Chapter 3: Whispers of Entropy
909 Words
The night descended like an invisible behemoth, swallowing the broken city whole. Lu Shang clutched Xiao Ya tightly, his steps quick and urgent as they darted through the shadowy alleyways. They needed to leave this area as soon as possible; the sheer magnitude of Xiao Ya's unleashed power earlier could very well attract more of the Ouroboros.
Xiao Ya had fallen into a deep sleep in his arms, her small face still marked by faint traces of fatigue and unease. Lu Shang could feel the slight tremors of her body, even as she rested—she seemed unable to fully relax, even in her slumber. At an age meant for innocence and joy, she was burdened with such heavy pressures and fears. This reality stirred deep guilt and sorrow within him.
Carefully, he steered clear of the streets dimly lit by faint glows, opting instead for the darkness of the more remote paths. He knew that the Ouroboros possessed advanced surveillance technology and had likely already set a trap, waiting for them to walk straight into it.
After more than an hour of running, Lu Shang could feel his strength nearing its limits. He had been on the move for so long, and his earlier injuries now made him dizzy. He needed a safer, more concealed place—somewhere Xiao Ya could rest properly, and where he could finally catch his breath.
His eyes scanned the surroundings and eventually landed on what appeared to be an abandoned factory. The area was desolate, with a cluster of derelict buildings and overgrown weeds. But this desolation offered opportunities for concealment.
With careful movements, Lu Shang scaled a rusted barbed wire fence and entered the factory grounds. The world around him was shrouded in darkness, save for the distant city lights casting a faint glow. The air was thick with the scent of dampness and decay, punctuated by the occasional chirp of unseen insects.
He chose a building that seemed relatively intact, with most of its windows shattered, but the roof still held. Gently, he set Xiao Ya down on the ground, propping her up against a thick cement pillar so she could sleep more comfortably.
Next, he retrieved the black device he had taken from the figure in black. The instrument seemed simple—just a small screen and a few buttons—but the symbols and numbers flickering on the screen were utterly incomprehensible to him. It pulsed with an eerie blue glow, adding to the sense of mystery.
Lu Shang studied the device closely, trying to decipher any possible clue. He pressed several buttons, causing the symbols to shift and the numbers to change, yet there was nothing he could make sense of.
Sighing in frustration, he realized that understanding this device would require more time and more information than he had at the moment.
He carefully stowed the device away and sat down next to Xiao Ya, his senses on high alert as he watched for any signs of movement. He knew they couldn't afford to let their guard down—Ouroboros could find them at any time.
The night stretched endlessly, with Lu Shang barely managing to keep his eyes closed. His vigilance never wavered as he listened for any sound, no matter how faint. Xiao Ya slept deeply, occasionally mumbling in her dreams.
As the sky to the east began to lighten with the first hint of dawn, Xiao Ya stirred, her eyes fluttering open, confused by the unfamiliar surroundings.
“Uncle, where are we?” she asked softly.
“This is an abandoned factory,” Lu Shang replied, offering a small smile. “We’ll rest here for now. How do you feel? Is anything bothering you?”
Xiao Ya shook her head. “I’m fine, Uncle.”
Lu Shang ruffled her hair gently, a sense of warmth spreading in his chest. This child was far stronger than he had imagined.
“We need to find some food and water,” he said. “Stay here, I’ll see if I can find something.”
Xiao Ya nodded obediently.
Lu Shang rose and began to search the factory. The space was vast, filled with discarded machine parts and various detritus. He sifted through it all, hoping to find something useful.
Soon, he discovered a rusted metal cabinet tucked away in a corner. After some effort, he managed to pry it open and was pleasantly surprised to find cans of food and several bottles of mineral water, miraculously still intact.
A surge of relief washed over him. It felt like a stroke of luck—perhaps the world hadn’t abandoned them after all. He quickly gathered the provisions and brought them back to Xiao Ya.
“Look, Xiao Ya,” he said with a smile, “we have food now.”
Xiao Ya’s face lit up with a smile at the sight of the food. They ate a simple meal, replenishing their energy.
Once they had eaten, Lu Shang began to plan their next move. They couldn’t stay in this abandoned factory forever; sooner or later, the Ouroboros would find them. They needed to find a more secure, more hidden place—ideally, somewhere that would allow them to learn more about the Ouroboros and their own abilities.
“Xiao Ya,” he asked carefully, “do you remember what happened last night?”
Xiao Ya nodded, her face suddenly clouded with fear. “Yes… I remember…”
- Writer
