Many hands make light work. Soon, someone called us to the cafeteria for dinner. Jianan asked Sixth Brother and me to go first while he fetched my parents and Shuai Shuai from the fourth floor.
In the cafeteria, ten tables were set with food. I smiled seeing rice served in large bowls, just like tour groups do.
The meal consisted of canned goods and such. Sigh, it had been months since we'd had fresh vegetables. Frozen seafood had long lost its appeal—and now, with warmer weather, we couldn't preserve it without refrigeration anyway.
As I helped distribute chopsticks and bowls, everyone streamed in from upstairs. Children's laughter instantly filled the spacious cafeteria.
"Mom! Mom!" Shuai Shuai toddled toward me, arms outstretched, wobbling with each step. At just over a year old, he'd barely learned to walk but already wanted to run! Humans advance so quickly—it's in our nature!
I scooped him into my arms. He weighed over 10 kg now—chubby and heavy, but holding him felt like holding the whole world! His giggles washed away all my fatigue.
Though simple—rice with heated canned meat, vacuum-packed sausages, canned fruit, and pickled vegetables—everyone ate happily. Even a basic warm meal beat dry biscuits!
Late at night, Shuai Shuai slept soundly in my arms. I patted him gently, whispering with my husband until his exhaustion pulled him into soft snores.
Listening to both my men snore, I felt peaceful and happy. This would be a safe night!
Running, always running—endless zombies chasing me. Where's the convoy? My friends? Shuai Shuai? Gasping for air, alone, with no thought but escape…
I jolted awake from the nightmare. The glow-in-the-dark clock read 3:25 a.m.
Too restless to sleep, I watched my husband and son deep in slumber, then quietly rose, grabbed my long blade, and decided to patrol the hallway.
Sleeplessness plagued me lately—probably from prolonged tension. A few hours' sleep seemed enough now. Though the building felt secure, I wanted to check on the night watch in the lobby.
I didn't turn on lights, easing the door open and slipping out silently.
Closing the door behind me, my eyes hadn't adjusted to the pitch-black corridor. I clutched a small flashlight but hadn't switched it on yet.
In the darkness, I glimpsed a figure darting past the stairwell. Instantly, the hair on my neck stood up, goosebumps covering my arms. A ghost!
Yes, if not a ghost, who'd move so soundlessly? The hallway was cemetery-quiet! Yet I'd clearly seen that shadow!
I nearly fled back inside. Human fear of the supernatural runs deep—hard to overcome. If zombies were real, why not ghosts?
In the past, I'd have screamed and woken everyone. Though not easily scared, I'd always had a peculiar fear of ghosts.
But after all I'd endured, I'd grown calmer and bolder. Courage can be trained—having slain so many horrific zombies, how scary could a ghost be? Even if ghosts could kill, they'd likely rely on fear to do it!
Steadying myself, I clicked on the flashlight—an outdoor survival model with a powerful, long-range beam. Direct exposure could blind someone, they said.
The stairwell stood empty, just like in horror movies. Ghosts vanish when the lights come on.
But I knew I hadn't imagined it—the feeling was too real!
Step by step, I approached the stairwell, the sense of a presence growing stronger. Though humans lack supernatural powers, some have sharp intuition—I'm definitely one of them!
At the stairwell, I found nothing. I swept the flashlight around—still nothing.
Strange! If you're a ghost, come out and scare me! Why hide? If human… impossible. No one in our group would play such a prank in the dead of night—who'd predict I'd be roaming around sleepless?
Lost in thought at the fourth-floor stairwell, I heard a faint sound from the third floor. So the "ghost" had gone down! I rushed downstairs—human or ghost, you've crossed Sister Duo!
You nearly scared me to my knees! Now Sister Duo is pissed! If you won't scare me, I'll scare you!
The "ghost" hadn't expected such bravery—a woman alone in a blacked-out building hunting ghosts. Before it could escape, I cornered it!
A dark figure crouched in a third-floor corner. I shone the flashlight fiercely on it. Damn—a man! Carrying a bow and arrows!
Seeing himself caught, he stood up awkwardly but stayed silent. Tall, lean, but strong—definitely not one of us!
Where did this sneaky guy come from in the middle of the night?
I didn't call for backup—his eyes showed no malice. Plus, I didn't want to frighten the elders and children.
"Who are you?" I demanded coldly, blade raised, flashlight beam fixed on him.
"Sis, don't blind me! That light can damage eyes!" He worried about eye care at a time like this!
"Enough! How'd you get in?" Suddenly I feared the iron gate—our only exit—might be open. That'd be a security breach.
"Climbed the wall. I come often, just never got into the building—couldn't pick the bronze door locks. Only made it into the courtyard."
"You often sneak in? To steal supplies?" I eyed him suspiciously.
"I'm a hunter living nearby. This place seemed perfect—always empty. I wanted to move in but couldn't crack the locks. Otherwise, it'd be mine already." He sounded proud, unaware this was trespassing! Any legal sense?
"Why come tonight?" I pressed—this guy was trouble.
"Saw a huge group arrive today. Thought the owners came back. Got curious—wanted to see who you were." Just curious? Yeah, right!
"We have guards on the first floor. How'd you slip past?" Had he hurt our people? I raised my blade.
"Those guys are dutiful—patrol the courtyard sometimes. When only one stayed in the lobby napping, I slipped in. He never noticed, hehe…" Smug little…
"Bold of you! What if we were bad people who'd capture and kill you?" He seemed simple-minded, not evil—I tested him with a scare.
"You can't catch me! I'm a parkour expert and archery silver medalist!" This rustic guy even knew parkour!
"Stop boasting! Name? Age? Home nearby? I thought this area was uninhabited! Family?" I rapid-fired questions.
"They call me Erge…" I cut him off. Looking younger than me, yet acting senior? Who's "Erge" (Second Brother)?
"Real name? Don't act old—it shortens lifespans!" I sounded harsh. This midnight intrusion annoyed me, even if curious—he seemed more like a thief.
"Sis, I'm the second son—family's called me Erge since childhood! surname's Chen, full name Chen Erge." He looked wronged. So that's it! What a lazy naming choice!
"I'm 29. Home's not nearby—I have a temporary hut close by. I've practiced archery here since I was young. Home's miles away, but I ride a horse—no walking, hehe!" He grinned foolishly again.
"A horse doesn't make you Zorro! Stop grinning!" I scolded. Scaring people at night, then daring to laugh!
Chastised, Erge stopped smiling and answered meekly, "Family had four: dad, mom, older brother, and me. All turned into zombies. To stop them eating me, I… shot them dead with arrows."
"You aimed for the heads?" I asked quickly.
"Yeah! Body shots did nothing—they felt no pain. Only headshots worked. Sis, you knew that too?" He seemed excited I shared the knowledge.
"You think I'm an idiot? Of course I knew!" I rolled my eyes.
After chatting with this self-proclaimed "Erge," I felt he wasn't bad—a bit simple-minded but honest. I considered recruiting him.
"Truth—why are you here? No way you're just 'curious' midnight wandering." I needed his real motive.
Erge rubbed his buzz cut, actually shy now.
A strange gurgling sound echoed between us—prolonged, grumbling…
From Erge's stomach!
"Sis… I came to find food. I'm starving!" He finally confessed, too embarrassed to admit it earlier.
"Should've said so! Why play midnight spy? Hunger's nothing shameful! Follow me." Relieved, I realized he'd assumed a large group would have accessible food—not knowing we locked everything in the freight truck.
"What've you been eating?" I led him downstairs.
"Sweet potatoes, potatoes. Brought some when hiding here, but ran out two days ago."
Sigh, another poor soul. I stayed silent, guiding him to the lobby.