who was perspiring and panting heavily knocked down the woman.

     "Get out of the way!"

     The fat man shouted and ran away leaving a few curses, behind him, a man with burly stature wearing a suit and sunglasses followed.

     Seeing how these idiots run around like rats being chased away from their nests, Mark frowned.

     "Ahhhh!!! Help me!"

     The man who was last to climb the escalator screamed as a zombie managed to catch up to him and drag him down the escalator. His scream did not last long and became muffled as he fell down the escalator struggling to free himself, together with the zombie that caught him and the zombies climbing behind them.

     This might be a depressing sight but it can only be called that the person is unfortunate as he met his end before even anyone managed to help him. Though by the looks of it, no one really bothered to as everyone frantically try to escape.

     Still, the man's death bought some more time for the people on the floor.

     As Mark and the trio reached the central area, several more screams sounded coming from the western wing of the floor.

     Everyone stopped as they saw about a dozen people running from that direction and behind them, several fast zombies chasing them.

     The survivors who just made it to this floor grimaced seeing that they were surrounded and the ones who were giving their efforts to help don't know what to do either.

     At this moment, Mark looked around him. Shaking his head, he proceeded and took the liberty to command the three behind him.

     "You two, bring those carts inside, and you…"

     He looked at the most fit looking of the three and pointed at a wall several meters away.

     "Get that fire extinguisher and follow behind me."

     Drawing his gun from his side once more, Mark took off towards the direction of the survivors from the west wing while the three followed his orders without hesitation.

     The two switched to pulling their carts and carefully waved through the confused people. Seeing the amount of food on the carts the two is pulling with them, the people who are initially here in this floor was pulled awake from their stupor. The others who searched for supplies only managed to get a few plastic bags or small boxes of food but the carts of the two has several large boxes.

     Mark also waved through the people while the guy carrying a fire extinguisher followed behind him. As he passed along the woman who fell down, he stopped for a bit.

     "Get inside already and only take the ones who are listening, as for the others, leave them if they continue with their stupidity."

     "But-"

     "No buts, hurry up, we are losing time here. If the zombies managed to enter the TechZone, then forget about surviving. I don't really care too much about you guys dying so its up to you."

     Without waiting for another reply, he continued running. The guy behind him also heard what Mark said but said nothing. Right now he is only following Mark's orders.

     The woman left behind hesitated a bit as she looked at the back of the two. In the end she looked at the survivors who were in despair. She bit her lip and shouted. Though she still held the notion of saving these people what Mark said to her makes sense. As she shouted her previous concerned tone as she tried to help these people are now changed into a commanding voice.

     "Those who wanted to live, follow us quick! Otherwise, became food of those monsters right now!"

     Then she left pulling her co-employees with her. Her co-workers were also surprised at her behavior and only took another look at the people who watched her leave before following her.

     The survivors looked dumbfounded for a short moment before what the woman said sink into their minds. Everyone immediately scrambled as they followed after the woman's group. Among the people, the fat man shamelessly bulldozed himself through the people in front of him and shamelessly followed behind the woman who he just pushed away earlier.

     After everyone entered, the woman's group remained beside the entrance and only closed the shutters half-way waiting for Mark and the survivors he is saving.

     It is then…

     "What are bastards doing?! Close that door already!"

     The fat man shouted as he panted with spittle flying out of his mouth.

     "What are you talking about?! We still have people outside! And who are you even to tell us what to do?!"

     One of the employees guarding the entrance shouted back.

     "I don't care about them! Hurry up and close that damn door before those monsters gets in!"

     Infuriated, the employees guarding the entrance prepared to teach this fat bastard a lesson but they can only step back with pale faces before they can even move a step forward.

     In front of the fat man, the man wearing a suit and glasses stood pointing a pistol at the employees.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     6 The Survivors from the West Wing

      From west wing of the third floor, a group of people despaired as they ran away from the group of fast zombies' ferocious chase.

     Among the group, two college girls wearing their school uniform held their hands together as they gave their best to not lag behind the group.

     It is because…

     Those who lagged behind are the first ones to be eaten.

     When they managed to finally get to the this floor after a lot of hardships, there is about a dozen of them running away but with the relentless chase of the zombies behind, they are picked up and eaten one by one.

     Right at this moment, there is only seven people left running away. Then can only bit their lips, close their ears and steel their hearts as they hear the cries of help, fear and pain of those who were caught and eaten.

     The girls' hearts had already grown cold to this. They held their hands together without letting go assuring each other of their existence. They felt that once one of them let go, they totally fell into despair.

     Just this morning, they are happily chatting with their friends in school, complaining about their schedule for today which are all math related subjects except for the first period and all those subjects is handled by a single instructor.

     That is then that they learned that their instructor for the whole day is absent and none of the instructors present know why. Their whole class thought they are fortunate to not have classes and together with a few friends, they decided to go to the City Mall to play and pass time.

     It's all fun and games even though many shops are closed for unknown reason. They bought and ate fast food, laughed as they chatted while eating.

     But who would think that…

     It is the last time they would laugh and eat together.

     Things fell into chaos as they heard the gunshots and the screams. Not even finishing their food, they decided to escape out of the mall.

     Together with their friends, all eight of them ran along with all the people escaping. But their escape failed horribly when the exit they wanted to go through is actually the entrance to hell. Fast running zombies entered in frenzy past through that supposed exit trapping everyone who wanted to go out and escape.

     Then, a sequence of horrible, sad, infuriating, disappointing and unfortunate events happened. In the end out of all the people in their group, only the two of them are left and managed to reach this hopeless point in their lives.

     They can only run together with these people who are in the same circumstances.

     Then, the group was shined with a little bit of hope as they saw a quite larger group of people further away on the direction they are running.

     They heard them shouting as they seem to be directed by some people. Even though that group is far away, they knew, all of them ran into the same direction like they found salvation.

     Why did they know that? The answer is because it is the only thing they hope to find at this moment that they are being chased by death itself.

     Now, in the minds of every single person in this small group of survivors, a similar goal sprouted. It is to follow that large group of people into safety.

     The only question now is if their pursuers would let them.

     But of course, that won't happen in the slightest. And not only that, for some reason, the pursuit of the zombies behind them became more and more aggressive.

     "Ahhhh! Help me! No! NO!! NO!!!STOP!!! AHHHHH!!!"

     Another man who was in the tail of the group was caught. Several zombies pounced on him and tore his skin with their mouths and tore his stomach with their nails creating a bloody scene of human flesh and guts while the man screamed to his death.

     Unfortunately, the even with the man's death did not lessen the pressure this group is undergoing. Not all the zombies stopped to take a bite at the man and continued their relentless pursuit of the remaining people.

     They ran and ran with the fastest they could, none of them even have the slightest intent to look behind them as they feared to. Still, they could hear the hungry growls that crave for their flesh draw closer and closer.

     They looked forward, towards the people escaping from afar. It is then that they noticed two figures separating from the group going towards their direction.

     "Help! Please! Help us!"

     A man running in front can't help but call out as they saw the two figures.

     The two figures, the two men ran towards them both carrying something in their hands. As the two came closer, they finally saw what they are carrying. The person running in front held a shotgun with his right hand and a baseball bat with his left while the other person in the back held a fire extinguisher.

     They felt elated as the thought of the incoming help entered their minds.

     "AHHHHH!!!"

     But before they can raise their hopes up, another anguished shout echoed into their ears. The fastest one of the zombies managed catch up and pounced on the back of the last man running behind the group.

     The remaining people didn't try to help of course but the two girls can't help but stop when two more voices of panic sounded from behind them.

     "AHHH! What are you doing! Let go!"

     "Ouch! Mommy! Wahhh!"

     The two girls looked behind them and saw the man who just shouted in fear as he was pounced on. He did not cry in pain as the zombie over his back bit the flesh on his shoulder and instead, with a crazed expression in his face and bloodshot eyes, his right hand tightly clutched on the left foot of the woman who was running in front of him.

     "Help me or I won't let go!"

     The man's voice started to go hoarse as all sanity left his mind. He will die if no one helped him, and if so, then he wouldn't let himself die alone!

     The woman tried pulling her leg out of the man's hand but it was like a clamp that tightly clenched her foot without letting go.

     A step away in front of the woman, a girl about three to four years old sat as she started crying because of both pain and fear.

     The woman carried her daughter as she ran but as she fell down because of the man grabbing her foot and her daughter was thrown away to the floor in front of her.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     Ebook Updates.Net

     .

     7 The Shot He Wanted to Make

      As the woman continued trying to tug her leg off the man's grasp, she saw the man's head slowly slump down the puddle of his blood on the floor. She thought that it was a chance for her to escape but to her horror, the man's grasp actually tightened even more.

     After the man had totally gone quiet, the zombie stopped biting at the man's neck and shot a sudden fierce stare at the trapped woman accompanied by snapping sounds of bones on its neck due to the quick turn of its head. It started adjusting its body trying to pounce at the woman who now burst into tears due to fear.

     "Paula! Take the child!"

     One of the two schoolgirls shouted as she burst into a sprint charging at the zombie. The girl called Paula hesitated a little before running after her friend.

     Seeing the sprinting girl coming over, the zombie changed its target and quickly lunged towards the girl.

     After two uncontrolled lunges, the zombie sped past the woman and the child and jump strongly at it pounced at the girl.

     The girl stopped for a moment as she saw the zombie jump at her. She brought her right foot behind to gain momentum and then mercilessly swung her right leg upwards with all the force she can release hitting right in the middle of the zombie's neck and chin. The zombie who is in the midst of its attack spun a sling flip to the air backwards at it flew back for about three meters and had an unsightly landing on the floor.

     Two more zombies from behind fell as one got its feet swiped by the flying zombie while the third stepped unstably on the first two zombies and also fell down.

     With that little time she managed to get, she immediately pried the dead man's hand away. Unfortunately, to her surprise, she failed to remove the hand and the man's grasp is actually getting tighter and tighter that the woman started to wail in pain.

     The man's body then started twitching violently but still not letting go of the woman.

     "Ange! Quick! They are coming!"

     Paula who already secured the child in her embrace shouted at her friend as she saw the three zombies who fell down getting up.

     "Shit!"

     Ange gritted her teeth as he heard her friend. She looked at the twitching man.

     "Don't blame me for this!"

     Their situation is getting grim. She then removed her last ounce of hesitation. Ange raised her feet and brought it down with heavy force.

     SNAP!

     The eerie sound of bones breaking entered their ears. Ange violently stomped at the man's arm breaking his bones. Some of the bones break but unfortunately, the man's grip did not loosen. As she saw this, she made several more stomps breaking more bones in the man's arm.

     The woman and Paula looked at Ange who stomping at the man's arm with surprise. Despite their situation and the fear they are feeling against the zombies, they can't help but feel goosebumps as the sound of breaking bones enter their ear.

     Stomp after stomp, the man's grasp finally loosened.

     However, the time Ange needed to release the woman is also enough for the three zombies to recover, furthermore, the other zombies that were left behind are also catching up. Ange's pupils constricted as she the three zombies that had fallen earlier jump at her side by side.

     "Ange!"

     Paula shouted as she watched the plight of her friend.

     BANG!!!

     A deafening sound echoed into their ears. At the same time, the three zombies pouncing over Ange are blown several meters away riddled with bloody holes on their bodies. Two of the zombies tried to get up immediately after but the injuries the two received gave them a lot of difficulty, as for the other one, it just slumped to the floor and stopped moving.

     The four females covered their ears due to pain because of the sudden gunshot but still looked towards the source of the shot by reflex. Just to see the back man wearing a hooded jacket and a black beanie on his head who already stood between them and the zombies while pointing a short shotgun on the zombies.

     "Finally got a head shot."

     They heard the man mutter.

     ***

     Mark ran towards the group and saw them being picked down by the fast running zombies one by one. Seeing the dire state of their situation, he urged himself to run faster.

     "Help! Please! Help us!"

     A man in the front of the group shouted.

     He then saw a zombie catch up to another man behind the group and lunged at the man. He did not have much reaction to the man being caught but he could only frown as he saw what the man did.

     "What a bastard."

     'Only at the worst possible times can a man's true nature is revealed.'

     It is something he always believed.

     Mark heard the child who was thrown to the floor cry in pain and of course, the other people in front of the escaping group also did. However, they only stole a glance behind their backs and continued running towards Mark.

     Instead, the two college girls stopped and went to help the mother and child despite the danger are facing.

     The survivors who continued running was about to reach Mark and stop him to ask for help but did not manage to as he shot them a cold look and continued running past them.

     As Mark ran past them, the ones who wanted to stop him gritted their teeth in anger and left one last glance at Mark and continued running.

     The employee behind Mark saw what happened and also ignored the group of men fleeing as he followed him.

     While running, Mark's uneven eyes grew larger in surprise as he saw one of the girls charge at the zombie who caught the man that is holding the mother's leg and sent it flying. He can't help but grin as he saw the girl's movements and the method she did to free the woman.

     Unfortunately for the girl, she took the time she had isn't enough for the time she needed and the zombies already jumped towards her by the time she freed the mother from the bastard's grasp.

     Luckily enough, Mark also arrived by their side at this point without them noticing.

     BANG!

     Mark shot his gun at the lunging zombies making them fly back several meters.

     The three zombies disregarded each other and tried to lunge at the girl almost at the same time sticking them together in a single line. As Mark shot the zombie in front, most of the shotgun pellets blew its head off into mush and the remaining pellets riddled the other two zombies with holes.

     He then shot a look behind him and shouted.

     "What are you women staring at me for, hurry up and run!"

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     Ebook Updates(dot)Net

     .

     8 The First Time He Cursed Out Loud

      Hearing his shout, the females finally started to take action. Paula lifted the child in her arms while Ange helped the mother stand up. As the mother tried to walk though, she almost fell down again. She did not fall and managed to walk but she can only drag her left foot as she grimaced in pain. Seeing this, Ange immediately took the mother's left arm and put it on her shoulder.

     BANG! BANG!

     Mark continued shooting the incoming fast infected with better accuracy as he got used to the recoil of his shotgun. His gun then ran out of ammo, he opened the chamber he immediately took out several 12 gauge shells from his belt bag and reloaded it calmly as he retreated step by step. Still, he can notice that their retreat is too slow and he saw Ange assisting the woman in order to move.

     "What happened?"

     Mark asked as he glanced behind while not taking his attention away from the zombies.

     "She sprained her leg."

     Ange answered furrowing her eyebrows.

     As she grimaced in pain, the mother then spoke with tears on her eyes.

     "I can't run anymore, please just take my daughter and leave."

     The two girls and the man following Mark was surprised hearing the woman and the child started crying.

     "Mama! NO!"

     The child squirmed violently out of Paula's arms almost even falling off. Paula had no choice but to crouch down for the child to avoid falling off her arms accidentally. Still, the child did not stop trying to reach out to her mother.

     "Not a chance! We're not leaving you behind!"

     Ange heightened her voice in determination.

     "But-"

     "No buts!"

     Ange then continued on assisting the woman not letting go even a tiny bit.

     Seeing Ange's determination to help her, tears started flowing out of the mother's eyes. She didn't want to die, she is totally scared of dying on the fangs of these rabid beasts and she didn't want to leave her daughter behind even more. But in this case that she injured her leg, she'll just drag her daughter and these good people to their demise. She didn't want to be like that man who dragged her into this mess.

     The employee who followed Mark also had tears at the corner of his eyes as he watched this scene.

     Then a snort came from a direction behind them.

     "What are you guys being dramatic for?! This isn't a drama series and we don't have time for you guys to create a scene!"

     "You-!"

     Ange wanted to say something in retort as she thought that he wanted to abandon the woman but Mark did not let her and turned his eyes towards the employee behind him. Seeing Mark looking at him, he gulped his own saliva for some reason.

     "You think you can carry her?"

     Mark gestured towards the mother. The employee looked at the woman who had quite a short build which is about several inches less of five feet and reluctantly nodded.

     Seeing that the man is quite reluctant, Mark was confused. The man's build showed that he is used to carrying heavy stuff but he actually showed such expression in carrying the woman.

     Still, following what Mark said, the man put the fire extinguisher on the floor and took the woman from Ange lifting her on his arms in the position Mark's knew as princess carry. The mother also showed a little bit of hesitation and embarrassment being carried like this but she also knows the urgency of the situation and did not resist.

     As she thought wrongly, Ange also had a bit of embarrassment on her face as she looked at Mark who is now holding a bat which is not dripping with blood. It seemed that they are too engrossed with the situation of the woman and they did not notice that their savior already took down several zombies. In front of him, there are several bodies that either had blasted heads or smashed skulls.

     The scene of blood and gore in front of him is totally sickening and scary but his face did not show any of such emotion. Among the bodies, the man who grabbed the woman's leg can also be seen with a deep dent on his head and his orifices bleeding.

     "Shouldn't it be easier if you carry her on your back?"

     Mark asked as he swung his bat at the face of another zombie who lunged at him.

     The man did not answer but only looked at Mark with a pleading expression on his face. Seeing this, Mark finally came to a conclusion and did not urge the man anymore.

     TAM! TAM! TAM! BLAM!

     It is then a sickening loud sequence of metal sounds clashing with a final sound of heavy metal falling on the floor sounded.

     "Shit!"

     Mark's expression changed as he cursed out loud for the first time in his life when he heard that sound.

     The females together with Mark are confused to his reaction towards that sound but the face of the employee who just lifted the woman paled.

     "What happened?"

     Ange noticed the ugly expression of the two and asked.

     "Hold this for a little bit."

     The employee seemed not to hear her question and Mark did not answer either. Instead, Mark held his bat towards her.

     Ange did pursue the question anymore and received the metal bat. Mark then took the fire extinguisher and bashed its bottom on an incoming zombie causing it to stagger backward. At that opening, Mark pulled the safety pin of the fire extinguisher and squeezed the trigger aiming at the bashed zombie's face.

     The zombie who had its face covered with sticky white foam started to ran towards its target once more without even trying to remove the foam covering its eyes. Trying to attack, it pounced, but not towards Mark but towards the terrace. The zombie's shoulder hit the railing but the rest of its body passed over the terrace. With the momentum of its jump and the railing stopping the force on its shoulder, the zombie kept rotating midair as it plunged to its death. With a loud splatting sound, it hit the ground two floors below.

     Mark's eyes shined a bit as he then proceeded to spray the contents of the fire extinguished across the floor. And the result, the incoming fast zombies that already had bad sense of balance slipped on the foam sliding on the floor covering their bodies with even more of the foam especially the zombies' hands and feet as they try to stand up again. The sliding zombies spread the foam even more and the started having a hard time to stand up as their hands and feet slipped on the floor every time they did.

     Still, even if they slipped repeatedly on the floor at this moment they are still advancing forward and this situation won't last too long.

     "Okay! Run!"

     As he gained more leeway for them to run, Mark rushed back to the TechZone leaving the struggling zombies behind.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     9 A Problem that Arose because of Something that Closed Down

      As their group ran away, Mark sprayed the contents of the fire extinguisher on the floor every now and then. Even though the foam spread on the floor isn't as thick and more spread compared to the first patch he made, it should be enough to hinder the zombies' pursuit even a little bit. Still, he did not intend on using up all the contents of the fire extinguisher. When he heard the sound of metal clashing and that loud bang on the floor, he is sure that he would need the contents of the fire extinguisher somewhere else.

     "Hey open this up! Please let us in!"

     Before they can get to the TechZone, they heard the voice of a man with his angry and helpless shouting as he hit the metal shutter blocking the entrance of the TechZone together with three more people behind him. These people were the ones running if front of the two schoolgirls before, the ones Mark ignored earlier. But that is not the pressing matter at this moment but the metal shutter in front of them right now.

     That's right! The TechZone is already closed abandoning the Mark and the employee that followed him along with other people that are still outside!

     Other people like the students, the mother and the child and even most customers might not realize but Mark who conscious of it and most of the employees working at this mall knew what it is if they heard that loud sound of metal clashing before banging on the floor. It is the steel shutter at the entrance of the TechZone being closed down! This is also the reason the employee that mark brought with him had his face drained of color!

     Seeing the closed entrance from afar, the two schoolgirls and the mother being princess carried felt dispirited. They thought that they would be saved if they managed to follow that large group of people but they were shut out before they could even start doing so.

     As the people outside the entrance where shouting and hitting the shutter with hands, voices coming from inside answered arguing with the people outside.

     Although they can hear the voices, what the voices were saying where incomprehensible to Mark and the people with him as they were still far away.

     Then, as they got closer...

     BANG!

     A gunshot coming from inside the TechZone echoed making the people outside the entrance jump back in fright while the people with Mark froze on their steps. Several frightened screams are heard from the inside by the screams are masked by an angry shout of a man with irritating voice similar to squealing of a pig.

     "Get the f*ck away! We already said that we are not letting anyone in! Who knows if you bastards are one of those man-eating monsters! Go away or the next shot will, bore f*cking holes on your bodies!"

     The men who were in front of the entrance could only step back in fright.

     "You f*ucking bunch of animals!"

     Knowing that it would be impossible for the people inside to let them in, they left cursing as they scatter like flies towards different directions where they don't see any zombies.

     As the situation isn't good, Mark frowned as he carefully make his way towards the closed entrance together with people with him despite hurrying as much as possible.

     But when he is about a few steps away, he heard several thumping sounds just to his right. When he looked, he saw two people knocking on the glass of a store beside him. This part of the store is connected to store at the just beside the entrance unfortunately, it is still not possible to enter the TechZone through this part unless they break the reinforced glass which ruins the point of going into the area in the first place.

     Inside the store, two familiar employees are knocked on the glass in attempt to get his attention which luckily succeeded. These two employees were the woman who Mark talked to earlier and the other is the shorter member of the cart pushing trio.

     Seeing the two waiting for them with both scared and apologetic expressions, Mark started to have clearer thought about the vague ideas he had before.

     The two inside tried telling them who were outside about the situation. Unfortunately, it was a futile attempt because the reinforced glass prevented their voices from going through clearly. Unless the two shouted, Mark and the others outside might hear them but the two did not dare due to their situation.

     BAM!

     Mark swung his baseball bat at an incoming zombie smashing its face into a pulp. Seeing this, two inside the store shuddered. After looking around, Mark handed the fire extinguisher to Ange after seeing that there are no apparent zombies in the vicinity that can be deemed as immediate threat.

     "You know how to use this?"

     Mark asked.

     Ange who was confused being asked such a question nodded.

     "Spray the contents on the floor on the directions where the zombies are coming from. I know you can do that. We need buy a little time."

     Being ordered like that, Ange pouted but still followed. If it were other girls like her friend, Paula, they might have declined due to fear but Ange who knew how to defend herself had more guts to do so. Mark also noticed this and thus, he did not hesitate to ask the girl do it.

     Paula who was worried about her brave friend just watched as she also knew that she'll be fine.

     As Ange started spraying the fire extinguisher on the floor, Mark took out his phone from his bag and pressed the power button revealing the cute anime custom screensaver. Upon unlocking the phone with a swipe, the next thing that showed is the high-tech looking theme with a wallpaper of a cute blue haired anime girl holding a high-tech plasma sword at her right hand and a double-barreled ray pistol on her left.

     Paula who was just behind him saw this and was surprised and smiled wryly. Just who would think that this fierce and scary looking man that did not even bat an eyelid as he shoot his gun and smash the zombies' bloody faces actually had such hobby?

     Mark opened a note app on his phone and turned around just to notice at the side of his view, as Paula smiled wryly with her gaze on his phone. He felt a little embarrassed but did not try to show even a little bit of it.

     She also saw that Mark noticed her looking at his phone and also felt embarrassed and turned her face somewhere else with slightly red cheeks.

     Continuing the strong façade, he typed a few words on his phone and showed it on the two who were inside the store.

     "What happened?"

     Mark asked using his phone.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     10 To the South Wing

      As they saw the method Mark used to communicate with them, the two employees inside the store scrambled to take out their phones forgetting that it is still their work time and they are not allowed to carry their own.

     Seeing their predicament, Mark knocked the glass and pointed on the stack of papers and motioned his left hand like he is holding a pen and writing over his phone. The two immediately understood and immediately ran to the counter picking up a pen and a sheet of letter sized paper and the man wrote on it in a hurry.

     After writing what seemed to be an essay with several sentences long, the short man plastered his rushed and almost illegible writing.

     Summarizing what the employee wrote, they were forced to close the entrance due that fat guy and his guard holding them at gunpoint. The fat man also instigated the others to support him leaving the employees with no leeway to resist.

     "Those ungrateful bastards!"

     This sentence was the last line the man wrote on the paper.

     After reading the "essay" written by the man, Mark immediately typed on his phone and replied with another question.

     "Is there any other way to go inside there?"

     "What about the other entrance?" The man replied.

     Mark turned his head towards the direction of the TechZone entrance at the west wing and shook his head. Though that entrance is quite far away, it isn't hard to see the number of zombies that are now around that area. Furthermore, those zombies are already making their way towards their direction. The gunshot should have attracted them.

     It seemed that the woman had an idea as she just snatched the pen on the man's hand and wrote on another paper. Behind her, the man is reading what she was writing and his eyes lit up.

     "Use the service corridors! I don't think you would be able to use the back doors on other stores but you should be able to enter the corridors using the fire exits in the cinema."

     As he saw the woman's idea, he nodded. He also knew about the corridors found at the back of large malls that connects the shops and are used to transport supplies without going through the front doors of the store. It is the only choice they have right now though it will be quite a detour.

     They have a goal now and it was literally roundabout one.

     Mark looked at the closed entrance of the TechZone with a look that as if he was looking at the people inside. Then he typed quite a number of words in his phone and showed it to the two which made the two confused because rather than a suggestion, it seemed more like a command for them to follow.

     Seeing the confused and hesitant look of the two, he typed another sentence and showed his phone once more.

     "I doesn't really matter to me but just do what I said if you guys want to live."

     This sentence made the two quite afraid. Even if they don't understand why, they chose to do what Mark said to them.

     Mark nodded to them one last time as he prepared to depart. When he turned around, he saw Ange as she just threw the fire extinguisher with a baseball pitch using all her might at a zombie that just climbed up the escalator nearby. The fire extinguisher hit the zombie square in its face as it stagger and fell backwards. The fire extinguisher bounced off due to the impact and made a loud clanging sound as it hit the ground floor while the zombie fell on the other zombies behind it creating a domino effect of fallen zombies on the escalator.

     After throwing the fire extinguisher, Ange immediately ran back towards the group and asked.

     "Finished?"

     "Yeah let's go."

     Mark looked at the people behind him and nodded at them. Everyone felt nervous knowing that they had to go another round of zombie encounters but it's not like they do have any other choice.

     With Mark in the lead, their group started running. He pushed his senses to his limits as he tried to perceive any upcoming danger. Looking around, everyone could notice how the situation is worsening, if they didn't move any faster, they would be surrounded in no time as the number of zombies in this floor is constantly increasing.

     But in Mark's view, their increase is just reasonable, just earlier, he released several shots of his shotgun killing several zombies in the process while the unreasonable people inside the TechZone wasted another. There are also other noises like the shouting and hard knocking of steel shutter the people outside the TechZone had done earlier and the high-pitched screams after the gunshot. Just all these commotion is bound to attract the zombies from the floors below.

     Leaving the central are of the mall, they turned right at the corner towards the south wing of the wall. Their target is the furthest end of the south wing where the cinemas are located.

     "Why did you throw the fire extinguisher away?"

     While running, Mark can't help but ask Ange.

     "It's already empty so I did."

     Ange snappily replied.

     Hearing her answer, he shook his head. It might be empty but the canister could still be used to smash someone's head! Mark looked at her and handed her his baseball bat.

     She looked at Mark confused as she absentmindedly accepted the baseball bat.

     "Lead the way for a bit, I'll just deal with the nuisance at the back. Remember! Aim for the head."

     Ange looked behind their group surprised and then nodded with a serious expression. They might not have noticed it due to their tension and also the growl of zombies coming from every direction but behind them, there is about half a dozen zombies running after like madmen with distorted faces!

     In front of them, it is lucky enough that the number of zombies on the way is relatively fewer and there are no fast moving zombies in sight but if they let the ones chasing from behind get close onto them, things would become nasty.

     "Just continue running! Don't look behind!"

     Mark shouted as he aimed his gun behind the group.

     BANG!

     He shot the closest zombie that is already about to lunge at him without hesitation blowing up its head. Ammunition is precious and he wanted to save ammo as much as possible. But with the number of fast moving zombies in close proximity, he can't skimp on bullets. Not right now.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     11 Dealing with Zombies Chasing Behind

      BANG! BANG!

     Several gunshots were released in succession. Mark prioritized shooting those who moved very close to each other before dealing with the single ones. Sometimes he would need to dodge as the zombies pounced on him while he was reloading, after all, the shotgun's chamber can only hold five shells at maximum at the same time. There are also times that he needed to dodge as he attempted to shoot making his accuracy suffer in the process.

     Dodging the zombies attack is hard but not impossible. From what he observed, their attack patterns are linear, like pouncing or grabbing. One only needed to calm down and catch the movements of their feet and hands and one would be able to dodge their attacks. Unless he is totally outnumbered, forced into a corner or become careless, he can deal with this much.

     If a zombie pounced from his right or left, he would jump backwards. If the zombie lunged in front, he would do a large sidestep to the left or right. That is how he dealt with the attacks.

     BANG!

     'Hmm?'

     Mark was forced to jump back two zombies attacked from his right and in front almost at the same time. He shot the one in front as it was the second one to attack but the shot did not manage to hit its head and instead, the zombie's right shoulder was blown off. Its right arm flew to the back creating a bloody mess on the floor.

     Then he saw it.

     'So it's really like this huh?'

     This isn't the first time he noticed it, he saw the similar situation when he shot the three zombies in order to save the college girls earlier.

     The zombie that had its shoulder blown off staggered backwards howling before falling down on its back and started trashing on the floor splattering his blood everywhere.

     This zombie can still feel pain!

     In curiosity, he did not hesitate and shot the zombie that just lunged at him at its chest creating a bloody mess of broken ribs, pieces of it lungs, arteries and heart splattered on the floor. The zombie then fell with its body twitching for a bit before slumping down with devoid of any movements.

     'It died?'

     Mark looked at it incredulously before jumping back once more evading another attack.

     BANG!

     He blew up the zombie's head away. Then he saw the zombie that is trashing on floor due to its missing shoulder stop moving.

     'The other one died of blood loss?'

     Anyone would think of that if they saw the amount of blood on the floor soaking the zombie without its arm.

     Seeing that the two died due to their sever injuries, Mark stopped on solely targeting the zombies' heads which was a harder target to aim at and included the zombies' chests or abdomens. Of course, when there is a good chance of blowing the zombies' heads off, then he would do so.

     BANG!

     "Three left!"

     He muttered as he shot another zombie on its stomach and left it trashing on the floor like an earthworm poured with a pinch of salt.

     BANG! BANG!

     Two more zombies with burst chests fell to the floor and started thrashing around creating more collages of thorn flesh and blood. It was a very disgusting scene.

     CLANK!

     Mark tried shooting the last approaching zombie but he was met a metallic sound as the last shell was already shot from his shotgun. The zombie lunged at him and he can only dodge as he tried to reach for a shell in his belt bag.

     His evasion was successful and the zombie fell with force on the floor hitting a green colored plastic trashcan spilling all the garbage on the floor. When Mark saw this, an idea hit him and he quickly picked up the trashcan.

     As the zombie tried to stand up, it felt some force squeezing its face and its view suddenly turned black. It felt its prey is still around but it can't see anything and thus, it started to dash forward while swinging its arms madly.

     While the zombie ran away, Mark looked at the zombie incredulously. A zombie with a trashcan covering this head while running fast and crazily swinging its arms trying to catch air really looked ridiculous. Still, he was quite surprised at first. When he put the trashcan on its head Mark was standing in front of it but instead of turning passive like he thought it would be, it actually dashed towards him making him dodge in panic. After he dodged though, the zombie did not stop and continued running away back to the direction where it came from.

     The last zombie ran away and Mark did not have any notion of chasing it as it is going the opposite direction they are going to. He turned around and saw the others are already several stores away from him. He looked at the bodies zombies with smashed faces and heads on the floor left behind by them and he can help but commend the ability of that girl.

     CRASH!

     With that loud sound of glass crashing down, anyone would turn to look by reflex and so does Mark. When he saw what caused the sound, he had a complicated expression on his face. Several stores away, a shop selling perfumes had its glass walls broken and buried under the pieces of broken glass, a zombie with a trashcan on its head was trashing on the floor trying to get up. Funny enough, the trashcan was still on its head and did not fall of after crashing on the glass wall. Well, it would be really hard to remove the trashcan that it was forced to wear as it can barely fit its head.

     Then, Mark was stupefied, not because of the trashcan zombie but because the bodies of some of the zombies he just killed started twitching and slowly stood up. And he realized that those who stood up once more are those whose heads, no, rather, the brains are still intact.

     "I messed up."

     When he saw that zombie who died because of the fatal injury it had on its chest, he thought that these zombies might be similar to the green flu infected in some video game series. Fast, strong and can be killed by normal means of killing. To think he that was mistaken. It was a good lesson for him. Don't treat real life as some kind of game though he still thinks that the crappiest game of all is reality.

     Then he noticed something else with gave him a clearer idea of what is happening making his eyes light up. He immediately shot back to rejoin the group and left the zombies that just stood up.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     Ebook Updates . Net

     .

     12 Taking a Short Break

      Mark easily managed catch up with the rest as evading the slow moving and the most normal of zombies is too easy. Unless he got surrounded by overwhelming numbers, caught in a surprise attack or immobilized, getting away from this kind of zombies was a piece of cake. It wasn't like these zombies would teleport towards people like zombies from some American zombie apocalypse series.

     With only a few zombies on the way, their group arrived at the entrance of cinema area. In here, there are several cinema halls that can be accessed by customers who had tickets. Right now though, the dark cinema area looked like some haunted part of the mall.

     As they arrived, Mark cautiously looked around and noticed the retractable gate sticking out from the ceiling. He tapped the shoulder of the employee carrying the mother and pointed at the gate.

     "You know how to close this one?"

     Everyone looked up to what Mark is pointing at above them and saw the metal gate on the ceiling. They thought that it could serve as another assurance for their safety and also looked that the man. The expectant gazes that turned to him made him somewhat uncomfortable so he immediately shook his head.

     "I don't know how to pull that down."

     When the man saw their downcast eyes, he hurriedly explained.

     "My work here is to deliver cargo from the warehouse. Most are boxes delivered to stalls, so I never had the opportunity to enter other workplaces for utility staff. And, it hasn't been long since I started working here."

     The others immediately understood when he explained.

     "It's a pity. Can't we look around? Maybe we can find how to close this. If we can hole up here then we don't need to go there? There should also food here right?"

     Without minding their expression, Ange started blurting her own opinion. But only to be rebuked by Mark who shook his head.

     "We don't have much time to look around. There are just too many rooms here. And it is a totally bad idea to hole up here."

     He then walked away, put his duffle bag on the food counter and jumped over it. He then opened a refrigerator and took some cola and drinks and put the beverages on top of the counter urging the others to take one before looking at the entrance of the cinema.

     Outside, he can still see the zombies that are still chasing after them though these guys are the typical slow moving ones. They should arrive in a few minutes. They still have time to take a breather.

     The employee let the mother down and Paula sat the child on the counter. The mother picked up a bottle of fruit juice while she helped her daughter punch a straw on her kiddie drink. The employee and Paula both picked up a can of cola while Ange stared at Mark for some reason.

     "What are you staring at?"

     Of course Mark would ask that.

     "I want the same drink as yours."

     What Mark is drinking is a bottle of energy drink. He didn't put the same drink on the table since it very rare to see females consume this kind of drink and the employee is looking at the can of cola. Still, since she requested, he just picked up another bottle and threw it at her which she agilely caught.

     Ange immediately downed a few mouthfuls from the bottle without any regard on how she looked like. After releasing a satisfied breath, she turned to Mark and is about to ask something what he said earlier but he disappeared. She leaned over the counter and saw him crouching under the counter looking for something.

     "What are you looking for?"

     "We should pack up some of the food here so I'm looking for a bag or something we can use. They only have small paper bags and carton boxes here."

     "Bags huh? We left ours in the fast food on the second floor when we escaped." Ange reminisced as she looked at Paula who also felt downhearted.

     Mark then forcefully opened a cabinet door on the adjacent counter. Inside were two knapsacks and a small strap bag. He then immediately poured out the contents inside the cabinet only pulling the bags out. He put the bags in front of Ange.

     "You guys fill these with food."

     Mark looked at the counter and other containers filled with food though there are parts of the snack bar that are definitely ransacked. He then remembered the group of employees earlier that he saw coming from this direction carrying plastic bags and boxes of food.

     Taking the gbaseball bat that Ange leaned in front of the counter since it was dripping with blood, he took off to the Cinema's entrance. Several zombies already closed in and needed to be dealt with.

     Ange pouted while Paula frowned a little. Mark's attitude is a little overbearing but they can't really say anything. It is him who saved them and now is not really the right time to argue about it. On contrary, the employee and the mother did not really care about his attitude. The employee sees Mark as someone capable of leading them to safety while the mother views everyone in this group as her and her child's saviors. If they did not come to her, then she would already be dead or even worse.

     As for the child, nothing can be said. She only knew that something scary is happening and those frightening monsters will eat them if they are caught. She just sipped her kiddie drink as she watched her mother silently. It is already a good thing that she isn't crying anymore.

     By the time Mark returned, his metal bat is dripping of blood and his black jacket had slightly reddish liquid splatters. If the zombies where not existent at this moment his appearance is enough to give weak hearted people a good scare.

     The bags are already filled with food and several bottles of drinks. The two bags are knapsacks are already being worn by the employee and Paula while the smaller strap bag is being carried by the mother.

     Mark looked at the mother who was standing in front of her child. He noticed the mother's sprained ankle is now plastered with a cooling pad.

     He then looked at Ange with a questioning look.

     Ange on the other hand also saw him look at the others and the backpacks they are carrying before he looked at her with that look. Of course, she immediately understood what his stare meant.

     "I can't fight properly if I carry something heavy you know?"

     Mark walked past her as if ignoring her righteous sentence. He then picked up the duffle bag on top of the counter and donned it on his shoulder before replying.

     "I'm not really asking anything though."

     This time, Ange's face turned red. Even though what Mark said isn't really offensive, she took a hard blow along with Mark donning a heavy duffle bag on his shoulder which made her feel a little shameful.

     In her head, she heard Mark said something like "I'm also fighting and I'm carrying this.", even though he never said anything like that.

     As she was lingering in her own space, a hand patted her shoulder making her sober up.

     "Hey Ange, what are thinking about?"

     Paula asked as she patted Ange's shoulder.

     Ange who just snapped out of her daze saw Mark and the others already walking away, she swallowed up her emotions and replied to her best friend beside her.

     "No-nothing, let's go."

     She then pulled her confused friend and followed the rest of the group.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     13 The Situation Behind the Cinema Doors

      11:15 AM City Mall Bacoor South Wing – Cinema Lobby

     Mark stood in front of a double door leading to one of the cinema halls. This hall is the closest to the cinema entrance. He approached this hall not because it is the closest but this hall was the only hall that had its doors tightly shut.

     The others were confused seeing him standing and not opening the door but no one said anything… except for one person.

     "Hey, why don't you open that already? Also, can I borrow the bat? I need a weapon."

     Mark looked at Ange who just hopped beside him without warning with incredulity. He was wondering how this girl's head works. Still, he did not question her antics and just sighed before he replied.

     "Later. I'll be the vanguard this time and I just can't shoot the gun every time unless we want to die by attracting every single one of those zombies. Also I don't have infinite shells for this."

     The shotgun shells he managed to get isn't that many, the ones he used when they escaped already depleted more than half of what he had. After replying, he then proceeded to plant his ear on the door trying to listen to the sounds inside if there is any.

     Hearing his reply, Ange pouted but did not say anything else and just mimicked Mark also sticking her right ear on the door. She then heard sounds inside. The sounds are a little faint but when she heard the sounds, she was petrified for a second before her face turned red and quickly backed off like a cat whose tail was stepped on.

     At first, she did not recognize the faint sounds but then when she poured her concentration on listening, what she heard made her heart pound and her face became red in embarrassment. Through the door, she heard moans and panting of a man along with a fain voice of a woman. It was not hard for anyone of age to imagine what was happening inside.

     "What's wrong?"

     "There are…"

     Paula asked Ange in confusion seeing her back off like that. Of course, the flustered girl didn't know how to elaborate what she just heard to her friend who is also a female.

     Ange looked at Mark who was still listening to the sounds beyond the door.

     'Men are really perverts.'

     That is what she thought at first but was forced to dispel it when she saw Mark's stern face. He then stopped listening inside but his expression is graver that before.

     Mark then approached Ange and stretched his hand holding the bat towards her.

     "Take this for now."

     "You just said that you need it right?"

     "Well, you can just say that I changed my mind."

     Mark smiled as he said that but the smile really looked sinister.

     "You guys hide back at the snack bar. Don't come out unless I called out."

     He turned around without waiting for replies. The rest looked at each other and nodded among themselves before going back behind the snack bar and hid there.

     "What is going on?"

     The mother asked while everyone else is looking at Ange.

     "There are people inside. They are… having sex... probably..."

     Ange hesitated to say what she just heard but she still said it though her face is crimson red. This courageous girl who can bash zombies' faces with a steel baseball bat and did not falter to the scene of blood is actually weak at topics like this.

     The mother and the employee's faces also turned red especially the employee as he is an adult man at the age of twenty-nine. Of course, hearing a girl several years younger talk about something like this in front of him, he would feel embarrassed. Furthermore, he is the only male in the group right now since Mark is away!

     Surprisingly, Paula did not react that way and just stared at Ange before saying.

     "It shouldn't be just that simple right?"

     She then looked at Mark who is quite a distance away and was now sticking and adjusting a knife between the locks of the double door.

     Ange also looked at Mark with her embarrassment slightly lessened.

     "Looks like it."

     'KACHA'

     Mark made a slow but forced push on the knife followed by the sound of the door lock loosening.

     Before he could even pull the knife, the door opened slightly. Luckily, it seemed that the door was maintained properly and it made no sound when it opened. Well, it is doable that the people inside won't hear anything from what Mark is doing because of their 'passionate' session inside.

     Unfortunately, that 'passionate' part is one sided. That is why Mark sneaked inside with a stern face.

     Upon entering, he sneaked towards the hall with the lustful sounds and vile laughter getting louder in his ears. What he saw conformed to his thoughts.

     Three males sat on the armrest of some chairs next to the pathway watching another male who was thrusting on female on the floor. Clothes riddled the floor and by the looks of it, all the clothes belong to the female, some of the clothes are even ripped like the school blouse that is closest to Mark's current position.

     Mark looked at the laughing perpetrators for a second and saw their loose clothes, baseball caps and even silver chains dangling on their necks. Belts with metal decors can be seen under half-tucked shirts. Though they looked stereotypical, appearance of these men made Mark remember of gangsters around the area.

     Yes, gangsters. Mark also found his conjecture plausible as there are a lot of squatter compounds nearby. Though it didn't really mean that gangsters can only originate from those kinds of areas but sadly, most of these kinds of people did in this country. Gangsters, criminals, drug addicts and such people can easily be located if one were to thoroughly search those areas.

     Estimating the dangers and other things, Mark then readied his shotgun which he fully loaded with shells and stealthily walked towards the criminals. As the bastards were facing the opposite way, Mark can easily approach them without them noticing in this kind of dark cinema.

     As he stepped forward out from the wall he is hiding, he paused. He looked to his side and began to reevaluate his thoughts slightly. To his side, a body of a boy, probably in his last years in high school, was lying on the floor between the chairs. His uniform dyed red with a single hole on his chest. The smell of blood irritated his nose as the body was just a foot away from him as he crouched. Of course, he did not fail to notice the bloody bite mark on the boy's wrist.

     Leaving the body behind, Mark made his way towards the gangsters.

     "Seriously boss, hurry up, just how long do we have to wait for our turn to f*ck this bitch?"

     One of the gangsters sitting on the armrest said with boredom as watched the so called boss humping on their trophy.

     Hearing that, the Boss gave that gangster a dirty finger as he continued on his business.

     "You shits should wait until I had enough! I'm the one who saw her first!"

     "Hahaha alright Boss! We have all the time we need to play with this bitch. Just who do you think would come with all the mess outside? I doubt anyone else is alive in this mall, we even lost some of our brothers."

     Another gangster said in a tone licking his boss' boots.

     "Yeah, but who thought that this bitch and his idiot boyfriend would really follow us and think that we are saving them?

     "So, that's what happened huh?"

     "Yeah! That's what happened! Hahaha…"

     As the four gangsters are narrating their vile deeds of taking advantage of the slaughter outside and get the girl into this situation, a voice coming from behind them sounded with a question like realization.

     The unsuspecting gangster actually replied to the voice until his own voice trailed off as he realized that the voice did not come from anyone of them.

     The gangsters froze and even the boss stopped thrusting as he felt his genital slowly soften. As the three gangsters slowly turned their heads around with cold sweat on their backs, the Boss already froze in horror. What the Boss saw first is the muzzle of a shotgun pointed at them and then the man wearing a jacket standing holding the gun.

     Mark on the other hand was also surprised as he looked at the gangsters.

     The damn bastards were actually minors!

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     EbookUpdates(dot)Net

     .

     14 The Tainted Masterpiece

      He did not notice at a distance since the cinema is slightly dark. Cinemas are built like this after all. Now that Mark got a close look at the gangsters, he can confirm that these guys' ages ranged from about 14 to 16 years-old.

     "You three raise your hands and don't dare move unless you guys want your heads blew off."

     He coldly said towards the three idlers before staring at the last one and said.

     "And you there, get away from her."

     "You! Who are you? We don't think we offended you! You shouldn't play hero, there is four of us here and we outnumber you!"

     One of the three made a tough front for some reason while the boss and the other two were remaining quiet. The member who tried to intimidate actually moved towards the front of the barrel as if he was not afraid of the gun.

     The other two gangsters though were snickering inside. They used this tactics several times before when they are compromised in their gang activities, so they knew what would happen to this idiot who took the initiative to play hero before their group. They noticed that the person did not answer and thought that he is taking the bait as his eyes darted towards every single one of them. They also thought that he was actually afraid to shoot.

     Unfortunate for them, they are the once playing the role of idiots here. Mark did not take the bait obviously darting his eyes towards the gang members because he is looking for something. Though he already had a hunch on who had it, he just had to make sure so he wouldn't need to waste ammo.

     Yes! He just didn't want to waste ammo!

     The gangsters were all smiles inside but unfortunately for them, their hopes were dashed when the man actually smiled. A smile filled with disdain towards them. He then spoke.

     "Nice teamwork but…"

     Mark threw a kick to the crotch of the gangster in front of him making him suddenly bend down then…

     BANG!

     "I won't fall for that."

     The gang leader lost his right arm as the shotgun obliterated his arm up to his elbow and a revolver pistol flew along with the severed right hand.

     Mark already knew that the leader had a gun due to various reasons. First, the dead guy near the entrance was killed by a gunshot. Second is that by the nature of these rapists, they should have already ganged up on the girl on the floor, yet, she was served on a platter before the boss and three did not make any move and that is not by respect but actually because they were afraid. Third is that the member who he just kicked actually tried to move in front of his gun not to intimidate him but cover the gang leader's movements.

     As Mark already knew who had a gun, his eyes darted on the members and became sure that these kids only had one gun. It is because when he showed himself, the reflex action the three members made was actually to try and grab their weapons which are all melee types and they did not even try to let go of those despite being pointed with a shotgun.

     Just as the leader was about to raise his gun, Mark delivered a sinister ball-crushing kick and shot the leader's arm when the he one kicked bent down in pain. Actually, he wanted to shoot down the leader dead but he made a compromise due to various reasons.

     The leader stood up in shock of the pain and clutched what remained of his arm but immediately. His hard sword already fell soft and dangled unsightly as he rolled about the floor spreading blood on the cinema wall and floor. Screams of pain echoed throughout the cinema hall. The one Mark kicked already fell unconscious on the floor and is actually foaming in his mouth.

     The other two seeing what happened to their leader and their friend, did not succumb to fear and surrendered but actually fled as fast as they can. Leaving their weapons behind, the two ran separate ways inside the cinema before passing through the emergency door near the big screen one after another.

     They ran in frantically in fear that they will get shot and end up like their comrades but their grim reaper in their minds is actually just watching them like looking at cockroaches running away from being stomped to death.

     Mark just watched the two in disdain without any notion to chase. They are not worth the ammo needed to subdue them he also thought of a plan for them. He then approached the severed arm and took a harshly folded handkerchief from his pocket and used it to pick up the blood covered revolver before wiping the blood off.

     "A .38?"

     Mark asked himself as he observed the gun, looking at every angle, amidst the painful screaming in the background.

     He opened the chamber and took out the contents revealing two empty casings and four .38 live bullets. Mark removed the empty casings and stored them in his pocket and returned the remaining ammo back to the chamber loading the gun and pulled the firing pin back.

     Holding the newly acquired revolver, he approached the groaning gang leader. The leader's voice is already hoarse due to his violent expression of his pain through his mouth and weakened due to severe loss of his life sustaining liquid. He clutched the stump that remained of his arm trying to lessen the blood flow to no avail. He stared at Mark who is approaching with severe fear in his eyes.

     He then remembered the faint gunshots they heard earlier which they chose to ignore. Those gunshots and the shot that was aimed at him is actually the same. They shouldn't have ignored it if he knew that this will be his outcome. To think the girl he coveted as he saw her earlier in this mall would become his unlucky star.

     "Don't kill me… You can have the girl, just don't kill me…"

     He was afraid that this guy who is akin to demons in his eyes would directly kill him.

     Mark on the other side did not pay attention to the leader's hoarse begging. He heard his begging but who would beg someone with their pants down? His dangling eggplant is pointed straight at him! He can't help but feel the urge to shoot it. In the end, he bent down and reached for the leader's pants, not to help him put it on of course but to feel the contents of the pockets.

     He found eight .38 rounds inside the back pocket. No wonder the pocket looked heavy. He then left the leader shivering in both pain and fear. The leader stayed still and silent as he started feeling weaker and weaker.

     Mark then turned facing the victim who is sitting silently on the floor. The girl's round baby face was beautiful. Her long below shoulder length hair looked soft and straight. The length of her body, arms and legs were all in proportion. Even her breast was neither big nor small for her stature. He thought that if an agency put her into the showbiz industry, this girl would sure go big in no time.

     She is like a beautiful masterpiece.

     Unfortunately, this perfect looking suffered harshly in this incident. White sticky liquid stained her fair colored legs, body, her face and also dripping from her mouth. It showed how many times the bastard gang leader reached his climax in doing her in. Also, there is the blood of the gang leader splattered on her as he is shot just over her body. Bruises can be found on her left cheek and arms.

     Ignoring the remains of her unfortunate situation, Mark can't help but admire her appearance. No wonder the gang targeted her.

     Then Mark frowned.

     The girl was also looking at him but she had neither action to hide nor cover either her breasts or her nether regions. Her eyes are listless and even though she is staring at him, it looked like she wasn't either.

     Mark then sighed.

     'This girl already gave up in life didn't she?'

     He thought as he scratched his head over the matter.

     "Just what should I do here?"

     Mark muttered.

     He is an Otaku and to some people like him who were never meant to be someone attractive, saving a beautiful damsel in distress might be a good dream to happen. But now that he experienced it, he had no idea what to do afterwards. After all, his interpersonal skills, though not non-existent, it is very low.

     He tried of remembering if there is any anime or novel references he can use but there is nothing he could remember that could fit his situation at the moment.

     "Argh, dammit, whatever."

     'I'll just do what I can, I guess?'

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     Ebook Updates . Net

     .

     15 Her Life, Her Experience and Her Hate

      9:30 AM - Tirona Highway

     More than thirty minutes earlier.

     A group of high school students are eating at eating at a restaurant by the road. The group consisted of seven people, four girls and three boys. They were merrily chatting as they ate the high class food they ordered though a girl among them wasn't really thrilled by the occasion.

     She is Xiao Mei, the one that can be said as the number one beauty at their school these days. Many admired her looks and were very popular among the students. Others might be emboldened with confidence under these circumstances but in contrary, she hated it.

     Though she had this good looks, she is a quite a shy person so all these unwanted attention is quite irritating to her. Although she had the ability to deal with people with smiles and such, she would prefer not to, especially dealing with boys both young and old. Every time she saw their eyes, it looked like the eyes of a beast wanting to eat his prey whole. She hated those eyes.

     At her school, she knew she had many admirers, in the first days, she would receive confessions, letters and such troublesome things but later on, these kinds of things disappeared in a strange fashion. Though there are still the admirers around, none of them would ever try what the others tried before.

     She then looked at the boy sitting across her table with a frown. This boy is the reason of it all. But she wasn't even a little grateful.

     He is handsome, carefree looking and smiling at every occasion but she knew that these are all pretenses. He is possessive, scheming and lusty bastard who see every one as tools and always using money to get everything he wanted.

     This boy is the son of one of her family's business partners. He had been chasing her for some time now but it's not like she didn't know what is happening. She is a smart girl and of course she knew what they really wanted.

     It is that time at a certain gathering that both their families participated that all of it started. It is also the time she realized the true meaning of her existence to her family, except her mother, that is.

     It also the same with most of the daughters of business and politically oriented families, they are treated as tools for the expansion of their families' power. And she really hated it.

     Although it hasn't been official, this boy in front of her is technically her fiancé that she hated. This person made too many advances towards her and of course, she always declined. It is because she hated him to the core.

     Then, she looked at her so called "friends".

     Though a part of her wanted to think of them as her true friends but for the most part, she only mingled with them for the sake of appearances. It is because from time to time, these girls, her "friends" would give away praises about the boy in front of her. About his looks, his kindness, his smiles, etc. It's disgusting.

     It's not like she did not know that they had been paid to do so.

     But she can only smile. She needed to keep up with the pretenses. She can't say or do anything that will degrade the face of their family. It is because she is still a part of that family. Still, she hated it.

     Other people envied the rich. They had money, they can do anything they wanted and they had power. But to her, these things are all useless. All she wanted is her freedom.

     Finally, they went out of the restaurant. Ignoring everything else, she took out her phone to call her driver. She just wanted to go home at this moment. Though staying at her home is also suffocating to her, it is still way better that this fake atmosphere around her at this moment.

     But as she held her phone beside her ear, she became confused, there is no ringing, no beeps and no automated voice reply either. She then looked at the screen just to see the message "Network Busy" at the center.

     BEEP! BEEP!

     The noise of hundreds of cars beeping entered her ears as she noticed the heavy congestion of vehicles on the main road.

     BAM!!! CRASH!!!

     That very loud noise startled everyone who heard it. Their group followed the stream of people going after that sound out of curiosity. What they saw is horrifying. A large city bus that almost turned into scrap metal, broken cars, scraped road, an overturned jeep and the worst of all, dead bodies that littered the road spreading pools of blood.

     Xiao Mei can't help but turned around. Some of her "friends" ran to a nearby sidewalk planter and vomited the high class food that they just ate. Even the boys in their group are shivering.

     This is a total disaster.

     They then heard screams from the spectators as they pointed at the almost scrapped bus. Xiao Mei looked and saw silhouettes, rather people emerging from the bus.

     Many people exclaimed as they felt it was a miracle that there are still people alive from that mangled vehicle. But Xiao Mei felt weird.

     She looked that the people coming out of the bus and felt that it is impossible for these people to be still alive. Some had missing limbs, some had large chunks of flesh missing from their bodies, some had parts of their bodies bent at an impossible angle and everyone is dripping blood from their bodies.

     It is not possible for them to be alive.

     Xiao Mei started stepping back as she feared that something not right is going on. She saw the "good Samaritans" approached the people from the bus trying to help.

     "AAAHHHHHH!"

     What she feared happened.

     Blood splashed, not from the people from the bus but from a man which is one of the people who approached. He approached a woman covered in blood that came shambling out of the bus. Disregarding the blood, he grabbed her arms in order to help her move.

     That became the worst decision he made in his life.

     The woman he tried to help grabbed his shoulders and savagely bit into his neck pulling out a mouthful of flesh. The others who tried to help the "injured" people froze in their tracks as they were filled with shock. Then…

     "AAHHH!"

     "HELP!!"

     It's their screams that followed to fill the ears of all the people around.

     "What is going on?"

     Xiao Mei's classmate beside her asked that question.

     "WAAAHHHH!!! RUN!!!"

     "HELP!!!!"

     More screams entered their ears but it did not come from the place of accident but from further away. Then they saw people running on the northern side of the highway. Their faces filled with horror. Among the people running, there are others covered in blood and others running after others catching them in the process… Then…

     "AAAHHHH!"

     The people caught screamed in pain as their flesh was torn away from their bodies.

     Xiao Mei wanted to run away and is about to but a hand caught her arm and pulled her.

     "What are you doing?! Let go!"

     She glared at her unofficial fiancé that started pulling her.

     "Where are you going? Do you think you can outrun those guys? It is better to find somewhere to hide!"

     Xiao Mei looked at him. She didn't want to go but she knew he was right. She didn't think that she'll be able to outrun those people either.

     In the end, she could only let him pull her as she can't even resist away from his grasp. And even if she tried to resist, the people covered in blood would be able to get them first before she would be able to break free.

     During the commotion, her group is forced to scattered because of the number of people filled with panic already causing a stampede.

     She then locked eyes with one of the girls from her group of "friends".

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     EbookUpdates(dot)Net

     .

     16 Her Suffering, Her Resentment and the Words She Wanted to Hear

      Amidst the sea of panicked people, she saw one of her "friends" that is also staring at her. Tears built up at the corner of her eyes.

     Even though wasn't pure friendship, the two of them still spent time together. While she was being pulled away, that "friend" of hers wasn't running but lying down on her front on the pavement. The girl tried to say something but nothing came out of her mouth but blood and she can only stretch out her right arm towards Mei. But that stretched arm only made her suffer more as the running people stepped on her outstretched arm.

     Mei wanted to help and tried resisting over her fiancé's grasp but a frail girl like her did not have the strength to do so and was pulled away with even more force.

     She heard her fiancé shout at her but his words did not enter her ear as she watched her "friend" grimace in pain for every stomp she received from the people running for their lives. The scene continued until Mei's view was drowned with people.

     Being pulled away, the two reached the mall and ran inside along with the other people. She saw the guards ignore the people running inside and concentrated talking at their radios with stern expressions.

     It wasn't long after they entered the mall when they started hearing gunshots.

     Mei looked behind and saw the people running away, the "people" chasing after and those who already made a bloody pool on the floor. She then saw a pair of guards as she was being pulled inside the mall.

     One of the guards was caught and fell down while being bitten on his neck. Thought the other guard managed to shoot the assailant but he also fell after another one jumped over his back.

     She then saw the guards who fell first stood up sluggishly. Surprised she stared at the guard as she ran. As if he felt her gaze, the guard suddenly turned his head like a scene taken from a horror movie and faced her stare.

     Mei would never forget that scene, those bloodshot eyes, that bloody face and that nightmarish expression. The guard then dashed, ignoring everything else, towards her. Like a beast wanting to devour her whole… in a literal manner.

     She felt afraid and she was shivering inside.

     "F*CK!"

     She heard her fiancé curse. She looked at her fiancé and then back at the guard running after her and she was filled with horror.

     The guard was already close and was on the verge of lunging towards her.

     Then, a train, no a column of stacked shopping carts came creaking blocking the lunge of the guard. The guard lunged and crashed on the shopping carts causing a loud crashing sound and toppled shopping carts scattered around him.

     "HEY! OVER HERE!"

     The two was stunned by the sudden situation before hearing several shouts towards them. When they looked at the source of the shouts, they a group of oddly dressed youths who looked younger that them holding weapons and are calling them over.

     As if he saw light within the darkness, Mei's fiancé started pulling her towards the group's direction with haste as the event with the carts gave them a small leeway to escape.

     She did not want to go but can't resist against the boy pulling her. She also felt weak feeling fear from the encounter just now. But, it isn't the end.

     Clattering noises echoed behind her as the guard charged through the scattered shopping carts blocking its way. He restarted his pursuit towards her.

     Scared, Mei stopped resisting and ran towards the odd group. The odd youths waited by the escalator, when the Mei and her fiancé arrived, they started leading the way up.

     With the guard on their tail, they ran up until they reached the cinema on the third floor. They can't see the guard behind them. It seemed that they lost him somehow.

     The group then led them inside the cinema which lacked any employee.

     Mei had a bad premonition.

     Actually, she felt it odd when the group specifically called for her and her unwanted fiancé. When they arrived, the odd group did not call for anyone else. Then, when they were running, despite her fear, she can't help but notice the odd youths stealing glances at her.

     The look in their eyes as they glanced at her… she knew those kinds of eyes… her hated fiancé looked at her with those eyes from time to time. Many other males she encountered before would eye her like that.

     Then, one of the odd youths locked the cinema doors.

     And hell started for her.

     Her hated fiancé was shot. Not because he tried to defend her but because of his arrogant attitude as he tried to sell her off after being threatened.

     Then the one who held the gun who were called boss by the other three forced his body unto her. She tried resisting but she lost all her strength as she was punched on her stomach. Even so, she still tried resisting with what is left of her strength but a merciless slap came hitting her face.

     Tears welled up on her eyes as she felt the pain and humiliation.

     Her clothes were torn off her body and she became a toy for the pleasure of boy in front of her. As she lay naked on the cold floor of the cinema, feeling the pain in various parts of her body, her sight grew dimmer and dimmer.

     She felt helpless and powerless and she just wished she would die as soon as possible.

     Laughter and jeering echoed around her but for her…

     For Mei…

     It doesn't matter anymore…

     Everything is already black in her eyes…

     BANG!

     She heard a loud sound but she did not react but still, she could feel the warm liquid that splashed unto her body after the sound. She also felt the weight on her crotch lightened.

     She heard loud wails of pain but she did not react.

     Soon she lifted her body. She saw a man standing in front of her with his back facing her. She stared but did not do anything else. She saw the boy called boss by his group crying in fear and pain just by the man's foot. She did not react but felt that he deserved this.

     She saw the blood that scattered on the floor but did not notice it.

     Mei looked back at the man and the man looked at her. She felt his stare as if scanning her body. Though, she did not react to it.

     He just might be the same she thought.

     She felt her sight going dimmer. This might really be my fate, she thought.

     Then, she saw the man taking off his jacket.

     Her emotions started to vanish as she dropped her sight to the cold floor…

     And then…

     She felt warm…

     Her sight somehow grew a little brighter and saw a black jacket draped on her body. It smelled a little sweaty yet it felt warm.

     Then something soft touched her face. She looked up and saw the man half-kneeling in front of her and wiping her face with a warm handkerchief.

     Unknowingly, she reached out and slowly grabbed the hand that held the handkerchief with her both hands. The man looked surprised. He let out a deep sigh and smiled gently. Using his free hand, he reached out to her head and patted it disregarding how dirty or sticky her hair was.

     He then said as gently as possible.

     "It's alright. Everything is fine now."

     To the man, it seemed that those were nothing but simple comforting words but to her…

     Her tears started to fall and her wails of resentment are all let out.

     Those words are the words she wanted to hear all her life.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     Ebook Updates . Net

     .

     17 Why He Let Them Go

      In the dimly lit cinema hall, Mark was half-kneeling on the floor, in front of him, a half-naked girl with only a jacket draped over her back covering her body is crying. Mark, who was still pokerfaced, is quite baffled by the girl's cry. For some reason, the girl's tears did not only stem from what happened to her just earlier, it felt that it rooted from somewhere deeper.

     He felt how heavy the weight that this girl's tears carry but can't do anything about it. He can only gently pat her head trying to provide some comfort.

     As Mark pat her head, he is thinking about what to do next. The girl needed to clean herself but she is clearly not in the condition to do it. He thought of calling the girls outside to help but quite reluctant to do so. The girl's body is stained by a man's fluid so other girls might find it disgusting. He can do it himself and it would be a lie if he said that he didn't want to but it is really felt inappropriate.

     In the end, he decided in calling the girls outside.

     As he was about to stand, the girl hastily grabbed his right hand.

     "You need to get cleaned up quick so I'll call some help. Don't worry, they are girls."

     'Well, there is also a man but… I'll just lead him to the other side I guess?' he thought.

     It wouldn't be surprising if this girl would be wary of males after those bad things happened.

     Mark patted her head one more time after she let go of his hand. But before he calls the others outside… He looked around him. The boy he kicked is still unconscious and the leader is silent. No. Rather, the leader is…

     'He already died huh.'

     Being soaked with his blood, the gang leader already stopped breathing.

     'And another change of plans.' He sighed.

     Mark can't leave her if the place looked like this. He approached the unconscious boy and removed the chains tied on his belt, then used the chains to tie the boy's hands behind his back. The gangster's unnecessary bling came handy at this moment.

     Then, he stuffed the weapons left by the gangsters into his duffle bag. A three feet long iron pipe, a machete and an ice pick. These weapons would come in handy.

     He looked back at the armless dead body.

     'I. AM. NOT. TOUCHING. THAT.'

     Mark approached the girl again just to find her staring at him. Though she already stopped crying at some point and she tried wiping her tears with her hands leaving dirty marks on her face. Her face stained by tears, semen and blood made her look rather pitiful.

     He picked up his handkerchief once more and folded it in reverse before wiping the grime off her face.

     "Can you stand?"

     The girl weakly nodded. She tried to stand but fell down almost immediately. Luckily, Mark is just there to catch her fall. He then helped her as she try stand straight up.

     With his help, she tried walking but her steps were very unstable but she would knit her thin brows from time to time due to pain. Tears accumulated at the corner of her eyes but she held it in.

     "Xi-Xiao Mei."

     She suddenly spoke. Mark looked at her confused but it's not like he don't have any idea what she is talking about.

     "Y-Your-"

     "Mark."

     Mark did not let her finish.

     "Well, the introduction came out of nowhere but you can call me Mark. Just Mark is fine I think. Also don't try to open your mouth if it's painful. Your cheek is bruised and you have cuts on your lips."

     He led her towards the other side of the cinema and helped her sit down on a chair at the end of the middle row.

     "Wait here a bit."

     He then walked towards the double door on this side of the cinema. The doors were also locked but were easier to open from this side. After unlocking the door, he opened it slowly.

     BAM!

     A blood covered person fell just in front of him. No, it's not a person, it was.

     Ange was just outside the door and felled the zombie just by his feet. Mark then opened the door wide at normal speed.

     He saw Ange aiming the metal bat at him but immediately lowered the bat after seeing who opened the doors.

     Mark looked around and saw several bodies on the floor and zombies that are closing outside the cinema area. He ignored the bodies and faced Ange.

     "You alright?"

     As Ange is still panting, she just raised Mark a thumbs up.

     'You don't look fine at all though.'

     The others also went out of hiding after seeing him come out. Paula filled him in.

     "Several running ones came due to the gunshot earlier."

     "It's my fault I guess." He scratched his head.

     BANG!

     Everyone, not just Mark's group but including the incoming zombies outside turned their heads towards the central area of the mall where the gunshot seemed to come from.

     BANG! BANG!

     More shots echoed across the mall.

     The slow moving zombies outside turned around following the source of the gunshots.

     "The show started without us huh. Well, it would buy us some more time I think."

     Mark said taking back his group's attention.

     "Anyways, let's go, I need some help."

     He turned his back without waiting for reply took a box from a nearby food counter and entered the cinema hall once more. The others hastily followed. They seemed to start getting used to Mark's unnerving attitude.

     After entering, he told the employee to stay near the door to guard for a bit before leading the girls to Xiao Mei. What they saw was the pitiful appearance of the beautiful girl and the unpleasant stench that lingered around her.

     It seemed that Xiao Mei was still uneasy as she immediately grabbed the hem of Mark's shirt when he got close. He patted her head to assure her that it is fine making her settle down a bit. This might just a simple gesture but the girls Mark brought was filled with a plethora of emotions, such as 'it seemed that he really is a good person', 'we just saw a pleasant side of him' or 'something fishy is going on'.

     Then the girls received a glare from Mark.

     He told them the circumstances and ask them to help Xiao Mei clean up her body and handed them the box he just took from the counter outside which turned out to be a box of tissue paper. He also took out a small spray bottle that contained rubbing alcohol for them to use.

     Mark was surprised as the seemingly conservative Paula did not show any disgust as she helped Xiao Mei wipe her body. The same goes for the mother who let her child sit down on a nearby chair as she cleaned Xiao Mei's hair. And he was flabbergasted by the fact that the boyish mannered Ange who looked unfazed by blood was really reluctant to deal with the disgustingly white liquid though she still ended helping after being scolded by her friend.

     Xiao Mei was also proactive in cleaning herself but as she felt weak and her hands shivering, she was of no help at all.

     Mark on the other hand left the girls on their work as it was improper for him to watch and went towards the fire exit near the big screen. He opened a gap on the door and took a peek outside. There are no zombies that can be seen even though there are blood marks left on many parts of the corridor.

     "Looked like the plan worked somehow."

     That is right, he planned this. It is the reason he let the two gangsters run away. He thought of the possibility that there would be zombies inside the back corridors which he concluded to be right seeing the marks left behind. He let the two go in hopes that they would lure away the zombies away.

     Though he also expected it to not work or the two would run back luring the zombies in, he prepared some backup plans but the plans he thought of was wasted in a good way.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     Ebook Updates(dot)Net

     .

     18 Battle Ready

      Mark cautiously went out stepping into the back corridors of the mall. The corridors are about 3 meters wide, more than enough for two trolleys to pass side by side and still leaving a wide margin. There are a lot of doors varying in sizes and colors for some reason.

     He did not find any zombies for now. The corridors ran along the outline of the mall and thus, it had many corners. Even though he can't see anything of danger in the straight corridor he was in, he can't say what the corners had in store.

     Still, traces of devastation are present. Several trolleys blocked some parts of the corridor and many wrecked and overturned boxes that spilled its contents out littered the floor. Blood marks stained the floor and walls and there is even a large puddle of blood not far from him.

     He looked to his left which goes towards the south. He saw the fire exit sign hanging from the ceiling at the mid-point of the corridor with the arrow pointing to a single door at right side. Just beside a door he saw a blood covered corpse sat on the floor with its back leaning on the wall. Blood continued to drip from exposed wounds on the arms, neck and legs creating a blood puddle on the floor.

     He moved closer to fire exit and noticed that the body is quite familiar which he immediately recognized. It is one of the gangsters he let go.

     "It looked like the other one managed to get away."

     He noticed the red footprints on the floor. All of the footprints led towards the door in large strides. It seemed that all the zombies present here earlier are fast moving ones which he found plausible.

     As he inched towards the door, he noticed how badly mangled the gangster's body was and wandered why he was left there and did not turn.

     Then…

     BAM!

     He swung his metal baseball towards the supposed to be dead gangster's face at it sprung up to attack him.

     "I won't fall for that."

     Mark said as the gangster zombie who was pushed several steps away finally ending up dead, without any more chance of standing up again.

     Probably…

     Ensuring that the gangster totally stopped moving, he peeked through the glass window on the door. Seeing that there is nothing outside, he opened it and cautiously stepped outside. What greeted him is the stale warm air blowing strongly unbefitting the current season. He took a quick look around him disregarding the devastating scene he can see from afar.

     What he focused looking for are the possible threats, escape routes and things that can be used.

     Where he stood now is a flight of stairs hugging the walls at the back of the mall facing a large parking lot. The stairs continued down below ending about two meters above the ground. At the end of the stairs, there is a retractable ladder which is still suspended upward.

     Mark noticed the commotion just below the ladder. There is a group of zombies crouching on the concrete encircling something. The zombies are eating something which is not hard to imagine what. Just behind the group, he noticed baseball cap that started to roll away getting carried by the strong wind.

     To his right, he found another set of ladders attached to the wall. He looked up and saw that the ladder ends up at the edge of the mall's rooftop.

     He then looked at towards the west wing and saw another flight of stairs similar to what he is currently standing on.

     Confirming that there are no dangers at this part and finding a good route to take, he decided to go back. But as he entered the mall once more, screams echoed from the northern side of the corridor. Hearing the screams, he not making any noise anymore and immediately dashed towards the northern side past the cinema entrance not to check on the screams but to overturn the trollies that littered the corridor.

     He arranged the overturned trollies and together with the heavy boxes, he managed to quickly build a waist tall barricade blocking the corridor. The barricade isn't likely to stop anything going above it but its purpose is not to stop but to hinder.

     "AHH!!! HELP! STOP BITING ME!!! AHHH!!"

     The screams are getting closer along with loud running footsteps of more than ten people.

     Mark turned around and ran back to the cinema with haste. He opened the doors loudly immediately getting the attention of the people inside. As they looked at Mark, thought he still looked calm, they can feel the urgency of the situation.

     "What happened?"

     Ange immediately asked as Mark came close. Mark looked at the girls then towards the male employee quite a distance away and the cinema door that is now barricaded with different kinds of furniture. He also saw the unconscious gangster which is now being guarded by the employee. He signaled the employee to come closer and turned back to the girls specifically looking at Mei who looked better that earlier.

     "Zombies are coming soon, we need to leave. Is she good to go?"

     Hearing that there are zombies coming, the atmosphere tensed up. Then Paula answered his question.

     "We managed to help her clean up her body to some extent but she needs to take a bath, badly."

     Mark nodded at her reply.

     "Can't we fight them?"

     The boyish Ange asked.

     "We can but…" Mark purposely cut his sentence.

     "But what?"

     "Well end up as zombie food." Mark smiled.

     Ange felt she was being played with.

     "The fast zombies should be at least a dozen, if we are lucky, about more than thirty I think? Anyways, get ready, we're leaving."

     Even though he just said that nonchalantly along with a little joke, Mark managed to shake them to the core. That's just too many after all. And just how is he sure that there would be that many?

     Everyone stood up and picked up their things. Mei, though still having a hard time moving also stood up. She did not have anything to carry with her, not even clothes so she is ready to go somehow. She is only wearing the jacket Mark lent her which turned into one-piece clothing due to their difference in stature.

     The employee also arrived close by carrying the unconscious gangster on his shoulder.

     "What should we do with him?"

     It's not the employee but Ange who asked the question while pointing at the unconscious guy.

     Mark then turned towards Mei who stepped back in a hurry and hid behind him when the employee came closer. On the other hand, the employee also did not dare come close for some reason that baffled the other girls.

     Then they heard Mark mutter and they saw him do a troubled face palm.

     "Andro and Gyno, what a bad combination."

     Everyone is confused.

     "Mei'er, what do you want to with him?"

     Mark asked Mei.

     But she looked surprised and stared at him for some reason. She then looked down contemplating on his question. Though she is not aware of it, she started grasping the hem of Mark's shirt and started to shiver a little.

     Then Mark's voice cut off her line of thought then she felt his hand patting her head and then she started to calm down.

     "Just remove the chains and leave him here."

     Hearing what he said, everyone except Mark and Mei changed expressions. Leaving the guy, his death would sure become inevitable. Still no one said anything in opposition.

     Mark took of the chains while frowning.

     'Just how long would this guy spend sleeping?'

     He brought the chains with him and left the unconscious gangster sitting in the middle of the cinema.

     He then distributed the weapons he gathered from the gangsters. He gave the bat to Ange, and the iron pipe to the employee. He wanted to give the others a weapon but Paula is in charge of helping Mei move while the mother is carrying her daughter and of course, Mei is in no condition to fight but he also doubts that she had the ability to. Then, both the icepick and the machete fell in his hands for his use. He slid the icepick through his belt and held the machete in his right hand while his left hand held a revolver. The shotgun hanged over his side and the large duffle bag hung on his back.

     He looked really battle ready while being under Ange's envious gaze.

     The group then moved towards the emergency exit of the cinema.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     Ebook Updates.Net

     .

     19 The Back Corridor Encounter

      "F-!!!"

     Mark almost cursed as he sprang into action.

     With him leading the group, he slowly opened the double doors just to find several distorted faces staring his way.

     As there is no other choice but to fight, he took advantage of the seemingly confused state of the zombies staring at him. He jumped forward and hacked the neck of the nearest zombie making its head fly and kicked another zombie to his right away. Though he want to commend the sharpness of the machete on his hand as it managed to hack through the zombie's neck with little resistance, he found the feeling of cutting through human flesh a little unpleasant.

     "QUICK! RUN! TOWARDS THE EMERGENCY EXIT!"

     Mark shouted at the bewildered people behind him and pointed towards the other side of the corridor. They all immediately moved as fast as they can after his command.

     He is just as baffled as them. He made a small barricade back there with the goal of hindering them somehow. So how are these guys already here?!

     'Don't tell me that these guys can teleport like zombies in that American zombie series?'

     Then he saw the state of the corridor in front of him as he hacked his machete to the head of the zombie on his left and his uneven eyes grew wide.

     Four, Seven, Fifteen, Twenty-six… The corridor is filled with zombies. There is about forty or more in his estimate as he didn't have the luxury to count them all. Then he saw the barricade he made that is already overturned and not like the barricade was pushed to the side but rather, the barricade was struck with overwhelming force. Even some of the heavy boxes are scattered several meters away from where he built the barricade.

     The zombies also noticed the commotion and saw Mark and his group. And of course, like hungry beasts that hadn't eaten for a century, the zombies started moving towards the direction of the prey they found.

     The fast zombies immediately overtook the slower ones as they ran. Since the running speed of the zombies also differ, their beastly actions also created accidents on their side. Some of the slower zombies would be hit by the ones overtaking them making some fall down to the floor and…

     SPLAT!

     Their bodies became mashed zombie meat under feet of the stampeding zombies behind them.

     Mark continued dealing with the zombies that came closer. A female zombie jumped at him aiming for his arm holding the machete. As he didn't have the time to pull back his right arm that he just used to hack another zombie, he crossed his arms and pointed his revolver towards the zombie's face.

     BANG!

     The bullet entered the female zombie's widely opened mouth piercing through her brain and her body flew back due to the impact.

     Another zombie lunged towards Mark from his left but he didn't need to take action this time. A metal baseball bat mercilessly slammed unto the zombie's face. The force in that swing would have probably made a home run in the professional baseball stage since the zombie hit by it literally flew back slamming at the other zombie behind it with excellent force.

     Mark and Ange looked at each other for a split second and nodded. The otaku shut-in wielding a revolver in his left and a machete on his right took care of the zombies on the right side while the more experienced fighter holding the baseball bat took care of the zombies on the left. With their somehow rough teamwork, they managed to hold the zombies back as they retreated.

     It is lucky that the corridor's width is rather limited or else who knows what would have happened. The bodies zombies that they managed to kill that was left on the floor also worked to their advantage as the zombies from behind would step on the bodies would slow for a bit while the clumsier ones would actually fall down.

     Their group is moving at a steady pace. Though it could be faster, there is no helping it. They had two injured people with them after all.

     Just as they reached the emergency exit that Mark checked earlier, a louder commotion broke out from the zombie's side. Several zombies lagging from behind were struck by heavy force literally flying to the sides hitting the wall with loud thuds.

     Then Mark and Ange saw it. Mark was also sure it was the one behind the quick breakdown of the barricade he made.

     What caused the commotion was a bulldozer, no, a large pig, wait…

     It was large fat zombie running at about 20km/h, bulldozing its way through the group of zombies!

     Mark recognized the guy. He was the rude fat guy who was accompanied by his guard wearing a suit earlier. He was the person who was responsible for them getting locked out of the TechZone. Earlier, he bulldozed himself through the group of survivors, now, as a zombie, he is still bulldozing his comrades away.

     Bad habits never change do they?

     He already turned and is still causing a lot of problems. Where is his bodyguard? Mark did not see any zombie wearing a suit since earlier. He also noticed that the fat guy was literally bigger than how he remembered. Waaaay bigger. He was seemed to be more than a head taller and his fat body literally occupied more than a third of the corridor. And just what is with his speed and strength?

     Did he mutate or something?

     "Hey."

     Mark called Ange.

     BANG!

     He shot another zombie with his pistol as he removed his duffle bag from his shoulder.

     "Help me carry this and exit the door. After you guys exit the door close it. There is a ladder behind the-"

     BANG!

     Mark fire another shot.

     "Behind the door. Climb the ladder to the rooftop."

     Ange was bewildered as she took his duffle bag from him.

     "What are you sa—?"

     "Quick! Just do what I say! We don't have much time!"

     Mark started holding his spot and stopped retreating. Fighting the zombies hacking and shooting the zombies that came his way.

     Although she was very reluctant, Ange quickened her retreat and followed the other who already exited the door. She then slammed the door shut under the surprised eyes of the others people.

     Seeing the door that had been just slammed shut, he fired the last bullet from the chamber of his revolver. He still had some of the bullets for the revolver in his pocket but he is sure that he won't have any time to reload.

     Instead, he slid the empty revolver into the empty holster on his belt and held the machete with his left hand. He then pulled the shotgun from his side and shot directly at the fat zombie who is already at point blank range.

     BANG!

     The fat zombie staggered and fell sideways as Mark shot its right leg. His big body blocked a large part of the corridor but sure did not stop the zombies from coming after him from the unblocked side.

     BANG!

     He shot the zombie running by the feet of the fat guy adding another body to the blockade. This gave him time to retreat and he ran away though he ran straight south not following the others through the door. As he passed by the door, he saw the teary eyed Mei peeking at the door window. He then shouted.

     "Hide! Wait for me at the roof top!"

     He then sped off and the zombies came running after him at a distance.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     Ebook Updates(dot)Net

     .

     20 Slipping Competition

      Most of the zombies already ran past the door chasing Mark. Mei was tightly being held by Ange as she watched what is happening inside the door. When Ange slammed the door shut with Mark being left inside, Mei immediately sprung to open the door once more and let him in. Fortunately, Ange managed to hold her back in time. She tried to struggle out of Ange's grasp but then…

     Mark ran past the door and shouted at her.

     "Hide! Wait for me at the roof top!" He said.

     Mei then stopped struggling and obediently hid though she still watched by the side of the door until she can't see Mark anymore.

     The others felt guilty as they try to settle down hiding behind the door. Except for Ange, they can't do anything but keep being protected to the extent that someone needed to lure away the dangers to keep them safe. They felt how powerless they are.

     Ange let go of Mei who calmed down. Also she also felt down because of what Mark did as he stayed behind to lure the zombies away, a part of her knew that if he did not do so, then everyone of them are likely to fall.

     She raised her composure up and looked around. Then, she saw the ladder that Mark told her about just by her head. She then silently told everyone to climb up the ladder.

     With the male employee in the lead and Ange in the tail of the group, they climbed up the ladder. Both Mei and the mother had difficulty climbing up due to the conditions of their bodies. The employee also carried the child with him lessening the mother's burden somehow.

     As they climbed up the ladder, all of then somehow agreed on an unspoken rule.

     "DO. NOT. LOOK. DOWN!"

     That sentence echoed in everyone's minds.

     It is really reasonable that it would enter their minds considering that they are climbing a ladder up to the roof top of a three story high mall. Just think how high they are from the ground at this moment.

     Just one slip up and then, splat. What is better? Falling to death at that height or getting eaten alive by zombies? Of course, none of them would want to know.

     After a minute or two, the group finally reached the safe confines of the mall's roof top. Still, none of them looked happy. Mark who brought them all up to this point is not with them after all.

     They remembered what Mark shouted as he passed by the door earlier and they decided to wait for him.

     ***

     Rewinding time for a little bit back after Mark passed by the door. After he shouted those words at Mei, he did a sudden short jump. He jumped over the dead body of the gangster he left earlier in the middle of the corridor submerged in his own pool of blood.

     The zombies running after Mark started slipping after stepping over the gangster's body and the sticky pool of blood around it. The zombies in front that slipped on the floor became the catalyst for another domino effect to happen among the zombies. Many of the zombies fell down but none of them are visibly damaged. Though there is quite a number that did not get affected and continued running after Mark.

     The gangster's body became another tool for Mark one last time before being stomped into an unrecognizable mush of flesh.

     Mark saw what happened and was visibly elated. Like how zombies are in the movies, they are dumb and have a really bad sense of balance. One good move is enough to send them lying on the floor. If he can keep up on it, he should be able to shake them off his tail.

     He ran away across the long straight corridors. The next corner is still quite a distance away but the distance between him and his pursuers are getting shorter by the minute. The zombies obviously ran faster than Mark.

     He then saw a blood stained trolley parked on the side of the corridor. On the trolley are cleaning equipment like mops, rags and brooms. There is also a bucket containing murky water on the trolley.

     The zombie behind him is already within arm's reach when he reached the trolley. He picked up the bucket while running overturning the trolley in the process. The cleaning tools fell in front of the zombie behind him causing a wooden mop to get stuck between its legs. The zombie obviously tripped hard as its face hit the floor flat and its head got stomped by the one running behind it.

     Mark turned around and threw the contents of the bucket on the floor before throwing the empty bucket towards the nearest zombie. He then sped off once more.

     The results of what he did is too obvious that he did not feel the need to look back to see what would happen. The dirty water in the bucket was certainly mixed with cleaning soap which immediately spread across the floor.

     Another competition on who would look the worst after slipping on the floor ensued between the zombies.

     This is why janitors always put the 'slippery when wet' sign whenever they are cleaning the mall premises.

     The floor slipping tactic he is using is rather becoming a classic for him but it is the only thing he can do right now. Rather, he is lucky that somehow, he can do something besides running.

     He can fight but he would surely die the moment he stops running. He can also shoot the zombies behind to thin their numbers but that would also come with dire consequences. His ammo is limited, he would need to slow down in order to reload and he would draw more attention. Who knows where zombies would start popping up from if he starts creating more commotion. Exchanging a few zombies for his life isn't worth the exchange.

     Running away like this being chased by man-eating carnivores, he can now understand the feeling of the father character at the beginning of the second '28' zombie movie.

     Still, the extensive "exercise" he is experiencing right now is already taking a large toll on his body. He is now sweating profusely as his legs started to grow heavy. In terms, of stamina, he knew that he can't win against Ange, what more of these seemingly tireless zombies?

     He panted as fast as he was running.

     "What should I do now?"

     Now, there are no zombies at close proximity behind him. The zombies were considerably delayed by the soapy water that spread out widely across the corridor.

     He then reached the end of the corridor, he probably reached the southern end of the mall and the only way available is turning at the corner to his left. But as he turned left…

     Mark immediately jumped to the right and lost balance. He managed not to fall down but he still toppled a set of segregated trash bins.

     In front of him is a single zombie who seemed to be attracted to the noise coming from this side of the corridors.

     He immediately hacked the zombie's neck. Since he is using his left hand to hold the machete, he did not manage to fully separate the head from its body but he managed to cut off its spinal column. The zombie fell to the ground with its head dangling from what remained of its neck.

     He looked at the corridor and saw that there no other zombies aside from the one killed just now.

     Then his eyes lit up.

     He saw a sign hanging from the ceiling showing a flight of stairs pointing at the double door to the right. In front of the double door on the left side of the corridor, Mark saw a door with metallic sheen having a button pad installed on the right side of the door.

     "To think that there is an elevator here."

     But that is not his way out but the door pointed out by the sign. He threw a final gaze at the zombies chasing him and ran towards the doors. He then cautiously went through the doors afterwards. Behind the doors was a stairwell leading both up and down the mall floors. Fortunately, the same as the corridor outside, the stairwell is empty.

     The double doors had vertical door handles with quite narrow space which came to his advantage. Mark took the ice pick out and slid it through the narrow space between the door frame and the handle. The handle of the ice pick went in perfect fit.

     He then left and climbed up the stairs.

     The zombies arrived soon and turned into the corner to find nothing of their prey. What they only saw is a dead body with a dangling head staring at them.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     21 On the Mall Rooftop

      11:33 AM – City Mall Bacoor, Rooftop

     The girls sat on some monoblock chairs forming a circle nearby the ladder they just climbed before. On the other side quite a distance away, the male employee was talking with three men of varying ages wearing blue long sleeved uniforms and overalls on top of their clothes.

     When they climbed the rooftop earlier, they encountered these three men. Both parties were cautious about each other but it is the employee who seemed to be acquainted with them who broke the ice. From their talk, it seemed that these three were here to clean the rooftop when the disaster broke out.

     They saw the situation inside the mall through the skylight windows installed on the roof top and became afraid to go back inside the mall. When they saw some people climb up the rooftop, they thought that those savages below managed to get up here. The three were elated to know that the ones who just climbed up was people who managed to escape and approached to greet them but it somehow ended up in failure.

     As the three approached to give a short greeting to the girls, the mother and her child, Ange and Paula were fine and are also elated to see other people but Mei started shivering and slowly backed away in fright. The three men became troubled with her reaction.

     Paula told Ange to take Mei to rest a little further away and apologized to the men about what happened. She explained her circumstances while omitting a large amount of details basically telling the three that Mei is severely Androphobic.

     The men understood and did not pursue the issue. Still, the youngest of the three can't help throw an admiring gaze at Mei. Both Ange and Paula had good looks as college girls but Mei is on a way different level.

     Then, the staring man was hit on the head by the older man beside him making him avert his gaze and clutch his head in pain. The older man apologized for the inappropriate behavior of the younger man and dragged him away.

     The employee found several monoblock chairs for the girls and went to talk with the three cleaners. This now led to the current situation.

     The girls took out snacks and drinks from their bags as it was already nearing lunch time. The mother opened an airtight sealed sandwich and fed her daughter who was sitting on a chair beside her. Ange and Paula also opened their own sandwiches. Mei who already calmed down on the other hand is only drinking juice rather she can only consume juice at the moment because of the painful cuts on her lips.

     Paula also went and offered sandwiches and drinks to the men on the other side. The employee took the offered food and drinks while the other men only took the drinks and told her that they still had their own packed lunch. The younger cleaner actually wanted to take the sandwich but he was receiving fierce stares from the older man.

     Even though they are eating and feeling safe for now, the girls and the employee are visibly tensed, stressed and worried, even glancing at the ladder climbed before from time to time.

     This piqued curiosity of the middle-aged cleaner.

     "Why the long face? What happened?"

     The employee sighed.

     "The person who has helped us get this far still down there."

     The employee then pointed at the floor near his feet. He then recounted a summarized version of what happened starting from the time he and his cousins found boxes of food and being chased by a zombie, the time they had been locked out of the TechZonem and to the time Mark went and lured the zombies away for them to escape safely only omitting what really happened to Mei like what Paula did.

     The three cleaners were surprised and also understood the feeling of this group that managed to survive with great difficulty. As they were here at the rooftop, they saw how severe the situation is inside and outside the mall. They saw people die. They saw people get chased and eaten. Those scenes churned their stomach heavily and they became afraid to get away from the safe confines of this rooftop.

     And this group managed to cheat death several times due so a certain person. Yet, while they are all here, that person is not.

     The atmosphere had gotten heavy. The cleaners are also worried about their families and the story they just heard added some weight to their feelings. This group only managed to survive due to the help of the person they are waiting for. If not for him, it is likely that they would have never met this group of young people, alive or probably, they would be able to see them, as flesh eaters that is.

     How about their families? Are they safe? If they are in danger, would someone help them like what happened to this group in front of them? They are getting increasingly worried.

     "I wonder if my family is safe." The middle aged cleaner said.

     Hearing what the man said, the same feeling also rose in the hearts of Mark's group. Now that they are free from the threats of the floors below, their near death experiences flashed in their minds. Are their families experiencing the same situation? Who knows? They stopped eating their food without noticing.

     There two people on the rooftop that didn't seem to worry about their families though. Ange continued eating her sandwich with relish. She spent quite a large amount of calories in order to fight back earlier and now she is feeling really hungry. She also seemed that she is not worried about her family facing dangers. The same goes for Mei. She came from a rich business family. They had a lot of contacts and connections that can take them to safety along with their assets.

     Mei is more worried about her savior who is still inside the mall. If she can, she would really rush back to look for him.

     It is the that Mei felt a tugging feeling. She looked behind her and stood up. She then unsteadily walked towards the southern side of the rooftop under the confused gazes of the other girls.

     Ange wanted to follow Mei but Paula stopped her from doing so. Paula understood that she just had a very traumatic experience and many people who also did would have times that they would want to be alone for a while. As long as she did not look suicidal, it should be fine.

     Mei walked slowly but it was actually the fastest she could go at this moment. There was a familiar structure built by the south side of the rooftop. There are doors on the structure and she was being drawn double doors on the right side for some reason.

     As she was just several meters away from the double doors, the doors swung open.

     ***

     Mark dragged his tired body up the flights of stairs reached the last few steps with difficulty. He saw a double door at the top and was sure that it leads to the rooftop.

     He pulled the doors open and stepped out before closing the door immediately. Feeling weak, he then leaned on the wall beside the door and started a coughing fits.

     Now that he started to feel safe, he began to feel the pain on his legs. His lungs felt constricted and feeling pain on his right side just below the ribs.

     Feeling his drained energy, he entrusted his body on the wall behind him.

     He then heard faint footsteps in front making him raise his drooped head.

     When he raised his head, he saw the teary eyed Mei dragging her weakened body as she walked unsteadily towards him.

     He tried to smile at her but the smile did not even manage to form as he coughed several more times.

     Mei is already in front of him when he raised his head again, with both arms as if she was about to hug him but she didn't and just froze like that. Mei on the other hand did the motion unconsciously and ended up frozen when she realized what she is doing.

     The atmosphere became awkward.

     Mark saw that the others are already noticed arrive and are running towards him. He wiped his right hand on his shirt, raised it and patted her head easing the awkward atmosphere. Mei then continued to raise her arms and held on Mark's left arm with both her hands.

     It looked like a good reunion scene from a corny drama series until Mark felt light headed and fell unto his knees as he started wincing in pain.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     22 Idle Talk and Introductions

      Ange and the others finally felt relieved when they saw Mark who looked very exhausted, safely reached the rooftop. They can't help but approach him to welcome him and thank him for what he did. But then panic came over them as they saw Mark fell down to his knees while shivering in pain before they could even get close.

     They ran faster and it was Ange who was first to reach the pained Mark and the worried Mei.

     "Are you okay?"

     She asked Mark and like that, she received a sarcastic reply.

     "Well, 'cough', yeah, do I look okay to you?"

     Ange realized that she asked a stupid question.

     Paula also arrived while with the mother behind her carrying her daughter. The cleaners and the employee reached them soon after.

     "What happened?"

     Paula asked as she crouched in front of Mark.

     Mark looked at her but did not answer her question, and instead…

     "Get my bag for—No, open the duffel bag and get the smaller bag inside. Also bring me something to drink." He said.

     Paula and Ange heard him. Paula nodded at Ange telling her to get what he needed.

     Ange dashed back to where they sit before as the bag was placed by the nearby wall. She immediately opened Mark's bag to search but then she froze in surprise.

     Noticing that Ange not moving in front of the opened bag, Paula yelled.

     "Ange! Hurry up!"

     "O-okay!"

     Hearing her friend's shout, Ange searched for the smaller bag inside. She immediately found a small strap bag inside. As there's no other things inside that resembled a bag, except for a plastic bag filled with snacks and drinks, she took the strap bag out before picking up a bottle of water and brought the things to Mark.

     Under the worried eyes of the girls and the employee and the curious gaze of three people he wasn't familiar with, Mark took out two blister packs containing medicine, one containing tablets and the other had capsules, from the bag. The tablets already had several empty spaces while the capsules are visibly untouched. He popped out one of each and swallowed the medicine before drinking several mouthfuls of water. The water bottle was almost empty when he put it down.

     Mark felt a little better after drinking water but he can't still move too much due to pain and his spasms haven't ceased since the medicine had yet to take effect.

     "Just let, hah, me rest for a bit."

     He leaned his back on the wall and sat at a more comfortable position. He then shut his eyes and started breathing calmly and deeply.

     Seeing that he shut his eyes, the people around him decided to give him some space and left though they relocated their resting areas closer to his position.

     The only one left was Mei who kept on holding his right hand as she sat worriedly beside him.

     Ange and Paula would look at him from time to time as they were worried that he was already bitten would turn into a zombie but abandoned the thought later on. They saw their classmates and friends turn after several seconds of being bitten, but several minutes already passed and Mark still stayed silent.

     As they were talking, the cleaners and the employee also joined the girls. After all, none of them had any bad intentions and the only reason the males separated was because of Mei, who now sat beside Mark.

     As they just managed to have the time to talk, everyone started with their introductions.

     As a courtesy, the older cleaner was the first to introduce his name as he was obviously the oldest here.

     "I'm Bernard, Bernard Macaraeg, you young'uns can just call me Uncle, and most people here do call me that. This one is Joseph, he might look like this but he is my son." Bernard pointed at the younger cleaner.

     "What do you mean by that?!" Joseph tried to intercept.

     "And this is." The ignored Joseph and looked at the middle aged cleaner who then introduced himself.

     "Calvin Roxas." He doesn't seem to be the talkative type as he kept his introduction short.

     "Mine's Angeline. Angeline Perez. My friend here is Paula Mae Clarence." Ange introduced herself and Paula. Paula bowed her head a little as a greeting.

     Next was the employee who was visible nervous introducing himself in front of the girls.

     "Um, I'm Fernan, yeah, Fernan Enaje."

     "I'm Reyah Ismail." It was the mother who then said her name. And the last one to introduce herself of course was.

     "Come on baby, tell them your name." Reyah told her daughter.

     "Sariya!" The daughter said her name loudly.

     "Muslim?" Ange asked in surprise.

     "Well, yes. I am. Is there something wrong?" Reyah seemed troubled.

     "Ah, no." Ange realized the blunder she made and continued.

     "It's just I rarely see female Muslims not wearing that veil something."

     "It's called hijab Ange." Paula filled her in.

     "Ah, right, that hijab veil thing."

     Paula had the urge to heavily smack her friend's head.

     Reyah became somehow gloomy and replied.

     "I'm wearing one earlier but I had abandon it. One of those zombies below somehow managed to clutch unto mine if I did not let it go who knows what would have happened. Also it's not I like wear it because I wanted to but rather I had to. It's because of tradition."

     As the introductions are getting strayed off, Bernard cut in.

     "What about them?" He pointed at Mark and Mei.

     Ange looked at the two before replying and she realized something making her scratch her head.

     "Uhm, the girl is called Mei'er, I think. He called her that right?" As she wasn't sure, she turned to the others and they consented.

     "As for him."

     Ange didn't know how to continue. They all now realized that they followed him and they are saved by him. Yet, they know nothing about him. Not even his name. They did not ask and he did not tell them either. He also did not ask for their names. He just went and did everything he had done.

     They exchanged a few topics about this and that. Afterwards, Bernard asked the youngsters.

     "He is the one who saved you guys, right? You guys think he would be fine?"

     "He should be." Paula replied and Ange nodded.

     "I mean, he's not bitten isn't he? From here, we saw the people below got bitten then turn into one of those."

     Of course everyone in Mark's group knew what Bernard is talking about. They saw it happen with their very own eyes.

     "We don't think he is. We saw it happen several times and they all became zombies after a few seconds. He is taking too long to become one if he is really bitten."

     "Zombies? Are you sure about it?" It was Calvin's turn to ask.

     "That is what he called them." Paula answered as he glanced at Mark once more.

     "I see."

     "Ah! Do you have a phone we can borrow?"

     Ange suddenly interjected as if she just realized something and asked the three men.

     "What do you want to do with it? If you want to call the police or some emergency hotline then forget it."

     "Why?"

     Bernard did not reply and just urged Joseph to take out his phone. He took his son's phone under his protest and dialed some numbers before showing the screen to Ange.

     At the screen of the phone, a rectangular prompt popped up with the message "Network Busy".

     "We already tried calling several times and different numbers using different phones but we got the same result." Bernard added.

     Ange and the others felt dejected to this.

     "I want to ask something." Joseph said meekly as he faced Paula.

     "You said she is Androphobic right? Then why is she-- Ouch!"

     He pointed at Mei as he try to ask his question but he wasn't able to finish what he wanted to say as he received a hard smack on his head.

     "What would you do that for?!" He snarled at his father.

     "There are things you can ask, you should ask and things that you shouldn't!"

     On the side, Calvin just shook his head. He seemed to be used to the father and son's banter.

     "It's fine." Paula said stopping the two.

     "See!" Joseph wanted to refute his father some more but flinched when his father posed another smack for him.

     "About his question..."

     The father and son duo waited for her answer. Bernard might have scolded his son, but its is just because he know how to control himself. In reality, he was just as curious as him.

     "You can say that he is the only male she trust, or maybe, the only person she trust in the whole world right now."

     Paula decided to say what she thought about Mei's behavior.

     The talk went for about another 10 minutes before they stopped. They stopped because they saw Mark weakly stood up and walked towards them with Mei following behind him.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     23 Self-Induced Adrenaline Rush

      Mark sat down still for about 20 minutes as he endured the pain and lightheadedness while waiting for the medicine to take effect.

     He took deep breaths while calming himself. The pain in his body, he didn't really care about it too much since he is quite used to it, though it really kicked hard this time.

     'I really overexerted myself.' He thought.

     'When was the last time it felt like this? I don't even remember.'

     Only his family knew how much of a shut-in Mark is. He only comes out of the premises of their home when buying things from the stores or when something really important should be done like paying bills. Due to this, he lacked exercise and his stamina and strength are quite below average.

     Yet, all this time, since the outbreak started, he was moving beyond his capabilities.

     How? It all started when he was in grade four during his elementary years. He was diagnosed with kidney infection though it was found out really early and was cured within a week of being checked-in in a hospital.

     After he was cured of his kidney infection, he noticed that his heart would start beating strongly until it starts to get painful every time he gets excited or agitated. He thought that it was a reemerging heart problem since he had one when he was a baby but when he was tested in a hospital, the results were negative.

     It then went like that for years making him get used to the situation and he learned that he only need to calm down, take deep breaths and control his emotions to make his heartbeat go back to normal. He also stopped feeling heart pains during the change in his heartbeat during that long period. Though, it also caused him to stop showing too much emotion on his face.

     In college, however, he realized it.

     He was not a sporty person and the only kind of sport that interested him is martial arts, soccer and baseball. Yet, he was never given the opportunity to experience all those until college where a soccer club started. He joined and managed to get a good progress and plays during practice though we wasn't able to actually join any official matches due to various reasons.

     During practice, there are times that he would get too much into the game and his heartbeat would go faster and stronger more often.

     Though one day.

     During one of the practice games, when his heartbeat changed while he was focused too much on following the ball with his eyes, a teammate of his kicked the ball wrongly and the ball made a sharp beeline in front of him.

     By the strength that the ball was kicked, the direction it flew and the speed it was flying, it was reasonable that the ball would just flew by and pass by him with him not being able to react or do anything.

     Yet, it happened.

     As his heart beat faster, his focus on the ball became sharper as the ball moved slower and slower in his eyes until it looked like that it almost stopped in front of him. His blood seemed to boil and he felt an unknown source of energy in his body urging him to kick the ball. His foot touched the ball in great momentum and it flew fairly far. He remembered that kick as his best record in terms of speed and distance. It felt like it happened in several seconds but in reality, not even single second passed.

     After he kicked the ball he stood in the middle of the field surprised. The club members were also surprised but what he did was dismissed as a lucky kick. But to him, there was more to it.

     He then started practicing, trying to stimulate his heartbeat by purposely controlling his emotion and impulses. Mark managed to get a few results though he was far from being able to do it with control. Soon enough, due to needing time to finish his thesis and concentrate on his studies, he quit the club.

     After a few years of practice, even after he graduated, he reached the point that he can finally do it, control its activation and use it whenever he wanted. Though at this point, he would just use it when playing games when things get difficult or when he is on the losing side.

     Mark also learned about what is happening to him.

     It was Adrenaline Rush and due to years of practice, he was able to self-induce it.

     Though, it doesn't come without limit or side effects. He would feel fine during the duration it is activated but depending on how long, how much activity or which part of his body he focused on, he would receive a backlash at the same intensity after the duration was over.

     From being lightheaded, sleepiness or headaches to muscle pain and severe muscle spasms, he would experience those depending on how he used this ability.

     When he actually raise his adrenaline levels while playing games, his eyes would feel fatigued and his arms would go numb afterwards.

     And that is what happened to him. Ever since he saw the zombies below when he was on the second floor of the mall, he grew really excited and subconsciously activated his ability and it remained activated as his subconscious and senses continued on detecting danger around him.

     Now that he managed to reach a safe area, his adrenaline levels started to drop on its own.

     Then the backlash triggered.

     Fortunately, he would always bring medicine for muscle pain and headaches ever since he managed to get this ability.

     Even though it came with quite a heavy backlash, and would surely become worse in the long run, it is one of his few 'abnormal' abilities he could boast about.

     ***

     The pain lessened though far from actually ceasing and Mark finally opened his eyes as the medicine reached the peak of its effect.

     He looked at Mei who beside him and he don't know what to do with her. Mark had never experience receiving this much of concern from another person, so, he was not used to it. Mei really looked like the sky would fall on her as she watched him writhing in pain.

     The two locked their gazes making him raise his lips into a weak smile.

     'I really can't abandon such a weak rabbit, can I?'

     His right hand is still clutched so this time, with his left hand, he patted Mei's head.

     "I'm fine now. We should join them, alright?"

     Mei nodded and helped the pained Mark stand up and the two walked towards the group.

     The group watched Mark approach them. Even though his exhaustion, pain and weakness are visible, he walked calmly towards them like it was nothing.

     But before Mark and Mei can even reach the encircled chairs, Ange already jumped off her seat and approached the two.

     "Hey! What happened to you? We're really worried you know that?"

     "You're too close."

     Mark grabbed Ange's forehead and pushed her away.

     "Wah! Your hand is dirty!"

     "What are you talking about? I properly wiped my hand on my shirt."

     "Grrrr!"

     Even though Ange was complaining, she was smiling.

     Then, aside from Bernard, Joseph and Calvin who were unfamiliar with Mark, the rest followed Ange's lead and circled around him.

     Fernan happily clutched his neck but then retreated in quickly after Mark complained in pain.

     Reyah, carrying her daughter, Sariya, just stood to the side also smiling.

     Then, Paula went in front of him.

     "Welcome back." She said.

     Mark froze.

     He never expected to hear something like that. Even in his family, no one says something like this to him no matter how long he left before returning home.

     Feeling warm inside, he decided to reply.

     "Yeah, I'm back."

     Mark then looked at the three men behind the group.

     "Who are they?"

     And as it he knew that it was the cue for them, Bernard approached.

     "Bernard Macaraeg. It's nice to meet you. We heard a lot of what you did from them."

     He then held his old right hand towards Mark. Mark accepted his introduction and shook the old man's hand.

     Then, another round of introductions followed, though it's just the group introducing themselves to Mei and Mark.

     "We already introduced ourselves! It's you two's turn now!"

     The always impatient Ange urged the two to tell their names.

     Mark glanced at Mei who is hiding behind him before looking back at the people in front of him.

     "This girl, she's Xiao Mei. No, it should be Mei Xiao. As for me, it's Mark, just Mark."

     "You're not gonna tell us your family name?" Ange is being nosy.

     "I don't really need to, right? Not like it's important."

     "Wah, it's unfair!"

     "Just what are you being noisy about?"

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     Ebook Updates.Net

     .

     24 Mark“s Conjecture and the Fate of the Survivors Inside the TechZone

      12:03PM – City Mall Bacoor Rooftop

     Everyone formed a circle to discuss what they should do next. As the chairs available isn't enough, the each of the girls had sat on one while the males except Mark laid some flattened empty boxes on the floor and sat on those. Mark on the other hand was also given a chair due to his condition. His chair was previously used by Sariya who now sat on her mother's lap.

     "What are your plans now?"

     Bernard asked the young people in front of him and what happened surprised him. Except for his son, Joseph, Calvin, who was with him here in the rooftop and the innocent Sariya, everyone looked at Mark as if they all planned it together.

     "Hah, why are you all looking at me?" Mark sighed.

     "Hahaha, I don't know, I just…"

     Ange let out a dry laugh as her voice trailed off. They all slowly averted their gazes from him. Except Mei, that is.

     Though none of them want to admit but they are very clueless of what to do and Mark, who seemed unfazed as he dealt with the zombies and managed to get them this far might have an idea of what they should do next.

     The only person who seemed to want to do something was Fernan but he knew that he might not be capable of actually doing it.

     Bernard and Mark looked at Fernan at the same time as he looked disturbed and thinking of something deeply. Then, as he steeled himself, Fernan raised his hand.

     "I want to go back inside. I want to get to the TechZone."

     Everyone understood why. Bernard and the rest already heard of their story so they also understood his reasons.

     But Mark spoke.

     "That would be hard."

     Everyone agreed as they all nodded. The only way they can use to get there right now is the back corridors which are now teeming with zombies.

     As if he managed to read their minds, Mark continued.

     "Don't misunderstand me. I'm not talking about the zombies in the back corridors. I already had a good idea on how to deal with those."

     "Then what do you mean?"

     Fernan had a bad premonition about the way Mark is talking.

     "The TechZone, it should be filled with zombies right now."Mark said calmly.

     Everyone was shocked and Fernan felt as he had been struck with lightning. He asked Mark shivering.

     "H-How?"

     "Are you sure about this?" Bernard was also worried.

     "A hundred percent. Actually, the zombies we encountered when we exited the cinema came from the TechZone. As for proof…"

     He looked at Ange.

     "Remember that large fat zombie?"

     "Yeah, it looked gross. All that fat jiggling as he ran. Ugh."

     Ange looked disgusted as she remembered that zombie's appearance.

     "He should be the person that caused us to be locked out. It is hard to recognize him since his clothes are in tatters and his body 'changed', but I'm quite sure that it is him. The fat man followed by a body guard."

     "That's--"

     Fernan grimaced. He also remembered him though he did not see what he turned out to be as a zombie since they did not try to look back as they escaped to the emergency exit.

     Strange enough, when Mark said that the guy was a 'fat man followed by a body guard', both Ange and Paula jolted on their seats.

     Mark looked at the two college girls with eyes like he was cleared of confusion. He watched their expressions and if this was anime, he was sure that there should be black aura enveloping the two. The males were surprised by their reaction but Reyah looked at the two as if she had some understanding and also pity is obvious in her eyes.

     Realizing their inappropriate reaction, the two apologized and sat properly on their chairs but the dark atmosphere around the two did not lessen a little bit.

     Then to their surprise, Mark spoke to the two.

     "He is the reason right?"

     "The reason of what?" Joseph can't help but butt in.

     Ange and Paula looked at Mark but stayed silent. As Joseph asked, Mark looked at him and continued.

     "That fat man is the reason why only these two girls remained of their group."

     The two girls trembled when Mark said that while Reyah shook her head. Seeing the confusion of the others, Mark decided to say more.

     "When the zombies entered the Mall and everyone started running down the escalators. I already saw these two." He pointed that the girls who now hung their heads down.

     "I think… There should be another six or seven students with them. I saw their group among the people escaping."

     The whole group looked at the two. They don't know what to say. They want to know the whole story but it would be unlikely for the two to tell. Furthermore, it would just make these two remember their bad experience.

     The atmosphere turned sour again.

     Then, without minding the drop in mood, Mark spoke.

     "Paula looked fine but this gloomy face doesn't suit you Angeline."

     The two looked at Mark confused why would he say something like that. The others were the same.

     "What do you mean?" Ange replied weakly.

     "You look UGLY." Mark smiled sinisterly.

     Then she snapped. She even stood up from her seat.

     "WHO ARE CALLING UGLY!!!"

     Then there was silence and Mark stayed smiling.

     "Pfft. Hihihihi."

     Someone's giggling entered their ears. They followed where the sound coming from and saw Paula trembling on her seat.

     "Paula? WHAT are you laughing at?!"

     "Sorry. I can't help it." Paula answered wiping the tears on the corner of her eyes.

     Mark watched the spectacle with a snicker.

     While the others were confused where the dark atmosphere just now had gone to, Bernard was looking at Mark.

     'Amazing.' He thought as he looked at Mark in a new light.

     With just a simple sentence, Mark recovered the mood of the two girls and the dark atmosphere was blown away.

     The two girls realized what happened as they grew quiet once more though this time, it is normal silence. Still, Ange is pouting due to Mark's remark.

     "Then back to the issue about the TechZone." Everyone grew serious once more.

     Mark looked at Fernan.

     "You are worried about those two, right? They were your cousins correct?"

     Fernan, nodded.

     "There is a chance that they should be fine if they followed my instructions correctly."

     "Instructions? Don't tell me you expected this to happen? Also how did the TechZone got filled with zombies in the first place?" Bernard barraged Mark with questions.

     "Please, one question at a time. Well, I'll answer them all anyway." Mark fixed his seating position.

     "About the instructions, they might have told you already about how we got locked out and how I communicated with his cousin and that sales clerk, right?"

     Bernard nodded.

     "My last message to them was some instructions they must follow."

     "Take all the people originally here in this floor, find a secure place to hide and don't come out no matter what. Strictly remember not to bring anyone who came from the lower floors." Paula interjected.

     "So, you remembered it?"

     "Yeah, I was behind you that time and I saw it. So that is why you told them that they might die if they did not follow what you said?"

     "That's right. This also answered the second question. However, I wasn't a hundred percent sure back then." He stared at Bernard.

     "Then what happened? Did you expect that the zombies would be able to get in?" Joseph is the one who asked this time. He was visibly agitated.

     "No, you are wrong. Though I expected that the zombies would get to them, it's not from the outside."

     Mark dragged his sentence a little and revealed a sinister smile.

     "It came from the inside."

     All of them were shocked.

     "How did that happen?"

     "Well, though I didn't really manage to confirm it, with that amount of people from the lower floors that managed to enter the TechZone, I thought of the possibility that one or more of them were already bitten."

     "Wait."

     Mark looked at Ange.

     "We saw people who got bitten turned into a zombie almost immediately. Our… Our friends were also the same."

     Ange seemed to hesitate continuing her sentence but it seemed she steeled herself.

     "Then, tell me which part of their body were they bitten."

     "Hmm… Neck, shoulder, Face, arms…" Ange trailed off and shivered.

     "Seriously… Don't try to remember how their bites looked like, I only asked you where they were bitten."

     "Well, I think that's it."

     "There are also ones who were bitten on their legs and body." Paula added.

     "I bet those who had bites on their arms and legs had been bitten multiple times or got bitten in other parts of their bodies."

     The two girls nodded.

     "Well, my reasoning really came from some video game but, what if the time needed for a person to turn into a zombie might vary and one of the reason they vary is because of where they were bitten."

     Everyone started listening to him intently.

     "From what you two said, they immediately turned but their bites were near their head or they are bitten several times. However, what if they were bitten on their hands or maybe, their foot or even the tip of their fingers and managed to get away with just those bites? Would they immediately turn?"

     "Is that possible?" Bernard asked.

     "I think, what he said is possible."

     Reyah interjected.

     "I saw someone earlier, a woman. She was grabbed by a zombie and got bitten just above her left ankle. She managed to get away with just that bite because someone helped her and did not turn into a zombie until I lost track of her."

     Hearing what Reyah said, everyone was now inclined to believe Mark's conjecture.

     Then, Joseph asked a question.

     "Say… If you knew all that, why did you not just tell them that there might be people inside who was bitten and might turn anytime?"

     It was a question that will determine Mark's standpoint in this situation.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     25 Mark“s Standpoin

      "If you are sure that the TechZone is now filled with zombies, then what happened to those people who weren't bitten? If you told them what you knew then… Then…"

     "Joseph, stop it."

     Bernard patted his son's shoulder.

     Still, no one blamed him for asking such a question as everyone here understood his point. From what Paula said, Mark instructed the two employees to save a few people without telling why. It just meant that he had no plan of helping them. He abandoned them to die.

     Everyone looked at Mark though it's not like that he would actually answer it.

     But to their surprise, Mark answered frankly and nonchalantly.

     "Why should I?"

     "You! Don't you even care about the lives of other people?"

     Joseph was agitated, especially with how Mark behaved when he answered. They are talking about lives of people here and not just one but many. Joseph was so agitated that he almost stood up but he was held down by his father.

     "Could you say you're reasons? I don't question what you did or your decisions but I want to know why."

     Surprisingly, it was the silent Calvin who asked that. It seemed that Marks attitude and stance here made him curious.

     "Fine."

     Mark sighed.

     "First things first…" Mark seriously looked at Joseph.

     "You are mistaking who is the victim here... It is not them who are abandoned but we are."

     Joseph was shaken and Mark continued.

     "Those people, no, idiots was helped by those employees. They were directed to a safer place. They, who only knew how to run, scream like crazies and ask for help even though they never even tried to help themselves. They even had the guts to turn on the people who helped them. Because of them, we were locked out, we needed to fight, we were constantly in danger and we made it here alive with great difficulty.

     Though, I don't mean it a bad way, think about it. What would have happened to these people if I wasn't there with them?"

     Mark looked to his left and right, the group people he helped and saved.

     He pushed everyone into thinking. What would have happened if he was not there?

     Fernan and his cousins might have been able to escape but they would need to leave the precious food they found. Then, they might have been able to enter the TechZone before it closed but with what happened inside, their ending would be unknown.

     Paula and Ange might have been able to save Sariya but Reyah, her mother, would become the sacrifice for their escape. And even if the two managed to run away, they wouldn't be able to enter the TechZone at all and that is a hundred percent sure to happen. Then, their future is bleak from that point. During their escape, they relied on Mark and his weapons. If he was not there, it is likely that they would not be able to reach the cinema on their own.

     Everything was because he was there. If he wasn't there then…

     They shivered as they thought of the possibilities left for them.

     Looking at their bitter reactions, Mark continued.

     "Those people inside abandoned those who were outside for dead. So tell me. Why should I save them? Are they worth it? Actually, if not for those two who waited for us despite the threat they are facing, I won't really bother giving them those instructions at all."

     "After all… I'm not a Saint.

     And I'm not a hero either. Though you guys can say I had a screw loose, I'm an average person for the most part.

     One of the things I am good at is remembering and repaying favors. The way I treated them would just be my repayment the favor they gave us. They pushed us to danger that can potentially kill us so paying with their lives for their unreasonable actions, is a good trade-off don't you think?"

     Joseph already grew silent.

     "Also… What if they did not locked us out? Do you think I won't tell them the potential danger? Of course I will tell them because we would also be in danger but that isn't what happened. They just paid for their own actions.

     It's that simple."

     Everyone is silent and Joseph can't counter any of what he said. Everyone is contemplating about what Mark said.

     Though what he did is morally wrong in a human standpoint, what those people did isn't morally right either. No one can be blamed rightfully. The first person to blame would be the wrong one.

     They looked at Joseph who now hung his head down.

     "Though, frankly, we should thank those people."

     Mark patted Mei's head who is now hatefully glaring at Joseph, making her calm down. Joseph even felt her piercing stare. Though her fear of them is still visible as she hid behind Mark, her anger can't be concealed either.

     At first, they were confused why they should thank those people but they immediately realized what he meant as Mark patted Mei's head.

     If those people did not lock them out, what would have happened to Mei then?

     Thought the three cleaners don't totally know what exactly happened to Mei but they knew that she was saved after their group was locked out so they also understood what Mark meant.

     Joseph felt down. He knew he wasn't thinking carefully when he blurted those all out. He also wasn't in the position to question him in the first place. While Mark was fighting for survival below, he was here shivering in fear not even wanting to step and face those scary creatures.

     On the contrary, Calvin now had a refreshing smirk as he looked at Mark. He found Mark's reasoning interesting.

     Bernard patted his son's back comforting him before he looked back at Mark and spoke.

     "I understood your reasoning but there is something that is inconsistent with what you said."

     "What is?"

     "You said that you're not a saint and not a hero either. Why did you save them? I doubt that they have anything to do with you."

     The others beside Mark also looked at him. They he also wanted to know why he saved them.

     "Hah, I did not save them. They saved themselves."

     Everyone was confused again. Still, their ears perked up.

     Knowing what is in their minds, Mark continued.

     He looked at Fernan.

     "If you and your cousins abandoned those food carts, do you think I would help you guys? Those food are really essential to survive this mess though I won't be surprised if you guys abandoned it and ran away. Yet, you guys didn't so I helped you guys that time."

     He then looked at the girls.

     "I'm sure that time you two were running from the west wing. Paula was on the verge of giving up."

     Paula's eyes grew wide. 'How did you know that?' She thought.

     "Yet, Ange continued pulling you away and not willing to give you up."

     Ange blushed.

     "Also, When Mrs. Ismail fell that time, while the other people ignored her. It's you two who stopped disregarding your escape and tried to help her. If that time, you two abandoned her you two would have more time to escape if you ask me."

     "And Mrs. Ismail, you went quite far to ask these two to take your daughter and sacrifice yourself. Actually, it won't be surprising if you actually throw your daughter to the zombies so you can escape."

     "What are you saying?! How could I do that to my own daughter?!"

     "Then, about Mei…"

     Mark ignored Reyah.

     "Hers is quite complicated so I'll skip it."

     Mei pouted her lips in displeasure just to wince in pain as the cuts on her lips that just started to dry up opened.

     "Well, I'm just talking about the possibilities. But if those possibilities really happened, do you guys think I would help any of you?"

     He faced Bernard.

     "I'm not a morally good person but I admire people to can keep their humanity in a situation where their lives are at stake. That is why I helped them."

     The people he saved felt embarrassed.

     He turned his head and looked at the opening on the wall above the ladder the others climbed up before and looked at the sky.

     "I'll tell you, guys. In a time like this which is possibly the end of the world. Humanism is the rarest treasure."

     He looked like an old man who experienced a lot in his lifetime as he continued.

     "Treachery, theft, selfishness, ****, murder and other awful things that human can do. There won't be a lack of those things at times like this. Just take those guys that you said I abandoned as example."

     He sighed and turned his face back to Bernard and smiled.

     "Did you like my answer?"

     Bernard bitterly nodded. He did not expect it to be so deep.

     Then…

     "HAHAHAHAHA!!"

     They looked at Calvin who is laughing loudly.

     "Is something wrong?" Mark asked.

     "No, nothing is wrong. Rather I liked what you said. It is amusing to hear that from someone so young."

     "I'm not young anymore though, I'm already 27."

     "No, you're age is still young to have that kind of mindset. That is a mindset you can only see from people who experienced war and devastating disasters."

     "Is there wrong with that?"

     "Nothing is wrong. I'm just amused and curious."

     Bernard and Joseph looked at the always silent and loner Calvin who is now talking, like a machine gun, with incredulous expressions.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     Ebook Updates(dot)Net

     .

     26 Their Next Move

      Calvin's strange behavior somehow washed away most of the awkward atmosphere that Joseph and Mark created.

     After he stopped laughing, he then said to Mark.

     "I'm starting to like you lad, If you need something I'll do my best to help."

     But he was met with Mark's reply using a monotone voice.

     "I don't swing that way."

     "YOU!! I didn't mean it that way!!!"

     Unable to hold back anymore, Bernard and Joseph who knew Calvin the most started laughing and everyone followed suit. Even the little Sariya laughed merrily imitating the adults around her.

     Calvin sat embarrassed and turned his body away.

     Mark watched spectacle grinning as if he controlled the whole situation but he actually had cold sweat dripping on his back due to two reasons. First is because of what Calvin said. Even though he knew what he really meant and took the opportunity to turn it into a joke, it still sent shivers on his spine. The other reason is…

     He can feel Mei's stare behind him. Mark is sure her eyes are filled with stars right now.

     Bernard glanced at Mark.

     'He really had the knack in controlling the atmosphere.'

     The awkward atmosphere before was totally dispelled now.

     ***

     After the situation calmed down…

     "Anyways, I also wanted to go inside the TechZone so I'm with Fernan's idea."

     Mark said which made Fernan really happy.

     "Why would you want to, didn't you already said that it is dangerous?"

     Bernard wasn't opposed but he wanted to know the reason.

     "You said that the cellular networks are busy right? It is just busy and not disconnected. It means that the network is still online. I want to try if the wireless broadband internet is the same. What we need the most now is information and we need to know what really is happening. The internet is a good source for those information. I know that we can't count on DSL now but there might be hope with the Broadband. Inside the TechZone, there should be plenty of Internet connections we can use."

     Bernard and Calvin nodded, what Mark said is plausible.

     "Also, if Fernan's cousin followed my instructions strictly, then they should still be alive. Fernan's cousins are not bad, also that clerk with them, if they survived then its good."

     They understood what Mark is saying as he already explained himself earlier.

     "Then, what do we need to do?"

     "I already have a plan. I just need some strong boards, hmm… Metal sheets would also work and something to make noise, possibly something loud."

     Mark said with his hand on his chin.

     "Hmm, we can probably find something like that." Bernard said.

     "You need something to make noise right?" Calvin interjected.

     "Yeah, I need those to attract the zombies."

     "Attract is it? Then those should be fine I think."

     Calvin pointed behind Mark.

     "Right, those should be good." Bernard nodded.

     Mark followed what Calvin pointed at and saw several unlabeled wooden crates which are only printed with the explosive hazard sign.

     "What are those? Explosives?"

     "Though you aren't wrong, that's not it either. Those are fireworks."

     "Fireworks? Why would… Oh right, it's that time of the year isn't it. Are they planning to use those for the New Year?"

     "You catch on really quickly huh? Anyways, are those good?"

     Mark smiled.

     "That's more than enough if you ask me."

     "Then, we'll look for the boards you wanted."

     "Ah, also some wires and I see that you had tools with you. Do you have some pliers and drills?"

     Calvin grinned and pointed behind him with his thumb.

     What Mark saw are several metal tool boxes quite a distance away.

     "We have everything you needed."

     "Then things would be easier then."

     As almost everything is ready, Mark told the males of the group what he is planning.

     Mark also asked them to barricade all the entrances to the rooftop.

     "I know what we can use the emergency stairs behind the Mall but what if some survivors managed to climb the stairwell and we barricaded it, wont they get trapped there?" Joseph asked.

     Though Mark didn't really care about that but he knew that these people won't ignore such circumstances.

     He sighed.

     "Say, does all the doors that lead here open inwards?"

     " Hmm… I think they do. There are three."

     "Then, create a small space outside the door and make the barricade climbable by people."

     "Would that work? Wouldn't those zombies be able to climb that?"

     "Though the possibility isn't zero but so far, we haven't encountered even a single one that could. The zombies even have a hard time climbing the stairs so it should work for now. If a zombie managed to climb then let's just deal with it."

     The men nodded at what Mark said.

     Then, the other men went to work while Mark was left to recuperate. Though his condition seemed better, he is still far from his normal shape.

     Paula and Ange went to tour the rooftop. Though it looked like that it isn't the appropriate time for them to play, Mark knew that the two girls are just trying to distract their selves.

     Reyah placed some flattened cardboard boxes on the floor at the elevated part of the rooftop and brought Sariya to sleep.

     Mark decided to walk around at his pace and observe the area.

     As for Mei, there is no need to say too much, she behind Mark, like a puppy following her owner.

     Mark finally had the time to observe the odd rooftop. This mall's rooftop is actually way different from what he imagined.

     If someone would think about a mall or even other establishment's rooftops, what would enter their minds first are bare concrete rooftops surrounded by short walls or fences with barely anything at all.

     Yet…

     What Mark sees right now is very different.

     Almost the whole rooftop is covered with metal roofing with large metal foundations! Then, the walls surrounding the rooftop are as high as his forehead! Those walls should be more than five feet tall.

     What the heck is this?

     That aside, the rooftop is far from being bare. Though it is reasonable that one can find exhaust vents, cooling machines and those firework crates since it is already past mid-December, why are there boxes and crates that looked too out of place?

     There is also the heliport at the southern side of the mall just beside the door he entered before. When he leaned back at that time, he thought he was leaning on a wall, but to think that he was leaning on an elevated heliport.

     Still, even though it is far from what he imagined, this rooftop more suitable for inhabitation than the one in his mind.

     And who knows what kinds of things he could find here?

     With all those in mind, he turned around.

     "Mei'er, you don't really need to follow me around too much. You need to rest."

     Mei opened her mouth a few times. She seemed to be gauging the pain in her lips.

     "Y-you're not resting either."

     "You're really giving me that reason huh?"

     Mei nodded.

     "So, you won't rest if I don't rest?"

     She nodded again.

     "Seriously?"

     "…"

     Mei firmly stared at him.

     "Geez… Alright, you win."

     To think that he can't do anything about her, no, actually he can do something. But that would probably break her.

     For some reason, he can't bear to do that to this fragile rabbit.

     Mark peered through the space between the roof and the tall wall and decided as he looked at the sky. The weather is quite cloudy and it isn't that hot due to the season so he decided to climb the roof and rest there. The roof isn't that steep and is actually built almost flat so falling from it won't be an issue unless someone is idiotic enough to roll over the edge of the roof. He also saw a ladder leading to the roof above the central area of the mall and it is a good spot.

     There, he can rest and Mei would also rest. At the same time, he can observe the situation below as the front side of the mall along the Tirona Highway is visible from that side of the roof. Though the air is quite warm and stale but don't really felt that bad as cold wind still blew from time to time.

     He is hitting four birds with one stone here, or rather, three birds and one rabbit.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     27 Can I Call You...

      12:16 PM - City Mall Bacoor Rooftop, Central Area

     Mark comfortably sat on the metal roof eating sandwiches for lunch. At first, he thought of bring cardboard boxes to sit on thinking that the roof would be hot since it's just a little bit past noon. To his surprise it was the opposite. He thought of the reason and he looked at the sky by reflex. He thought that it's just a bit cloudy but now that he can see a wider view of the sky, the clouds are very far from being just a bit. Thick clouds covered the sky.

     It won't be surprising if rain would fall anytime this afternoon.

     Mei sat beside him hugging her knees that she inserted inside the jacket that she is wearing. Luckily, the jacket Mark lent her is too long and wide for her that the jacket covered even her toes as she sat like that. If not, her thin grassland would be exposed for Mark to see as she was practically naked. The clothes she had before, there is not a single piece is salvageable. It looked like that gangster took his time ripping her clothes apart, piece by piece.

     Mark ate his food with great relish while watching the situation below which is very far from making his food appetizing. At the highway, blood covered zombies are moving at their own pace chasing after the few people who are still struggling as they try to escape. Blood splashed around as the people escaping are caught, bitten and eaten. Puddles of blood can be seen in different places and different sizes. The screams of frightened people can be faintly heard.

     Seeing all those things, most people might have already thrown up what they ate before.

     Yet…

     Mark ate and watched like he was inside a movie theater.

     Mark suddenly looked at the overpass to his left. Someone just jumped off. It seemed that that man unknowingly climbed up the overpass just to get cornered. Without any other way of escape, he jumped off over the walls at the side. Not the brightest idea.

     The man successfully jumped and landed on his feet just to cry out loud. There is no need to guess, with that height, his legs would sure be broken. The man, not giving up, tried to crawl away dragging his broken legs. Well, of course, he can't even outrun the zombies with his fine legs, would he be able with those broken?

     The man's cries echoed across the highway as he was caught and eaten by several slow moving zombies that are shambling below the overpass.

     Mark calmly watched the scene while analyzing things. He concluded that the man's mind was clouded in fear. If he tried to carefully maneuver through the zombies coming from the southern side of the overpass and jumped a few meters south of where the man did, then he would have landed on the roof a bus parked, no, its abandoned, under the overpass with no particular injuries. Well, of course, none of what Mark is thinking happened.

     He finished eating while watching all the things happening below.

     That time, he opened his bag and took out a small black colored leather covered notebook and a gel ink pen. He always bring this notebook every single time he go out of the house and scribbling and writing things on it when he felt bored, though now, he decided to use it to record his theories, plans and findings about this zombie apocalypse. There's no particular reason why he decided to record those things, other than because he might forget as there are quite plenty of things to remember. As for the pen, it's just his preference.

     While he was writing, he glanced at Mei who seemed to be a little fidgety. She seems to be trying to decide on something.

     As she remained indecisive, Mark decided to ignore her and continued writing. It remained like that after a minute or two. He then heard her speak.

     "Thank you."

     Mark looked at her and saw her staring at him.

     "Thank you for saving me."

     She looked away from Mark and looked at the gloomy looking sky.

     "I'm sure… It was the end for me that time. I already gave up on everything. I already thought that I'll just become a doll they would toy with and probably discarded like trash after they are tired playing with my body."

     She hugged her knees tighter while Mark continued listening and not interrupting her.

     "At that time… At that time, I only wished that they would kill me sooner. I felt humiliated, dirty… I- I…"

     Mei is already crying.

     She then felt a gentle hand patting her head.

     "Seriously… If you want to thank me, do it properly. I won't accept your thanks if you will just end up crying like that."

     "But…"

     "Just forget everything. Everything that happened there, those things was just a nightmare."

     "T-Then, won't you also become part of that nightmare?"

     Mark froze as Mei doesn't look like the type to joke like that. And that joke, how she delivered that is really familiar. He sighed.

     "That joke… You shouldn't really try to imitate me. It doesn't suit you."

     "Is that so? You looked amazing when you saved the situation several times earlier. I- I made the atmosphere gloomy so I thought..."

     "Also it won't really work the right way when you are the one that made the mood worse."

     "Is that so…"

     "That's right."

     "Uuuhhh."

     She felt embarrassed. Mei also realized that she felt better, no, with just a few words, he changed her self-pity to embarrassment. Though feeling embarrassed don't really feel good, it's way better that the sad and dark feeling she had earlier.

     "I want to ask something."

     Throwing away her embarrassment, she looked at Mark curiously.

     "Sure, what is it?"

     "Are you familiar with Chinese naming customs?"

     "Chinese naming customs? Why do you ask?"

     Mark felt confused.

     "The way you call me, Mei'er. Only my grandparents called me that before…"

     "I see. Well, I just did it on a whim. If you don't like it then I'll just call you whatever you like."

     Mei shook her head.

     "It's fine. Rather, I want you to continue calling me that... I'm just curious…"

     "Well, I do know such customs. Actually, I liked reading novels. Japanese, Korean or Chinese, as long as it interests me, I'll read them. So I just learned those things in the process. Actually, it started when you introduced yourself surname first so I just did that without thinking."

     "Is that so… Then…"

     She looked away from Mark blushing.

     "Can I call you Gege?"

     Mark looked at her.

     "That came out of nowhere."

     She looked back at him.

     "Is it bad?"

     "Not really. You can call me what you want."

     "Really?"

     "Really. Actually, I don't care much about what everyone wants to call me. In the past, when I was a kid, there are two boys who kept calling me Weirdo. They kept shouting 'Weirdo this' and 'Weirdo that' in the middle of the street. I didn't really care."

     "That's… Shouldn't you feel angry?"

     "Why should I? They kept shouting this and that but if you heard the adults around us who saw those two. They are whispering 'what a pair of weird kids.' or 'what kind of parents raised such weirdos?', so, why should I get angry?"

     "Pfftt. Hahahaha."

     Mei felt angry at first but can't help but burst into laughter afterwards.

     Mark looked at Mei. Her happy face really looked refreshing and her laugh sounded soothing. It is more suitable than the gloomy face she always wore since the first time he saw her.

     'Gege, huh…'

     If it was another man who knew this custom, then, they might have misunderstood. They would mistake that Mei liked them.

     But Mark is different. This girl seemed to be mistaking her feelings. What she is feeling right now is not love or like, but dependence and looking for a hand to hold onto. And the person she found is Mark who saved her.

     'Well, I'm not really bothered. As long she is happy.'

     But then Mei's laugh was cut short… She covered her mouth with both her hands and looked at Mark teary eyed.

     Mark patted her head.

     "I will look for a lip balm later alright?"

     Mei nodded.

     "And so? What's your business for eavesdropping?"

     Mark raised his voice and looked behind Mei, straight at the ladder they climbed on to get on the roof. Mei also looked at the ladder but she didn't see anyone.

     Mark kept on staring.

     Then, knowing that she had been found out, Ange raised her head above the roof laughing awkwardly.

     "Sorry for interrupting your date but Uncle Bernard said that the materials were ready."

     "Alright. Mei'er, let's go."

     Mark cleaned up his things and stood up before extending his hand to Mei to help her stand without bothering to correct Ange's misconception. Still, while Mei accepted her Gege's help, she hung her head low with her face red like a tomato.

     ================================================================

     For those who don't know about the 'er suffix that Mark added in Mei's name and "Gege" that she decided to call him.

     'er is pretty much used as suffix for nicknames of children and can also be used by couples and close people. Mark mainly used it because Mei is quite younger than he is.

     Gege on the other hand is used as salutation to an older male. Similar to Da'ge, both indicate older brothers specially to blood related people. It can also be used as an intimate salutation when a younger female used it to call an older male who isn't blood related.

     I could be wrong but that is pretty much what I know. :P

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     Ebook Updates . Net

     .

     28 Preparations Done!

      Mark, followed by Mei went down the ladder while Ange waited from them below. Afterwards, the three returned to their meeting area.

     They saw Reyah sitting at the same spot when they left. It seemed that Sariya is sleeping peacefully while using her mother's lap as a pillow.

     Mark could hear a faint sound of a drill boring on a something made of metal. The sound comes from the Western Wing of the Rooftop.

     "Why are they working there?"

     Mark asked Ange as he looked where the equipment and toolboxes are placed before. Those things aren't there anymore. They probably relocated their working area.

     "They said that there is a child sleeping so they changed places so they won't disturb her. It's also closer where you wanted to use those things."

     Hearing her reply, he nodded and walked towards the west wing while the two girls followed behind him.

     With Mark's current appearance, a black shirt with splotches of blood, black gloves on both hands, a security belt on his waist, a revolver on the belt's right holster, a machete hung on his belt behind him, a shotgun hung to his left side and his average but unconcerned looking face while wearing a black loose beanie on his head, it might look badass and cool looking, especially since there are two good looking girls following behind him.

     Still, there is no such scene. Mark just doesn't want to play the part and looked quite troubled. Furthermore, the two girls following him had an awkward atmosphere between them.

     Paula, who is nearby, noticed it and approached Mark to ask.

     "What happened?"

     "Ask your friend about it."

     Mark replied raising his closed left hand and pointed at Ange who is behind him with his thumb.

     Paula understood that her friend did something stupid AGAIN. She grabbed Ange and pulled her away.

     As there are no more distractions, Mark wanted to check the materials the men gathered when he realized something. The turned around and walked towards the mother and daughter's direction with Mei.

     "Do you need something?"

     Reyah asked with a lowered voice as she didn't want to accidentally wake up her child.

     Mark didn't immediately reply and gently pulled Mei to his front and held her on her shoulders.

     "Can I leave her in your care for a bit?"

     It is a no brainer why, so, Reyah immediately agreed. Mark pushed Mei forward and made her sit down beside Reyah.

     "Gege…"

     Mei didn't really want to leave Mark's side as she looked at him with puppy eyes. Mark caressed her head.

     "Mei'er, just stay here alright? I can't have you suffering from panic attacks just because you want to follow me there."

     "But…"

     "Continue resting. Don't make your Gege worry too much. Mrs. Ismail will be here with you. I will ask her later if you behaved or not."

     With that, Mei reluctantly nodded.

     Reyah was watching at the side confused. Gege? What is that? Isn't her name Mei? Why does he call her Mei'er? Are those nicknames?

     The common people of this country wouldn't understand those things.

     Then she snapped out of her confusion when she heard what Mark called her.

     "Uhm… Mark, It's Mark right?"

     "What is it?"

     "Can you do something about how you call me?"

     Reyah looked quite troubled.

     "Is that so? Hmmm… How about… Mrs. Reyah?"

     She sighed.

     "That's much better. I had several bad experiences where people around me would look at me like I'm a terrorist every time someone calls me by my husband's surname."

     She smiled wryly.

     Mark nodded. He understood since also had struggles because of his name that is way too common.

     ***

     "What do you think?"

     Mark arrived and saw that the things he needed are ready. Right now, he is looking at the several opened crates containing different kinds of fireworks.

     In his hand right now is a small rocket type firework with a plastic body and tip about the size of his pinkie finger.

     There are other fireworks other than this. Some are those colorful Spider, Chrysanthemum and Peony Rockets. There are even cylinder shells of who knows what kind of firework it contains. The one most suitable to attract zombies this time though, are the small rockets in front of him, whistling rockets.

     Its explosion is not too powerful but it is quite noisy when it is ignited.

     "This one is good. I don't think this will activate the fire alarms even if I light it inside."

     Mark replied to Bernard who is beside him who agreed on what he said.

     Joseph is on the other side looping some Manila ropes on his arm.

     As for Fernan and Calvin, they stood by the wall near the ladder above the emergency stairs on this wing, for a cigarette break.

     Mark glanced to the wall to his left. There are the two rectangular metal sheets they prepared leaning on the wall standing on the shorter sides. There are drilled holes on the corners of the sheets and two more holes at the sides, slightly above the midline of the sheets.

     Everything is ready… They only needed to tie up the metal sheets and lower the sheets to the stairs below.

     "I'll start preparing. Please, put some of these rockets in here."

     Mark handed a small ecobag to Bernard. He then shouted.

     "Fernan! I need to borrow that Pipe I gave you earlier!"

     "No problem! I left pipe is beside the bag I carried earlier!"

     Fernan shouted back.

     Mark remembered that the bags were left near Reyah.

     'What is he doing leaving his weapon behind at a time like this?'

     With that, he went back to the south wing of the rooftop to prepare.

     ***

     When Mark went back, he saw Paula and Ange talking to Mei. When Mei saw that Mark already came back, she said a few words to the two and briskly walked towards him while the two college girls followed behind her.

     "Is something wrong?"

     "Gege, they said they wanted to apologize."

     "For Ange's eavesdropping?"

     "Yes." It is Paula who replied.

     "You see, this friend of mine do stupid things now and then so I would like to apologize in her behalf."

     "What's with this overly formal apology…"

     "Well, you saved us before but she did something disrespectful."

     "Nah, its fine."

     "Really?"

     "It is. Right Mei'er?"

     Mei nodded.

     Seeing that her friend's apology succeeded, Ange spoke smiling widely.

     "Paula, I told you. It's not a big deal. I didn't even understand what they are talking about."

     Before Paula could even reply…

     "Of course you won't. You think I would let you listen for that long if you will understand all of what we are saying."

     "Wah… "

     Ange froze. She thought that he just noticed her when he shouted like that but to think that… It looked like he knew when she arrived!

     "Gege, wh-just how long is she listening?"

     "Since the time you said that lame joke."

     "Uuuuhhh."

     The rabbit hung her head low in embarrassment while her face turned red like a boiled octopus.

     Paula glared at her friend, Ange, who can only let out a stifled laugh.

     "Anyways, I need to get ready. We'll start the plan."

     "It's not dangerous is it?"

     "Not really, I just need to lure the zombies out and make them splat."

     Mark suddenly held his chin as something entered his mind.

     "I guess… I'll wear those to be safe."

     "Wear what, Gege?"

     "Ahh!" Ange shouted.

     "You're talking about those things inside your bag right!" Her eyes were sparkling.

     "You saw it? Don't tell me you rummaged the bags without permission."

     "I didn't! I saw it when you asked for the small bag when you fell down!"

     She replied like a cat whose tail was stepped on.

     "Stop shouting. It's not like I can't hear you."

     Mark scratched his head.

     "Gege…"

     "Ange…"

     Mei and Paula felt left out. Well, not for long.

     Mark looked at the two.

     "Follow me, I'll show you two what she is too excited about."

     Mark went and opened his duffel bag.

     One by one, he took out the reason why his bag looked too bulky.

     What he took out is a set of sci-fi looking sports armor.

     The two girls who saw the armor for the first time were also amazed.

     The black armor consisted of a sleeved vest, a chest and a back piece, shoulder, elbow and arm pads, and a face covered helmet. Each part had a streamline design with silver colored reflectorized outlines.

     Overall, the armor really looked good.

     "Where did you get this and why you didn't wear it earlier?" Ange asked curiously.

     "I saw these in a sport store earlier when I was going to the arcade. When the zombies appeared, I went back and took it. Though, I never really had time to wear it. And also…"

     He pointed at the numerous buckles and zippers.

     "It can't be worn easily with all these stuff. It looked all complicated. So I just looked for a bag and stuffed it all in."

     "Actually, after I stuffed it all in the bag, the zombies reached the third floor. Then, you girls know the story after."

     They all nodded.

     "Well, I'll need you help me figure out how to wear this."

     The girls agreed without hesitation. Ange was enthusiastic about the armor. Paula and Mei on the other hand wanted to help since helping in things like this is the most that they can do.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     EbookUpdates(dot)Net

     .

     29 Luring the Zombies Ou

      1:02 PM – City Mall Bacoor, West Wing, Emergency Exit Access

     A sci-fi agent, uh no, Mark, who is now wearing his cool looking black colored sports armor that took him more than half an hour wear, is cautiously descending the ladder towards the emergency stairs below. Just following above him, two tied up metal sheets dangled while being carefully lowered by Bernard and the rest of the men.

     Somehow, it looked like a scene of an infiltration agent scaling the wall of the mall with how he looked like but two things ruined the image. Hooped on his shoulder is a roll of construction wire and hanging on his side is a small green ecobag with the message "Save Mother Earth" designed on it. On the mouth of the ecobag, the ends of different colored sticks can be seen along with a metal pipe wrapped in electrical tape. If this was placed as a scene in a movie, the audience would surely laugh on the supposed to be suspenseful part.

     As the metal sheets were lowered, Mark would assist below so the metal sheets won't accidentally hit the ladder he is descending on and create unnecessary noise. At first, Mark only planned to go down to the stairs and wait there until the metal sheets are lowered down. Unfortunately, the weather is not on their side. By the time they are all ready, the wind blowing is already unstable and strong gales would come from time to time.

     Under their cautious actions, Mark successfully reached the top platform of the emergency staircase together with the metal sheets.

     Without making any noise, he leaned the metal sheets on the wall beside the emergency door and decided to peer through the door window. When he can finally see the corridor inside, he sighed in relief as there are no zombies inside in the close proximity.

     Then he proceeded with the plan.

     He removed the rope tied to the metal sheets and signaled the men above to pull the ropes. He then inclined the two metal sheets on opposite ends of the top platform. One end of the metal sheets rest on the waist-high railings while the other end remained on the floor of the platform.

     Mark took out a pair of pliers and cut portion of the wire he brought and pushed one end of the wire through the holes drilled on the metal sheets. With several twist of the wires, he firmly affixed the metal sheet on the staircase.

     He tried to move the metal sheet several times to check it would easily come loose but it didn't making him satisfied with his work.

     Now, the next part is to lure the zombies out.

     Mark took out a number of whistle rockets from the ecobag and lined the rockets in his left hand in a way that the fuse of the rockets can be ignited all at once. With his right hand, he twisted emergency door's knob and opened it slightly. He took out a metal lighter, which he borrowed from Calvin, and pushed the igniter with a clink.

     The fire of the lighter danced along with the wind as he breathed deeply.

     Whishhhhh!

     BAM!!!

     Two sounds suddenly echoed across the corridor as he wildly kicked the door open and lit the rockets at the same time. Without waiting for anything else, he threw the ignited rockets inside the corridor and immediately ran back up to the ladder and climbed it.

     He threw the rockets inside since he didn't need to aim the rockets anywhere. He only needed to make as much noise as possible to attract the zombies inside.

     WHEEEEEEEEUT!!!

     Despite the small size, one whistle rocket flying in an open field is already noisy. Then how about several whistle rockets ignited at the same time and put in a closed space like this corridor?

     The whistling sounds were deafening. Even Mark who already climbed about two and a half meters on the ladder can't help but cringe by the loud noise that escaped the opened door. He still reacted that way despite the fact that he is wearing a helmet and his ears were blocked by his earphones.

     He also noticed that even the zombies on the car park below were startled trying to find where the loud noise is coming from.

     The rockets inside that had been thrown flew erratically in random directions, several rockets managed to fly out of the door and one even whistled past Mark and flew diagonally upward.

     It did not take long and Mark started hearing popping sounds as the rockets started exploding.

     The whistling and popping sounds soon stopped.

     "It didn't work?"

     Of course, he had to chant those magical words for further guarantee. When people say the magical chant, "Did it work?" on uncertain but important events, what they did failed to do what they intended. So, why doesn't he chant the opposite?

     And as if responding to his magic spell, growling voices and multiple sounds of heavy and fast footsteps escaped from the door.

     Hearing those sounds, he went to the next phase.

     He knew that the sounds the rockets made inside alone is not enough no matter how loud it is. He still needed to bring the zombies out of the door.

     Mark hooked his left arm on a horizontal bar on the ladder and used his left hand to hold the metal pipe he borrowed. The pipe he took out now looked different. One end of the pipe is covered with electrical tape which where he grasped the pipe. The remaining part of the pipe is covered with whistle rockets loosely taped on the pipe. The tape is loose enough that the rockets will fly off once ignited.

     Mark pointed the rocket covered pipe at the door and started lighting up the rockets at fixed intervals. One by one, the rockets whistled past the door. Some of the rockets flew through the spaces on the platform's floor while some bounced off and flew somewhere else. There are a few rockets that bounced and flew into the door. He did not intend to do so but it works in his favor as he can't make the rockets fly into the door on purpose. The ladder he is hanging from and the door he is firing at is built on the same wall after all.

     The growls soon became louder and louder and so as the steps.

     Following the whistling sound outside, a zombie stepped out of the door. After that, Mark just needed to fly one last rocket.

     ***

     The zombie looked up and saw the source of the whistling sound. The last rocket flew past its face but it did not move and continued looking at the person hanging from above.

     It saw the person above wave his right hand at it. Then, the person started bashing a long thin thing on what the person is hanging on making a sharp clanging sound.

     ***

     Mark continued hitting the ladder with the metal pipe and also shouted from time to time until more zombies came out of the door.

     The first zombie started growling more aggressively. It ran up the inclined metal sheet below Mark and raised its hands trying to reach him. Of course, it is just a wishful thinking for the zombie, not like they can think in the first place, as Mark is more than a meter beyond its reach.

     It seemed that its aggressive growling is more effective than the fireworks and noises Mark made as it immediately alerted the zombies inside the door. Afterwards, aggressive zombies flooded the top platform of the staircase some are even pushed to the stairs below.

     The numbers grew and they are all trying to reach Mark.

     And…

     The zombies pushed one another and what Mark anticipated happened. It was just one at first, and then was followed by another. As the zombies flood out of the door, the zombies outside started to get pushed over the inclined metal sheets. One by one, they fell to the hard cement below at the height of three mall floors, around ten meters.

     Mark stayed like that hanging on the ladder but he already stopped bashing the pipe on the ladder. The noises these zombies are making are enough to make a person deaf!

     He decided to use this precious chance to observe the zombies up close while being safe.

     SPLAT! SPLAT!

     Mark looked below where the zombies landed after falling. He can see some zombies below who are visibly crippled and zombies who are dead. At this height, even a normal average human can still survive, albeit having serious injuries, so he isn't expecting that all the zombies that fall will die.

     Another zombie fell under his watch. The zombie's back and the concrete ground below made a sweet contact. It was sweet enough that its spine might have melted into several hundreds of pieces upon impact. The zombie just laid there over a growing pool of blood.

     More and more zombies fell and Mark can see that those who fell later had lesser injuries. It's not like Mark can't understand. Those zombies fell unto the bodies of their comrades that stopped moving below.

     Mark started to get numb and bored. Just how many zombies are inside? Counting the zombies that fell below and the zombies crammed on the platform, there are approximately 50 zombies already and they are still flooding out.

     Five minutes later…

     His arms are already numb hanging on the ladder so he shouted at the men above to lower a rope. After getting the rope, he tied his waist to the ladder. Afterwards, he took out his phone and took pictures of the zombies for reference.

     He already lost count of how many zombies came out but he think it haven't reached a hundred. They already stopped flooding out of the door and the only ones left are pushing each other trying to reach him.

     Mark thought that the number is too large compared to the number of people who entered the TechZone so he is sure that most of these zombies came from somewhere else. Maybe, there is a breach somewhere or worse, the idiots in the TechZone opened the metal shutters while trying to escape. Well, no matter what is the reason, they just have to deal with it later.

     He looked down. Below him, just eight zombies remained raising their bloody claws not giving up on their target.

     'This much is fine I guess?'

     He signaled at Bernard who was watching above to lower the rope he prepared earlier.

     Mark caught the rope which was lowered to him. The end of the rope he caught is tied into a large hoop similar to what cowboys used.

     He threw the rope down towards the zombies several times until he managed to put all the zombies inside the hoop. Then he shouted.

     "Okay! Release it now!"

     Immediately afterward, a heavy broken cooling machine was tossed over the wall not far from Mark. There was a thick Manila Rope tied on the machine and the other end of that rope...

     Is the hoop that currently encircled the zombies below Mark.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     EbookUpdates(dot)Net

     .

     30 Mark“s Notes

      1:13PM – City Mall Bacoor Rooftop, South Wing

     Ange and Mei are watching the whole process of Mark's plan which successfully lured out a large number of zombies. Though the two can be described as watching, their attention is fully focused on Mark as the two don't have the guts to watch the gruesome scene below.

     Mei worriedly waved her hand when she saw Mark looking at them. Mark waved in reply before cautiously entering the door. Just before Mark fully disappears into the door, the two girls can see him swing his machete at something.

     "Why does he have to go alone? It won't be dangerous right? He could at least bring me with him."

     Ange grumbled as she saw him enter the door.

     Mei on the other hand said nothing but stare at the door with a worried face. If she was left like this, she would probably stay there staring at the door until Mark goes out.

     "He said that you're our guard right? Look at Mei, there is no one here that can protect her except you."

     Paula who was sitting on a chair just behind the two replied at Ange's grumbles.

     "But, aren't we pretty much safe here?"

     "He said that it's just in case that something happens."

     "Yeah, yeah."

     Ange replied while stretching her back and her hands behind her head. She turned around maintaining that position and noticed what Paula is doing.

     "What are you reading there?"

     She asked while approaching Paula.

     Paula sat on a chair seriously reading something. On her hands, a small black colored, leather covered notebook is opened.

     "Mark lent this to me earlier. He said that we should read what is written in this."

     Hearing that the notebook is from Mark, Ange's interest was pricked and Mei who was staring blankly at the emergency door at the west wing also turned her head and looked at Paula.

     "What's written in it?"

     The Ange asked as she approached Paula. Mei also stood up and followed. The two girls moved chairs beside Paula trying to see the contents of the notebook.

     "You can say that what is written is some sort of a zombie survival guide."

     "Really? Did he just write those things earlier? I saw him writing on that notebook."

     "Probably not. The ink used is too dry and some parts are already peeled off. And look at this."

     She pointed at the date written on top of the page she is reading.

     "He wrote these things more than a year ago."

     "Then, is he similar to those zombie enthusiasts that we see in the internet often? No wonder the can adapt easily. What did it say?"

     "Well, he wrote a list of potential base locations, necessary supplies and some precautionary measures. Like how a rooftop like where we are now is not a very good place for a prolonged time of inhabitation. There are others that are quite the same as we saw in the internet before."

     "What's the point of reading that then?"

     Ange shrugged.

     "No, it's not really what he wanted us to read. I'm just curious so I'm reading this part."

     "Turn it to that part he wanted us to read then."

     "Sheesh, you're really as impatient as a kid. Still, I wonder why he said that don't let you read that part alone."

     "He said that?"

     Paula then opened the middle part of the notebook where a page is folded as a marker and started reading the contents that were visibly written not too long ago.

     The three girls were surprised.

     What is written is vital information. The findings of Mark's observation on the zombies are stated. Mark even started naming the different kinds of zombies in his notes. Currently there are three kinds of zombies in the list, namely, Eaters, Biters, and Fat Mutant (Tentative). They started reading the reading Mark's notes, his findings and his descriptions of the zombies that were listed but…

     When they neared the end of how he described the biters, Paula's expression is already grave while Ange is already red eyed and would cry in a slight push.

     "No way."

     Ange muttered as she started staring at her hands. Paula, who was beside her, nudged her closer and put her in a tight embrace. Tears started to fall from her eyes.

     "Paula… I-I…"

     "It's fine Ange. It's not your fault alright? It's necessary if you did not do it, then what would have happened to us?"

     Paula now understood why Mark didn't want Ange to read it alone.

     Mei took the notebook from Paula and carefully read the descriptions written by her Gege.

     =====================================================================================

     Eater

     -Slow but strong.

     -Brutally eats its victims.

     -The remains of the eaten victims would also turn into an eater

     -Their numbers are higher compared to other zombies

     -Attracted to human skin and flesh

     -More attracted to human voices than artificially created sounds

     -Don't react to any kind of pain

     -Easy to outrun

     -A good example of a living dead

     -To turn into an eater, the infected person should die of other reasons other than destruction of head and brain (unconfirmed)

     -Bodies that are turning into eaters don't twitch like biters

     -Biters can turn into eaters when killed by other means except destroying the head and brain

     Biter

     -Fast but really clumsy.

     -Strong but weaker than an Eater

     -They don't eat their victims. They only bite their target and switches target afterwards. It's likely that their only purpose is to infect.

     -Highly sensitive to any form of loud sounds

     -Highly sensitive to human skin and primarily targets their victims at the parts of their bodies that had exposed skin.

     -Can feel pain

     -Can die in any way possible and turn into an eater in the brain is not destroyed in its death

     -It is likely that they are still alive as there are still signs and habits similar to humans like breathing

     =====================================================================================

     Reading to that part, Mei understood why Ange started behaving that way. According to what her Gege observed, the biters, although infected, are still living people. If that really is the case… Mei looked at the crying Ange.

     Ange was killing living people with her own hands.

     Anyone with a good heart that only wanted to survive and killed the zombies without knowing any of these would feel extremely repulsive after learning these things.

     Ange is a good example of this. She might be skilled in fighting but she never intended and would never want to kill living people.

     Yes, the biters she killed might have attacked them first but it's likely that they are sick and they don't know what they were doing.

     "What happened?"

     Reyah noticed the commotion and approached to ask and Mei handed her the notebook. Her expression changed when she reached the part that tells that the biters are possibly still living people.

     "Is this true?"

     "We don't know."

     Paula replied and patted Ange's back before continuing.

     "But even if it's true, I don't think Mark had a bad reason to tell that to us."

     Soon enough, the men also learned about it and are left in deep contemplation.

     Later on, Ange managed to calm down but she still felt upset. She can't help it. The main reason she felt repulsive about this is because…

     Earlier, at the lower floors, while trying to escape together with Paula, she killed several of her friends that turned into what Mark called Biters thinking that they already died before turning. Like how it happened in some movies she watched before.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     Ebook Updates(dot)Net

     .

     31 The West Wing Corridors

      1:14PM - City Mall Bacoor, Service Corridors, West Wing

     Mark stood inside the eerie corridor and keenly observing the area. Just by his foot, there is a corpse with a decapitated head. When he entered the emergency door earlier, this Eater just happened to pass by. He preemptively hacked the Eater's neck to avoid more disturbances.

     The corridor is almost empty except for a few straggling Eaters and the scattered debris. It looked like most of the zombies inside the corridor had been lured out by the racket he planned. Still, he did not think of letting his guard down. Not even a little bit. He knew that even if managed to deal with most of the zombies here, it's just 'most' and not 'all'.

     Looking at the eastern side of the corridor, multitudes of bloody footprints littered the floor while dragged hand and arm prints which are also made from blood decorated the walls. All the footprints came from a single direction and all ended up going through the door behind him. There's no other need to think who these footprints belonged to.

     At the other side of the corridor, there is almost nothing but three Eaters that already walking his way. No, another one just appeared. It seemed that there is an open door at that side though, he can't see the door due the angle he is looking at.

     The zombie that just entered is a female Biter. This Biter is probably a student from a Japanese themed college nearby as it is wearing a set of white blouse and white knee length skirt. Well, her clothes are white previously but right now, it's already dyed in red. It looked like she took a literal 'bloodbath'.

     Upon seeing Mark that stood openly on the way, it immediately sprinted towards his direction.

     Mark saw the Biter sprinting at him and is about to counter by decapitating its head but he held himself back at the last second. He thought of confirming something and it is the best time to do so since there is only one Biter and the Eaters are nowhere close from his position.

     The Biter immediately lunged at Mark after running close but it noticed that its target vanished. Without anything to cushion its fall, the Biter landed harshly of the floor.

     When the Biter lunged at him, Mark side-stepped and hid behind the opened door letting the Biter fall on the floor in front of him.

     When the Biter looked up, it saw Mark standing by its side. The Biter immediately propped its arms trying to stand up but before it could even lift its body, its body sunk back on the floor due to a sudden weight on its back. It then lost its balance as its arms were pulled towards its back.

     Mark is currently stepping with his right foot on the Biter's back while tying its arms with the leftover wires he had. Tying its arms wasn't easy as it struggled to pull its arms free but he still managed to so with a bit of difficulty. After tying the Biter's arms on its back, he proceeded on tying its feet. The Biter continued on struggling even after being tied up but is seemed that it had no notion of ripping off its limbs just to escape.

     The Biter was rolled by Mark towards the wall and he moved to deal with the three Eaters that are already nearby. Mark decided to only kill two of the Eaters and went to decapitate the their heads. He decided to kill those two since their chests are already a mangled mass of flesh. It looked disgusting and is not suitable to what Mark had in his mind.

     The other Eater that he decided to keep, though unintended, seemed to be another female in her teens. It wore a spaghetti strap and short jeans. The Eater had several bites on its body revealing its mangled flesh and its left arm is only hanging by a thread of skin and flesh. The most important part for him, the chest, is mostly intact.

     The eater fell on the floor with only its torso and head remaining. Mark amputated its arms and legs preventing it from moving. The Eater's blood gushed from the stumps where its limbs are previously attached. Still, despite the amount of blood leaving its body, it doesn't seem to get weaker. Not even a tiny bit.

     Mark left the two disable zombies and went towards the direction where the female Biter came from. He spotted an open door leading into a storage room of a shop. Stepping into the storage room, he found nothing but tall storage stands filled with stacks of shoeboxes and another opened door that seemed to lead towards the storefront.

     Cautious and silent are the two things that can describe Mark as he approached the door. He slowly prodded his head out of the door but he immediately retreated backwards. Just a few steps to the right of the door, a zombie stood idly with its back facing him. Past the zombie is the storefront of a shoe store and the scene outside the glass walls of the store is not something he can deal with.

     With that, he slowly closed and locked the door. He also closed the door leading to the corridor but did not lock it.

     Since he was already close to the corner of the corridor that leads to the westernmost shops of the mall, he decided to check the area just in case that there are straggling zombies. Fortunately, the only things he found are the stairwell that connects all the floors in this wing up to the rooftop and the cargo elevator. Mark looked around and found a mop and several rags. He jammed the mop between the handle of the double doors leading to the stairwell and picked up the rags to use later.

     Before going back the way he came from, he stopped and stared on a large door nearby. If he is right, this door should lead to the arcade center that he wanted to go to earlier. The arcade is totally closed when he saw it last time. Even the steel shutters of the arcade are pulled down and are secured with padlocks. He grabbed the doorknob and tried opening the door but it won't budge. It was locked.

     He went back to the zombies he left behind. The Eater remained in place but the Biter is already on the other side of the wall. More filth is sticking on the Biter's clothes as it kept on growling and rolling on the floor. It wanted to escape but it really had no plan to decapitate its arms by itself.

     'Maybe I can use this one as a mop later.'

     Mark looked at the part of the floor the Biter rolled over and it looked cleaner. Even the puddle of blood that was left after Mark decapitated the limbs of the Eater is mostly cleaned.

     He then grabbed the wire that tied the Biter's arms and pulled it back to the other side. When he put down the Biter, he gagged the two zombies with rags. Naturally, he did not put the rags using his hands. He prodded the rags on the end of the metal pipe and shoved the rags into the mouth of the zombies.

     It is now time to find out if one of his theories can be confirmed.

     Mark removed a part of his gloves on his right hand and covered his hand with the ecobag he is carrying. Afterwards, he kneeled and extended his hand towards the Eater's chest. Not in a lewd way that what most with dirty minds think of but with just a straight palm. His palm landed on the Eater's left chest, not on the breast, above the Eater's heart.

     He felt nothing.

     He did the same towards the Biter. Because the Biter is livelier than the Eater, it can't be helped that his hand touched something soft several times but he still managed to land his hand at the Biter's chest.

     THUMP… THUMP…

     There is a heartbeat.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     Ebook Updates(dot)Net

     .

     32 Corridor Cleaning

      Mark confirmed finally confirmed the fact that Biters were still living infected.

     "No wonder why they are too "lively"."

     The scene of him, mercilessly killing those Biters entered his mind. But he felt nothing. Even though they are still alive, he felt nothing. There may be some good people among them, he still felt nothing.

     The issue now was not them being alive or being a good person before. The most important thing was those people, were now Biters. It was just a matter of survival, nothing more than that.

     Looking at the two squirming zombies in front of him, numerous questions entered his mind. Those questions were fueled with both curiosity and thirst for knowledge. He wanted an answer for those questions, thus…

     Mark decided to keep these zombies for further studies.

     Afterwards, he left the two zombies and continued scouting the area. Mark looked at the bloody footprints on the floor and decided to follow where the footprints came from. He was very sure that these footprints would lead him towards the TechZone.

     After killing the Eaters that are on the way, the footprints led him to an open door. Learning from his mistake inside the shoe store earlier, he did not prop his head on the door anymore and went for a new method.

     Mark took out his smartphone from his belt and unplugged the earphone from the jack. He pushed the power button, opened the camera app and switched the camera to its front lens. He then saw a cool sci-fi looking helmet on the screen.

     Mark could really relate to Mr. Unique when he said something about looking handsome when your face was covered.

     While sitting beside the door, he propped his phone in a position that the front lens could view the situation inside.

     What he saw worse than he anticipated. The floor was painted with blood and guts. Broken glass, gadgets that were supposed to be on display and unrecognizable debris are scattered everywhere.

     From his position, he could see nine zombies. The likelihood that these zombies are all Eaters was high. He could only see nine but he was sure that there were more at the parts that he can see. The TechZone was a wide area dedicated to house quite a large number of gadget and electronics oriented shops and stalls. What could he see from this door was not even a fifth of the whole TechZone.

     'If there are only Eaters inside, it will be easy even if there are several dozens of them.'

     Several plans were created in his mind. What he found the most suitable was "kiting" the Eaters one by one and eliminating them.

     Mark moved his phone closer to the door for a wider view but found out that he could not see anything else but a wall of a store beside the door.

     Still, he noticed a shop on the opposite side of the TechZone. The shop was closed by steel shutters. Mark immediately understood that there are people inside that shop. It was likely that the people inside that were the people who followed his instructions.

     How can he be sure? There are two reasons.

     There are no padlocks attached to the bottom of the shutter indicating that it was not a closed store. All of the stores he saw that was closed even after the mall opened had padlocks on the metal shutters securing the store.

     The other reason was that, he just knew and nothing else. Some may say that it was just blind confidence but he was sure that he was right.

     Those people inside the store could be saved but now was not the time yet. He must secure the perimeters of the service corridors first. Mark did not want for some unforeseen circumstances to happen while dealing with the zombies inside.

     With that, he made sure that there were no zombies to see him and carefully closed the door.

     Mark walked past the door and silently dealt with the straggling Eaters. The path he traversed was literally covered with blood along with dead bodies and severed heads.

     One by one, he checked every door he can see. If the door is locked, he would just leave it like that but if the door was not, he would carefully check what the door would lead to.

     During that process, he found several unlocked doors leading to storage areas of different stores. It is unfortunate that most of the stores he managed to access were those that were open before the zombies appeared which made the storefront dangerous to enter. There were also storage areas that had Biters or Eaters inside. He made sure not to disturb the Biters but dealt with the Eaters properly.

     Still, he found a few stores that are actually closed and had the steel shutters down at the storefront. It made him wonder why the storage door was unlocked when the store was closed.

     It did not take too long until he reached the end of the corridors within the west wing. In front of him right now was an intersection where the corridor he is standing at, the one that goes towards the central area and south wing of the mall was connected.

     He looked at the corridor to his left which led to the Central Area. The corridor going that direction was not long and was just connected to a few stores and led to a dead end. There are several Eaters idling in the area but it was not a threat for him.

     On the other side to his right was the corridor which brought him much hardship. It was the corridors that were connected to the cinema. The corridor was stained with blood and was littered with quite a number of dead bodies. The long corridor that led to the southernmost end of the mall had more straggling Eaters. But it was not the Eaters who were the most eye-catching. In the middle of the corridor, there was a large lump of flesh squirming about.

     It was the zombie that he tentatively labeled as "Fat Mutant". From this distance, it really looked like a large lump of moving flesh. It is really disgusting. When that fat bastard turned into this, it really gave justice to how disgusting he was inside.

     The Fat Mutant seemed to be trying to crawl but because of its heavy and unnecessarily large body, it could not do anything but squirm disgustingly. It looked like the Mark dealt it a fatal blow when he shot its leg before making it unable to stand up anymore.

     Mark swung his machete and hacked the neck of the Eater that approached him.

     He stood there thinking if he should also secure or at least scout the south wing. There's barely anything there that was of importance. The southern end of the corridors only led to a series of large cinema halls and also led towards the east wing. Thinking about it, he was not interested with anything on the east wing either.

     With that, he decided to just cover a few stores on the south wing and clear up the straggling Eaters. If it came later that they needed to secure those parts of the mall, he would make other people do it.

     Another killing spree began as Mark beheaded all the Eaters in the vicinity. These slow and stiff zombies are really strong but their strength was nothing if they couldn't even catch their prey.

     Mark built a makeshift barricade to stop the zombies past the cinema area from entering the areas he secured. He used trolleys, furniture and items he found in the storage areas of the stores he checked before. Most of the furniture was just storage stands and folding tables though. The other furniture he found like cabinets are too heavy for him to carry. The barricade was tied with power cables. He tried to make it as sturdy as he can.

     However, he was not content with the barricade he managed to build and wanted a stronger and sturdier one. But, he would need more people to achieve building a barricade he thought of.

     Like the two zombies he caught, Mark decided to leave the Fat Zombie for observation. It was already disabled anyway and it could not move by itself. Mark shoved some rags in its mouth to gag it but it surprised him afterwards.

     This guy swallowed the rags whole and in single second! No wonder this guy was so FAT!

     Because of that, the gave up on gagging the Fat Zombie and made a mental note to tell others not to carelessly approach this guy later. He wanted to relocate this fat guy but also gave up on doing so. He would not to ever touch this guy and it also looked too heavy to move away.

     Leaving the disgusting lump of flesh, he decided to check the remaining doors before going back up to the rooftop.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     Ebook Updates.Net

     .

     33 General Miguel Perez

      1:33 PM – Central Business Park, Pasay City, Roxas Blvd.

     BRRRRRR!!!

     TATATA!!!

     Sounds of heavy machinery and assault rifles being fired echoed across the area.

     A large scale construction was ongoing as the government ordered to secure the place. The workers did their tasks with hurried and unnerved expressions but still worked as serious as possible. Several military squads were dispatched to guard the area and the workers.

     When the outbreak started, the government already began considering numerous plans as things were going awry. The police, army and marines joined forces in trying to control the situation and it made them loose a lot of equipment and manpower. Still, they severely failed to contain the outbreak. With their failure, the government was forced to forward their plans.

     One of those plans was for evacuating survivors and the location of the evacuation area. The government had a number of places suitable for this plan and one of the places they chose was the reclaimed areas in Manila Bay, the Bay City, specifically, the Central Business Park and Marina District.

     These places were chosen because of numerous reasons but the main reason was both areas would be easier to secure. The majority of both areas were surrounded by high ditches and moats and the places that were not were surrounded by strong concrete fences. Another important reason was that the area was large enough to accommodate a large number of people.

     This moment, the workers were working on building walls on the areas surrounded by fences.

     The military heavily barricaded all the roads that were directly connected to the reclaimed areas and prioritized building the walls on those barricaded areas.

     The government also issued the order to destroy a segment on all the bridges going over the moats and ditches. Afterwards, they started to build a drawbridge over the destroyed segment. It was a countermeasure for the possibility of zombies congesting outside the entrance and exits rendering the facilities inaccessible.

     ***

     A certain building in the Central Business Area was taken over by the military. The building was now used as the command center for the military's operations.

     In a room within the command center, several people gathered around a rectangular table. At the far end of the table, a stern looking man with a slightly square face stood. His mustache, beard and hair had an uneven combination of black and white colors due to his age or maybe, due to the stress he received every single day. The man wore military fatigues and on the sleeves of his fatigues, an insignia with four stars lined vertically with the word "PILIPINAS" under the stars.

     The man's name was Gen. Miguel Perez. He was an army general and the person in charge of the Central Business Area.

     "What is the status of the walls?"

     Gen. Perez asked the man to his right who was assigned to oversee the construction process.

     "General! The construction of the walls should be finished in approximately two hours."

     "Is that the limit?"

     "Unfortunately, yes. The workers had already been pushing their best in the past four hours. We can only shorten it further if we can increase the manpower."

     The general sighed.

     "The higher ups from the government divided the manpower to build other shelters. The people here currently are the only ones we have."

     The people inside the room hung their heads low. That was the biggest issue they are facing right now, other than the zombies.

     "Still, try to shorten the time as much as possible. The lesser time spent on building the walls, we can save more of the supplies we have."

     "Yes Sir!"

     "Jordan, what is the progress in clearing the area?"

     The general asked the middle-aged soldier by his left.

     "General, we already cleared all of the infected. My men are now checking the perimeter if there is any remaining infected that we might have missed."

     "Good. Check it properly. We can't have even a single one wandering about without us knowing."

     "Yes Sir!"

     "How about the evacuees?"

     "Sir! The evacuees and the survivors we found are already brought to the designated areas. Still, the situation is bad."

     It was a woman further in his right side that answered.

     "What do you mean?"

     "Most of them are mentally disturbed and emotionally unstable. Some are even causing disturbances."

     "That is really bad isn't it? Send specialists to attend them. It is already hell outside so we can't have anything happen inside here."

     "Yes Sir!"

     "Is there any news from our men in the Marina district?"

     ...

     ***

     The meeting ended after a while after the General's trusted aides finished their reports and went back to their duties.

     As there was not a single soul left in the room aside from him, Gen. Perez took out a stick of cigarette and lit it with a combat knife shaped lighter. He slumped on his chair as his stern expression vanished and was replaced by a look of worry.

     TOK TOK

     He looked at the entrance as he heard the gentle knocking noise. A woman in her late twenty's wearing military fatigues, with a medical belt pouch was swaying by her left side and a holstered pistol hung on her waist stood by the door. On her hand, she was holding a cup of black coffee.

     The woman walked into the room and placed the cup in front of the general.

     "General, Raf will scold you again if he saw you smoking."

     "Don't tattle on me alright? Just let me this once. And you can call me father since there's no one around."

     "I can't General. I'm still on working hours."

     "Haha, no wonder my son chose you."

     Then, an awkward silence pervaded the room.

     "Teresa, did Raf contact you already?"

     "Yes. He already found Gabby and also rescued a number of survivors."

     "What about their sister?"

     "They already reached and searched her school. The school is already overrun and they did not find any survivors."

     Teresa's voice became softer and softer as she spoke.

     "I'm sure she is fine. She is a brave girl, even braver than I do. I'm sure that she can hold out by herself."

     "What you said is true but the problem is that girl is still too naïve. If she thinks that the infected are dead people, then she will be fine to some extent."

     Teresa nodded at what the general said.

     "But, it's not those infected that worries me."

     "It's those isn't it?"

     "That's right. I'm worried about those things that caused the containment to fail. I don't even know if we can still call those as just infected anymore. Those are more like monsters. If she encounters something like that…"

     The general looked at Teresa.

     "The next time Raf contact us, tell him to hasten the search for her. Also, about her childhood friend, we already secured her family so we only need to find her. My daughter should be with her friend right now. Those two are really inseparable since they were little."

     "Yes, those two complemented each other. The two of them are both courageous but one is strong while the other is smart."

     "If those two were together, it's more likely for them to be alive."

     The general bitterly smiled as he tried to assure himself. He then extinguished his half-unfinished cigarette inside the tray and drunk the cup of coffee in front of him.

     PUH!

     But he immediately pulled the cup away from his lips.

     "HOT! Teresa, you know that I'm bad with too hot drinks . You should have made it a little bit lukewarm."

     "It should be lukewarm General. I just did not expect you to throw away your cigarette without finishing it."

     The General raised his eyebrows at this woman who was the fiancée of his eldest son.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     34 Cheer Up

      1:51 PM – City Mall Bacoor Rooftop, South Wing

     Ange was feeling better as the members of the group try to pacify her. However, she was still far from her unruly self. It did not take long for the others to realize that no matter if the Biters were alive or not, they would need to fight and kill them to survive. Like how it was in the movies, no one knew if there would be a cure or not and for heck's sake, they did not even know if it really was a sickness or not.

     Still, it did not change the fact the Ange had to kill her friends that turned and she was feeling down because of that. Paula sat beside Ange just stroking her back without saying anything else. There was very little to say anymore and Paula could understand her friend's feelings. She just needed time to recover from it.

     The men were on standby. They already finished securing the places in the rooftop that needed barricading. Now, they are only having their guards up in case something unexpected happened. These men even prepared makeshift weapons with the things they can find here. With iron pipes as base, they attached and welded blades cut out from smaller metal sheets they found. They then sharpened the edges and pointed parts using an angle grinder.

     Calvin was holding to a spear, Fernan and Joseph both had a machete and Bernard had an axe. They also made weapons for the girls which are all smaller machetes. It was not because they are females or because of gender discrimination but because they ran out of materials. Even Ange was not given a makeshift weapon and had to keep the baseball bat Mark lent her.

     It wasn't really the best weapons but at least better that having nothing.

     While everyone was minding their own business, Mei suddenly stood up and walked towards the central area of the rooftop for unknown reasons. They all watched her in wonder. Paula had the idea why she suddenly went that way though. It was like what happened earlier.

     Before Mei could even reach the central area, a man in a sci-fi looking sports armor appeared. The man seemed to be surprised to see Mei walking towards his direction. The man took off his helmet revealing his unkempt hair and average looking face. The man smiled at Mei.

     "Mei'er, how do you even know that I'm coming?"

     "I don't know, Gege. I just feel it somehow."

     Mark did not know how to reply to that. It was not like that he did not know that she was walking towards him already.

     "Alright, let's go back."

     "Un."

     The two went back to the group but of course, Mei remained hiding behind Mark as the men were also nearby.

     The group stared at Mark who just returned. The clean pieces of sports armor that he wore earlier were now stained with blood. His face looked drained, as it seemed that he spent a lot of energy. He had another sports duffel bag that hung on his back and aside from his machete that was in his left hand, his right hand carried a fire axe.

     When he arrived, Mark saw Ange who was slumped on her chair and Paula who was patting her back.

     'It really happened huh?'

     Bernard went in front of Mark and handed him his notebook. Mark received the notebook and looked at the old man.

     "You have questions right?"

     "Not just me, we all do. But first, I'll say I learned a lot reading your notes there. It looked like that you've preparing for a zombie apocalypse to happen for a long time."

     Mark bitterly smiled.

     "Not really. It's just a hobby of mine. Who knows that something like this would actually happen?"

     "That's true."

     Mark then moved to one of the vacant seats and Mei handed him a bottle of soda.

     "Thank you."

     He put the things he was carrying down beside the chair he sat on before receiving the bottle of soda and gulped half of the soda in the bottle in one go.

     Mark then face the people in front of him who wore inquisitive expressions.

     "Go ahead and ask your questions. Geez, why do I always have to be the one on the hot seat?"

     He grumbled making the rest of the group besides Ange wore bitter smiles. They could not help it. After all, this was the second time that this happened.

     Going straight to the topic, Bernard asked.

     "It's about what you had written about the Biters."

     "Well, I knew it would be that. You guys want to know if they are really alive. Right?"

     Everyone nodded. Ange also raised her face and looked at Mark.

     "Unfortunately, they really are alive."

     "Do you have any proof?"

     It was Joseph who asked. Mark was starting to think that this guy really liked to cut in between conversations of other people. Still, he answered.

     "I do. I caught a Biter and an Eater and checked it myself. It was after I entered the emergency exit there in the west wing earlier."

     "What did you find out?"

     "Simple. The Biter I caught, her heart is still beating. I also checked the Eater but it doesn't have one, it's not even breathing. I don't understand how the bodies of the Eaters work. Anyways, the Biter I caught is still alive so the others should also be."

     The members of the group started contemplating after hearing what Mark said. He also saw Ange droop her head. She really looked sad.

     "Anyways, what's with those weapons?"

     Mark asked as he noticed the makeshift weapons everyone had. If he had to say, he was impressed by the idea. The weapons they made did not look bad either.

     "It was Calvin's idea."

     Bernard answered his question.

     "You?"

     Mark turned at Calvin, surprised.

     "What? Even I look like this I worked in a metal works several years ago. I had a fair share of things I learned from there."

     The middle aged man looked at the sky as he puffed his chest in confidence. Again, it was far from his usual silent attitude. And it would only happen when he was talking to Mark.

     Then, Calvin was startled when he looked back at Mark. He was not listening to him at all! And Mark was staring at Ange the whole time he was talking!

     The veins on Calvin's forehead were about to pop out but he held it in and sat down returning to his usual attitude. The father and son due could not help but scratch their heads as they watched him.

     Under the stares of everyone, Mark stood up and approached Ange. Paula did not know what he would do but she somehow knew that he could bring her friend back to normal. Just like how he did several times more than an hour ago.

     Mark squatted in front of Ange who was staring blankly towards her hands placed over her knees. It was then that she noticed that there was someone in front of her. She raised her head and…

     "WAHHH!"

     Ange was startled and pulled her face back with haste. She retreated too fast that she almost fell on her back!

     "W-What are you doing!!!"

     She shouted with her face turned red.

     Everyone smiled. Paula almost failed to hold back her laughter at her friend's reaction. Well, Mei pouted a little though.

     They all saw it. When Mark squatted in front of her, he closely stared at her. At the time Ange raised her head, his face was just an inch away from hers.

     "Well, it's good that you're back."

     Mark snickered.

     Ange looked at him and looked around her. Now that her mind was clearer, she could not help but notice how much worry she brought them. She then heard Mark spoke.

     "Don't think too much about whatever you are being melancholic about. Just think that what you did is right."

     "But! I…"

     "Killed living people? What is wrong about that? You did not kill anyone just because you wanted. You killed because you wanted to protect yourself and protect someone important to you."

     "But…"

     "Still arguing huh?"

     Mark started to feel exasperated and he raised his voice a little bit.

     "Then, I'll give you a question with two choices. Just choose one! Hear me?!"

     "O-okay."

     Ange was startled by his sudden attitude.

     "I and Paula were surrounded by a group of Biters. Which one of us will you help?"

     "Of course it's Paula!"

     "Then good! I don't need your help either! Biters? Eaters? Alive? Dead? Those things don't matter as long as you needed to protect someone. Just think of protecting yourself and the people important to you. Nothing else matter."

     "I know! But-"

     "Then, you will let yourself and Paula gets eaten because you can't kill them?"

     "That's…"

     "If you're playing like that then… Don't kill unless it's necessary. Then, continue living. Live for those you needed to kill and already killed. Live the life that they are supposed to spend."

     Ange became silent as she contemplated about what Mark just said.

     "Also I'll tell you this. I don't want to say that we needed to purposely kill all those zombies but for every zombie that is killed, there would be less of those who can potentially kill other people."

     Her eyes opened wide. That thought slipped past her mind.

     "Well, you still have a lot of time to think about what I said so there's no need to rush."

     Mark stood up, took the new duffel bag he put down beside his chair. He then went back to Ange and put the duffel bag at her lap.

     "Also this. So cheer up."

     Mark then returned to his seat. Everyone was looking at him, amazed.

     They did not know just how he ransacked his bank of references in his brain just to deliver all those words properly!

     "This is!!!"

     Ange's excited voice entered their ears. They all looked at her and saw her taking out the contents of the duffel bag. In the bag was another set of sports armor identical to what Mark was wearing. The only difference was the sports armor in front of Ange was designed for females and was white in color with red colored outlines.

     Paula looked at Mark. Her heart was filled with gratitude towards him for cheering up her precious friend. Though his methods were rather unusual, it was effective, totally effective.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     35 Blunder

      2:01 PM - City Mall Bacoor West Wing, Service Corridors.

     Mark led the way as they walked across the corridor. With the exception of Ange, Mei, Reyah and her daughter, Sariya, everyone was following behind Mark.

     After leaving Ange who was fiddling with the sports armor Mark gave her. He told the others about the situation in the TechZone and what he did inside the corridor.

     At first, they thought that he came back to ask for help in killing the zombies inside but the thought was dismissed when he said.

     "I should be able to deal with all those zombies alone."

     Actually, Mark went back to make at least Bernard and Fernan to follow him back not to help him kill the zombies but to attend the survivors after clearing the TechZone.

     But then, Calvin made a suggestion. It was to let them help in dealing with the zombies inside the TechZone. By the results of Mark's scouting, he said that the possibility of having Biters inside was very low or at least there would only be a very small number. If it was just Eaters, they it would be a good way for them to get some training.

     Hearing what Calvin said, Mark could not help but agree. They would really need to get some practice and experience in dealing with the zombies and it would be a good chance and there would be very little danger. If there are Biters inside, then they could apply some strategies if the number was more that he could handle. Well, he could handle a group of Biters consisting of half-dozen of individuals alone, so, it should be fine.

     All the males agreed with what Calvin said and they agreed with great determination. To their surprise, Paula also wanted to come with them and experience fighting herself. Ange seemed to be reluctant to let her go but Paula told her friend that she could not stand it anymore that she could not do anything but let Ange protect her.

     With that, the ones who were going and who would stay were decided. Reyah could not leave her sleeping daughter and she could not just wake her up. Mark forced Mei to stay as her body had not fully recovered yet and the bruises she received were starting to swell giving her more pain. Ange who was not in the mood to do more killing was the one who became in charge of protecting those who are staying on the rooftop.

     Using the ladders on the west wing, they entered the corridors through the emergency exit. When they entered the corridor, they were surprised. Their surprise was not because of the gruesome scene inside the corridor as beheaded bodies, severed heads and limbs and blood scattered on the floor across the corridor. It was because there was a moving human sized roll of red colored cloth, which looked like a red sushi made with cloth that was bound with extension cables, rolling about on the floor. The thing kept on rolling and the filth on the floor started sticking on the cloth it was wrapped in.

     "Uh… Mark? What is that?"

     Paula could not help but ask Mark who should be the one responsible for that.

     "That? She's the Biter I caught. The one I told you guys about. She doesn't stop rolling around when I tied her up so I rolled her up with floor mats and rags."

     "To clean up the floor?"

     "Yep. Quite convenient isn't it? Well, she doesn't clean the floor properly though."

     Mark looked at the floor that had an odd division of slightly cleaned and dirty portions.

     'Of course she won't!!!'

     They all screamed at Mark in their minds.

     Mark led them past the rolling Biter and put his index finger in front of his lips signaling them to keep quiet.

     As they traversed the corridor, Joseph's face already turned pale. The blood and gore scattered across the floor was starting to churn his stomach. He could not even smell anything else but the smell of blood.

     Calvin and Bernard seemed to be doing fine but their eyebrows already curved into a frown.

     Paula on the other hand intently looked around. She seemed to be engraving the scene into her mind and was trying to stable her emotions. She had seen worse and she had to get used to this.

     Mark then held his right hand above his shoulder stopping them who were following behind. Mark pointed at the door in front of him. It was the unlocked door leading to the TechZone. Actually, there were several doors that led into the TechZone while some led into the stores but Mark chose this because it was the door at the very corner of the TechZone.

     Using this door would prevent would make the zombies come from a single direction. This was also the door where the zombies inside passed through to get out earlier. The bloody footprints on the floor leading out of the TechZone were the proof of this.

     Mark grasped the door knob and nodded at the people behind him. They all nodded back as they tightened their grip on their weapons. While they all had serious expressions, Mark happened to see Joseph gulping his saliva.

     The door was pushed slowly. When he confirmed that there was no one standing behind the door, Mark opened the door wider and went in. The people behind Mark immediately followed but they froze when they saw the scene inside. Mark already described it to them but seeing the situation with their own eyes brought a different level of shock. The scene inside the TechZone was in a higher level of gruesomeness compared to the scene on the corridors outside.

     Blood splattered on the floor, the body parts and human flesh that scattered on the floor. There are even half-eaten bodies lying lifeless on the floor. The bodies were torn open leaving their bones, organs and intestines for display. There are also bodies with torn necks, eyes balls dangled out of their eye sockets and limbless bodies whose limbs were not sliced or cut but torn apart. The anguished expressions left on their faces showed how much fear and pain they felt before they died. What was worse was aside from adults and teens, there are quite a number of bodies of children and their bodies looked even more mangled than the rest.

     The thick smell of blood assaulted their noses.

     BLURG!!!

     They all looked behind them and so Joseph who was now facing the wall vomiting on the floor. Still, no one could blame him. The others already had pale faces as they felt nauseated.

     Mark frowned and immediately sprang into action and lopped the head of an incoming Biter. Yes a Biter! Mark then beheaded an Eater that was near them and went out as there was no need to bother hiding anymore. He stepped into the Main area of the TechZone and looked at all the incoming zombies.

     All of them are coming towards their direction! The sound Joseph created as he vomited was loud enough to be heard by the all the zombies in the TechZone due to the silence in the area!

     Mark slashed another Eater and looked at the zombies that were approaching faster than the others. There were eight of them.

     Eight Biters!

     Mark coldly glared at Joseph for a bit before turning his sight back at the zombies. He had a good plan in mind before but that guy just had to ruin everything.

     Joseph did not see his glare but the others did. They could feel the spite behind that glare.

     He did not bother with the people behind him anymore. There were Eaters approaching their direction and they said that they wanted to train using those. They should have the ability and the courage to deal with those. He only needed to concentrate on the Biters.

     Retreating also entered his mind but with the wobbly legs of Joseph, he would still need to deal with the Biters if they want to escape.

     Frowning, Mark's eyes turned sharp. His mind started to clear up as his concentration heightened. His blood started to boil and his heart began to beat faster and stronger.

     He then reached inside his collar and pressed the play button on the button control of his earphones.

     Mark dashed towards the Biters. He was not escaping this time. He needed to fight.

     His fighting spirit rose as an anime battle music started to play in his ears.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     36 Dealing with the Predicamen

      Mark looked around as he ran. Estimating the numbers of the zombies, there should be around twenty or more Eaters but the numbers would not exceed thirty. He ran past and dodged the Eaters attacking him charged towards the two nearest Biters who were also closing in.

     As he ran, crackling sounds can be heard from his feet as he stepped on the broken pieces of glass on the floor. The also side stepped and jump lightly a few times to avoid stepping on the bodies and pools of blood on the way.

     When both parties got into attacking range, the first Biter tried to pounce on him. Mark side stepped to his right dodging the pounce before he turned his body counter clockwise. He swung his machete as he turned around and slashed diagonally towards the Biter's nape. The body continued sliding on the floor due to the momentum of its charge before stopping and the Biter's head rolled a distance further. The headless body and the severed head scattered more blood to the already blood stained floor.

     While lopping the head of the first Biter, he did not stop his body from turning around and even continued after the Biter died. His machete also continued to swing along with his body and Mark exerted more force during the second half of the swing. Using the momentum when he turned his body and the force he exerted on his swing, he slashed the next zombie before it could even attack him. The swing came too fast that it took almost two seconds before the head detached from the body after being slashed as it fell down.

     Mark then did a low sweep of his right foot and tripped an Eater who was about grab him. The Eater fell flat on the floor before its neck suddenly snapped with a crunching sound.

     Lifting his right foot from the nape of the dead Eater, Mark stepped back and let a charging Biter run past him. The Biter immediately turned around as it missed its target but what all it was able to see before its sight blacked out was a blade of a machete approaching its neck.

     The third biter was dealt with. Mark saw another one that already lunged towards him wanting to take a bite out of his body... As there was no chance to dodge, he raised his left arm and shoved it between the Biter's teeth. Unfortunately for the Biter, it could not bite through the armor covering Mark's arm. He then pushed the Biter back and lopped its head before pushing the headless body and bashed the severed head away with his ankle.

     "Four down."

     He muttered as he kicked another Eater away.

     The problem now was the remaining four Biters were charging at him together. Mark then retreated. Not to run away but he started kiting the four.

     He ran around a display case leaving the four Biters with no choice but to lineup as they followed Mark around the corner. Seeing that chance, he immediately hacked the neck of the Biter in front. He managed to kill the Biter leading the line but it also gave time for the other three to attack him at the same time.

     When the three Biters charged at him once more, Mark made a light jump backwards. Then, the three stepped on what Mark jumped over. Two of the Biters suddenly lost balance as the stepped on a dead body that was soaked in a pool of blood.

     Mark immediately attacked the Biter that continued charging at him and slashed its neck. He also lopped the heads of the two Biters that slipped on the floor before they could recover.

     He then started dealing with the Eaters around him while glancing at how the others were doing.

     ***

     The Eaters were approaching the group of pale faced people. Calvin stepped up in front of everyone and attacked. It looked like he was the least affected by the disgusting scene in front of him.

     Calvin stabbed his spear unto the forehead of the incoming Eater. The spear pierced through the skull of the eater and it fell down on the floor. He was doing well but it looked like he was not satisfied. Even if he succeeded in piercing through the forehead, the damage he dealt was too shallow.

     He then approached the second Eater. This time, he stabbed towards the right eye of the Eater. The spear went through smoothly and the Eater plopped on the floor before he could even pull his spear back.

     He then glanced at Mark's direction. They all saw how Mark killed the Biters attacking him and they could not help but feel inferior. While he was already splashed with the blood of the zombies, they were still pacifying their churning stomachs.

     Now, they could see Mark carefully going around the broken display cases and counters. He was letting the Eaters follow him around as he picked them off one by one.

     ***

     Mark could feel the gazes set upon him but did not mind it. When he looked back, he could see that Fernan, Bernard and Paula had joined the fray.

     He looked at Calvin who stabbed his spear at another Eater. He aimed at the Eater's mouth and stabbed the spear upwards. Mark could only say that Calvin knew his stuff.

     Bernard on the other hand had good arm strength. An axe like the weapon in his hands need much precision in order to slash a zombie's head or neck but to Bernard, it does not matter too much. Even if he missed and the bit of the axe slipped behind the neck of the zombie, being struck by the handle of the axe he was using would still be fatal.

     Fernan was also doing fine with his makeshift machete. It looked like he was copying the moves he saw from Mark. It was not like Mark would mind it either.

     Paula was struggling a little. The smaller machete that they made for her had a good quality but was really not too suitable for combat. Because of this, Mark lent her the fire axe he found. It just weigh less than three kilograms so she should be able to swing it fine. But the problem was that she was missing her swings and there were times that it was the handle of the axe that struck the Eater in front of her. She was not missing because she had a bad accuracy but because she could not grasp the erratic shambling of the Eater.

     Seeing her predicament, Mark shouted.

     "Paula! If you can't hit it because it moves too much then knock it down first! Aim for the knee or the ankle and hit it however you want."

     Paula was surprised hearing him shout but she kept concentrating on the zombie in front of her. She followed what Mark said. She swung the fire axe in her hands towards the knee of the eater. The handle hit the side of the knee making the zombie loose balance and fall. With the short moment that the zombie faced the floor, Paula raised her axe and swung it down with all her might.

     The axe almost split the zombie's head into two. It looked like she shivered as the sensation from her first kill entered her body. Still, she did not falter. She steeled her heart and a hint of determination blazed in her eyes.

     Mark nodded at Paula's reaction and commended her in his mind.

     The members who were fighting were doing a good job. They are even capable enough of to avoid being caught by the strong arms of the Eaters. They even started to adapt their movements to their attackers. If the zombies got too close, they would step back or to the side, they would even try to push back the zombies when retreating was not possible.

     He then coldly looked at Joseph and shook his head.

     The guy stood behind the group leaning on the wall. His face was pale and his legs were wobbly. It even looked like that he will puke again at the slightest push.

     'What did he even come here for?'

     Well, he was actually inclined to bringing him here where he could see him. This guy had been glancing at Mei from time to time. Even though Mark could tell that there was no malicious intent behind his gaze, Mei reacts to his gazes negatively.

     When he realized what he was thinking, he froze for a bit which almost got him grabbed by the Eater that was chasing him.

     'Am I getting overprotective?'

     As he could not think of how to answer his own question, he decided to throw the thought away.

     His concentration weakened somehow as insignificant thoughts entered his mind. He then found out the reason. The battle song playing on his phone already ended and what was playing was a Japanese pop song about a whimsical princess.

     He could not help but become confused as to why this song was included in his "Battle Songs" playlist.

     You are reading

     Mutagen

      ebook which is a free download at

     wWw.EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     Download more ebooks for free at

     EbookUpdates.Net

     .

     37 After the Battle

      3:30 PM – City Mall Bacoor West Wing, TechZone

     Inside a store, Mark sat on a wheeled high-back chair. In front of him, it was a long counter table what was supposed to be used when attending the customers of the store. There were six laptops placed in a row on the table. Interconnected cables were lined on the floor. Some cables were plugged into extension sockets while the others were connecting the other five laptops to the one he was currently using with a router.

     The screen on the laptop he was using kept switching and every time he did something at the current screen, the screen of one of the other laptops would also change. Mark was using the laptop in front of him as the server and controlled the other laptops by remote access.

     What was he doing? Mark was downloading a lot of things with haste, Anime, Offline Games, Softcopies of Novels, Movies, and etc. using the other five laptops. Other people who would see what he was doing would say that it was stupid and unnecessary but to him, these are the few things he would not let go.

     He knew that these things would be gone for who knows how long or might never even return as the apocalypse ensued. He was an Otaku after all.

     Satisfied with how much he did, he extended his hand upwards and stretched his back. He sat here for about an hour already so his body felt stiff.

     Mark looked outside the store. The people who survived the massacre that happened inside the TechZone were proactively cleaning the place.

     ***

     When they finished killing all the zombies in this place more than an hour ago, including the zombies stuck inside some stores, the people inside the closed store voluntarily went out of hiding. There were only twenty-three of them. They had been watching all what transpired inside the TechZone through the gaps and holes on the steel shutters that protected them.

     As the survivors stepped out of the store they hid at, many of them found their own places and vomited while the rest had pale faces as they looked around. When they were hiding, what they could see outside was limited and that was why they had extreme reactions after seeing the whole scene. That was just how nauseating the aftermath of the event inside the TechZone was.

     It was then that the shutters in front of another closed store were pulled up and fifteen people came out. Surprisingly, the ones who came out were survivors that came from the floors below.

     Mark expected it that there were people hiding in that store but what startled him inside was the two people among that group. One was the man wearing a suit and sunglasses before, though the sunglasses were missing now. The other was a man in his twenty's who had a shaggy short hair, raised nose and sharp eyes, wearing a dirty-yellow uniform and black slacks. He remembered that this guy was among the group of college students he saw before, together with Ange and Paula.

     When that student saw Paula, he ran towards her and gave her a tight hug. Paula was startled and she immediately pushed the man away. Paula's face really looked bitter and sad. Still, the man did not stop on trying to talk to her. Even if he did not receive any reply.

     Seeing what was happening and since the place was already cleared of zombies, he decided to fetch the girls left on the rooftop.

     As Mark walked back into the TechZone along with the girls, he could see some of the survivors crying beside some of the bodies while some of them were looking around checking the bodies one by one.

     When Reyah followed Mark and entered carrying her daughter, her face immediately paled and she covered her daughter's eyes. She then saw the dead children inside. By reflex, she hugged her daughter tighter as negative thoughts entered her mind. Seeing her reaction, Mark led her to one of the clean stores to sit down and bring her daughter away from the gruesome scene.

     Ange also paled when she entered but the pale color of her face turned red when she saw Paula being pestered by the male student. She immediately stood between the two protecting Paula behind her. The male student did not immediately recognize Ange as she came wearing her armor and helmet so he protested and question who she is. When she removed her helmet, the male's face turned pale but he still tried to argue back.

     He was then flung away by a single right straight from Ange to his face. If Paula did not stop her, she might have done more than just that.

     Mei on the other hand had no reaction on what she saw inside. She even stared at the mangled bodies a few times while following behind Mark.

     By this time, Mark already removed his helmet as he felt suffocated after wearing it for a long time. Because of this, they could see his face not showing any emotion as his gaze roamed at the dead bodies.