Stockpiling Supplies&Raising a Child in a Post-Apocalyptic World by DrawingCards

Chapter 23

Even with the window open, the air was thick with the stench of blood and zombie fluids, adding an eerie atmosphere to the dark room.

"No, you rest. We'll leave early tomorrow. The hospital isn't safe," Lin Ran said, her voice tinged with fatigue but aware of the dangers. Closing her eyes now might mean never opening them again.

Mo Shuyu understood. Her strength was already waning after the day's events. She needed rest to avoid being a burden during their escape. Yet, sleeping in this environment scared her.

Lin Ran noticed her restless tossing and turning. She patted Mo Shuyu's shoulder, "Switch places. You sleep by the wall."

The corner where Lin Ran sat provided a natural sense of security. She hoped Mo Shuyu would feel safer there.

"Okay," Mo Shuyu replied softly. She switched places with Lin Ran, using her backpack as a pillow and feeling reassured with Lin Ran beside her. Her eyelids grew heavy, and soon she drifted off to sleep.

Lin Ran examined the medical office under the faint moonlight. The light only illuminated a short distance, leaving the four others in the room obscured.

She glanced down at Mo Shuyu, who was breathing steadily, indicating she was sound asleep. Lin Ran herself was exhausted, with her palms still stinging. However, she could keenly feel that after taking the genetic enhancement potion, her stamina had significantly improved. Given the intensity of the previous day's events, she should have needed at least a week to recover, but now, she felt about 60% restored after just one night.

As time passed, the sky began to lighten. Lin Ran yawned and checked her phone; it was already 5 AM.

She stood up, stretched her muscles, and found that aside from the pain in her hands, the rest of her body was in good shape. Normally, after such strenuous activity, her legs should have been sore, but they felt fine, only a bit empty.

The sound of Lin Ran pacing woke up the people across from her. Zhang Fan cautiously held a wooden stool in front of his chest, eyeing Lin Ran warily and waking up his three companions.

They all stared at Lin Ran, looking as if she might attack them at any moment. Lin Ran snorted, finding their reaction ridiculous.

After a simple stretch, Lin Ran took out some water to rinse her mouth and then retrieved some small bread rolls and pickled vegetables from her backpack.

The smell of the pickled vegetables woke up Mo Shuyu, who, after the previous day's exertion, was quite hungry despite having eaten before. She rubbed her eyes and saw that the four people across the room were also awake, cursing herself for sleeping so deeply. If it weren't for Lin Ran, she wouldn't have dared sleep so soundly.

Feeling hungry, Mo Shuyu knew the food in the backpack belonged to Lin Ran, who had no obligation to share. She averted her gaze and took out her phone to send a message home.

Opening WeChat, she saw many messages from her mother and began to read them one by one.

Cheng Yanhong: "Xiaoyu, how are you? Is everything okay over there?"

Cheng Yanhong: "Ruan Ruan asked about you before bed. But don't rush back, staying safe is the most important."

Cheng Yanhong: "It's 4 AM, and there were horrific screams downstairs again. Someone else seems to have been eaten by the monsters."

Cheng Yanhong: "Please don't scare me. If you're safe, send me a message to ease my mind."

Mo Shuyu quickly typed a response and sent it.

Mo Shuyu: "Mom, I'm okay. I'm with Lin Ran now, our neighbor. I won't go into details, but we should be able to return to the community today. Remember, don't open the door for anyone, no matter what!"