Breaking Point

45

The last two remaining team members were subdued, but Lucas didn't seem to care.

"Let her go," Zenith Franklin demanded, having reclaimed his sidearm. "We'll exchange hostages."

"Don't negotiate with me, Captain Franklin." Lucas Westwind used me as a shield as he retreated. "Within one minute, I want to see that warehouse door open."

He dragged me backward. Chris stood amidst the crowd. Seeing me about to disappear from his sight, he instinctively moved forward.

"Everyone back to the door," Lucas's threat echoed. "You don't want to see me kill someone, do you?"

Chris's knuckles whitened around his gun. He stood motionless until Zenith Franklin pulled him back, and they slowly retreated.

Lucas Westwind retreated to the far end of the warehouse, stopping behind a massive pillar.

"Do you think your plan succeeded?"

His voice was suppressed and low, masking deep sorrow.

"Do you think I'm holding you hostage to escape?"

"Do you think I've compromised, that I'm scared?"

I didn't respond.

By now, the gunfire inside the supermarket had ceased.

"You better deliver my brother to me safe and sound, as you promised. If you fail, I won't need that old man; I will personally open the gate and let the zombie horde in."

His voice, seething with anger, turned into a snarl.

"I've lived long enough, but I wonder if you all share the same resolve."

Lucas Westwind was too smart.

I knew deceiving him would be difficult, but I didn't anticipate the deep bond he shared with his brother.

Amid the horde's chaos, how could his brother survive?

What should I do...

The warehouse door creaked open.

"Very good," Lucas issued his next command. "Bring my brother in within five minutes."

"Five minutes? That's impossible!" I tried to reason with him. "Even to find someone, you have to give us more time."

"Wasn't this part of your plan?" His tone dripped with mockery. "What's wrong? Can't you do it now?"

Before I could respond, Lucas suddenly exerted force, slamming my head against the pillar's edge.

Crack.

I heard the bone in my brow break. The sharp pain made me bend over.

He didn't let go, yanking my hair to force me upright.

"You seem completely unaware of your predicament." Lucas's voice buzzed in my ear. Suddenly, he shouted, "Who's there?"

I barely managed to lift my head, my right eye half-closed from swelling.

Anne, drenched, stepped inside.

"You better not hurt her. Killing too many people won't benefit you."

"Hostages are only valuable when alive. Ensuring their safety ensures your own."

"Are you here to educate me?" Lucas sneered. "You make a good point, but I don't care."

"Of course not."

She raised her hands, standing at the doorway. "I just want to inform you, your brother didn't make it up here. They ran from the first floor."

"Ran?"

Lucas paused.

"Yes. He wears a headband, easy to recognize."

Anne continued, "I can take you away. Let me be your hostage."

"Anne!" I shouted, "Get out!"

"Keep talking," Lucas tightened his grip, forcing me to tilt my head back.

Blood streamed into my eye, blurring my vision again.

"Through the fire escape, there are no zombies there." Her voice came from ahead.

"What do you mean?"

"All fire doors have been closed from the start. Zombies never breached."

Lucas stood stunned for a few seconds.

"Excellent, very good." He turned my head, making me meet his eyes. "What's this? A bluff?"

I groaned in pain.

Indeed.

The constant whistle calls could never lure zombies to the rooftop.

But I couldn't let Old Grant risk going to the basement to open the door.

With Lucas's men scattered in the mall, it was likely they'd discover the passage. If they encountered each other during the journey, everything would be ruined.

But it seemed they hadn't discovered the passage and were trapped by zombies instead.

My cards were few. Deception was my only play to keep the situation balanced.

"No bluff, she doesn't know this place well." Anne denied calmly, moving closer. "She can't guide you; only I can lead you out."

Anne was still trying to replace me until the end.

"Thank you for the information. You can leave now."

Lucas's words made her hesitate.

Anne wanted to say more but was roughly cut off.

"Don't test my patience. I may not kill her, but making her suffer a bit is within my power."

Lucas lowered the gun to my knee. "Last time, leave."

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