parts of Bai that frightened
other people. Together they gave off a strange sense of control, as if
the apocalypse could interrupt their plans but would never be allowed to
decide every detail of their lives.
Bai and Yan checked their weapons, confirmed the signal they would use
if they needed to retreat, and moved toward the warehouse. The family
watched them go, with Mother Yan standing near the injured driver and
the siblings close to the caravan. For the first time since the truck
overturned, Lin Tao and Lin Yue had a reason to believe they might get
out of the district alive.
The warehouse stood behind a low concrete wall, its faded sign hanging
from one corner as if it might fall at any moment. Several delivery
pallets had been left near the loading bay. Some were empty, but others
still held torn cartons and crushed plastic bottles. The broad metal
shutters were halfway down, leaving enough space for a person to crawl
