“Wang Song, are you sure you don’t have even a single wound on you?”
The deputy station chief tried his best to keep his voice calm.
Wang Song quickly walked back. The young man was full of energy; his hair had almost dried, and he looked much more alert.
“Yes,” he nodded.
“Where are the rest of you?” the deputy station chief looked at the other three police officers. One formal officer and two auxiliary officers—brothers he had worked with day and night. They went on patrols together, got off work together, and even played cards together.
All three officers were visibly shaken by the scene outside and quickly replied:
The deputy station chief nodded.
He removed his equipment one by one—walkie-talkie, pistol, duty belt, stab-proof vest—and handed them to Wang Song, along with his phone.
“Wang Song, you’re not injured. No risk of infection for now. I’m handing you communication duties.”
“Give this equipment to the woman and the child. You will be responsible for protecting them and the elderly.”
“Gather as much food and water as you can. Stay indoors. Until rescue arrives, do not go out unless absolutely safe.”
Wang Song’s lips trembled. “Captain… you…”
Was he being grouped with women, children, and the elderly? No—he could still fight…
The deputy station chief held out his hand. After a moment of hesitation, Wang Song shook it.
The others also placed their hands on top of each other—like they always did before group work activities—symbolizing unity.
“I’m in a very bad condition now,” the deputy station chief said.
“Fever. Thirst. Hunger. Muscle spasms. Stiff limbs. My thinking is becoming unclear.”
“I’ve definitely been infected. I don’t know if I’ll become like Section Chief Huang… and start biting people soon.”
“My parents are old. My wife is taking care of two children. My eldest is in senior high school, my youngest is in elementary school…”
“If I turn into one of those monsters tonight, and you make it back safely… please take care of my family for me.”
Wang Song’s eyes turned red.
The deputy station chief continued, weaker and weaker:
“Wang Song is the youngest, unmarried, and uninjured. The woman and child need protection, so I’m giving him the gun and radio. Any objections?”
“No,” the others quickly shook their heads.
“We understand.”
“We’ll protect them.”
“We’re brothers, no need to say that.”
The deputy station chief nodded with relief. He tried to smile, but his expression twisted awkwardly.
“You three only have scratches. After emergency treatment, you may not be infected.”
“But stay away from the woman and child. Lock yourselves in another room.”
“If any of you start showing symptoms like mine… leave the building immediately.”
“Don’t hesitate and drag others down.”
He paused.
“Also… if we manage to escape later, don’t rush home.”
“This disease is strange… if it spreads like COVID did before, it could destroy entire families.”
“Trust the organization. Trust the state. At most, it’s just another epidemic—it will be controlled.”
The three officers responded hoarsely:
“…Captain…”
The deputy station chief slowly stood up and took out a Party badge from his pocket.
“Liang Huai, you’re already an active development candidate… even though the procedure isn’t finished…”
He handed it over.
“Consider this an early gift.”
Liang Huai held the badge tightly, trembling. The deputy station chief had been his Party introduction sponsor. He was supposed to officially pin this badge on him in a week.
If everything had gone smoothly… he would have been the one to give him his first badge.
“The infected outside have been lured away. I’ll go downstairs and rest somewhere.”
“If I knock on the door later, the password will be: ‘Serve the people, strict discipline.’”
This was part of the police oath every officer memorized.
“If you can’t say the password, don’t open the door.”
“And if you need to rescue others—act within your ability. Don’t be reckless.”
He leaned heavily against the sofa, breathing harder. His legs no longer hurt—but half his body was going numb.
“I’m going now. Take care.”
Wang Song opened the door for him with trembling hands.
The deputy station chief limped out.
He turned back. His eyes were already faintly red.
“If I really lose control… and start biting people… shoot me in the head.”
He gave a faint, relieved smile—and closed the door behind him.
Inside, Liang Huai wiped away his tears. His expression turned numb from overwhelming grief.
Now was not the time to break down.
He turned to the elderly woman, who was also teary-eyed:
“Ma’am, please find us some food and water. We’ll stay in another room.”
She nodded.
Time passed in the dim room.
Wang Song sat by the window, expression blank.
The radio crackled intermittently, but no clear messages came through.
The storm outside was still raging. Lightning interference disrupted communication.
He sent a message reporting the deputy station chief’s infection—but whether it would be received was uncertain.
He stared at his phone.
No signal.
He gave a bitter laugh.
Then—
Two loud car horns cut through the stormy night.
Everyone woke up instantly.
Wang Song rushed to the window.
Outside—
He saw a familiar figure in uniform.
It was the deputy station chief.
But he was moving strangely.
Stiff.
Unnatural.
Then suddenly—
He lunged at a town official.
Chaos erupted.
From inside the house, the officers watched in horror as the situation spiraled.
More infected people were gathering outside.
And then—
The deputy station chief had completely lost control.
At the same time, chaos unfolded outside the village office.
One vehicle tried to escape.
A female driver slammed the accelerator without hesitation.
The SUV tore through fences, gardens, bamboo barriers—anything in its way.
People were screaming.
The infected were everywhere.
A man barely managed to jump into the backseat before the car surged forward.
The door wasn’t even closed.
“Retreat!!!”
The old village cadre Mao shouted through blood and pain as he was bitten and torn.
“Don’t hesitate! Save yourselves first!”
“I order you as your old squad leader—RETREAT!!! I take full responsibility!!!”