Only Escape Option[4]

In the centre of the city, a large mall 6 floors high was the only thing largely unscathed by the chaos.

One couldn't see much in the dead of the night, but the windows of the mall let out lights that advertised its presence.

It gave off the feeling of prosperity is the middle of disaster; as Las Vegas is to the desert around it, this sight was quite unexpected and had a magnetic attraction.

A small band of survivors made their way through the destruction, quickly making progress.

Soon they reached the entrance of the mall.

"Michael Aftoner reporting! I have brought back 8 survivors back with me!"

Atlas glanced at the soldier for a second before turning his gaze back to the entrance.

The entrance was a double glass door t had more glass panes around it. Concrete walls were after that, stretching farther into the night than he could see.

The frequent windows shone light but that didn't help much with sight.

A sound came from behind the door and Atlas focused on the two men that were standing guard.

"No need to be so stiff Michael! It's just us"

Michael glanced at the civilians for a brief moment before replying:

"B-but civilians are here. Aren't we suppose to behave..."

"Haha who cares! Whatever it's fine, bring them in. We have lots of space left inside"

Michael sighed and brought Atlas and the others with him.

After walking a fair distance a strange sound came from the speakers.

"Krk krrr... Hello hello? There will be a short meeting for everyone, civilians and soldiers, at the bottom floor around the fountain..."

"...I repeat, there will be a meeting for everyone at the bottom floor around the fountain... krk krrr..."

Atlas looked at the fountain to see a gruff, tall and robust man already there.

His eyes shone for a second; a familiar face, finally!

Atlas walked over to him, ignoring the calls from the soldier behind him.

"Hey Ragnar, how you doin'?"

Atlas waved his hand with a nonchalant expression.

Ragnar turned his head to Atlas, surprised.

"Water hose? Damn, what are you doing here?"

Atlas froze for a second, his mind in a turmoil.

'I forgot he calls me that'

Atlas lunged at the man, tackling him to the ground and looking at him dead in the eyes.

"Why the FUCK do you keep reminding me?"

"Haha!!"

Atlas was taken away, guns pointed to him by soldiers.

"Hands up civilian! No one harms captain while we're around"

Ragnar got up, still laughing.

"Haha, don't worry guys. He's my friend. We do this everytime, kind of like our ceremonies"

The soldiers immediately too his word of it and nodded their heads.

"Alright cap, we understand"

They turned their heads to Atlas.

"Sorry civilian, we didn't know. Just don't get too rough with him, he might break one of your bone or two"

They laughed and left.

Atlas could see Michael looking at this with a stupor.

He felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Anyways, glad you're here! We always have a use for someone like you!"

Atlas brushed his hand away, looking towards the arriving clusters of people.

"I'll talk to you later, first do your speech or whatever"

Ragnar smiled.

"Haha, you know exactly what I was gonna do!"

A crowd soon forms around the fountain.

A large area was left for the soldiers and Ragnar.

"Everyone, listen up!"

All the civilians, and even the soldiers turned their heads immediately, a wave of emotion surging for no apparent reason.

"I am Ragnar, Ragnar Talofski! I'm the captain of these wonderful men, some of who you may be acquainted with as I sent them to look for survivors!"

Some of the soldiers puffed their chests out in pride.

"Now, listen carefully! We are in the middle of a disaster with an unkown threat level! This is currently happening worldwide and no one was prepared for this."

He pointed his index finger towards the outside.

"The emergency centre has been taken over by criminals, and so we have taken refuge here!" He spread his arms out. " This place has many resources that will be vital in ensuring our safety, and not only that, it is a great spot of survival! Points of interest are all within reach and the outermost parts of the city are only some hours away!"

He then pointed at his men.

"Now, we, as soldiers, people of the army, will take full responsibility in helping all of you cope with this situation. We will use all of our trained capabilities to ensure our survival and even teach you all untill we pass this storm!"

And then he moved his hands over to the crowd.

"But! And that's a very big but! It will only be possible if you also cooperate! Not only some of you, but all of you! All of you will have to carry your own weight! It can be anything from cooking and tending to the wounded, or even going out, exploring, scavenging and finding other survivors!"

Murmurs of discontent came from the crowd, and Ragnar stomped him foot firmly, shouting again.

"Are you all so weak willed and spoiled that you want to piggy back off of us, expecting t survive without even doing anything!? We are here as a group of survivors, and we, no I! Will accept no burdens!"

The crowd felt scared, but at the same time, hot blooded and excited! No one wanted to just be burdens. Everyone wanted to feel appreciated and do something!

"And so, I ask! Who is with me!?"

The soldiers immediately shouted out.

"SIR! US SIR!

Ragnar turned his heads to the civilains.

"WHO IS WITH ME!?"

The civilians, in a moment of hysteria answered back.

"SIR! US SIR!"

Ragnar smiled and turned around.

"I'll have my men gather everyone you all up tommorow! You guys can volunteer. We won't force anyone into any particular job, but be warned, if you do not do anything, you will be chased out!"

A deterent was sent out to the civilians, which, surprisingly, worked for everyone.

...

Immediately after the speech, both Ragnar and Atlas left together.

In a room with a small bed, a table and a chair sat Ragnar along with Atlas.

"Great speech Ragnar! Guess they don't call you the charismatic for no reason huh?"

Atlas slapped Ragnar's back, laughing away.

"Hah! Don't make me laugh. I'm just speaking from my heart!"

He put his arm around Atlas' neck, and they both started playing around.

"Hey dad! I was searching everywhere for you! Who knew you would go straight to yo-"

A young girl's voice came from behind the door, her words stopping when she saw Atlas.

"Atlas!! It's so great to see you!"

The little girl jumped at the Atlas, headbutting him and causing him to fall back, hitting his head on the wall.

'Damn this girl is getting strong'

He caressed her blond head and smiled.

"Alright Alicia, you can get up now."

She looked up, her blue eyes shining.

"Alright! But you gotta tell me what you've been up to! It's been weeks since I last saw you!"

She started jumping up and down.

"Not now Alicia, me and Atlas have a very important talk going"

Ragnar smiled warmly; a very contrasting expression compared to his six foot height and body builder physique.

"Humph! You guys just play around like children whenever you guys are together!"

"Sure sure, says the nine year old!"

Atlas teased.

"I'm not nine! I'm fourteen, get my age right already!"

She lunged at him, ticking his sides.

"Uhh, you know that doesn't work anymore right?"

Atlas awkwardly laughed.

"Aww man, I forgot you went through secret training!"

She got up and sighed, looking at Ragnar

"Alright... I'll go to bed now." She then turned to Atlas. "But tommorow you gotta tell me what you've been up to!"

Both the men smiled and Atlas replied.

"Alright, fine, good night kid"

She turned around and closed the door behind her.

"Goodnight sweetheart!"

They both turned to each other and stared into each other's soul for a solid five seconds.

"She's gone right?"

"Yep! Your kid's gone"

"..."

They both started wrestling each other on the floor.