Will It Be Enough?

Sophie and Tess, perhaps drawn by curiosity stumbled upon the warehouse down the street from the hotel. To their surprise, they discovered Payton in the company of the colossal kitten, a sight that left them momentarily speechless.

The giant kitten, an unexpected and enigmatic presence, continued to loom over the surroundings as Payton, seemingly in a moment of quietude, shared the space with the creature.

Sophie and Tess, concerned for Payton's safety, approached her cautiously in the warehouse. The colossal kitten, ever watchful, observed their interaction.

"Hey, you need to be careful. That kitten is dangerous," Sophie warned, her eyes darting between the massive feline and Payton. Tess nodded in agreement, adding,

"We don't know what it's capable of. You should leave and head to the hotel nearby."

However, Payton, unfamiliar with Sophie and Tess, regarded them with a degree of scepticism.

"I don't know you. I think you should leave," she said, her tone firm. Sophie and Tess exchanged glances, realizing that convincing Payton would require more than just warnings about the kitten. Tess spoke up, urgency in her voice,

"Look, we get it. But there are zombies attacking the hotel nearby. It's not safe there. You need to come with us."

As Payton arrived at the hotel, the sight of the barricaded first and second floors left her in shock. The urgency of the situation became palpable, and her eyes scanned the barricade for a familiar face. Spotting Charles through the makeshift defences, she called out to him.

"Charles!" Payton's voice carried a mix of relief and concern. Charles, on the other side of the barricade, locked eyes with Payton, a desperate plea in his gaze. Seeing Payton, Charles turned to Dustin, the one in charge of the barricade.

"Dustin, please, let me out. I need to get her in. She's not safe out there," Charles begged, his voice urgent and filled with worry. However, Dustin, aware of the imminent threat and the need to maintain the integrity of the barricade, hesitated.

"I can't risk it, Charles. We need to keep this place secure. We can't compromise the safety of everyone inside." Fueled by a determination to ensure Payton's safety, Charles approached Neil, urgency in his eyes. "Neil, we can't leave her out there. We need to do something," Charles pleaded, his hands glowing with a fiery red intensity.

Neil, recognizing the gravity of the situation and the bond they shared, nodded in agreement. His hands emanated a calming blue glow as he acknowledged Charles's plea. "You're right. We can't leave her stranded. Let's figure something out."

Together, they swiftly made their way to the third floor, away from the barricade on the first and second floors. In a secluded corner, away from prying eyes, they huddled and formulated a plan. Neil's analytical mind and Charles's determination combined to create a strategy that would reunite Payton with the safety of the hotel.

"We jump into the pool outside. It's our best shot to get to her without drawing too much attention. Once we've got her, we take her inside through the basement. It's locked on the outside, so that's our way in," Charles explained, his gaze locked onto Neil.

Neil, nodding in agreement, added, "It's risky, but it's our best chance. Let's do it."

With their plan set, Charles and Neil prepared to venture into the dangerous unknown, determined to bring Payton back to the relative safety of the hotel.