Please, take us with you!

"GROOOOWWWLLLLLL!!"

The air grew dense with the pungent scent of blood, further inflaming the ravenous frenzy of the Dead Walkers. Fortunately, Kalsie and his companions had put a considerable distance between themselves and the horror unfolding behind them.

Kalsie's expression turned somber, his heart heavy with the weight of those lost to the merciless event.

"We can't save everyone. We did our best!!" Fred tried to console him, though he, too, was grappling with the grim reality.

"I--" Kalsie opened his mouth. But before he could say a word, angry voices suddenly erupted from the rear.

"What the F***?! MY BROTHER DIED OVER THERE!! And you say he did his best?!"

"YEA!!! My friend died there!! Why didn't you save them!!!"

"Is it not your fault that this happened!?!?"

"YEAH! You provoked everyone to fight!!! It was your indecisive decision that led this to happen!!"

...

One by one, accusations were thrown at Kalsie, the blame unfairly shifting onto his shoulders. They disregarded the looming threat of the approaching Dead Walkers, using this moment to vent their frustrations and somehow make themselves feel that it wasn't their fault.

"YOU COWARDS!! YOU DIDN'T EVEN DO A THING!!!!" Fred snapped at them before Kalsie could respond. Even others who had fought earlier joined in, glaring angrily at those who were now quick to criticize.

"What?! Are you just going to ignore us? Our friends died because of you!!!" The same instigator of the accusation continued, growing bolder as Kalsie remained silent.

"Why are you not saying anything?!"

Unable to take any longer, Kalsie with his temper already on edge turned his head to lock an intense glare on the accuser. "What do you want me to say?"

His gaze then shifted to other dissatisfied people, his voice charged with anger as he berated them. "When I called everyone to fight, what did you people do? You just stood there while WE risked our lives. DID I EVER CRITICIZE YOU ALL FOR THAT?!"

"What—" someone attempted to interject, but Kalsie's glare silenced them.

"LISTEN UP!!! I don't care if you took advantage of our fight or PUSHED YOUR friends to their deaths. Just DON'T come to me with your hypocritical views to sooth YOUR guilt after you PUSHED YOUR FRIENDS TO THEIR DEATHS!!!!!!!"

No words came out.

Silence fell upon the group, an unspoken tension that left everyone at a loss for words.

Kalsie, seemingly unfazed by their accusations, let out a contemptuous snort before turning his attention away from them.

'Damn it...' Though he projected an air of nonchalance, the words had found a dwelling in his thoughts; he couldn't escape the fact that, albeit indirectly, he had led them into this dire situation.

"!!!" The accusers found themselves incapable of retorting, struck by the cold, disapproving glares from Wendy and others. Thus, many fell into an uncomfortable silence, their inner discontent struggling beneath the surface.

Setting the fools and their whispered curses aside, the group continued their run for several more minutes, eventually reaching the entrance of the first building without encountering any additional Dead Walkers.

"Finally!!!"

As the building's entrance came into view, the pace quickened, and the survivors eagerly filed inside.

However, Kalsie remained outside, deep in contemplation.

"What's wrong!? Come on! We have to hurry!" Fred and others called out when they noticed Kalsie's hesitation.

"I think it would be better if we choose another building," Kalsie replied in a hushed tone.

"What are you saying!? We don't have time!"

"I understand this might seem impulsive," Kalsie continued, "but consider this: when that massive wave of Dead Walkers arrives, which building do you think they'll target first?"

The realization dawned on them. They knew the sheer size of that horde, and if all those monsters converged on this building, it wouldn't be long before they breached its defenses.

"He's right. We can't stay here! This building is likely to be their primary target!" Wendy concurred.

"So, where should we go?" Job inquired.

"I believe that building is safer than this one," Nicole pointed to the farthest building, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "But it's quite a distance..."

"She's correct. It's a considerable distance, which could pose risks. That's why I'm asking you all: do you want to make the journey there, or should we stay here?" Kalsie asked, his voice carrying the weight of the decision.

"Isn't that obvious? The other place is the better choice! We're going!" Fred's response carried the weight of determination, and the rest of the group readily concurred.

"Even if I'm dead tired, I'd rather risk it over there than stay with these cowards!" Jack chimed in.

"He's got a point, and who'd want to be stuck with those spineless hypocrites?"

Witnessing their unanimous agreement without the expected pushback, Kalsie was taken aback. He had anticipated some resistance to his proposal.

"Excellent! Let's make our way over there!" Kalsie's voice carried a renewed sense of purpose.

Without a second thought, they bypassed the first building and began their journey towards the distant one.

"Why are they abandoning this place?"

"Has he lost his mind?"

"Forget about them! Seal the door before the dead walkers swarm in!"

As they made their departure, the people left behind were caught off guard by their decision and began to mock them, taking the opportunity to unleash their pent-up frustration, particularly directed at Kalsie.

Some even hurled curses his way, now that they felt safe within the shelter.

They hadn't anticipated that he'd be foolish enough to remain outside.

However, just as they were sealing the entrance, two figures emerged from the building: John and Sylvie.

"Hey, guys! Please, take us with you!" Sylvie's plea rang out.