THE GROUP TRUDGED FORWARD, THE SHADOWS OF THE PREVIOUS BATTLE ETCHED ON EVERYONE’S FACES. MICHAEL AND WANG HAN SUPPORTED ETHAN, WHOSE PALE COMPLEXION AND LABORED BREATHING WERE ALARMING. ANNA WALKED ALONGSIDE THEM, PERIODICALLY CHECKING ETHAN’S PULSE. HER MEDICAL SKILLS PROVIDED SOME REASSURANCE BUT OFFERED NO GUARANTEES.
The street ahead was eerily silent, broken only by the occasional distant growls of zombies. The sun, hidden behind thick clouds, cast a dull gray over the ruined city.
“How far to the safe zone?” Elaine asked, her tone resolute but weary.
Jiang Ye glanced at a map salvaged from a nearby store.
“Five kilometers. If we keep moving, we can get there before nightfall.”
Emily clung tightly to Michael’s arm, her small steps struggling to match the adults’ pace. Her eyes darted nervously at every shadow.
“Stay close,” Michael said softly, squeezing her hand.
“We’ll be safe soon.”
But everyone in the group knew that safety was only a fragile hope, not a certainty.
As they entered a narrow alley, Jiang Ye suddenly stopped, raising a hand to signal silence. His sharp senses picked up faint shuffling noises from the shadows.
“What is it?” Wang Han whispered, gripping his fire axe tightly.
“Something ahead,” Jiang Ye replied quietly. Adjusting his grip on the Lingfeng Sword, he stepped forward cautiously.
A group of zombies emerged from the darkness, their hollow eyes locked onto the group. These were faster and more aggressive than the ones they had encountered before, their movements unnervingly coordinated.
“Get ready!” Jiang Ye shouted, positioning himself at the front.
Elaine and Wang Han flanked him, while Michael pulled Emily and Anna behind cover. Anna quickly laid Ethan down, shielding him with her body.
The first zombie lunged, its claws swiping at Jiang Ye. He sidestepped with fluid precision, his sword slicing cleanly through its neck. Blood sprayed as the creature collapsed, but more surged forward.
Elaine swung her metal rod with force, knocking one back, but another grabbed her arm. She screamed, kicking it off just as Wang Han’s axe came down, severing its arm.
“Stay focused!” Jiang Ye commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos.
The battle raged as the group slowly retreated. Despite their exhaustion, they managed to hold the zombies at bay. Jiang Ye’s inner energy surged, his movements almost a blur as he cut through the horde. Elaine and Wang Han, though injured, refused to give up.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from above. A broken fire escape ladder fell, crushing several zombies and buying the group a brief reprieve.
“Move! Now!” Jiang Ye ordered.
Michael and Anna lifted Ethan, moving as quickly as they could. Emily clung tightly to Anna’s arm, her face streaked with tears but utterly silent.
Jiang Ye stayed at the rear, fending off the remaining zombies with a series of precise strikes. Finally, the group burst onto a wider street, momentarily free from immediate danger.
As they paused to catch their breath, Elaine’s gaze fell on a nearby building. Its exterior bore a hastily painted symbol—a circle with a line through it. Beneath it, in red letters, was a single word: “Contaminated.”
“What does that mean?” Elaine asked, pointing to the marking.
Anna’s face turned pale.
“It means this area was quarantined. Probably due to infected individuals. Anyone who didn’t evacuate might still be inside.”
“Or worse,” Wang Han muttered, tightening his grip on his weapon.
Jiang Ye studied the symbol briefly.
“We can’t stay here. Let’s keep moving,” he said.
As they pressed on, Ethan’s condition worsened. His breaths grew shallower, his eyes fluttering open and closed. During a brief rest stop, Anna knelt beside him, using what little medical supplies they had to tend to his wound.
“He’s burning up,” Anna said gravely, her voice tinged with worry. “Without antibiotics, he won’t make it.”
“We’ll find something,” Michael said firmly, though his expression betrayed his doubt.
Emily crouched next to Ethan, her small hand resting on his.
“You’ll be okay,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Ethan managed a weak smile.
“Thanks, kid.”
As the sun dipped lower, the group spotted a distant structure—a makeshift checkpoint surrounded by barbed wire and guarded by armed soldiers. Relief washed over them, but Jiang Ye’s expression remained cautious.
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“Stay alert,” he warned. “We don’t know if they’re friendly.”
The group approached slowly, their exhaustion evident in every step. One of the soldiers raised a hand, signaling them to stop.
“Identify yourselves!” he barked, his rifle trained on them.
Jiang Ye stepped forward, his hands raised.
“We’re survivors. We have an injured man who needs help.”
The soldier hesitated, then gestured for them to come closer. As the gates creaked open, the group’s hope flickered to life once more, even as they braced for what lay ahead.
On the fifth day of the zombie outbreak, Jiang Ye and his group finally reached the rumored safe zone. As the gates slowly creaked open, the group cautiously stepped inside. The area was much smaller than expected—a collection of temporary tents, barricades, and a few sturdy-looking structures. Armed soldiers patrolled the perimeter, their vigilant eyes fixed on the newcomers.
“State your names and purpose,” one soldier demanded sharply.
Jiang Ye replied calmly, “We’re survivors. He needs medical assistance.” He gestured toward the barely conscious Ethan, who was being supported by Michael and Wang Han.
The soldier glanced at Ethan and then at Anna. “He’s severely wounded, with a high fever,” Anna added. “Without antibiotics, he might not make it.”
The soldier nodded and motioned to another guard. “Take them to the medical tent. Keep a close watch on them.”
Before entering the camp, however, the soldiers required everyone to undergo a full-body inspection to ensure no one was infected. Additionally, each person had to register detailed personal information, including their name, age, and health status.
“Take off your jackets and roll up your sleeves and pants,” one soldier ordered.
The group exchanged uneasy glances but complied. During the inspection, Emily clung tightly to Michael’s hand, visibly anxious.
“Don’t worry. It’s just a procedure,” Michael reassured her.
Once the inspections were complete, a soldier recorded their details one by one:
* “Jiang Ye, 20 years old, healthy.”
* “Wang Han, 20 years old, minor injury on left arm.”
* “Anna, 19 years old, no injuries.”
* “Elaine, 21 years old, minor scrape on right hand.”
* “Michael, 35 years old, no injuries.”
* “Emily, 7 years old, no injuries.”
* “Ethan, 20 years old, gunshot wound to abdomen, severe infection.”
With the formalities complete, the soldiers escorted them into the camp.
Inside, the camp was organized but permeated by a tense atmosphere. Narrow paths ran between the tents, and a few trucks were parked at one side, where soldiers were unloading supplies with swift precision.
The group was guided through the camp, taking in their surroundings. Despite the relative order, an air of unease hung heavy. Small groups of people huddled around campfires, their faces etched with exhaustion. Children played quietly, having learned too soon the dangers of their new world. In one corner, stacks of supplies were guarded by soldiers.
“This place is smaller than I imagined,” Elaine murmured, glancing around.
“Small, but at least it’s functioning,” Michael replied, gently patting Emily on the shoulder.
Anna noticed a small medical tent, where a harried medic was sorting through sparse supplies. He looked up as they approached, his voice brisk. “What’s the situation?”
“Gunshot wound to the abdomen,” Anna said, stepping forward. “He’s running a high fever and showing signs of infection.”
The medic scrutinized her. “You have medical experience?”
“I’m a nursing student,” Anna replied.
“Good enough. Help me,” he said, motioning her inside.
While Anna worked with the medic, the rest of the group waited outside the tent. Elaine observed the soldiers, whispering, “They don’t seem to trust anyone.”
“They have no reason to,” Jiang Ye said quietly. “Trusting the wrong person here could mean death.”
Michael held Emily close, his watchful eyes scanning the camp. “As long as she’s safe here, that’s all that matters.”
Wang Han, sitting nearby and inspecting his bandaged arm, muttered, “I’m more worried about what they’ll want from us in return.”
Their conversation was interrupted by shouting at the gates. Two new survivors were pleading with the guards, their desperate cries echoing through the camp.
“They can’t take everyone,” Elaine murmured. “There’s not enough room.”
Nearby, Emily huddled against Michael, her small voice trembling. “Will they make us leave too?”
“They won’t,” Michael reassured her. “We’ll stay.” But his uneasy expression betrayed his doubts.
Hours later, Anna emerged from the medical tent, her face pale but determined.
“He’s stable for now,” she announced. “The infection hasn’t spread, but he needs rest and more antibiotics.”
Michael exhaled in relief. “Thank you.”
Anna shook her head. “Thank the medic. I just followed instructions.”
Inside the tent, Ethan lay on a simple cot, his breathing steadier. Emily sat by his side, holding his hand gently.
“You’re tougher than you look,” Ethan said weakly, attempting a smile.
“You have to get better,” Emily replied, her voice small but resolute.
Standing outside, Elaine whispered to Jiang Ye, “Anna’s skills are impressive. She’s calmer than I expected.”
Jiang Ye nodded. “In times like these, staying calm is the key to survival.”
As the group settled in, Jiang Ye decided to explore the camp. He found a soldier unloading supplies and approached cautiously. “How long can this place hold out?” he asked.
The soldier glanced at him and shrugged. “Barely. Supplies are running low, and the infected keep getting closer.”
“What happens if the gates fall?” Jiang Ye asked bluntly.
The soldier’s face darkened. “Then we fight until there’s nothing left.”
Another soldier nearby added, “Word is, other safe zones are collapsing. We might just be next.”
That night, Jiang Ye gathered the group.
“This place isn’t as secure as it looks,” he said. “If things go wrong, we need to be ready to leave.”
Elaine frowned. “Where would we even go?”
“Anywhere we can survive,” Jiang Ye replied, his gaze unwavering.
The next morning, the camp commander summoned Jiang Ye. The grizzled veteran studied him intently.
“You handled yourself well out there,” the commander said. “We need people like you.”
“I’m here to protect my group,” Jiang Ye replied evenly.
The commander nodded. “I understand. But we’re planning a supply run tomorrow and need fighters. Join us, and your group will secure a place here.”
“And if I refuse?” Jiang Ye asked.
“Then you’ll have to fend for yourselves like everyone else. Resources are limited.”
Jiang Ye relayed the situation to the group. Michael hesitated. “If it guarantees Emily’s safety, it’s worth the risk.”
“But it’s dangerous,” Elaine countered. “What if something goes wrong?”
Jiang Ye clenched his jaw. “There’s always risk. But if this is our only chance, I’ll take it.”
That evening, the group prepared for the mission. Elaine practiced with her metal rod, while Wang Han inspected the pistols they had scavenged. Anna checked on Ethan, ensuring his condition remained stable.
Jiang Ye sat alone, sharpening the Lingfeng Sword. Emily approached, her small voice breaking the silence.
“You’ll be okay, right?” she asked.
He looked at her, offering a faint smile. “I’ll be fine. Just take care of everyone.”
Anna walked over and handed Jiang Ye a bottle of water. “You need to rest too.”
Jiang Ye nodded, taking the water.
As the camp fell into an uneasy silence, the group knew the next day would bring new challenges—and greater dangers. For now, they clung to the fragile hope that the safe zone could provide the sanctuary they desperately needed.
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