Chapter 2

Before it could even connect, police sirens wailed from outside the window.

My eyes lit up. I rushed to the window.

Only one police car was parked downstairs. Three officers, fully geared up, quickly got out.

But they weren’t here to rescue us.

They swiftly pulled down the fire shutters over the main entrance and the perimeter fence.

While cutting off the zombies’ escape route, they also cut off my chance to escape the hospital.

The police car’s loudspeaker blared, repeating:

“Survivors inside the hospital, please remain calm. Find enclosed spaces to protect yourselves and wait patiently for military rescue.”

The loudspeaker’s sound agitated the first-floor zombies. They repeatedly slammed their bodies against the glass, creating terrifying thuds.

After three repetitions, the police car sped away.

My rekindled hope shattered again. I felt a wave of despair.

I pulled out my phone, mechanically dialing 911 again and again.

But it was always a busy signal.

I don’t know how many times I dialed until my arm ached, and the phone slipped from my grasp.

Without food or water, trapped in this small consultation room, no bigger than ten square meters, I wondered if I’d live to see rescue.

My phone suddenly rang. I tensed up and quickly answered.

But it wasn’t the police. It was Brenda’s voice.

“Where are you? Are you okay? Kevin and I are so worried about you. He keeps asking for his dad.”

She handed the phone to Kevin.

“Dad, come find us! I’m scared!”

For some reason, both their voices were muffled and low, like they were in a very small space.

A flicker of suspicion sparked in my mind.

When Brenda first learned I had leukemia, she’d repeatedly urged me to just give up treatment and not waste money.

Even my eight-year-old, Kevin, had absorbed it all, asking me more than once, “Dad, when are you going to kick the bucket? Mom says I can’t get my inheritance until you’re gone!”

After several such instances, my heart had grown cold.

Before coming to the hospital, I had already made up my mind: no matter the follow-up results, I was divorcing her.

I’d rather take my assets to the grave than let those ungrateful leeches get a single cent.

How could two people who so eagerly wished for my death suddenly care about my safety?

I kept my guard up, not answering directly, but instead asked:

“Where are you guys? Are you okay? You haven’t been bitten, have you?”

“No, no! Luckily, I hid fast. The moment I realized something was wrong, I ducked away. We’re in the first-floor restroom now. There’s a small window here. Come find us, we can climb out together!”

I replied, feigning surprise: “Really? That’s great! I’m coming right now.”

Two minutes later, I whispered impatiently: “I’m here. Where are you?”

Brenda sounded excited: “You’re sure you’re here, right?”

I snapped, annoyed: “Of course! What are you doing? Hurry up!”

“Good, that’s great!”

Before she could finish, a ridiculously loud, obnoxious tune blared from the bathroom.

It was Kevin’s smartwatch. Brenda and I had even picked that ringtone together.

The music echoed through the entire building, enraging the zombie horde. They roared and surged towards the first-floor corner.

Amidst the roars, Brenda’s voice turned manic: “Alex, you’re going to die anyway. Just make yourself useful to us!”

Maybe my heart was already numb.

Hearing her words, I felt no ripple of emotion, only amusement at her stupidity.

Thanks to her, the second-floor corridor was now empty.

Stepping out, I looked down.

Two figures, one large and one small, dashed from the janitor’s closet near the stairs towards the main entrance, only to be blocked by the heavy fire shutter.

Seeing this, I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

The call hadn’t hung up yet.

Brenda’s furious curses and screams came through the line.

“Oops, I forgot to tell you guys, the main entrance is completely blocked. No way out now.”