Rashad can tell immediately that the things before them have no life in them. Even the calmest mortal gives off vibes at all times, and there is absolutely no emotion coming from any of them. The room itself is malevolent, but with Johnny's warning and his experience in the basement Rashad expected as much. He is not afraid, of course, but after encountering a zombie he expects worse than an unpleasant scene to look at.

And worse they get. He has a split second in which to make his decision. Whether any given human lives or dies is not so great a thing in the balance of the universe, but Johnny is currently personally useful to him and mortal death, though ultimately unavoidable, is a form of entropy. His own hands snap out, taking hold of the plaster forearm in two places and twisting with inhuman strength, intending to tear the limb apart.