As they navigated the city, tension hung over everyone like a heavy shroud. Every shadow and distant sound could signal danger. While crossing a narrow alley, they encountered a group of zombies. Jiang Ye drew his Lingfeng Sword, swiftly dispatching two of them. The third lunged at Wang Han, who stumbled back but managed to cleave the zombie’s head with his fire axe.

Elaine led the way with her metal rod, her eyes scanning every corner for potential threats, while Michael anxiously scanned the streets ahead as though expecting to see his wife and daughter waiting for him.

“Let’s move faster,” Michael urged, his voice filled with urgency. “We’re losing daylight.”

They pressed on, skirting abandoned cars and shattered windows, occasionally hearing faint zombie growls in the distance. By the time Michael’s house came into view, it was already 4 PM. The prolonged tension made it feel much later. The sunlight cast long shadows over the eerily quiet neighborhood.

Standing at the door, Michael hesitated. His trembling hand rested on the doorknob as memories of happier times flooded his mind. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open.

“Come in, and be careful,” he said, his voice a mix of fear and hope.

Inside, the house was in complete disarray. Furniture was overturned, blood streaked the floor, and the air was thick with the stench of decay. Claw marks marred the walls, and torn clothing lay scattered, telling the story of a fierce struggle. The oppressive silence was broken only by the faint creak of their footsteps.

Michael’s heart sank as he rushed toward the bedroom, his breaths shallow and hurried. The others followed closely, their weapons ready for any threat.

In the corner of the bedroom, they found a woman’s body. Her corpse was partially decomposed, her lifeless eyes staring at the ceiling. Clutched in her hand was a bloodstained kitchen knife, evidence of a desperate fight against the infected.

Michael dropped to his knees beside her, tears streaming down his face. “No... no, this can’t be...”

Jiang Ye stepped forward, placing a steadying hand on his shoulder. “Michael, we still need to find your daughter.”

The group began a systematic search of the house. They checked under tables in the living room, inside kitchen cabinets, and even the bathroom, but there was no sign of the child. Just as despair started to creep in, Elaine stopped and pointed at a closet.

Stolen novel; please report.

“There might be someone in there,” she whispered.

Michael hurried to the closet, his hands shaking. He knocked lightly on the door. “It’s me, Daddy’s here.”

From inside, faint sobbing could be heard. Elaine carefully opened the door to reveal a little girl curled up in the corner, her face streaked with tears and dirt—it was Michael’s daughter.

Michael scooped her into his arms, holding her tightly. “Daddy’s here now. You’re safe,” he murmured, his voice breaking.

The little girl clung to him, her small frame trembling. “Mommy told me to hide,” she whispered. “She said you would come.”

Through the girl’s tearful account, the group pieced together what had happened. Zombies had attacked the house, forcing Michael’s wife to fight for their survival. Despite her bravery, she was wounded by the infected’s claws during the struggle. Knowing she had little time left, she hid her daughter in the closet and told her to stay quiet no matter what happened.

“She... she said she would come back,” the girl sobbed. “She said you would find me.”

The room fell silent as the weight of the story settled over them. Michael stared at his wife’s body, his face etched with grief and guilt.

“I should have been here...” he whispered, barely audible. “I should have protected them...”

Jiang Ye knelt beside him, speaking gently. “She did what she had to do. Her sacrifice gave us the chance to save your daughter.”

After a moment of silence, Jiang Ye stood and addressed the group. “We can’t stay here. It’s not safe.”

Michael nodded, his expression hardening as he held his daughter close. “For her, I’ll keep fighting.”

Before leaving, Jiang Ye used his Lingfeng Sword to put Michael’s wife to rest, ensuring she wouldn’t pose a threat. The room grew eerily quiet, broken only by the soft sobs of Michael’s daughter.

The group quickly gathered whatever supplies they could find—canned food, bottled water, and a small first aid kit. The air was heavy with grief as they prepared to leave.

Outside, the streets were still illuminated by the fading afternoon light, though darkness would soon set in. Moving carefully, they avoided making noise as they navigated the cracked pavement. Distant growls reminded them that danger was never far away.

As they headed toward a nearby subway station, Michael clung to a faint hope. “Maybe the trains are still running,” he said, his voice tinged with desperation.

Jiang Ye remained silent, unwilling to shatter Michael’s hope, even though he doubted they would find anything functional. Walking beside him, Anna remained quiet, her face pale but resolute. She, too, understood the importance of giving Michael and his daughter something to hold on to.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ye’s thoughts turned to his own family. He had tried to contact his parents countless times, but the calls never connected. A creeping fear gnawed at him—was the world falling into c

“We need to find a safe place,” Jiang Ye thought. “If help is coming, that’s where they’ll find us.”