“We were looking for shelter,” Justin explained. “This morning, our car was stolen, and we had to walk on foot all the way here.” He shook his head, still disbelieving. “Honestly? We were damn lucky to have run into you. We really had no idea where to go.”
Amy leaned forward, brimming with curiosity. “What about you, Mr. Kang? Why are you alone here? Were you here from the very beginning? Did you witness what happened?”
Mr. Kang laughed. “So many questions! But we have plenty of time, so I’ll answer them.” He settled comfortably in his chair. Judging by his lively face, Amy could tell that he was the type who enjoyed recounting a good tale to his audience.
“My wife and I have been working as cleaners at Central Creek Mall for fifteen years. Fifteen years! How time flies.” A faraway expression filled his eyes. “We were defectors from North Korea. Let me tell you, it was tough trying to escape from that wretched hellhole. But on a winter night, we managed to somehow cross the border into China and stay hidden there for five months. With the help of a Korean missionary worker, we were able to enter South Korea. But it was difficult to adjust. So much food! All the bright lights! Not to mention cultural differences. After about two years or so, we were still struggling.
“It was odd. We shared a common ancestry and history with the South Koreans, and yet we felt like complete foreigners there. So we thought, ‘Why don’t we move to a faraway country, then? Either way, we’re still going to feel like foreigners. Might as well feel like one in a western country.’ The idea grew on us as time went on. With excitement, we made plans, applied for visas, and emigrated to the United States.”
He paused, sipping at his coffee. “My English was extremely poor back then. So when my wife and I came to America, the first thing we did was attend a local Korean church. There, we found kind people who were willing to help us find a job, any job. We became cleaners at Central Creek Mall. It was a blessing that we could earn money and put food on the table. I was eventually promoted to supervisor, and we continued working there, year after year. Life was simple and good.
“Several weeks ago, my wife and I drove to the mall, ready to begin another day’s work. She wanted to stop by at the supermarket to buy a few things, so we made a small detour before going to the office.” Mr. Kang’s face crumpled. “And that was the beginning of the end.”
“What happened?” Marie breathed.
A deep line formed between his brows. “There was a lot of commotion on the first floor. At first, people were running and screaming. Then minutes later, they were running . . . and tearing.” He blinked and gazed up at the ceiling. “So much blood. The floors became slippery with blood and vomit and smashed organs. For a frightening second, I lost my grip on my wife’s hand. She was a few paces behind me. When I went back for her, I saw a large man slam into her side. It all happened so fast! Before I knew it, she was trying to tear my throat out with her teeth.”
His breathing grew ragged. “What could I do? I ran like the coward I was. To this day, she’s still wandering around inside the mall. It’s like she’s waiting for me to return to her.”
No one knew what to say after that. Even Patrick seemed at a loss for words.
After a long stretch of awkward silence, Amy croaked out, “So you’ve been alone all this time?”
Mr. Kang shook his head no. “I couldn’t get out of the mall; there was a mad rush at the entrance, where people were getting trampled on. When I did manage to stumble outside with a bunch of screaming people, I tripped over a young man who’d toppled over a bench. I later found out that he was a reporter. Together, we ran down the tunnel, then entered the staff door and locked ourselves in here for days.” A sound of deep frustration rumbled in his throat. “The fool would still be alive today if he hadn’t ventured outside on his own to look for his cameraman’s equipment.”
A reporter! Amy sat up, filled with questions again. “Did he tell you anything?” she asked with eagerness. “About the source of this virus? Did he say who was responsible?”
“Well . . .” Mr. Kang rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. “The last update he received was something about a coordinated attack. Apparently, we weren’t the only city that was infected – LA, New York City, Washington DC . . . even a few major international cities were included in the attack. It wasn’t just us.”
A coordinated attack on a worldwide scale. This meant that it hadn’t been their government messing around with an experimental virus gone awry. The raving DJ on the radio station had been wrong, after all.
Silence fell over them once again as they contemplated this new piece of information. The night deepened, and the muffled sounds of hisses and snarls grew thicker around them.
Daniel stirred, clearing his throat. “We need to find a working car,” he said. “Mr. Kang, can you help us? You know the area well.”
“You have to go somewhere?”
Justin nodded. “We were separated from our friend. He’s waiting for us at a designated spot, but it’s too far to go on foot. We need a car with a tank full of gas.”
“Hmph.” Mr. Kang appraised his visitors over the rim of his plastic cup. Amy fidgeted and stared back at him. What was he thinking? Had their request been a bit presumptuous? Here, the man had rescued them, fed them, and would even shelter them for the night. Did he think they were asking for too much?
“I will help you,” Mr. Kang said finally. “But in return, you must do something for me.”
“Of course,” Amy answered, but she felt uneasy. There was a strange glitter in his eyes.
He stood up and paced the room, mumbling to himself in his native tongue. Amy watched him, baffled. Her confusion grew when Daniel and Marie suddenly stiffened beside her. It seemed that they had caught snatches of Mr. Kang’s speech and understood what he was saying.
He came to an abrupt stop and stood before his visitors, his breathing somewhat labored.
“I will give you my station wagon. It’s parked on the staff parking space. In return” – he looked into their faces one by one – “I want you to help me catch my wife.”
***
Amy lay on the hard ground, hugging a clean blanket to her chest. She couldn’t sleep. To her left, Marie spooned Walter and snored softly into his floppy ear. And Daniel spooned his wife, his arm protectively wrapped around her.
They had turned the lanterns off and replaced them with glow sticks. At first, they had decided to sleep without any light, but the permeating darkness had proven too overwhelming. In the end, they had opted to use a couple of sticks to keep the place lit.
On the other side of the room, Patrick’s snores bounced off the walls, and Amy wondered if he had a pair of tubas in his chest instead of lungs. She hid a smile when Mr. Kang, muttering imprecations under his breath, took his blanket and stepped outside. She heard his footsteps shuffling into the office and the soft click of the door closing. Briefly, she wondered if she should join him. She desperately needed sleep, and there would be none of it for her in this room.
“Are you asleep?” Justin whispered. He was lying on the ground to Amy’s right.
“No,” she replied. “And frankly, I don’t know how Daniel and Marie can sleep with all that brass fanfare playing over there. I wish they’d let me in on the secret.”
Justin chuckled softly. “They’re completely exhausted, that’s why.”
“So am I.”
He rolled over to his side, facing her. “Maybe this will help,” he said, and reached over to cup her ears with his hands.
It did help, but now, she couldn’t hear a single word he was saying. With an impatient sigh, she gently pulled his hands away.
“Are we really going to do it?” she asked him. She didn’t need to explain what “it” was.
“We don’t have a choice, not if we want his station wagon.”
“There has to be another way. Heck, we don’t even need his car. I bet there are plenty of vehicles around the mall.”
“Maybe, but I think
we kind of owe him. It’s the least we can do.”
Amy felt her temper flare up. “Let me get this straight. You’re saying because he gave us food and shelter, that we should risk our lives to catch a Runner?”
A prolonged silence. “I know how it sounds,” Justin said quietly, “and you’re right. It is dangerous. But not all of us have to do this. With proper planning, one or two of us should be more than enough to help Mr. Kang.”
Amy sighed loudly. “I don’t know whether you’re just brave or simply foolhardy.”
“Foolhardy, I suspect,” Justin said with a grin. His gaze softened as he edged closer to her. “Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be fine. I promise.”
She didn’t want him to make rash promises. Turning her back to him, she curled into a fetal position, feeling vulnerable and uncertain. Entering an open space with Runners lurking about was one thing. But to go close enough to catch one? How were they supposed to tie it up, or even make it walk alongside them? It was madness. A terrible sense of foreboding settled over her.
A warm arm wrapped around her from behind, and she felt Justin’s breath tickle her neck.
“Hmm, this is nice,” he murmured into her ear. “Try to get some sleep, okay? We’ve had quite a day.”
Amy nodded in response, but her worry gnawed at her, chasing away her exhaustion and keeping her eyes wide open long after Justin fell asleep.
Chapter 10
The next morning, Mr. Kang served them cereal with powdered milk, canned peaches, and hot coffee for breakfast. As expected, Patrick ate with gusto, stuffing his face even before he had time to swallow the food already in his mouth. He was the only one who seemed unaffected by Mr. Kang’s request of the night before.
Because he has no intention of going out there, Amy thought as she glanced at the older man. And he already knows that we won’t make him do it.
As for the rest, a heavy silence hung above them as they ate their soggy cereal. When they finished and cleaned up, Mr. Kang suggested a trip to one of the retail department stores.
“What for?” Amy asked. “And what if there are Runners nearby?”
Mr. Kang appeared confused. “Runners? Oh, you mean the infected.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. I know this mall like the back of my hand. Just follow my lead, and you’ll be fine. And, forgive me,” he added, “but you kids need some new clothes.” His nostrils flared in distaste. “You know you stink, right?”
Clean clothes and underwear! Just the thought cheered Amy up instantly. She rose to her feet, excitement etched all over her face.
“Do you have extra guns? Or other weapons, maybe?”
Mr. Kang shook his head. “I’m afraid not. I only have the one gun that I managed to swipe off a dead security guard last week.” He paused, thinking. “But there are some gardening tools around. You could use them as weapons. In fact, I’ll bring them over now.” And he quickly left the room, the door clicking close behind him.
Justin cleared his throat. “While he’s gone, we might as well address the elephant in the room.” When no one answered him, he continued on. “I’ve decided to help Mr. Kang with his request in exchange for his car. But I think one more person should volunteer. Is there anyone willing to help out?”
There was a long pause as everyone eyed each other. In the end, Daniel inclined his head.
“I will do it. But . . . I really do not know how we can subdue a Runner. Kill, yes, but not catch. It seems impossible.”
“We’ll have to figure that one out,” Justin agreed. “Thanks, Daniel, for volunteering. I knew I could count on you.”
Amy turned to Marie. “Meanwhile, maybe we can stock up the wagon with food, clothes, blankets, medicine, and water. Make sure that we have more than enough to sustain us on the road.”
“We will need to make several trips for that,” Marie mused.
“Definitely.”
Half an hour later, Mr. Kang returned, struggling with a hoe and a pitchfork. “Here. I think these will do nicely.” The tools clattered to the ground as he straightened to catch his breath.
“Mr. Kang . . . forgive me, but I have to ask.” Amy ignored Justin’s warning glance, keeping her tone firm. “I think, given the dangerous situation you’re putting us in, that we have a right to know why you want to catch your wife. What will you do once she’s in your hands?”
There was a tinge of sadness around Mr. Kang’s smile. With a sigh, he sat down and stared into space. “As I told you last night, my wife and I escaped from North Korea together. We’ve always been together, as far back as I can remember.” His brows knotted. “I need to get her away from the other infected people. Once she’s in here, I will barricade the office to make sure that none of the infected can get in. Just as we escaped from that hellhole together, I will make certain that my wife and I escape from this spiraling madness . . . together.”
“You mean –” Amy started, and Mr. Kang nodded, seeing the shock on her face.
“Yes. It’s time to put my wife out of her misery. For a while, I felt comforted just having her nearby somewhere, despite her altered state. How foolish I was. It’s time to finish this once and for all.”
He was talking about ending whatever was left of his wife’s life, and his own. Amy shivered as she stared at Mr. Kang’s overly calm expression. He seemed at peace with his decision. She tried one more time.
“Come with us,” she offered. “You can bring peace to your wife, and then get away from this place. Our friend knows someone who owns a farm; that’s where we’re headed. You can start over –”
“Without my wife?” he cut in with a hollow laugh. “What’s the point of that? Without my wife, my life has no meaning.” He raised a hand when Amy opened her mouth to protest. “Enough. I thank you for your kindness, but my mind is made up. By the way,” he added, fishing around in his pockets, “here are my car keys. You’ll need it when you leave the mall. The staff parking space is close to where we are, so make sure to fill the car with everything you need before you leave.”
He was done talking about the issue. Amy shot a helpless glance at Justin, but he simply shook his head in response.
Don’t push it. Just let the man be.
***
It had been a lot easier than Amy had expected. Mr. Kang hadn’t lied – he knew the mall inside out, as well as where the Runners would be at certain hours. Slipping in and out through staff doors, he had silently led Amy and Marie through safe paths, never straying into the open where they would be seen.
Mr. Kang hadn’t been kidding about the slaughter. The walls, pillars, and floors caked with dried blood, decomposed limbs and body parts strewn everywhere, a crushed head with long blonde hair matted in dark red . . . the images haunted Amy whenever she closed her eyes.
By the time she, Marie, and Patrick finished stocking the station wagon with all their belongings and food boxes, it was mid-afternoon.
“All done,” Amy declared as the three of them entered the meeting room. “We’re good to go.”
Justin and Daniel had been busy all morning as well, sneaking outside to observe the Runners’ whereabouts and movements. They had created a diversion – mannequins strategically placed on the open terrace of a restaurant, giving the illusion of human bait, with a battery-operated CD/DVD player connected to speakers.
Their plan was simple. While the player attracted the Runners by blaring an entire DVD’s worth of episodes from a soap opera known for its loud, dramatic catfights and rowdy celebrations, Justin and Daniel would “trap” Mr. Kang’s wife on the other side of the mall with tennis nets, masking tape, and a shopping cart. Once she was tangled in the nets, they would tape her mouth and body, nets and all, and then stuff her headfirst into the cart and wheel her back to the closest staff door, where Mr. Kang would be waiting. It was a crude plan, but they hadn’t been able to come up with a better one in such a short time.
“I guess it’s our turn now,” Justin said, eyeing the full shopp
ing cart. He turned to Daniel. “Go to the restaurant and turn the player on. I’ll be waiting for you on the other end, on the second floor.”
When Daniel left, Justin turned to the others. “Go and wait in the car. When we return, we’ll be leaving straight away.” He nodded at Mr. Kang. “If you’re ready.”
Mr. Kang paused to face the women. “Goodbye,” he said. “Thank you, and may you stay safe.” He reached out and squeezed their hands, then soothed Marie quietly in their native tongue when he saw her weeping. Once she calmed down, Mr. Kang and Justin stepped out of the room.
Minutes passed.
At their feet, Walter barked once, snapping them out of their trance.
Amy took a deep breath. “Let’s go,” she said. “We might as well wait in the car, like Justin told us to.”
After Marie picked up Walter, the three of them went down the corridor, and out of the tunnels for good.
***
Amy sat in the driver’s seat, nervously tapping her fingers on the steering wheel. Outside, she had seen a lone Runner wandering behind the rusty fence. She hoped that it wouldn’t see the open gate and invite itself into the staff parking space.
More than forty minutes had passed. Where were Justin and Daniel? Were they safe? What if their plan hadn’t worked? Unable to help it, Amy began tapping on the steering wheel again.
“Stop that,” Patrick snapped. He was sitting in the backseat. “It’s annoying.”
“Yeah, sorry about that.” She sighed, fidgeting in her seat. “I wonder what’s taking them so long.”
No sooner had she said the words than the staff door flung open, and Justin and Daniel burst out and ran toward the car. They were both covered in red.
“Hurry!” Marie shouted. “There is a Runner outside.”
The Runner snarled, then raced past the fence to attack Justin and Daniel.
So fast! Amy thought as she watched it with horrified eyes. She could never get used to their freakish speed.
Luckily, Justin had brought the pitchfork with him. He rammed the tines into the Runner as it leaped toward him. The tines pierced the face and protruded out the back of the skull. Amy gagged at the sight and looked away.
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