The mall was still cloaked in half-darkness, lit only by the flickering emergency lights and the low glow of battery lanterns tucked in corners. Most of the camp was still asleep, their bodies curled beneath blankets or stretched out on padded furniture they'd dragged into clusters. The quiet was deceptive—tense, alert like the mall itself was holding its breath.
I moved silently through the sleeping area, stepping around gear bags and makeshift bedding. My watch was nearly over. Three hours of stillness, no movement from the other groups in the store which is a good thing.
I decided for us to have three stationary and one roving watch. The person roving would walk around the perimeter for fifteen minutes and then switch with one of the stationary people so they could rover. It's more to keep everyone awake and focused especially since Amber and Sol weren't used to standing watch. Liam mostly kept to himself grunting in acknowledgment when anyone asked him something. I didn't mind since it was late and people were sleeping. As long as he did his job, he could be mute for all I care.
I walked over and saw Nicole curled in her corner near the edge of the group, her arm resting lightly over her sidearm. Ready for anything.
I crouched down next to her and gently touched her shoulder.
"Nicole," I whispered. "Time for your shift."
Her eyes opened instantly—no confusion, no delay. Just the flicker of awareness that came with a soldier's instinct. She sat up without a word, scanning the camp before her gaze settled on me.
"Shift already?" she asked, voice husky with sleep as she stretched her neck.
"Yeah. It's 0500. My watch is over." I sat back on my heels. "You sleep okay?"
"What happened when you left last night?" she asked, lowering her voice. "Anything I should know?"
I nodded and sat down next to her.
"I've wanted to tell you about what happened last night but you were already asleep. Two people came into our camp—said their leader wanted to speak with me. Viktor and I followed them to the north side of the store, where the store's office is."
Nicole didn't interrupt, just listened, arms crossed now, focused.
"The leader's name is Wei Shen. He is a businessman with ten bodyguards protecting him and his family. He brought his wife and daughter here for a delivery before the announcement hit. Once the goblins attacked they retreated to this store but he lost two men in the process."
Nicole's eyes narrowed slightly. "Did the goblins chase them all the way here? How did they survive?"
"No, Wei said that there is another group in the electronics wing who are attacking everyone in sight. I guess they found out about how much experience humans give and they think they are special because they keep calling themselves 'players'. They escaped and found this place and barricaded it. They reinforced everything with furniture, curtain rods, whatever they had. Found emergency camping gear from a sale crate. Odd to have camping gear here but I guess they got lucky."
"Smart," Nicole muttered.
"His team is sharp. Maybe former military, security contractors, some loyal to him from his business days. He's built a nice little safe haven, except for the lack of food unless it's hidden in the office. I can tell he is an opportunist because it seems like he's trying to expand his group which is probably why he wanted to meet me."
Nicole gave a tight nod, unsurprised.
"Then Jasper showed up and dragged two guys with him. Made a whole scene."
Nicole's jaw tensed. "Of course he did."
"He tried to expose me. Told them I was Medusa and that I was a danger to them all. I guess, he thought they would rally against me but they all didn't care. He might have told them about me before though."
Nicole arched a brow. "Why do you think that?"
"One of Wei's guards groaned. Another just muttered, 'Not this again.' Nobody flinched. Wei said he didn't care about my past. Said if I'm dangerous, that's a good thing—we need killers, not saints."
Nicole smirked slightly. "He is not wrong, if inside this mall is the same as outside then we need fighters."
"Marco, the second leader of the other group, was there too," I continued. "Big, Broad-shouldered, gave a criminal-type vibe, no tattoos or distinguishing marks on him. I kind of want to know what he does. He was trying to be laid back but I feel like that's a facade. Think he was testing me. Seeing how I'd react."
"And Jasper?"
"Marco shut him down hard. Told him half of their group were criminals. Said if that's a problem, Jasper could fuck off."
Nicole gave a small huff of amusement. "How did Jasper respond?"
"Turned red. Stormed off by himself."
I paused for a breath before the heavier part.
"Marco told us his daughter was taken."
Nicole's eyes locked on mine.
"Goblins. She was in a toy store, scouted something in the back, then vanished. Marco said he found a blood trail and a torn sleeve. She was screaming when she was taken away, supposedly."
Nicole's brows furrowed. "Why do you say supposedly? She could have been taken since women have been disappearing."
"I'm not claiming that she wasn't taken just that I don't think they were at a toy store or that he would let his daughter follow from the back when a known enemy is around. Either he doesn't care for his daughter or they were doing something else." I said shrugging. Nicole was in deep thought before nodding to me waiting for me to continue.
"Marco asked Wei for help, but Wei refused. Prioritizing his family, which is understandable. So Marco came to me wanting me to help look for her. I told him about the quest we had and since we are going to investigate anyway, I agreed. He and his team are going to join us but we are not protecting them, just splitting up the search so we can cover more ground. He said that the first floor has at least a hundred goblins but doesn't know if they are traveling up to the upper floors"
"Do you trust him?"
"No. But I believe him. He's too raw. Either he's a damn good actor or he's desperate. Either way, we got some information about the first floor, and that may be where the women are being kept. We leave at 8 with or without him, so during your watch make sure everyone is at least up no later than 7."
Nicole nodded while looking at her watch and the sleeping bodies lying around.
"You okay with this?" I asked.
Nicole didn't answer right away. Her jaw worked slightly before she said, "You handled the meeting well, so I see no problem. We just need to keep an eye out for Marco's group, the people in the electronic wing, and the goblins and we are good."
I smiled faintly. "Great, next time I will bring you with me."
Nicole stood up and adjusted her vest. "As long as you don't go alone or keep anything about the team from me we are good. Now, go get some sleep. I'll wake you up at 7."
"Thanks," I muttered walking toward my bed where Sol was already sleeping. I moved him over before laying down next to him closing my eyes.