Chapter 64: Plaster?

"First, we can consider the old factories in the east industrial zone.

"They are large enclosed spaces and if we are lucky, there might still be supplies left for us inside some of the factories.

"The downsides to it is that, there aren’t any fresh water sources nearby and the factories aren’t really built for daily living."

Alex nodded while listening but the fact that there wasn’t a fresh water source was a huge disadvantage to him.

It was a necessity and they might not be that much better than they were right here, in the college campus.

"Next, there is the old fort at the north.

"Its perimeters are fortified with huge stones but the facilities within might be lacking.

"There’s a small stream close to it but it is too far away from anything else.

"The nearest sign of a road or gas station is over a hundred kilometers away from it."

Alex frowned and he wasn’t too keen on the old fort too.

They will need to scavenge for other supplies and necessities, or even hunt for mutated beasts if possible.

Being too far out from anything else was a minus point.

"Lastly, there is the hydroelectric dam by the South Crest River.

"It has fresh water and the hydroelectric dam can produce electricity if it is still working.

"They have lodging areas for the workers, and the surroundings are fenced off to prevent trespassers.

"There are also some farms nearby and the nearest sign of civilization isn’t that far away at around 30 kilometers away."

Alex glanced at where the hydroelectric dam was since it sounded like the perfect spot for him.

It was right by the South Crest River, but they would have to get through the city central at the south to get to it.

Which meant that they might have to deal with enemies and mutated beasts while trying to get through the city area.

Alex gave out a sigh and thought about the preparations to be made beforehand.

He would need to scout the area, kill off any threats that he can’t negotiate with and have the necessary resources for him to make the move.

Food, water, and even trucks or buses were required.

Transporting a few hundred people across uncharted territory wasn’t going to be easy.

"I suggest we move to the hydroelectric dam when we are ready.

"And in the meantime, we have to get prepared for it." He said and the others nodded in agreement.

"Enough talking, time for a good meal." Terry was done with the meal and he carried the plates of pasta he had made.

It was not all.

He also made some steak and pizza with some soft drink to go with it.

The trip to the Halmart was at least fruitful for them to enjoy such a meal after all the hard work.

Alex savored the meal but the day was not over yet.

There was still work to be done.

After the meal, he led all of them to go around the other buildings in the college campus to clear them of any mutated beasts left.

They started with the familiar Business Building first.

When they entered it, there was the stench of bodies decomposing.

Alex used his enhanced senses to feel for any mutated beasts that were still lingering in the building.

But there weren’t many left.

He took care of all of the mutated rats that were still hiding in their nests or the air-con ducts with ease.

After the mutated beasts were cleared, Brian turned the decomposing bodies inside the building into ashes with his ability.

Then, Terry created a fortified observation point with metallic blocks.

They went around the other buildings and did the same thing throughout.

Everything went smoothly until they got to the School of Fine Arts.

It was free from any decomposing stench and there were no bodies lying around.

Riley, who was at the front as usual, got startled when he made a turn into a corridor.

"What the hell!" He exclaimed when a creepy figure of a young man made out of plaster appeared suddenly in his sight.

Brian and Terry who was right behind him were surprised by it.

And it was not the only plaster figure around.

There were others that were also young men and women around in the area.

Alex frowned and observed one of the figures.

The figure had eyes that were opened wide and jaws slackened.

It had clothes that were something a student would wear and its hands were raised in front of its face.

The figure looked as if it was horrified at something.

Alex glanced at the other figures and their postures and expressions were the same.

Riley and the others also noticed it and they were on high alert.

"You think they got turned into plaster figures by someone?" Terry asked while he glanced at the figures.

Alex nodded his head and said, "Maybe..."

It was not out of the question for such a possibility after what he had seen so far.

To him, the more important questions were, who and where was the culprit right now?

He tried to sense if there was someone or something nearby but there weren’t any.

They continued further into the building and there were many more such plaster figures in the rooms and open space in the building.

"Maybe the person behind this is already gone?" Brian suggested but he wasn’t too sure himself.

"I think it is best for us to get to the bottom of it." Alex shook his head and said.

He wouldn’t want to live with the constant fear of not knowing whether someone or something that was capable of turning him into a plaster figure, was a friend or a foe.

Riley nodded his head to it while he pushed the doors to the lecture hall that was in front of him.

Once he entered it, he got startled again.

Inside the lecture hall, there were plaster figures seated on every seat.

And right on the lecture hall, there was something that looked like a huge white moth.

What startled Riley was that, there were plaster heads that were on its back.

Each of the heads had a different expression.

Some were shocked, while some were laughing and some were crying.

The moth sensed that someone had entered and it started to take off into the air.

Then, it came at Alex and the others.