Dark Apocalypse

Episode 30

Encounter with other survivors



"Thank you... truly, thank you..."

In the confined space, the two men were panting heavily, as though they had just survived a harrowing battle between life and death. Their entire demeanor exuded the aura of those who had narrowly escaped a grim fate.

One of the men, appearing to be in his thirties, leaned against the glass wall and offered his gratitude to the only one among them who seemed composed. From the three glass-paneled walls and a single metal door, it was evident that they were inside an elevator.

The numbers above the only door were blinking incessantly, indicating that the elevator was operational and ascending.

"Don't thank me..." The sole calm man responded, his expression seeming almost evasive, as though he was avoiding the gratitude directed his way.

The man offering thanks was puzzled by this odd reaction, but after barely escaping death, he did not dwell on it.

In the corner of the elevator stood another man, or rather, a youth, filthy and smeared with blood and bits of flesh. He remained silent, cradling in his arms a strikingly beautiful, unconscious woman.

Soon, the elevator reached the fifth and highest floor. The doors opened, and the small group emerged. Before them stretched a long corridor lined with red carpet, the surroundings seemingly pristine, as though untouched by chaos.

The numbered doors on either side suggested guest rooms. They were all tightly shut, and the corridor lights were off, casting the passage in dim shadows.

"Apologies. Since fuel for the generator is limited, we conserve electricity whenever possible," the man leading them explained. This was no surprise; with the world's infrastructure in collapse, relying on generators was a temporary solution, and fuel would inevitably run out. Conservation was essential.

As they walked down the hallway, it was clear that there were people behind the closed doors. Occasionally, a door would crack open just a sliver, with wary eyes peering out.

"They are survivors from the surrounding area..."

It was understandable. Those who had lived through this ordeal were gripped by a fear of the unknown future.

Their guide soon led them to the door of a spacious guest room and knocked.

"Come in," a young man's voice called from within, sounding relatively youthful.

At the guide's gesture, they entered, finding themselves in a large, tastefully decorated living room, occupied by several men and women.

"Welcome to our group!" A man in his mid-twenties stood up with a warm smile, offering them a friendly greeting.

His words were met with silence. The newcomers neither responded nor reciprocated his enthusiasm.

"Who are you? You don't seem like locals," a cold female voice interjected, breaking the awkwardness and shattering the young man's easy demeanor.

"Adam, just passing through..."

"Ling Ao. He saved us, and we owe him thanks..."

At that critical moment, when escape seemed impossible, an elevator they thought inoperable had suddenly powered up. Adam wasted no time, carrying the unconscious Miao Yunyao to safety. Ling Ao had quickly followed, and just as the zombies approached, the elevator doors had closed, sparing them.

Now, they had been brought here, discovering that other survivors inhabited the building.

"Don't worry, she's not infected," Adam said as he noticed the wary looks directed at Miao Yunyao in his arms. He understood their concern; any survivor would be wary of an unconscious stranger.

"I'm Li Yalin. You're safe now. Though the outside world is perilous, here you'll be secure," the young man who had welcomed them spoke reassuringly.

Adam took in the sight of him: a twenty-five or twenty-six-year-old, with a genial demeanor that seemed almost naive, as if perpetually vulnerable.

"And this is my twin sister, Li Yalin. Though our names sound alike, hers is spelled with elegance—'Ya' from grace and 'Lin' from forest." Noticing the cold woman's frosty demeanor as the men glanced at her, Li Yalin made the introduction.

"Oh... a sister? You don't look alike," Adam murmured, but loud enough for all to hear.

"Haha... is that so? We've heard that since we were children," Li Yalin chuckled sheepishly, while his sister Li Yalin huffed and turned away, clearly irritable.

Besides the Li siblings, two other men in their thirties or forties sat silently, their expressions steely.

Through conversation, Adam and Ling Ao learned that around fifty survivors had gathered in this building, most of them locals. They had managed to endure the outbreak and found refuge here.

The group was implicitly led by the Li siblings, who organized daily affairs and ensured order.

With their new lodgings assigned, Adam and Ling Ao were given a vacant guest room. There weren't any truly empty rooms left, as the fifteen or so rooms on this floor had already been filled. Li Yalin had vacated his own to accommodate them, opting to share with his sister.

"These siblings seem quite kind..." Ling Ao sighed once they were alone with the unconscious Miao Yunyao.

"Do they?" Adam responded. He doubted that Li Yalin's amiable front was enough to command the respect and leadership of fifty people.

An uneasy silence fell. Both men had matters to ponder, especially Adam, who appeared to be at the limits of his endurance.

"I need to use the bathroom..." he muttered, disappearing into the restroom and shutting the door behind him.

Ling Ao, left outside, cast a complicated glance at the closed bathroom door before looking at Miao Yunyao, lying peacefully on the bed, her face serene, almost as if she were merely sleeping.

He pondered how he would face the elegant woman when she awoke.