A difficult ultimatum

Georgina recoiled at the smoke and the way Logan spoke. No one had ever addressed her in such a manner before. If only her father were present, she would have ensured that he faced consequences for such disrespect! However, with her father absent, she found herself alone, encircled by a group of strangers seemingly under Logan's influence.

She felt a surge of anger and scoffed internally, but she tried to keep her composure. "You know," she said, her voice steady, "you're not as clever as you believe. You're simply just a bully, and bullies inevitably reap what they sow."

He didn't move, just kept puffing on his cigarette, the smoke curling up towards the ceiling. "You're brave, I'll give you that," he said, his voice low and menacing. "But you're not brave enough to take on the zombies outside. You're not even brave enough to take on me."

A shiver ran down her spine, and she rolled her eyes dramatically. "I don't need to be brave to take you on," she drawled, her voice dripping with disdain. "I just need to be smart. And trust me, darling, I'm smart enough to know that I don't want to be part of your pathetic little group anymore."

"Then leave," Logan said with a dismissive wave.

Georgina could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, her face flushed with anger. That was it, the final straw. She'd reached her limit, and to make her point crystal clear, she snapped, "Fine. I'll leave."

With that, she turned and walked away, her heels clicking on the floor as she headed towards the main exit.

"Wait." She heard Logan say and she paused in her track.

A smirk curled on her lips. She knew they wouldn't dare let her walk out – she was practically royalty here. Even in this mess, her influence reigned supreme. It was almost funny. She turned to him, eyes gleaming with victory. "What?" she purred, her voice sugary but dripping with venom, waiting for them to beg her to stay.

She stood there, dumbfounded, as Logan stepped forward and thrust a crowbar in her direction. Her eyes widened in disbelief, and she shot him a stern look. "What's this for?" she demanded.

"It's for your protection," he said simply. "In case you run into any trouble."

Georgina blinked, momentarily taken aback by his words. It came like a slap across her face, and her expression said the same.

"What?" Logan asked as he observed her expression, "Don't tell me you thought we'd beg you to stay?" he asked in a mocking tone.

Georgina's face flushed with anger. "How dare you," she hissed. "I am Georgina, the daughter of the most powerful man in the city. You are making a big mistake. My father will have your head on a platter for this."

"But until then, take the crowbar. You never know when you might need it." He forced it into her hands. And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Georgina standing there, seething with anger and humiliation.

The group watched her go, their eyes fixed on her retreating back, until she disappeared into the darkness of the corridor. No one cared to stop her; they had more problems to worry about, and she was indeed a burden to the group anyway. They were probably better off without her.

Then, Logan turned to the group without missing a beat, his expression cold and hard. "Alright," he said with a commanding voice. "Let's move out. We have wasted enough time."

His words were followed by murmurs from the rest. With the majority of them still being reluctant but also still being scared to be left on their own.

"You heard him," Maya said. "Let's go."

Two people helped Claire off the ground as she was still mourning the loss of her husband, and her two children followed from behind, with the youngest being confused on what was happening but still holding her brother's hand tightly.

The group gathered around as Don and Liam distributed extra weapons and briefed them on their strategy. The plan was outlined: they were to move cautiously through the building, clearing out any threats they encountered while searching for a more secure location to regroup. It was a simple plan that was clearly understood.

While their brief lecture was going on, Logan's attention shifted to Alexander, who was still soaked in blood. "Alex," he called out, gesturing for him to come closer.

The group exchanged puzzled looks as Alex made his way to Logan's side. They wondered what Logan had in mind, but they remained silent, waiting to see what would happen.

Logan distanced Alex from the rest of the group, pulling him aside to speak to him more privately. The others could only watch, their curiosity growing.

In a low voice, Logan asked Alex a direct question. "Were you beaten?"

Alex's eyes widened in shock, but he remained silent, unable to speak as there was no use.

Without hesitation, Logan pulled out his gun and pointed it directly at him. "Answer me," he demanded. Although he could already tell, he wanted Alex to admit it himself. "Put down your hand. Let me see your ear."

Alex grew hesitant; he exchanged glances with the rest before slowly lifting his hand to reveal his ear.

There was a collective gasp from the group.

His ear had been cut off, or better still, it had been bitten and ripped off, leaving a bloody and mangled mess behind.

Logan's expression turned from suspicion to confirmation, and he nodded solemnly. "You've been bitten," he stated. Alex's eyes welled up with tears, and he nodded slowly as he realized his fate. He knew the rules, and he knew what came next.

Logan's expression darkened. "Then we have a problem," he said quietly.

Although Alex knew the dread, he still hoped for mercy. "Please he begged." But Logan's finger was already on the trigger.

The group watched in horror as he pulled the trigger.

Bang!

The sound of gunshot echoed through the corridor and Alex body slumped to the ground.

Blood splattered across Logan's face, he instinctively wiped it off with a handkerchief from his pocket.

He walked back to the group as they stood in silence, then he put his gun back in his holster. Then he turned to don and ordered.

"Get the boy and bring him here,"