Natural Disaster: Back to the End of the World

Part 9

Yao Ziqing extended his left hand, revealing the glaring red mark that looked like a ring of fiery flames.

Lei Xiao had been so preoccupied with Yao Ziqing's thinness and his recent crying that he hadn't noticed this detail before.

Seeing the bright red mark on Yao Ziqing's pale index finger, Lei Xiao's pupils contracted. His voice grew serious.

"Who gave you this?"

Lei Xiao knew that Yao Ziqing wouldn't get a tattoo, and his first thought was that Yao Ziqing had been forcibly involved in some cult or organization that branded him.

His mind raced through various possible organizations in the country, but none matched the description of this red mark.

Yao Ziqing lowered his head, gently touching the red mark without daring to meet his second brother's intense gaze, fearing those sharp eyes would see through him.

"A while ago, the weather suddenly changed, and I got sick. One night, my hand suddenly felt hot and painful, and then this red mark appeared. After that, I recovered."

Lei Xiao frowned deeply, examining the mark on Yao Ziqing's hand closely. The more he looked, the more serious his expression became.

It didn't look like a tattoo but rather a birthmark.

"What do you feel now?"

Yao Ziqing shook his head. "Nothing, except..."

Lei Xiao looked at him, his worry and tension evident in his eyes.

Yao Ziqing avoided his gaze and looked at his own hand.

"There's a strong sense of foreboding, and this red mark seems to represent a space."

Lei Xiao felt a sudden jolt of fear, as if something uncontrollable was about to happen.

Yao Ziqing turned his palm upwards, and an apple appeared out of nowhere.

Lei Xiao took the apple, which still had a noticeable fruity aroma. His pupils narrowed sharply, and his temples twitched.

Yao Ziqing tried to remain calm and waited for his second brother's reaction.

Lei Xiao wasn't panicking about the supernatural event; he was more concerned about the impact on Yao Ziqing's health and the consequences of having such a mark.

He started to ask more detailed questions but saw Yao Ziqing's anxious expression and felt a pang of sympathy.

"It's okay. Don't worry, Yao Ziqing. Who else knows about this? Has anyone else seen this mark?"

Yao Ziqing shook his head. "I haven't told anyone, not even big brother or grandma. No one else has seen it."

Thinking of Yao Ziqing's earlier comments, Lei Xiao asked, "You mentioned a premonition. What kind of premonition? Is it related to this mark?"

"It's not about the mark. It's just a feeling—fear, despair, hunger, and a strong desire to survive. It's like something terrible is about to happen."

Yao Ziqing had to use vague terms; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to explain clearly. If he went into too much detail about the premonitions or dreams, it would be like predicting the future, which would be difficult to reconcile with the reality of the apocalypse after two years.

After listening to Yao Ziqing, Lei Xiao fell silent for a moment. After asking some more detailed questions and seeing that Yao Ziqing was also unclear, he decided not to press further about the red mark.

"Don't use this space recklessly in the future. I'll arrange for an examination for you, and until the results are out, you need to stay here and not go anywhere."