"We need a few people to lure the zombie horde away. At human running speed, the zombies won't keep up. But this mission is highly risky—volunteers only," I said slowly over the walkie-talkie.
When no one responded immediately, I continued, "If we can draw the zombies away, it'll buy us time to clear the road. The convoy can advance, and the lures can circle back through the fields to reunite with us."
This plan could work—zombies would always chase fresh human flesh over steel vehicles.
"Sis Duo! Fewer zombies are surrounding the rear vehicles. Let me and two buddies lure them! We're damn good long-distance runners!" Shan Qi's voice came through the walkie-talkie.
"A-Ze and I will do it! You're too young—the woods are unpredictable. We have more experience in dangerous situations," Jianan countered. I felt proud of him!
"Brother-in-law, don't argue or underestimate us! We've killed as many zombies as you! Remember who saved you at Carrefour? Clearing rocks is harder—let us handle the easy running!" Shan Qi's tone was light but firm.
Before anyone could agree, Shan Qi and two friends burst out of an SUV behind the bus, cut down the nearby zombies, and sprinted into the woods, shouting, "You bastards! Over here! Fresh meat! Slowpokes eat shit!"
The zombies paused, then redirected their rage toward the trio. But they were too slow—many had skeletal legs from pre-transformation injuries. Some even snapped their bones while chasing. Yet being pursued by such a horde was terrifying!
Shan Qi and his team vanished into the woods.
The zombies, losing their target, turned back toward the convoy. Damn! How could we clear the road now?
But Shan Qi's group noticed and circled back, taunting again: "Grandsons! Your granddaddies are here! What? Prefer chewing cars? We've got fresh thighs and steaming intestines! What's wrong? Too slow? Did your P.E. teacher die early? Parkinson's or paralysis? And you—big as shit! How'd you survive in zombie circles? And you in plaid pants—disgusting! And that deadhead with the Liu Dehua haircut! Ugly freaks! Rotten meat…"
Listening from the roof, I sweated bullets. Never piss off modern kids!But could zombies even understand? They just followed noise. Such creative insults were wasted!
Enraged, the zombies charged toward the trio. Shan Qi's team led them deeper into the woods, their taunts fading.
Seizing the moment, the Land Rover team jumped out and cleared the road swiftly.
Strength in numbers—the path was soon clear. Da Peng's snowplow was totaled, so he joined another vehicle. The second snowplow pushed the wreck into a ditch,} freeing the road.
The convoy was mobile again!
We worried about Shan Qi's team. Though faster than zombies, the woods might hold other dangers. If surrounded, speed wouldn't matter.
We tried the walkie-talkie—no response. They were out of range.
We couldn't abandon them—vehicles were faster than legs! After 20 minutes, we stopped to wait. Thirty minutes by car could mean hours on foot. We prayed they'd catch up.
An hour passed—no sign. Despair crept in. Even walking, they should've arrived.
Had they circled too far ahead? We couldn't wait longer—we needed shelter before dark. After a brief discussion, we moved on, trusting they'd find us if alive.
But after another hour, there was no sign of them. My heart sank. Were those brave young men lost to the wilderness?
"Sis Duo, they'll be fine. Don't worry." Ze Ya's voice—Shan Qi's tall, cool girlfriend—came through the walkie-talkie, calm and confident.
Just 18, yet so composed—impressive!
"How are you sure?" I asked.
"We've survived worse. At Carrefour, 20 of us were trapped by 80 zombies. We still made it," she said confidently.
"Besides, there's more space here. If they can't fight, they'll run. Zombies won't catch them." Her words reassured me slightly.
"You had no casualties against 80 zombies?" I was in awe.
"Not exactly. We lost seven… including my dad. Shan Qi saved me that day." Her voice was flat—now I understood her aloofness. Grief buried deep.
"Ze Ya, you don't seem like high schoolers. Why were you at No. 18 Middle School?" I changed the subject, regretting my earlier question.
"You're right—we're a street dance team. We practiced in the school hall on Sundays. My dad taught there."
So that explained their agility! Street dance required strength and endurance—no mere flashy moves.
"Shan Qi leads a parkour team. Qiu Fei and Hai Yang with him are the best. They can run all day. They might've circled ahead." Parkour!Like in District B13—slippery as soap! Impossible to catch!
My anxiety eased.
"Sis Duo, if you find a blade like yours, save it for me! I love it!" Ze Ya said. I smiled. "I promise!"
By dusk, we found a village to shelter in.
Few zombies roamed the streets. We eliminated the ones that approached, ignoring the rest.
The village had a dilapidated school, but we'd learned our lesson—no more schools!
We found a compound with high walls and an iron gate—the Town Government Office. Public facilities always had the best infrastructure! The walls were thick, the gate sturdy—zombie-proof.
After clearing the inside, we drove the convoy into the courtyard—large as a soccer field! Several Audi sedans parked inside—government cars. Their owners were likely among the zombies we'd taken down.
A elegant three-story building stood inside—the office. The third floor had dormitories with beds and bedding. Village officials must've worked hard—or enjoyed comfortable naps?
Elders, women, and children took the third floor. Even if zombies attacked, they couldn't reach that height without stacking bodies—a grim thought.
Men rested in the offices below, exhausted and bloodshot.
The building had a small cafeteria. Though utilities were dead, the gas tanks worked. We boiled water for formula and instant noodles.
The men made do with biscuits and sausages—too tired and grief-stricken to cook. Losses weighed heavily, and Shan Qi's team was still missing.
We set watches. The rest collapsed into sleep.
I was exhausted but restless, frequently checking the gate, hoping for Shan Qi's return.
As darkness fell, figures appeared outside the gate—but even in the dim light, I could tell: they weren't Shan Qi, Hai Yang, or Qiu Fei.