57 The Strange Event in the Basement Parking (1/2)

8:56 PM – City Mall, Bacoor, Front Mall Underpass, Basement Parking Entrance

1st Lt. Rafael Perez and his men were getting ready to eliminate any approaching threats as the soldiers moved into formation.

The two trucks that transported the survivors were put in the center of the formation while the other vehicles were used as barricade blocking the two available entrances into the underpass.

Back on the way here, Rafael and his men were surprised by the sounds of fireworks that the lieutenant had to call his sister to explain what was happening that time. Angeline properly explained what was happening and he felt grateful as he and his men would face lesser danger to get into the mall.

They encountered a very low number infected when they arrived and those numbers were nothing to them as trained soldiers. They did not even opened fire and just dealt with the threat on close quarters.

Then, they saw the closed parking entrance and the barricaded employee entrance. The soldiers had the notion of blasting the metal door but the amount of explosives they had left would not even open a hole big enough for the vehicles to enter and might possibly break the mechanisms of the gate. The explosion would also attract the infected to this place.

Abandoning the vehicles outside was also a no go as they would need the vehicles in order to evacuate if something unexpected to arise.

Before his sister ended the call, Rafael actually wanted to stop her from doing something dangerous but he did not in the end. With her stubborn personality, she would still go even if he told her not to.

The lieutenant looked towards the entrance of the underpass. He could still hear the continuous sounds of fireworks keeping the infected at bay.

***

Mark and Ange were currently rushing down the stairwell in the west wing.

They dropped off Mei with Paula and the still sleeping Abbygale. Paula also wanted to come but as they needed to move fast, only Mark and Ange were suitable for the job.

”Just why is the parking entrance closed?!”

Ange felt angry and were complaining as they jogged down the stairs.

”Who knows? I expected it to be open too if you ask me. The employee entrance was barricaded and the entrance was closed. It's likely that there are people that hide in there.”

Mark replied looked at Ange and continued.

”Just which dumb people would stay in dark place like that?”

”I can't be called dumb in this place I think.”

”Why?”

”The basement parking also serves as a cargo bay and had direct access to the warehouse of the mall so if they managed to secure the parking area and the warehouse, then they will be able to live for a long time without worry for food and water, though I did not expect that there would be anyone who can do it since the outbreak came so sudden.”

Ange looked at Mark.

”Why do you know a lot about this mall?”

”Remember my job hopping? I also worked here before. The same work as Fernan and James. I also remember Uncle Bernard a little since that old man was already working here that time I was hired though I don't think he remembers me since I looked younger that time and we never really interacted during the six months I worked here.”

”That's…”

Ange was surprised.

Mark and Ange arrived at the lowest level of the stairwell and stood in front of the door. Mark then frowned while Ange reached for the door but it would not budge even an inch.

”It's no use it's barred from the outside. Let's hurry back up and use the elevator.”

Mark who was frowning said.

”Is something wrong? You're voice sounds serious.”

”Remember my ability?”

”Yeah, Paula said that you found Abbygale and those two using that right?”

Mark nodded.

”There's a problem, I don't detect any human nearby inside the parking area.”

”What?!”

”Anyways, let's go. We just need to be extra careful.”

The two hurried back towards the third floor and waited for the elevator.