Although the crying of the little boy stopped, the monsters outside seemed to have set their sights on this place and kept pounding on the door.

Through the shelves and curtains, you could vaguely see the blood stains on the glass door.

Occasionally, a few terrifying roars could be heard.

During the day, the zombies were just wandering nearby, so the people in the supermarket briefly set aside their worries.

But the continuous pounding sound now seemed to mock their foolish and naive thoughts.

The people in the supermarket pressed themselves against the shelves, fearing that the monsters would break in.

The zombies seemed to have an unusually abundant energy. They kept pounding until late into the night, until dawn, when the commotion finally subsided.

The sunlight shone through the glass and curtains. I retreated into the shadows, ready to sleep.

The middle-aged man not far away looked out of the window and muttered, "It seems like there are fewer of those creatures."

As soon as he finished speaking, a horrifying and distorted face, accompanied by a roar, pressed against the glass and made him scream and fall to the ground.

The clamor continued, and I frowned.

"I've told you countless times, don't open the curtains!" It was Lu Mingyin's voice.

Then, the supermarket fell into a deathly silence.

I was awakened by the sound of gunshots.

The armored vehicle sprayed bullets all the way, killing one zombie after another.

...Has the government now allowed the killing of the infected? I thought absentmindedly.

It seems that the situation outside is worse than I thought.

A few people in the supermarket cheered and pushed open the shelves, welcoming the arrival of dawn.

With a "clang," the door was pushed open, and the person who came seemed very urgent.

The golden sunlight spilled on him, obscuring his features as he stood against the light.

He paused for a moment and then took two steps forward.

As he stepped into the shadow, I finally saw him clearly. His features were sharp, his face stern, and his thin lips tightly pressed, as if restraining some emotion.

Even in this situation, he still looked neat in his uniform, tall and reliable.

The people in the supermarket saw him as if they had found a savior, but I didn't quite like him.

What emanated from him was the aura of those in power, which I despised the most.

At this moment, a person in uniform hurriedly ran over and said something in his ear.

He said, "You take the remaining people to the rendezvous point."

Then, he turned his head and his gaze shot directly at me.

I thought he was going to say something, but he didn't. He just said, "Follow me," and turned around and left.

Lu Mingyin pulled me into the car and pointed to the man in the driver's seat, saying, "My brother, Lu Zhao. We grew up together. Do you remember?"

I shook my head, "I don't remember."

Lu Mingyin sighed disappointedly, seemingly accepting the fact that I had "amnesia."

Lu Mingyin turned her head and finally became curious about the situation outside, "What are these things? Have they been dealt with?"

Lu Zhao's voice was as indifferent as his expression, "Infected individuals, they haven't been dealt with."

Lu Mingyin exclaimed in surprise, "So they really are zombies."

"The cause of the outbreak is unknown. Currently, it can be confirmed that the infection can spread through bodily fluids, blood, and mother-to-child transmission. Once infected, it takes as little as one minute to... mutate."

He seemed to hesitate, but in the end, he referred to this situation as "mutation."

I knew he had more to say, but the rescue didn't come until now, only through these few transmission methods.

Lu Mingyin finally started to feel uneasy, "Brother, where are we going?"

"Back home. The central authorities have set up an emergency shelter nearby."

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly furrowed his brow, cold sweat appearing on his forehead, and he tightly gripped the steering wheel.

After a moment, he abruptly slammed on the brakes.

"Brother, what'swrong?" Lu Mingyin asked anxiously.

Lu Zhao's voice was trembling, "The road ahead... it's blocked."

I looked out of the window and saw a large crowd of infected individuals flooding the streets, their bloodshot eyes filled with hunger and aggression.

Lu Mingyin's face turned pale, and she muttered, "What do we do now?"

Lu Zhao's grip on the steering wheel tightened, and he said with determination, "We have to find another way. We can't give up like this."

With that, he turned the car around and sped off in the opposite direction.

The road was filled with chaos and destruction. It seemed like the whole world had turned into a nightmare. The infected individuals roamed the streets, attacking anything that moved.

As we drove through the desolate city, Lu Zhao's expression remained resolute. He seemed to have a plan, a determination to protect his sister and the rest of the survivors.

After what felt like an eternity, we finally arrived at a secluded warehouse on the outskirts of the city. It was the rendezvous point Lu Zhao had mentioned earlier.

A group of armed soldiers was waiting there, guarding the entrance and ensuring the safety of the survivors.

We were ushered inside, and I could see the relief on the faces of the people around me. They felt a glimmer of hope, a chance for survival.

Lu Zhao approached one of the soldiers, a high-ranking officer, and exchanged a few words with him. Their conversation seemed urgent, and the officer's face grew grim.

After their discussion, Lu Zhao turned to us and said, "We need to stay here temporarily. The government is working on a plan to contain the outbreak and rescue as many survivors as possible."

His words brought a mix of relief and anxiety. We were safe for now, but the situation outside was dire.

We settled into the warehouse, where makeshift beds and supplies were provided. The survivors huddled together, seeking comfort and reassurance in each other's presence.

Days turned into weeks, and we waited anxiously for news from the government. The soldiers maintained a strict routine, ensuring the safety of the warehouse and its inhabitants.

During this time, I observed Lu Zhao. He was a man of few words but displayed a sense of responsibility and determination. He strategized with the soldiers, coordinated supply runs, and made sure everyone had access to food and medical aid.

One evening, as the sun was setting, Lu Zhao approached me.

"I've noticed you've been observing me," he said, his voice calm but firm.

I nodded, unsure of how to respond.

"I know you have doubts about me, about those in power," he continued. "I won't deny that there are those who abuse their authority, but I'm here to protect and save lives. That's my duty."

His words struck a chord within me. I had grown cynical after witnessing the horrors outside, but his unwavering dedication reminded me that not all hope was lost.

"I'm sorry if I misjudged you," I said sincerely. "Thank you for what you're doing to keep us safe."

Lu Zhao nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "We're in this together. We'll find a way to overcome this."

As the days went by, the government's rescue efforts intensified. More survivors were brought to the warehouse, and plans were made for their relocation to secure zones.

Lu Zhao's leadership and determination proved crucial during this time. He coordinated the logistics, ensuring a smooth transition for the survivors and maintaining order amidst the chaos.

Eventually, we were escorted to a secure zone, a fortified area where survivors could rebuild their lives and work towards a brighter future.

It was a long and arduous journey, but Lu Zhao's unwavering resolve and the collective resilience of the survivors helped us endure.

Now, as we stood on the threshold of a new chapter, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the man who had emerged as a true leader in our darkest hours.

Together, we would face the challenges ahead, rebuilding our world from the ashes and ensuring that the sacrifices made were not in vain.