Project: Teotwawki

c

Esther was about to go out when Xiaotang had heaved her arm with force.

"Don't go outside," I glanced at Xiaotang, and her eyes sparkle with trepidation. It's like something was wrong, and she didn't want to scare us.

"Why? Do you like me huh? You like me!" Esther grinned, emphasizing her plumpy cheeks.

"The level of confidence though." Keyin chuckled.

"Okay, go out." Xiaotang murmured as she pushes Esther towards the door. "This girl ugh!"

"I won't go out." Esther pouted.

The flames dispersed, yet the fog had already enveloped the area. Green ashes of smoke had left particles in the air, and I could swear it seems like dust but more terrifying.

For a second, the room fell in solid silence, and it was hurting my ears – vibration and statics in the air. The five of us were flabbergasted, when strident knocks had attacked the steel door.

"Don't open," Xiaotang whispered.

It felt something from a movie. It's like I was being watched by someone, and I can't help but to feel disturbed.

"Open, It's Jiaqi!" the knocks were continuous, and I'm so confuse. It was indeed Jiaqi's voice; why do we need to close the door on our old colleagues, and what are they doing here?

"Don't," Xiaotang was persistent.

"It's Liu Yuxin! Open the door!" Yuxin's voice felt so arousing, and I opened the steel door.

I fell in the trap – Yuxin is my weakness.

Keran, Yu Yan, Yuxin and Jiaqi ran inside, and had locked the door behind them. I'm star-struck by Yuxin – am I dreaming?

Liu Yuxin is beyond the word beautiful – handsome isn't even enough to describe how extravagant her features are. – The way she moves make my heart cartwheel in a really painful manner. All of her existence was all I ever wanted; I fell madly in love with her, and I have no one to blame.

Well, I can't really blame gravity for falling in love.

"Director Liu Yuxin," Keyin gave courtesy and so did I; Xiaotang was clearly upset, and it left a pinch of guilt in my conscience.

"Why are you here?" I've never seen Xiaotang so vigilant before, especially around Yuxin. It's odd but I'd let it slip away.

"We're here to save y'all." Keran answered.

"The world outside was beyond catastrophic, and the government needs your team – Our team." Yuxin gave emphasis on the last two words, before she beamed a sexy smirk.

"What do you mean?" An Qi furrowed her brows – a smile formed swiftly on her face.

"We're back," Jiaqi said. "Shangguan returned our positions."

"It's good to be back." Yu Yan's voice had calmed Xiaotang.

What's with Xiaotang though? – she's acting so strange. Maybe it was because of the liquor?

"Now, let's get going cause Shangguan needs us." Keran mumbled. Her childish features haven't fade in one bit; she was Lalisa's ex-lover by the way.

Lu Keran was charming than ever. I used to wonder why Lalisa had called her sexy, when in fact she's a total cutie for me. Well I guess it differed from one's perspective.

Keran handed out facial masks, and she walked past by my spot. But before I could even complain – I heard Yuxin's voice. "I miss you," my heart rate skyrocketed like an effing supersonic jet. Yuxin placed a strap on my ear, and I felt the twitch of my heart as it stumbled my words.

"Thanks," is all I could ever say.

Yuxin turned her back, and I smiled from ear to ear knowing that she's finally here. The motivation came back and I can't help but to smile inwardly.

Now I'll have the will to work, and we'll definitely be flooded with cases.

"Can you tell me what's really happening?" Esther complained.

"We'll let the president explain." Yu Yan replied.

Jiaqi went outside and the rest followed. Everything's a mess, and I could feel the rock-like grains in the air. The glasses are covered in molds? – I don't know, it's matcha-like and so viridescent.

"Are we attacked or something?" Esther shouted from under her mask.

"Can you just calm down?" Jiaqi answered, provoking an argument.

"No!" Esther replied back.

The entrance are filled by ambulance, and I almost forgot that it was the celebration for a new year – 2021. – The alcohol had diminished so quickly, as the events unfold further tragedies.

A couple of gurneys emerged from the establishment. Molded-like patients covered in greenish blankets. There faces were unrevealed, and it seems like they're lifeless?

What is happening?

"Wear this," I glanced at my shoulder and found Yuxin, handing me out her leather coat.

"No need, don't worry." I murmured. I tried my best to sound as timid as possible; though under my mask was a giddy smile of excitement.

"Tsk," she placed the coat on my shoulders, and walk past my spot. I could smell how lovely her perfume was – is this from men's? – I don't know, but I would love to shower under gallons of her cologne.

The events had happened so quick, and I didn't had the chance to process it.

The 4 lost members are back on duty, while China was dealing with an unknown disease.

Should I thank this holocaust for giving me another chance?

Wait — why am I calling this disaster a holocaust?

By the parking lot; were ambulance and police officers. All of them are wearing their personal protective equipment.

"Miss Liu," I happened to eavesdrop because Liu Yuxin was just in front of me. "Y'all should wear your own PPEs, cause this isn't just a normal disease."

"What do you mean?" Yuxin queried.

I thought this was just a skin disease?

"We'll explain more of it later."

One of the officers distributed our personal equipment. A streak of agitated blood had rushed into me, as I never – in my whole damn life – wear one of these gears.

Minutes had gone by, and we're all on our suits. I feel like I was wrapped in a plastic of some sort, and It's quite suffocating.

"Something in the air was killing people." I glanced at Xiaotang, and her expression was subtle. It's in between sincerity and coldness – what's happening? "I don't trust..."