Chapter 45: Survivors

Alex and the others continued their search throughout the building, going into all the rooms one after another.

They scavenged whatever they could find.

Other than boxes of medicine, there were even basic medical equipment like scalpel, surgical scissors, surgical needles and suture threads.

Finally, when they reached the office of Professor Charles, Alex stood by the side of the door, and he gestured with his hand, for Riley to get ready to check what was inside.

Riley shrugged and he got ready.

The other two of them, Terry and Brian, quickly stood on alert behind them.

Creak.

Riley turned the handle of the door and the door creaked open.

"What the hell?" He exclaimed and covered his nose and mouth with his hand.

After taking a step back, Riley glanced at Alex with a grimaced expression.

Alex peered into the office and he frowned at what he saw.

"What’s going on?" Terry saw their expressions and he came over to the door.

He popped his head into the office and he instantly regretted this.

The ghastly scene of the bodies that were piled up in the office nearly made him gag and puke.

Brian did the same and he too, had the same reaction as Terry.

So far, they had seen some gruesome stuff, but not something like this.

Knowing that it was done by another man instead of those mutated beasts was somehow even more revolting for them.

At least those mutated beasts were killing out of instinct while what they had in front of them was due to someone getting pleasure out of doing so.

The piled up bodies might have been made to be like a trophy for those maniacs.

"I will take care of them." Brian said and he raised his hand at the pile of body.

Then, a fire started within the pile of bodies and it started to burn them into ashes.

It was the best he could do for these bodies.

They weren’t saints, but Alex and his friends would rather keep some decency as human beings.

Other wise, all of them would be the same like those mutated beasts and degenerates like Keaton was.

"Let’s continue to search for survivors." Alex said when the fire did its job and died out.

He didn’t have a good feeling after seeing what Professor Charles had done, but one could only hope.

They closed the door of the office and walked down the corridor.

There wasn’t anything unusual when they checked the next few rooms.

One after another, it was nothing but furniture, equipment or supplies.

Alex sighed and thought that they might have been too late and there weren’t any survivors left anymore.

Thankfully, he was wrong.

Thud.

When they got to a room a soft thud was heard by Alex that came from within.

"Check this room." Alex pointed at the room and said.

Riley, Terry and Brian quickly got into position.

When they were ready, Riley turned the handle of the door and opened it.

Plop.

This time, instead of a gruesome scene inside, a young woman dropped to the ground right in front of him, after he pushed the door open.

She was tied up with her mouth gagged by a cloth.

Riley quickly helped her up from the ground to check on her.

"Hmmph... Hmmph...." She mustered whatever strength she had left and tried to talk but her voice was muffled by the cloth into something that was unintelligible.

He untied the cloth on her mouth and took off the huge cable ties that were on her ankles and wrists.

"Help.. us..." She couldn’t say much else and she side-eyed into the back of the room.

And there they were.

Twenty or so of the other survivors were tied up in the dark room.

They glanced at Alex and the others with a wary look.

Alex saw it and he took off his backpack.

He unzipped the backpack and took out a bottle of water and handed it over to the young woman that was with Riley.

Then, he took out a box of snack bars for her.

When the other captives saw what he did the wariness on their faces went away a little.

Alex turned around and said to Terry and Brian, "Help release the others first."

Terry and Brian got to work quickly.

After the restraints on the captives were removed, Alex proceeded to hand them a bottle of water and some snacks to eat.

They didn’t question much and they opened the bottle of water and gulped it down first.

Their thirst and hunger was too much for them at the point.

Let the talking be done later.

Alex allowed these young men and women have the time to recuperate before he got to business.

Meanwhile, he and his friends also needed some rest and have something to eat.

Although it was not even noon time, they too, were tired and hungry after what they’ve encountered with so far in the morning.

Finally, after all of them were done, one of the young men and women that was held captive came over to him.

"I’m David and these are my fellow students in the school of medicine.

"We’d like to thank you for helping us..." He said and stretched out his hand over to Alex.

Alex held out his hand and shook it.

"You can thank us by working with us if you want to.

"We are from the school of engineering and we have been staying in our dorm room.

"It’s going well for us so far, but we need someone that can help us with medical needs when the situation arises.

"Don’t worry, you have the freedom to choose, so whoever that wants to leave right now, is free to do so." Alex wasted no time and told David of his intentions.

David paused for a moment and he glanced back at the others.

"I can’t promise much but I can guarantee you water and food for your services." Alex said and glanced at the empty bottles that were on the ground.

That was indeed enticing to David and he said, "I’ll have a discussion with them."

He walked back to where the others were while Alex stood and waited for them to make a decision.