<b>15:08 </b>Sat, 16 Aug
Chapter 287 Entering the Mall
Chapter 287 Entering the Mall
Theresa had guessed right. Not even a little bit off.
By the time they reached the top of the stairs and stepped into the transfer hall, she could already see dark shapes moving in the <b>west </b>corridor.
After so many battles, the survivors had learned a few key things about zombies.
They hunted by scent and sound.
Their cloudy eyes meant they didn’t have clear vision.
Tania had figured that out.
She had even made a zombie repellent based on that.
If zombies could actually see, there was no way they would just stand still while people ran past them.
As for smell, anything more than six hundred feet away was too far for them to pick up.
For sound, the <b>safe </b>limit was about forty decibels.
That meant <b>no </b>yelling.
Keep voices low and footsteps quiet, <b>and </b>there was a good chance of slipping past unnoticed..
Right now, Theresa’s <b>group </b>was still within that safe range.
If they moved carefully, they might just get through without waking the horde.
Theresa led the way, stepping softly and slowly.
Everyone held their breath. No one spoke. Not even the kids. They moved in a quiet line, one behind the
other.
These were no longer the same people from the start of the outbreak. They had fought hard to survive for over a year and a half. Everyone here had learned how to move with care.
Suddenly, one woman lost her bnce. She was holding a small child. Her foot slipped. She started to <b>fall</b>.
Before <b>she </b>hit the ground, a hand caught her.
Graham had moved fast.
He reached out and mouthed the words, “Give the kid to <b>me</b>.”
The woman nodded and <b>passed </b>the child over. She gave him a look full of thanks and slipped back into line
Coarse, broken wheezes came from the distance.
Over in the corridor leading to Line Two, the zombies were pacing. They could smell something faint in
?
<b>1/3 </b>
Chapter 287 Entering the Mall!
the air. It was sweet. However, the scent was too <b>weak</b>. Still far. They couldn’t lock onto it yet.
Their stiff necks twitched from side to side. Their cloudy eyes stared into nothing. Some of them froze heads tilted toward Line Eleven. Their feet shuffled in small, jerky steps, as if unsure which way to <b>gu</b><b>. </b>
Then, one of <b>the </b>zombies, <b>closer </b><b>than </b>the others, turned. It tilted its head toward the hallway behind it. Toward <b>Line </b>Eleven. It had caught a trace of something.
It started to limp in <b>that </b>direction. With each step, the scent grew stronger.
To the zombie, it felt like finding treasure. Its jaw dropped wide. A growl rose in its throat. It began to <b>move </b><b>faster</b>.
When it was around six hundred feet away, it caught a whiff of something unbearably tempting.
Something deep inside it stirred.
Food.
Fresh. Warm. Still alive. The kind of scent that made its mouth water.
Raargh!
It let out a sharp screech <b>and </b>rushed forward.
Just then…
Thwip!
<b>An </b>arrow zipped through the air and pierced its skull.
Leon lowered his mini–crossbow with a calm hand. A perfect shot.
Theresa nced his <b>way</b>. There was a flicker of respect in her eyes.
For a small camp, the leader’s pretty skilled. He’s got something going.
She looked to the others. No words were needed. They all picked up the pace.
Soon, they saw Exit 3 ahead.
It stood in the center of the mall. Arge metal shutter loomed before them.
They had reached the B1 level of Ridgefall Mall.
That shutter was the main entrance.
Beyond it, the floor led into the food court. Theresa scanned the area with hermp.
Everything <b>was </b>quiet. No sign of zombies.
This was their <b>goal</b>.
One by one, the group crossed over the railing, careful not to <b>make </b>a <b>sound</b>. Then, something shifted
19/3
Chapter 287 Entering the Mall
the <b>right</b>. From the subway security checkpoint, a sound broke the silence.
Theresa snapped her head toward it.
tter!
The curtain over a baggage scammer ripped open. A zombie in a security guard’s uniform leapt out.
Raargh!
<b>It </b>charged at her like a bullet.
It was a speed–type mutant.
Theresa lifted her hand. A st of wind mmed into the <b>zombie </b>and stopped it mid–air. She reached back and drew her sword. With one clean strike, she cut it down. The head rolled across the floor.
Raargh!
The attack had been quick and quiet, but the zombie was not.
Its <b>final </b>cry rang through the mall like an rm.
In that moment…
Every zombie in the Line Two corridor heard it.
“Get inside!” Theresa shouted.
There was no hiding now. The group ran. Feet pounded the floor as they rushed into the mall.