Four months to doomsday

Xu Lian's heartbeat hadn't slowed since the stranger had walked away, disappearing into the shadows like he had never been there. But the weight of his words lingered.

They weren't the only ones who remembered the apocalypse.

"Lian."

Guo Chen's voice brought her back to the present. His gaze was sharp, unreadable in the dim alleyway. "We don't have time to stand around."

She exhaled, pushing the encounter aside for now. He was right. They needed a secure shelter, and according to the stranger, someone else had already set their sights on the warehouse.

Which meant they had to move. Now.

Lian scanned the street. It was late, and most of the city was still blissfully unaware of the horror that would soon unfold. But that didn't mean people weren't watching.

"Let's go," she said.

Chen took the lead, keeping his pace brisk but silent. They moved quickly, sticking to the shadows, avoiding streetlights and open spaces. The closer they got to the warehouse, the heavier the air felt.

By the time they reached the perimeter, Lian could already tell something was off.

---

Not the Only Ones

The warehouse loomed in front of them, a massive, windowless structure surrounded by tall fences. A single metal door stood on the side, locked from the inside. But it wasn't untouched.

Chen gestured to the ground fresh boot prints.

Someone was already inside.

Lian pressed herself against the wall, straining to listen. Inside, faint shuffling noises echoed footsteps, quiet voices. Not many. Four, maybe five people?

Not a full-fledged group, but dangerous enough.

Chen leaned close. "We take them out quietly."

Lian nodded. "No time to wait. Let's move."

---

Breaking In

Chen pulled a small tool from his belt, working on the side door's lock. Within seconds, there was a faint click.

Lian pressed the door open just enough to slip inside, blade in hand.

The interior was vast, dimly lit by emergency exit signs. Rows of metal shelves stretched across the space, filled with medicine and supplies. The air was thick with dust and the sharp scent of antiseptics.

And they weren't alone.

Ahead, four figures moved through the aisles. They weren't just scavengers they moved with purpose, checking inventory, whispering in low voices.

They were preparing to take this place as their base.

Lian's jaw tightened. They had no choice. If they let this group settle in, they'd be forced into another battle and with how many injuries their side had suffered back at the factory, they couldn't afford that.

Chen's voice was barely audible. "I take the left. You handle the right."

Lian nodded. No hesitation. No mercy.

They struck fast.

Chen took down the first man in an instant, wrapping an arm around his neck and silencing him before he could make a sound. The second turned, eyes wide Chen's knife flashed, and he crumpled.

Lian moved just as swiftly. She ducked behind a shelf, waiting until one of the remaining two walked past her. A flick of her wrist, and her knife was buried deep in his ribs.

The last man realized too late what was happening. He grabbed for his gun—

Bang.

Chen's silenced pistol fired. The man collapsed.

The warehouse fell into silence.

Lian exhaled, wiping her blade clean. It was over.

Chen nudged one of the bodies with his boot. "They were prepared. They had food, supplies… They weren't just looters."

Lian frowned. He was right. These people hadn't come to steal they had come to settle.

Which meant someone had sent them.

And that someone might not be happy to lose them.

---

Unwanted Attention

They didn't waste time.

Chen dragged the bodies into the shadows while Lian searched their belongings. She found weapons, maps, and most importantly a radio.

She clicked it on. Static buzzed. Then—

"Team B, report. Did you secure the location?"

Lian's blood ran cold.

There were more of them.

She quickly turned off the radio. Chen glanced at her, his expression grim. "They'll know something went wrong when no one answers."

Lian cursed under her breath. They had assumed this was just a small group but this was organized. If these people had a 'Team B,' then how many more were out there?

"We need to fortify this place. Now," she said.

Chen nodded. "And we need Jiao and the others here before backup arrives."

Lian grabbed the radio again. If the enemy had a communication network, they could use it too.

She pressed the button and spoke, mimicking the clipped efficiency of a soldier.

"Team B secure. No threats. Continuing sweep."

She released the button, holding her breath.

Silence.

Then—

"Understood. Await further orders."

She exhaled. It worked.

But it wouldn't fool them forever.

Chen looked impressed. "That buys us a little time."

Lian nodded. "Then let's use it."

---

Reinforcements and Warnings

They worked fast.

Lian scouted the exits, blocking off weak points. Chen reinforced the main doors, setting up barricades. They moved with the efficiency of people who had already survived a lifetime in the apocalypse.

Within an hour, the warehouse was no longer just a building. It was a fortress.

Lian switched to her personal radio, contacting Jiao.

"We found a place. Get here now."

His reply was instant. "On our way."

She lowered the radio, scanning the darkened aisles of the warehouse. They had won this battle, but it had come at a cost. They weren't just fighting scavengers anymore.

Someone was organizing. Someone was preparing.

And with the apocalypse still months away, that meant only one thing—

Other people knew what was coming.

Chen touched her shoulder. "We'll be ready."

Lian nodded.

But deep inside, she knew—

Their second chance at survival was no longer just about zombies.

There were other players in this game.

And some of them were already far ahead.

---