"You heard that, right? Someone calling for help?" He Yu whispered, a hint of relief and eagerness unconsciously coloring his face, his breath quickening. It was understandable. After the life-and-death terror of today, it was human instinct to seek out others for solidarity. A normal reaction. Strength in numbers.
At the same time, knowing they weren't the only ones who'd endured this nightmare, that others were trapped in the same hell, brought a small measure of comfort. Like spotting a lighthouse in a vast, dark sea. "We have to check on them! Can't just leave them! If my own sister were trapped in there, I'd hope someone would come!"
He Yu's hand moved toward the doorknob, fingers trembling, ready to pull it open. At the last second, Zhang Qi's hand clamped down on his, ice-cold, making He Yu shiver and freeze in place.
"Right now, with things so fresh, it might be fine. But I need to be blunt, He Yu," Zhang Qi said, his expression stern, his gaze sharp as a blade on He Yu's panicked face. "The longer this goes on, the more people will try to trick you, use you, even attack you for no reason. In times like these, human minds are more dangerous than zombies! So don't just rush to help at the sound of a voice. You could get killed without knowing why. That'd be the real tragedy."
Honestly, if it were up to Zhang Qi alone, he'd never open that door. Common sense screamed that encountering strangers in a desperate situation was bad news. Who knew what—or who—was behind it. But he understood perfectly that if he walked away now, the others would think poorly of him. He also knew what his old, impulsive self would have chosen—to be the first one charging in to help.
Maybe because he wasn't that hot-headed kid anymore, he could think more coldly, no longer dragged around by messy emotions. This zombie identity had cleared his vision on many things.
"I'm already wounded. Let me go first," Zhang Qi pointed to the broken knife in his chest, putting on a casual front. "So they don't get any bright ideas like you two did. If someone's gonna die, let it be me. What do I have to lose?" He made a move to push the door open, the broken knife in his chest gleaming, shifting slightly with the motion.
Hah, 'wounded'? Moving like that after such an injury? What kind of wound is that? Zhang Dalong thought, eyes fixed on the broken blade in Zhang Qi's chest, utterly baffled. A normal person would be dead. But he's fine. Doesn't make sense.
He Yu also sensed something was off. Staring at his own wrist where Zhang Qi had gripped it, the clear finger marks still visible, a chilling realization dawned. A cold sweat soaked through his shirt.
Zhang Qi's hand… ice-cold. Like a corpse in the morgue. No warmth at all. He Yu thought, heart pounding. That's not a normal body temperature. Could he be…?
Just as expected, the door was locked tight from the inside. Zhang Qi considered forcing it open like before, but worried the noise would draw zombies from the lower two floors. That would be a disaster. Surrounded, no escape.
Just as he was about to use brute force, a click sounded from behind the door. Someone, trembling, pulled it open a crack. A tearful, timid female voice followed: "There are… other normal people…" When the door opened, they saw a young girl, face streaked with tears, eyes red and swollen.
Inside the room huddled two girls. One with wheat-colored skin and long, dark hair; the other with stylishly dyed red hair tied in a ponytail, though now it was a disheveled mess, all former glamor gone.
He Yu and Zhang Dalong hurried inside to comfort them, brushing past Zhang Qi, both unable to suppress a shiver. Zhang Qi stayed in the doorway a long moment, his grip tight on the blood-stained stake, eyes scanning every corner of the room, even the ceiling, like a leopard ready to pounce.
"Zhao Yue and Sun Xiaoyu, right? Are you okay? Hurt?" Zhang Dalong asked with concern, mostly addressing Zhao Yue, his voice softening unconsciously. He Yu went to check on Sun Xiaoyu, fumbling to hand her tissues.
Both girls were classmates, so they were familiar. Especially Zhao Yue. Zhang Qi knew her all too well—three years in the same class, his eyes always lingering on her during lectures.
Once upon a time, Zhang Qi had quite a crush on Zhao Yue. But he was introverted by nature, struggling to talk to girls in general, let alone the one he liked. Add to that his habit of picking up messed-up ideas from movies and novels, believing certain types of girls were nothing but trouble, all baggage, he'd never dared confess.
Too many examples of people dying for loved ones, or throwing themselves into danger to play hero. He'd seen those tropes in games too many times, always thinking those characters were idiots.
Strangely, seeing Zhao Yue now stirred nothing in him. No racing heart, no flushed face. Calm as looking at a piece of furniture. Even he was surprised. The old him would have been tongue-tied.
"Looks like you got the same bad luck, trapped in your room like us," Zhang Dalong said after hearing their similar story, handing Zhao Yue a bottle of water. "Drink some water. Calm down. We're here."
"Anyway, we can't stay here waiting to die," He Yu interjected, anxiously rubbing his hands. "No food in the dorms. We should leave while we still have strength. More people should be safer, right, Zhang Qi?" He Yu asked, looking at Zhang Qi like a puppy waiting for a treat.
With the boys present, Zhao Yue and Sun Xiaoyu seemed more at ease. But the figure in the doorway, still gripping a weapon, covered in gore, unnerved them. He seemed scarier than the zombies outside. His eyes were freezing.
They could sense this person was the anchor of this small group. His words and actions carried a ruthless edge, chilling to the bone.
"Group movement is only safer when holed up in one place," Zhang Qi finally spoke, his voice cold as ice. "But since we're moving, we need rules. No rules, no order." His gaze swept over the two girls like a knife. "Rule one: Like them, smear zombie gore on yourselves. Make yourselves smell like them. Disagree, and you don't come with us. Fend for yourselves. Rule two: Find a weapon that doesn't make too much noise. Kitchen knife, rolling pin, whatever. Just don't carry a bell."
"We'll watch each other's backs. Use silent signals," Zhang Qi continued, tapping the stake lightly with a finger. "And this last one is especially for you: Don't play hero for others. Heroes die fastest. This isn't a movie. No plot armor."
"Even the slightest risk, don't put yourselves in danger. In this world, staying alive is everything. Everything else is secondary."
After hearing these cold rules, everyone fell silent for a moment, the air seeming to solidify. The two boys had no objections. Zhang Qi was mainly observing the girls' reactions, seeing if they were capable, or just dead weight.
"Um… can't we wait here for the army or police to rescue us?" Zhao Yue said timidly, her voice small as a mosquito's hum, fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "I mean, it's only the first day. I don't think we should rush out to die. Wait another day or two? If more zombies come, you can help us deal with them, right?"
"She has a point," Zhang Dalong agreed, scratching his bald head. "We don't know what's outside. Rushing out is too risky."
"You're still hoping others will solve your problems?" Zhang Qi let out a cold laugh, a mocking curl at the corner of his mouth. "If the military or police could control the situation, it wouldn't have gotten this far. The longer we wait, the more our stamina drains, the higher the chance of mistakes. Eventually, we won't be able to run. We'll just die waiting here." Zhang Qi refuted decisively. "Smear the blood on. Leave this damn place before dark. When night falls, all the freaks come out. Harder to deal with."
As he spoke, Zhang Qi had already turned to look out the window. The sun was still up but slanted west, casting long, orange shadows through the window onto the floor. It would set in three hours at most. Complete darkness. That was real danger.
"Wait!" Zhao Yue almost exclaimed, covering her mouth quickly, lowering her voice. "What I mean is, he's not wrong, but do you really think no one is coming to save us? Our country's military is so strong. Going out now is just throwing our lives away!"
"I get that you want to leave, but you shouldn't drag your friends and us into this risk, right? If you want to go, go alone! Don't force the two of them!"
Zhao Yue shrank further behind Zhang Dalong, almost hiding completely behind his broad back, only her frightened eyes peeking out, like a startled fawn.
This girl is a real piece of work. Poisoning their minds already. Zhang Qi thought darkly, his gaze turning colder. Creating discord right from the start. What's next? Need to find a way to deal with this.