Splash Splash Splash
BOOOM!!
"GROWLLL!!!"
"How many Molotovs do we have left?" Kalsie inquired as he returned from hurling his Molotov, engulfing the Dead Walkers in flames.
"We each have just one Molotov left. If this keeps up, we won't be able to hold them back with their endless numbers," Job replied, his expression tinged with concern.
"That's why we've been using them sparingly. If somehow we can keep that fire burning until sunrise, we'll secure our victory," Wendy added.
"Both of you have valid points." Kalsie turned to Bella and inquired, "Do you think we can find any alcohol or other flammable chemicals in the chemistry lab to maintain the fire?"
Taking a moment to think, Bella shook her head, responding, "I doubt there's anything useful left there. There might be methanol and ethanol, but their concentration is too low to sustain a fire of that magnitude."
Unfortunately, all the wooden materials and furniture they could scavenge had already been used for barricades or weapons. They had nothing left to fuel the fire.
"What about those gas cylinders?" Nicole pointed toward the tall cylinders arranged along the back wall.
"No, it's not time to use them yet. They're our last resort, and we still have over five or six hours until sunrise. We can't afford to waste them right now," Kalsie explained.
"So what's the plan? The fire will die down soon, and those monsters will start pushing through," Jack said.
Shring!
"It's time for us to rely on our weapons," Kalsie declared as he unsheathed his sword. "Besides, none of us received any orbs from the Dead Walkers we killed with explosives. The only way to obtain that power is by defeating them using our weapons."
"That's right," Fred agreed. "I was just thinking about that. I wonder how much stronger we could have become after taking down so many of them."
"Don't dwell on it," Wendy chimed in. "Think about how much more powerful Kalsie and I could have become if we had obtained orbs from the ones we incinerated when we set the forest on fire!"
"…"
...
"GROWLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"
After about fifteen minutes, the fire subsided, and the Dead Walkers began their ascent. However, before they could approach Kalsie and the others, they stumbled upon the remaining intact wire traps, situated a bit farther away from the flames.
Due to repeatedly tossing Molotov cocktails in the same area, the Dead Walkers who perished were reduced to ashes, creating additional space. Kalsie and John had previously opened all the doors and windows to disperse the smoke and ashes generated, averting potential issues.
As more Dead Walkers closed in, it became increasingly challenging for them to move and ultimately met their demise as the wires snapped their necks.
"Let's finish them off!" Since the wires were the sole obstacle between them and the monsters, Kalsie didn't want to let them go just yet. He, along with the others, approached the Dead Walkers and utilized their weapons to crush their skulls.
As they continued to eliminate the Dead Walkers with their weapons, they noticed orbs materializing, bolstering their strength.
Nonetheless, they couldn't maintain this pace indefinitely. The more Dead Walkers they slew, the greater the strain on the wires, as their numbers weren't decreasing.
Snap!
"Hey, Kalsie! One of the wires just snapped!" Job shouted in worry.
As a result of the snapped wire, the Dead Walkers advanced a step closer, and it wouldn't be long before other wires met the same fate.
"Everybody, move back!!" Kalsie's voice boomed with urgency as he assessed the situation. "We need to use the Molotovs!"
Responding immediately to Kalsie's command, they swiftly retreated, wasting no time in throwing five Molotov cocktails at the approaching Dead Walkers.
Splash Splash Splash Splash Splash
BOOOOMM!!!
The massive explosion engulfed the Dead Walkers in flames, consuming them entirely.
Kalsie wiped the sweat from his forehead, thinking, 'That was too close!' Had they been a few seconds late, the Dead Walkers would have charged them, likely breaking more of the wires.
"Kalsie, I don't think we can keep this up much longer!" Wendy called out after ten minutes, noticing the fire gradually dying down and realizing that the Dead Walkers would soon advance.
"I know!" Kalsie shouted in response. "Use your remaining Molotovs! After the flames subside, we'll detonate those gas cylinders and collapse this floor, just as we planned earlier!"
Kalsie had wanted to save the gas cylinders for the last possible moment, but the relentless onslaught of Dead Walkers forced their hand.
"Alright!" No one objected as they tossed their last Molotovs into the fray.
BOOOM!!!!! The resulting explosion reinvigorated the dwindling flames.
"Quick, take cover upstairs!" Kalsie urged, and as everyone began to retreat, he, Job, and Wendy turned the valves on the large gas cylinders before quickly vacating the area.
....
"Here, take this." Kalsie handed his final Molotov to Fred, who accepted it with trembling hands.
Fred swallowed hard and struck the Molotov on the arrowhead, and then igniting it.
Splash!
"Don't mess this up, fatty!" Wendy reminded him, her voice betraying a hint of concern.
"I know!" Fred replied, his full attention on the bow, his hands steady as he prepared to release the fiery projectile.
Earlier, Kalsie and the others had opened the cylinder's valve, but it remained unignited because there was no nearby fire source; by that time, the flames from the burning Dead Walkers had already dwindled. Fortunately, some intact wires had halted the Dead Walkers' impending advance, granting them the precious moments they needed to prepare.
The responsibility of igniting the gas cylinders with a fiery arrow fell upon Fred, as he possessed the sharpest marksmanship among them.
He aimed the flaming arrow towards the cylinders on the third floor, peering through the doorway placed at the left corner. To obtain the perfect angle, Fred had to position himself to the right of the door.
Despite the weight of their expectant gazes, Fred couldn't steady his aim; his body quivered with nervousness. The pressure was palpable, and it would have unsettled anyone.
But that wasn't the only risk. The resulting explosion could potentially engulf him, given his proximity to the door.
"Calm down," Kalsie soothingly placed his hand on Fred's trembling shoulder as Fred turned toward him, his eyes filled with anxiety. "We trust you. You're the only one who can do this. Now, take a deep breath."
Inhale. Exhale.
"I'm feeling better now,"