Chapter 42: Dawn’s Call

Dawn broke with a hint of light after the first night of attacks by infected students on the teaching building. The gentle rays awakened the group on the rooftop from their slumber. Some students, who had stayed awake all night with wide eyes, now had dark circles so profound they were frightening.

Qiao Xia, however, had managed to sleep against the wall. Upon waking, he found himself draped in a familiar-looking jacket—an oddly altered school uniform, a handiwork of Li Lin Guan. As Qiao Xia glanced over at Li Lin Guan, he noticed that he had stolen someone else’s jacket and was now boasting to his followers.

TRUE to the nature of a school bully, Qiao Xia thought, rubbing his temples as he considered the dilemma. Since hiding on the rooftop, they hadn’t had a single meal or drink. At most, they could hold out for another day before facing disaster. While it was theoretically possible to survive three days without water, the ordeal would be hellish.

To resolve this, they would need to leave the safety of the rooftop and search for food elsewhere. Qiao Xia sighed, knowing the risks of venturing out, but unable to ignore the gnawing hunger and thirst. If only he had brought his backpack, which was filled with snacks and drinks, courtesy of Li Lin Guan. If they had to leave, Qiao Xia planned to search the classrooms for supplies, staying within a safe range.

The situation outside the teaching building was a nightmare, and Qiao Xia knew they were no match for the infected. It was wiser to stay grounded and realistic.

“Qiao Xia, you’re awake!”

Li Lin Guan noticed Qiao Xia lost in thought and approached him, handing over a half-bottle of mineral water. Although they had fled in a hurry, some of Li Lin Guan’s followers had water. Qiao Xia accepted the water without hesitation, taking a large gulp. After his thirst was quenched, he capped the bottle and tossed it back to Li Lin Guan. The act of drinking water solidified his resolve to search for food. Their current condition was manageable, but waiting until tomorrow, when they would be weak from hunger and thirst, would be disastrous. It was better to take a risk today.

“So, how’s the situation now?”

“What do you think? Those infected are still roaming below the building. But since last night, no one has tried to break through the iron door on the other side of the rooftop. It’s eerily quiet.”

Li Lin Guan sat beside Qiao Xia, his eyes flickering with a mix of anticipation and concern. His hesitant demeanor, reminiscent of a shy old woman, made Qiao Xia suppress a smirk. He knew Li Lin Guan had something to say but was struggling to express it.

“Just say it, don’t beat around the bush,” Qiao Xia urged, his patience thin.

Li Lin Guan smiled sheepishly and finally spoke, “I was just wondering if we should go get some food and water today.”

Li Lin Guan’s proposition aligned with Qiao Xia’s own thoughts. With a group of hungry followers, Li Lin Guan was more eager for supplies. Qiao Xia considered the proposal, seeing the benefit of having backup. However, he stressed the importance of choosing the right companions. “I’ll join you, but we need to be selective. No cowards, no weak-willed, and definitely no questionable characters.”

Li Lin Guan agreed without hesitation, knowing the stakes. “Leave that to me. I’ll find the right people.”

“Don’t overdo it. Just two more besides us should be enough. Too many people increase the risk.”

Li Lin Guan sprung into action, quickly gathering two suitable candidates. His efficiency suggested he had already planned this.

“Qiao Xia, come meet them. Ye Dafeng and Ye Daluan are twin brothers. They work well together, and they’re not afraid of anything. They’ve even cracked open a few skulls in previous fights. They’re reliable, and if they were in the military, they’d be top-notch soldiers!”

Li Lin Guan introduced the twin brothers, who stood stoically as he praised them. Qiao Xia was satisfied with their demeanor but wanted to test their mettle further. “I need to know they won’t hold us back and can handle the infected.”

“What? You’re actually leaving the rooftop!”

“This is suicide! Please, just stay here. If those crazies get in, we’re all dead.”

“Waaah, I want to go home to Mommy!”

As Li Lin Guan continued to boast about his followers, the news of their departure spread among the other students, causing a frenzy of fear and protest.

****

Qiao Xia’s gaze drifted over to the rooftop’s edge, where the morning light painted a deceptive calm over the chaos below. The infected students, their eyes a sickening red, wandered aimlessly, a stark reminder of the danger lurking just beyond their sanctuary. Qiao Xia knew that venturing out was a risk, but the gnawing hunger in his stomach and the thirst that clung to the back of his throat made the decision for him. He had to find food, and he had to do it soon.

His mind raced with plans and contingencies. He would search the classrooms first, knowing that the infected were less likely to be in those confined spaces. It was a calculated risk, one he was willing to take for the chance of finding supplies. Qiao Xia took a deep breath, the cool morning air filling his lungs, and prepared himself for the challenges ahead. He was no longer just a student; he was a survivor in a world gone mad, and he would do whatever it took to stay alive.

****

As the sun continued to rise, casting its warm glow over the rooftop, Qiao Xia knew the real test was about to begin. He had to lead this small group of survivors, each with their own strengths and fears, through the nightmare below. With Li Lin Guan by his side and the twin brothers as their backup, Qiao Xia felt a glimmer of hope. They were not just a group of students; they were a team, bound by the shared will to survive. And as they prepared to descend into the unknown, Qiao Xia knew that their journey was just beginning, and every step would be a fight for their lives.