The next morning, Lin Chen decided to explore the second floor. He had never been there before, and the community might hold more surprises.
He walked down the corridor. The air smelled of dust and old wood. Every few steps, he could hear something scratching behind a door—a cat, perhaps, or a rat.
As he turned a corner, he saw a familiar face.
"Lin Chen?"
The voice was soft, hesitant. Lin Chen stopped. It was his old classmate, Zhou Yu.
Zhou Yu looked tired. His eyes were red, his clothes wrinkled, and his hands shook slightly. But when he saw Lin Chen, a small smile appeared.
"I… I thought you were gone," Zhou Yu said.
Lin Chen shook his head. "No. I'm still here. How about you?"
Zhou Yu nodded. "I've been hiding in my neighbor's apartment. It's safer there."
He led Lin Chen to a door, opening it to reveal a small living room with two people—a man and a woman—who looked up in surprise.
"This is my cousin and her friend," Zhou Yu explained. "We've been staying here for weeks."
Lin Chen looked around. The room was clean, with food and water stacked in the corner. Someone had even set up a small radio.
"Someone's taking care of you," Lin Chen said.
Zhou Yu nodded. "A neighbor. He's a former soldier—knows how to survive."
Lin Chen felt a sense of relief. He wasn't alone.
They talked for a long time. Zhou Yu told him about the quiet days, the scary nights, and how they had managed to stay safe.
When Lin Chen left, the sun was shining through the window. He waved goodbye, feeling lighter than before.