Lin Chen walked through the quiet community. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the floor, making every corner look dark and still. He held his steel pipe tightly, his heart beating steadily.
As he passed the playground, a small dog suddenly barked from behind a fence. Lin Chen paused, listening carefully. There were no other sounds—no beasts, no shouting, just the distant wind blowing through the empty trees.
He reached the supermarket entrance and saw a broken window. The glass had shattered into small pieces, creating a pattern like a star. He pushed the window open wide and climbed inside.
Inside, the supermarket was messy. Candy boxes, potato chip bags, and drink bottles lay scattered across the floor. Some shelves had fallen over, blocking half the aisle.
Lin Chen moved slowly, checking each shelf for useful items. He found bottled water, energy bars, and a pack of wet wipes. He stuffed everything into his backpack, his hands moving quickly.
After a few minutes, his backpack was full enough. He turned to leave, but then he noticed a small door at the back of the store. It was slightly ajar.
Curious, he pushed it open. The room behind was a storage area. Shelves were stacked high with rice, noodles, and canned food. More supplies than he expected.
Lin Chen's eyes brightened. This was even better than he thought. He started filling his bag, taking as much as he could carry.
When he finally stepped out, the sun was beginning to set. He adjusted his backpack strap and walked toward the stairs, ready for whatever came next.