Back at the prison, everyone remained silent, careful not to disturb the zombie gathering outside the walls. Climbing the watchtower, I observed the horde—they were still aimlessly shuffling, looking utterly bored!
We quickly convened an emergency meeting. Everyone was briefed on our reconnaissance and the plan. Chen Hao, Zhi Qiang, and De Yi—the three SWAT officers—were introduced and officially joined our group.
The elderly, women, and children gathered their belongings and quietly boarded the bus in an orderly manner. Everyone else took their positions—some in vehicles, others standing guard by the gates with shovels, ready to clear the path. Xiao Chao sat grimly in the bulldozer, awaiting our signal from the watchtower to smash through the newly built wall.
Time crawled. The wait felt endless. Jianan, Yan Quan, Yang Guang, and I lay low in the watchtower, anxiously watching the direction of the SWAT base. Lao Deng, it's all up to you now!
For two long hours, I monitored the zombies outside. They wandered randomly, sometimes bumping into each other and snarling—but only with expressions, never physical fights. In that way, they were better than humans—no petty infighting. They reserved their full fury for live prey, holding nothing back.
Many were残缺 (mutilated) zombies—only upper bodies left, dragging themselves along the ground. None of the other zombies trampled them. Such sights were common—victims bitten, turned, and partially devoured. Zombies loved tearing open abdomens, devouring organs, and gnawing waistlines. Thighs were also favorites—when a horde swarmed a victim, those on the outskirts would often rip off legs. So when the victim turned, only the upper torso remained semi-intact.
Finally, two hours passed! From the southern gate came a sharp crack!—like a firecracker. Then a second, a third… more shots!
The zombies outside the prison suddenly had a purpose. All heads turned toward the southern city. My heart leapt—Lao Deng, you legend! The plan's working!
Growl… growl…The zombies' dead eyes widened, foul drool dripping as they dragged broken limbs, surging toward the southern city—well, "surging" at their sluggish pace. Even hungry and urgent, they moved with agonizing slowness.
By the time they arrived, the excitement would be long over! Never had I wished so hard for zombies to move faster. Hesitant, indecisive—to go or not? To eat or not? Isn't your instinct to feed? The dinner bell's ringing! Stop being shy!
We couldn't signal Xiao Chao to bring down the wall until the horde cleared the northern route. We needed a clean path for the convoy.
Just as I was about to lose my mind, the zombies finally trickled toward the southern streets.
I rose to signal Xiao Chao, but Jianan pulled me down. "Wait! Look!" He pointed at the streets leading north—the route we needed to take.
My heart sank. Damn these rotten, directionally challenged bastards!A significant number of lost zombies were still shuffling aimlessly along our intended path, confused and slow, unable to locate the gunshots. Some people had poor directional sense alive—and apparently, death didn't fix that!
If we appeared now, we'd be in deep trouble. Their numbers could block the convoy. Even with a bulldozer, we couldn't plow through so many eager meat-lovers…
Lao Deng had successfully lured the main horde south, clearing the prison entrance. But these lost zombies now blocked our northern escape.
"We can't move yet. There are too many. Charging through is suicide. We need another plan," Yan Quan said, his voice back to its usual firmness. During the siege, he'd been whispering, almost turning into a "Yan Eunuch"!
"When Lao Deng reaches the northern gate and doesn't find us, he'll know we're in trouble. He'll figure something out," Chen Hao said behind me. A sharp young man—I was glad to have an armed SWAT officer watching our backs. Firepower beat blades any day!
But we couldn't rely solely on Lao Deng. The south was swarming with zombies he'd lured away; the north was blocked by stragglers. Returning to the SWAT base or reaching the prison would be tough for him now.
Xiao Chao gestured impatiently from below: What's the holdup?!
Our grim faces as we descended the watchtower said it all: the plan had failed. We were stuck.
"Sis Duo! Let us three return to the SWAT base. This time, we won't leave the city—we'll go downtown and lure the northern zombies south!" The three young SWAT officers Lao Deng had entrusted to us immediately volunteered.
"That's even riskier than Lao Deng's mission! The horde was mostly around the prison earlier, so he could drive south easily. But you'd be heading into the city center—high chance of getting surrounded!" I refused without hesitation, looking at their young faces.
Lao Deng had risked his life for us and entrusted these three to our care. Sending them to their deaths was unthinkable—we'd never forgive ourselves, and we could never face Lao Deng.
"Sis Duo, Lao Deng's team probably can't get back into the city now. We can't just wait. If the zombies he lured away return, his efforts were for nothing. While the prison entrance is clear, we'll start from the SWAT base and lure the stragglers away. You seize the chance to escape! Don't worry—we're elite units, highly trained. Zombies surrounding us? They'd need the skills!" De Yi said confidently.
"Yeah, our training is intense. Zombies are only dangerous in numbers—slow, fragile skulls. And we have guns and ammo. Taking them down is easy!" Zhi Qiang emphasized their prowess.
"I'll go with them," Yang Guang added, armed like an arms dealer.
I hesitated…
When unsure, I always looked to my husband, Jianan… He was my anchor.
"I agree!" To my surprise, Jianan didn't hesitate.
"We'll go with them! Strength in numbers. Duo, protect Mom, Dad, and Shuai Shuai. Your husband has guns and bullets now—time to blast some zombies! Yang Guang, Yan Quan, let's go!" Jianan brandished the submachine gun he'd gotten from the SWAT base.
"Guns in hand, fear be damned! Heh, time to teach those grandsons a lesson!" Yan Quan patted his weapon, grinning.
So that's why Jianan agreed so readily—he planned to risk it himself!
Seeing these fearless men, I felt a surge of pride and wished I could grab two guns and join them!
"No matter how skilled you are, don't get reckless. Lure, don't fight. If things go south, run. Understand?" I said, my eyes locked on Jianan. I knew the risks, but I couldn't stop him. He was a leader—if danger called, he'd answer.
"Don't worry, Sis Duo! We'll protect Brother Jianan!" Chen Hao, sharp as ever, noticed my concern.
"That's not what I meant! I'm not worried about Jianan—he's always protected everyone, including you, understand?" I flushed, covering it with a stern glare. Chen Hao ducked behind De Yi, smirking.
"Yeah, yeah! So you're a hotshot SWAT officer? Don't think we're useless! We've fought our way through blood and chaos! We've forgotten more than you kids know!" Yan Quan postured, eager to prove his mettle.
The tense atmosphere lifted with laughter. Time was critical. Chen Hao's trio and Jianan's trio—six men total, loaded with ammo—headed back through the tunnel to the SWAT base, where a stocked off-road vehicle awaited.