Before opening the computer, I went to the guest bedroom and found a pack of dried strawberries to munch on. After rehydrating, it's still important to replenish energy constantly! As I mentioned before, our building is on the very edge of the residential compound. The south side has a living room with large floor-to-ceiling windows facing the Carrefour direction, while the north side faces another building within the compound, Building 8.
The guest bedroom faces north. Munching on dried strawberries, I stood by the windowsill and looked towards Building 8. This direction provided a clear view of all the south-facing living rooms in Building 8, their large glass windows revealing everything inside.
Initially, I often saw survivors gathered by their balconies, looking over at us. Although we never really communicated, I at least got a rough idea of how many households had survivors. Later, everyone probably relaxed a bit, and some gradually dared to go downstairs to the compound's convenience store for supplies. As for whether any of them, like our allies in our unit, had gone to Carrefour, I had no idea, because the underground garage exit isn't very visible from our place. And when we went out, we never encountered neighbors from other units in the garage.
Today, I unexpectedly saw a whiteboard facing me. Written on the whiteboard was: "Help me!" The person holding it was a woman. Her age was unclear, but she probably wasn't elderly, judging by her figure—quite upright. I estimated her apartment should be in Unit 4, Room 1401.
I turned around and searched the neighbor's apartment across the hall for large paper and a marker. Unfortunately, although this family hoarded guns illegally, they weren't big on studying. I couldn't find suitable paper or pens. Suddenly, I remembered the children's white drawing board I got for my son for painting. Since Shuai Shuai is still young, it hasn't been used yet.
I went home to get it. The drawing board came with a black marker—perfect! I hurriedly wrote: "What's wrong?" and held it up for the woman across the way to see.
The woman quickly saw my response. She lowered her head, wiped the words off her whiteboard, and rewrote: "Outside door!"
Maybe she was afraid too many words would be too small for me to see clearly, but just these two words made me guess the general situation—there was a zombie outside her door!
So I wrote: "Zombie?" She replied: "Yes! Save me!"
I know if this were a movie, those brainless supporting characters who crave chaos would likely suffer from缺氧 (quē yǎng - lack of oxygen, meaning act stupidly), act alone, heedless of the danger, and then die tragically. But I'm not some busty-but-brainless blonde side character; I'm an extremely calm Chinese mom!
Chinese moms are strong. Chinese moms are tough!
I wrote on my board: "Phone number?"
Right? Since the phone signal is restored, why are we using this ancient method to have an unclear conversation?
She first wrote a string of numbers. It was tragic—I couldn't see them clearly. I had to use my board to prompt her: "Big numbers!"
Okay, she was pretty smart too. So, she wrote one digit at a time, and I dialed immediately.
"Save me! My food is gone, but I can't go downstairs to get any. My neighbor seems to have turned! It's been outside my door the whole time! And... it seems to know someone's home; it keeps banging on my door! I'm scared to death!" The woman said a whole string of things without waiting for me to speak.
"Your apartment is Unit 4, 1401, right?" I confirmed first.
"Yes, yes!" she answered urgently.
"Can you confirm how many are outside?" I continued.
"More than one! At least two! I'm so scared!" The woman was on the verge of崩溃 (bēng kuì - collapsing, breaking down).
"Don't panic. Tell me your name!" I needed to calm her first.
"My name is Strawberry Jam. I also have an older brother, his name is Seafood Sauce. He's sick, has a fever. We don't have any medicine at home. Please, save us!" Strawberry Jam started crying.
"Listen, Strawberry Jam. I can't come over right now. I need to wait for my partners to return so we can come together. They went to another residential area to pick someone up!" I told her honestly. By myself, I couldn't take the risk, even if zombies were about to break into her home at this very moment.
This isn't me being selfish or cold. My first consideration must be the safety of my parents and my son. If I die, who will ensure their safety? I'm not even sure if my husband can make it back.
"Do you have any medicine? My brother has a very high fever!" Strawberry Jam cried even harder.
"We do. We took a lot of common medicine from the pharmacy downstairs in Carrefour. Don't worry! Also, we have plenty of food. Even better news is, we have empty rooms. We can move you and your brother to this unit." After hearing this, Strawberry Jam seemed much relieved and stopped crying. She asked me when my partners would be back. I told her, "Soon."
About half an hour later, my husband and the others returned. The person they went to pick up was Qiao's younger sister: Qiqi.
They were filthy, looking like they'd been through one or several fierce fights. I said, "Don't rush to shower yet. We need to go save someone. Siblings in Building 8, 1401. They're trapped in their home by bad neighbors."
Although everyone was exhausted, they perked up immediately upon hearing this and started preparing.
I settled Qiqi at my place, letting my parents take care of her shower and change of clothes. I picked up my long knife—this time, I was going into action with the team.
The compound was still very quiet. No signs of zombies were detected, but that didn't mean there were none inside the buildings. We figured the zombies inside the buildings were residents who were bitten trying to escape home, only to turn before even making it inside. Because they couldn't use the elevators, these zombies got trapped inside the building.
Of course, there must also be those who successfully escaped home, locked their doors, but then turned inside. As for whether there were family members home with them at the time, that's unknown.
Arriving at Unit 4, Building 8, we first observed through the thick glass of the unit door. Empty. Safe! I rang the doorbell: 1401. The unit door clicked open.
As soon as the door opened, an ugly zombie roared and lunged out! Holy crap! Danger on the first floor! Didn't detect it from outside just now! Must have charged out from the stairwell around the corner!
Caught off guard, I was almost pounced on by this thing! But a quick figure rushed up from behind and directly chopped it down.
It was my husband! He's always protecting me. Even when I tell him the coast is clear, he never drops his guard.
Turns out, some zombies wander unconsciously into the stairwells. So, the elevators might be safe, but the stairwells are definitely dangerous!
Luckily, only one zombie charged out. The area behind it was truly clear. This zombie probably lived on the first or second floor.
We set the elevator to the 15th floor. Because if we went directly to the 14th, the elevator is narrow. We'd be too crowded, unable to maneuver easily, which would actually make it convenient for zombies who only rely on biting and pouncing. So, we planned to go from the 15th-floor stairwell down to the 14th.
When the elevator reached the 15th floor and the doors opened, we were extremely nervous. After the lesson on the first floor, we maintained absolute vigilance at all times!
But this floor really had no enemy presence!
However, as soon as the elevator doors opened, we heard the hungry, terrifying roar of the undead. Sounded like they were pretty hungry, roaring with frustration. Judging by the sound, the location was on the 14th floor.
Qiao took the lead. Everyone had just risked their lives fighting for his sister; now he wanted to go through fire and water for others! (Lit: take a knife for a friend)
Everyone protected me, not letting me charge ahead. I didn't insist on taking the lead either. With so many men around, I could conserve my strength.
Listening to the thump, thump, thumpsounds of heads bursting ahead, I knew the zombies were being dealt with.
Now we were standing in front of 1401. I looked down; three zombie bodies lay on the floor. Quite a number, no wonder Strawberry Jam was terrified.
After confirming there were no more zombies outside, Strawberry Jam opened the door. Only then did I see her up close. Turns out she was a beauty, in her early 20s. Such a young girl! Just her face looked a bit haggard, with long hair flowing down. I secretly envied her—such great hair quality! Not like me, with natural curls. I usually have to tie it back tightly to keep it neat, to prevent my son from grabbing it. Of course, now it's to prevent zombies from grabbing it.
"You're here! Thank you so much!" Strawberry Jam looked at me with grateful eyes. She recognized me. Youth is great; even eyesight is better than mine!
We filed into the apartment. Strawberry Jam quickly locked the door again. Who knew if there were zombies in the stairwell that heard the noise and were making their way over.
On the bed in the south bedroom lay a young man. This must be her brother, Seafood Sauce. The young man had delicate features but looked ill, struggling to sit up. "You're here. Great!" were his first words.
Ah, these poor siblings. But your suffering is over, at least for now!
"Have you packed all the clothes and things you need to bring?" I asked Strawberry Jam.
"Yes, you told me to wait for your partners, so I packed everything in the meantime. Actually, there's not much—just some changes of clothes for me and my brother. Other things... nothing seems useful now..." Strawberry Jam replied.
"Wise! We have plenty of daily necessities in the empty apartments on our side. Even several large boxes of sanitary pads. Just come with us." I said this last part quietly. A rare smile appeared on Strawberry Jam's face. Actually, I just wanted to lighten the mood for her. This kid looked like she'd had a really tough time.
Strawberry Jam helped her brother put on thick clothes. Then my husband and Xiao Liu went over to help him up. Our group cautiously left Unit 4, Building 8.
We settled the two siblings in 1702, right below our apartment.
We also prepared enough daily necessities, food, and water for them.
Wu Xiaofeng, without me even asking, took the initiative to go install a water purifier for them. The siblings were stunned by our efficiency.
Seeing we were back, Dad started cooking dumplings. Everyone went to their own apartments to shower and change clothes. By the time the dumplings were ready, everyone had gathered.
"Seafood Sauce, eat the dumplings while they're hot. Take the fever reducer after eating; don't take medicine on an empty stomach." Dad brought out his trusted fever reducer and gave it to Seafood Sauce, serving him the first plate of dumplings. Seafood Sauce and Strawberry Jam were so moved their mouths quivered, on the verge of tears.