Everyone freaked out when they heard the scream, whipping their heads around. To their horror, not only was the burly dude drenched, but there was also a fresh pool of blood under his kicks. It had dripped down from the sixth floor.
Panic mode: activated. They all flashed their lights up, catching just a glimpse of some dark figure chilling at the railing.
Then, poof! The shadow was gone in a flash.
"Dude, it's a monster... A legit monster!"
"I swear, it was right there, then bam, disappeared!"
"But where'd it bounce to?"
"...."
In the chaos, everyone was waving their flashlights around, trying to spot the shadow again, but no dice.
Kai was all serious, grinding out the words, "It's come down!"
"What?"
The crowd was losing it, eyes darting everywhere, nerves totally fried.
Kai, with his psychic vibes, felt that eerie feeling because he knew that thing had been eyeing him. His senses were on high alert.
He could feel the danger creeping closer.
This time, the monster was gunning for him!
Zane, flipping on his [Dead Zone] power, zipped from the sixth floor to the lobby, not hiding anymore. His figure started to become clear to everyone.
Crash!
As Zane showed up, people scattered like they were dodging the plague, tripping over themselves to get away.
But they kept on booking it, no one daring to get close.
People peeped at Zane's mug, scared yet surprised.
Surprised 'cause the 'monster' was actually easy on the eyes, not the savage beast they pictured.
Kai and Max didn't bolt.
They felt like deer in headlights, too scared to twitch.
It was like hiking and suddenly staring down a tiger. If they ran, they'd be toast.
But Zane wasn't any tiger.
Right then, neither had a clue what to do.
"Kai, should we throw down?" Max checked.
Kai shook his head.
"He wouldn't show up unless he was sure he could take us. We're outmatched. If there's a shot, I'll distract him. You make a break for it!"
"Oh..."
Max got it.
Kai shut his eyes, focusing his mind to launch a psychic smackdown. The air got all tense as his mental force, sharp as nails, surged like a wave.
This move was hardcore; a regular Joe could get knocked out cold or worse.
"Indeed, you got some moves..." Zane peeped, sizing up the threat. His eyes glowed red as he pumped up his domain. The mighty Corpse King vibe spread, instantly blocking Kai's psychic blitz.
Kai felt his brainpower hit a wall. A sharp pain zapped through his head, almost blacking him out. But he bit down hard, keeping himself alert.
"Move it! Attack now, I can't keep this up!"
"Huh?" Max hesitated, seeing nothing but doom ahead. Charging in seemed like a one-way ticket.
"My mind power's holding up, but it might not last!" Kai pushed.
"Alright!" Max's eyes got steely. Even if it was into the abyss, he had to break through now! His body tensed, ready to spring, he charged at Zane.
His muscles swelled, his skin tough as armor—his awakened power, Tough Epidermis!
But as Max hit the [Dead Zone], his pace slowed like he was in quicksand. Still, he gritted his teeth and, powered by his beefed-up bod, swung at Zane.
Zane dodged and reached out to grab Max's head.
"Dang!" Max's face scrunched up as he remembered Kai's heads-up about this dude being able to mess you up from the inside. That meant no touchy, no matter what!
He sidestepped quick, feeling like he was lugging a boulder in that [Dead Zone]. Barely dodged a bullet there, nearly got himself wiped out. Skating on the edge of a cliff got his adrenaline hitting redline.
But then, Max felt like he was sinking into cement; the [Dead Zone] was cranking up its game, locking his body up tight, no room to swing a punch.
"What's the deal?" He spun around and, no joke, Kai was nowhere. Instead of throwing another mind punch, Kai had booked it towards the mall's front door!
Dude was straight-up bailing.
"Your main man bailed on you," Zane's chill voice floated over.
"No way, this ain't happening," Max stuttered, his eyes popping. Just a sec ago, Kai was all about holding the line, telling him to find a break...
But dude had played him, left him hanging while he took off. Goes to show, you don't know someone till stuff hits the fan.
Kai was always the team's rock, and they all trusted him. But when push came to shove, he ditched his crew...
Maybe Kai had this escape plan all along, never planning to stick it out with them. And he wasn't solo in his getaway.
A bunch of survivors tagged along, figuring sticking around was a one-way ticket to the graveyard. Even their leader had hit the road; naturally, they felt they had to follow.
"Forget honor and morals, it's the end of the world, man! Who cares about brotherhood? Staying alive is what counts!"
Kai's face was all twisted as he talked to himself, thinking he might never go back to Quantum Leap Innovations. He was Awakened; he could handle the apocalypse.
He hit the mall's main door, which was locked down with steel plates and chains. Kai was all over trying to bust the chains.
"Captain Kai, hold up..." the survivors shouted as they hustled over. Even if they got out, they couldn't last without Kai, so sticking with him was the game plan.
Together, they shoved the heavy steel plates.
Boom!
The plates crashed down, stirring up a dust storm. The mall's doors were finally open!
The night air was a bit chilly, kinda refreshing. Dawn was breaking, and the early light just barely lit up the scene.
But as the doors swung open, the crowd didn't burst out cheering. Instead, they froze, their faces twisted in horror.
Outside the mall, thousands of Zombies packed tight, blocking the way. Leading them were Jake, Zoe, and Nathan, all giving off a heavy vibe.
The creepiest part? This army of Zombies stood still as statues, silent, like they were waiting for a signal from their boss.
In the deadly quiet, a deep voice rolled out from behind the crowd.
"Dinner time..."