Ning Hangyi: A game that must be fouled

Chapter 8 The Living Dead Act

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On April 201, 4X, Easter Day, tens of thousands of people gathered on the street in front of the Capitol in Atlanta, USA, blocking the road.People held up various signs and banners and shouted loudly, demanding that the state government "restore the right of the individual to become a living dead";
On the same day (possibly due to the impact and influence of Atlanta), Belgium's Grand Place and Czech Republic's Prague Square also gathered tens of thousands of people at the same time unprecedentedly.These people are obviously not tourists.They held up all kinds of signs, which read "My body is in charge", "Let the living dead come among us", "I am the living dead, take me away" and so on;
On May 201, 5X, a demonstration of ten thousand people demanding that the government formulate a "living dead law" that conforms to public opinion broke out again in various places, this time on a global scale—Moscow Red Square, Buenos Aires May Square, Shinjuku Avenue in Tokyo, Times Square in New York, Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, King's New Square in Copenhagen, Constitution Square in San Diego...the scope covers almost the whole world;
In addition to the people's parade, some world-renowned organizations, including religious leaders, have also seized their positions.The Vatican – which has historically been on the wrong side of scientific debates – has played it safe this time, holding back until now, saying only that the Pope will speak on the issue soon;

In contrast, the Jews and Muslims in the Holy Land of Jerusalem actually reached a consensus on this issue. Representatives of the two religions declared on different occasions that "if the living dead are the direction that God (Allah) guides us, then We should obey the arrangement of God (Allah)”;
Afterwards, a Hindu leader declared in Calcutta that he supported the attitude expressed by Western religions—his speech was pointed out by foreign media, which may have come from some domestic pressure in India.Because there were demonstrations of different sizes in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.In addition to calling for the establishment of the living dead law, the voices of the people also demanded that the government release the living dead held in isolation.The marchers wore robes, held candles, and some knelt on the ground and shouted slogans-"The living dead are our relatives, they want to go home";
In view of the pressure exerted by the people everywhere and the obvious inclinations expressed by various religions, the White House spokesman said that the people should give the government some time, after all, through such a policy that concerns all mankind (considering the possible consequences of the United States to other countries in the world) The impact of major bills) cannot be decided so easily, and it needs to be negotiated by multiple parties.

……

Apparently, the world has gone mad—a phrase my dad often used to say.

As the son of a famous social psychologist and legal scientist, I have inherited some ability to analyze things rationally.That's why I can sit here and talk about these crazy things.Although my tone may sound old-fashioned, I declare that I am only 17 years old and a sophomore in high school.I live in—in the words of my friend Feng Lun—the "zombie era".

The new thing of the living dead (some people also call it zombies, such as Feng Lun, a zombie fan) appeared about five years ago.At that time, I had just graduated from elementary school and was enjoying a pleasant summer vacation.One evening, I saw a news report on the TV at home, saying that a strange virus had appeared in Madeira, a city in Mexico. The man miraculously “comes to life”—even though, biologically speaking, it is not a living person.Because "his" heartbeat stopped and brain activity stopped, he no longer had any vital signs.But what was horrifying was that "he" was able to walk around on the ground and make some simple movements—the hospital staff had never encountered such a strange thing, and they were all terrified and helpless.In the end, the miraculously "resurrected" patient was isolated and shut down in the hospital, waiting for further research by medical experts.Because the condition of contracting this virus is similar to that of the living dead in literature and film and television works, the hospital in Mexico named the virus "living dead virus"—"solanum virus" in English—and has been using it ever since to date.

That's roughly what the news is about.You can imagine the shock it brought to me - and the hundreds of millions of people around the world who saw this news.But the shock was much more than that, what really drove the world crazy was the following series of news events - almost within a few days - in different parts of the United States, China, Tanzania, South Korea, Egypt, Australia, Germany, etc. , have found such strange cases.It seems that in an instant, the virus spread to all parts of the world - and this is impossible - no virus can cross five continents, or even travel around the world in a few days.This phenomenon can only prove one thing—the zombie virus did not spread from Mexico, but was bred all over the world at the same time.As for why it suddenly appeared, it has been a mystery until now.

Obviously, in the early days of this incident, the world was full of horror and panic, just like several plagues in history, people were terrified and afraid to avoid it.Religious believers claim that the Judgment Day has finally come, and the appearance of the living dead is the ultimate punishment given to mankind by God.

But to the surprise of the whole world, about half a year later, things changed dramatically.The successive incidents made people gradually feel that the virus of the living dead may not be a punishment from God, but may be a gift from God to mankind.

The first event with a huge impact was that the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the results of their six-month study.According to the research report, the infection mode of solanum virus is transmitted by blood and body fluids, that is to say, as long as there is normal communication and contact with the living dead, it will not be infected.And the important point is that the living dead will not attack humans and turn more people into their kind as described in horror movies-the classic setting in this type of movie is purely over-developed imagination.According to scientists who have been in close contact with the living dead for half a year, they are found to be completely harmless—even, the report claims in an obviously joking tone—it may be more pleasant to be with them than with ordinary humans. Safe (there are liars, robbers, murderers and other dangerous characters among normal humans), they are as docile as small animals.

In addition, this study of the living dead reveals some interesting details, which have become the key to people's new look at the living dead——

First, the digestive system and circulatory system in the body of the living dead are useless.This means that a living dead person can "survive" without eating;
Second, the living dead will not show any material needs in human life (such as hunger, drinking water, rest, etc.), and can be regarded as a completely self-sufficient creature;

Third, the living dead have no sense of pain—meaning they are immune to disease and pain;

Fourth, the living dead are not completely devoid of brain activity and thinking, as people thought when they first appeared.In fact, their brains retain some thinking similar to that of lower animals, enabling them to make some instinctive reactions, such as turning around when they are called.

Originally—I guess—the original intention of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences to publish these research results was to dispel people's panic about the living dead and the solanum virus.But some people have formed an extreme understanding on this basis-they believe that the emergence of the living dead has realized the three major dreams of human beings from a certain angle:

[-]. Immortality;
[-]. Can live without eating;

[-]. Get rid of pain.

So, about a year after the solanum virus appeared, the world ushered in the first person who voluntarily became a living dead.

An AIDS patient in Tunisia, because he couldn't bear the double torture of terminal illness on body and mind, and couldn't bear the huge medical expenses, took the initiative to contact a woman with solanum virus (the woman hadn't turned into a living dead at the time) , instead of having sex, he was successfully infected with the zombie virus.

After a period of time, the AIDS patient turned into a living dead, completely freed from the torment of the disease, and transformed into another new life form.According to media follow-up reports, it has been five years now, and he is still "living" well.

This incident caused an uproar all over the world, and some people who had a similar experience with this Tunisian seemed to have gained some kind of enlightenment-instead of enduring all kinds of pain in life, it is better to be relieved in this way, to gain a new perspective from another perspective. "eternal life".

A new batch of human beings who took the initiative to become the living dead were born one after another in this way——

A high school student in Sapporo, Japan, lost his belief in living because he failed the college entrance examination for three consecutive years and broke up with his girlfriend.He originally wanted to commit suicide, so he adopted a "compromise" method - he found a person infected with the zombie virus and drew his blood...

A businessman in Erhovo, Bulgaria owed huge debts due to company bankruptcy, and finally chose to escape life by turning into a living dead;

Worst Ethiopian family ever.The four members of this family turned into the living dead collectively, and there was only one reason—too poor.In the case of chronic lack of food, they simply chose never to eat.The family is said to have been ecstatic and cheering for their new life after struggling to find a local living dead.

In the beginning, those who chose to become the living dead were those who had some kind of tragic and painful experience.Later, some well-off and even enviable people joined the camp of the living dead for inexplicable and inexplicable reasons.

A billionaire in his seventies in Leeds, England, realizes that his time on earth may not be long. He used to fantasize about being with his estate and wealth forever - apparently, after the appearance of the living dead, he found method.

If I can understand the idea of ​​this rich man, then the idea of ​​the famous Brazilian female model is really incredible.She is only 47 years old and does not have any diseases.The only reason she chose to become a living dead was—to keep her beauty forever.Before that, she had said on a TV show that one of the things she couldn't stand was watching herself age.When she became the living dead, people realized that this was the way to realize her dream.

There are too many similar examples to list them all.Starting from the first Tunisian who voluntarily became the living dead, thousands of people all over the world joined this rank one after another.There is no doubt that the heads of government of various countries are panicking.When they found that the momentum of spontaneously turning into undead was out of control, they realized that they had to take coercive measures to control the development of the situation-they didn't want to see their country eventually paralyzed because of the gradual increase of undead.

Therefore, all countries have adopted corresponding coercive measures to limit the increase of the living dead.All kinds of armed forces isolated and shut down all the living dead in the country—including those who were infected with the zombie virus and had not yet turned into living dead (solanum virus has a certain incubation period)—so that people could not get in touch with them. .But this move seemed too authoritarian and tyrannical, which aroused public anger, which is why a series of large-scale demonstrations in the world later appeared.

Now, countries all over the world are facing a problem-the government must come up with a set of policies or laws about the living dead.The challenge for the authorities is to strike a balance between control and compromise.

Having said so much about this era and the overall state of the world, I now feel that it is time to narrow down the topic—and return to myself.

I live in China, Beijing.

My family is a family of scholars. My father is a well-known social psychologist and anthropologist, and my mother is a well-known legal scientist. Both of them are important figures in academia.I also have an older brother who is a graduate student in a first-class university in China, majoring in biology, and will be graduating this semester.

I say this, maybe you haven't realized how special my family is.Then let me make it clear—whether China establishes the "Law of the Living Dead", or what the content and regulations of this set of laws are, my parents' opinions will account for a large proportion.

But my father used to say that the world had gone mad—and you could see his tendencies in that line.

That's right, he's a man who's adamantly opposed to turning humans into the living dead.Under his influence, my mother, brother, and I also took a negative attitude towards this matter.

My father believes that no matter what kind of adversity people come from, they should maintain the most basic humanity and dignity as a "human being".He felt that if a person becomes a living dead, although he will get rid of some pain and troubles, but at the same time he will lose the fun and meaning of being a human being.From that moment on, he (she) is no longer a human being, but a degenerate lower animal—a state of existence that should be despised.

Moreover, he also has a theory, or a hunch, which he only told us at home, and has never been published in any public place-he is afraid that such remarks will cause social panic.

In my father's view, the presence of the living dead does not seem to cause any harm or confusion at present, and is even considered a blessing to some people in trouble.However, he had a vague feeling that this was just a prelude, a brief tranquility before some kind of devastating catastrophe—like the calm before the storm.

To be honest, I don't understand the source or basis of my father's concern.Even, I don't care about whether there will be any catastrophe or terrible things in the future. I only care about one thing now-myself.

There is a secret that I have been keeping from my family for days.

When I was having dinner the day before yesterday, I pretended to ask a question casually at the dinner table-how would it feel for the living dead to exist in this world?

My father replied that this question is meaningless, like you are trying to understand a goldfish or an ant (he first said a dog, then changed it to an ant, maybe he thinks a dog is more advanced than a living dead ) is simply impossible.My mother replied curtly that she didn't know.And my brother, who was texting on his cell phone, didn't seem to hear my question at all.

None of them realized that I was not asking this question out of boredom, curiosity, or pointlessness—in fact, I was terrified when I asked it—because this question was closely related to my future destiny.

Maybe... in a few days or ten days, I will become a living dead.

一
Things have to start from last Sunday.

At noon that day, I received a call from Feng Lun, asking me to go to his house to play in the afternoon.At that time, I was bored at home and told him that I would come over now if there was no afternoon.He looked very happy.

As one of my few good friends, Feng Lun is one of the most distinctive ones.As I mentioned before, he's an out-and-out zombie fan.And what I want to emphasize is that this is something that has been determined before the world has ushered in the "zombie era".In my impression, he has almost no entertainment other than watching zombie movies (including comics) and playing zombie games.Under his strong recommendation, I also watched many classic zombie movies - "Dawn of the Dead", "28 Days Later", "The Walking Dead", "I Am Legend" and so on.Of course, I also watched a lot of bad movies, so I won’t list the titles.The difference with Feng Lun is that no matter how much I watch, I will only regard it as a kind of entertainment, and I will not love it like him.I never understood how something as disgusting as zombies could be so fascinating.Maybe it's my family reason?The orthodox education I received from a young age probably only allowed me to like elegant films such as "The Pianist on the Sea" and "The Reader".

One can imagine how excited someone like Feng Lun would be when he found out that he really ushered in the era of zombies.It's almost like a crazy movie obsessed person who wakes up and finds himself in Hollywood.I can still recall Feng Lun's ecstatic appearance five years ago (I really can't understand what he was happy about).

But there is one thing, it seems that God is deliberately against him - until now, for more than five years, Feng Lun has never seen a real living dead (not counting on TV).Of course, I haven't seen it either.But the difference is that I think this is a kind of luck, but he thinks it is a great regret.This has also become one of the things he complained to me the most.

In fact, this is not surprising. As I said before, the government's control and prevention of the living dead simply surpass everything.As long as there is even a suspected case with the characteristics of a zombie virus in a certain place, that person will immediately disappear from the public's sight.As for whether he (she) can come back, it depends on whether he (she) is really infected with the virus.So, even though we live in the era of zombies, the probability of actually encountering a zombie on the street is even lower than meeting Brad Pitt when we go shopping.

When I was thinking about this, I had already arrived at the gate of the community where Feng Lun's house was located - his house was very close to my house, just a few blocks away.The two of us often visit each other, and each other is a frequent visitor to each other's home.

Feng Lun's house is on the first floor, and I rang the doorbell.Soon I heard the response from the room: "The door is unlocked, just push the door and come in."

I went into the foyer of his house, took out a pair of slippers from the shoe cabinet, and changed into them.Our visits have always been so casual.

Walking into the living room, I saw Feng Lun shirtless, sitting cross-legged on the floor, playing a game "Dead Rising 3" on the Xbox, I rolled my eyes, and felt that his entertainment method was nothing new at all.But having said that, if one day I came to his house to play and found him reading a copy of "A Tale of Two Cities", I would be taken aback, thinking that he himself might have been kidnapped, and what I saw was a hallucination.

Feng Lun turned around and greeted me: "Luo Chen, you're here."

I looked around his huge and luxuriously decorated house: "Where are your parents, aren't they at home?"

"They're not at home all day, I don't know what they're busy with." Feng Lun shrugged his shoulders. "But that's the best way to be more comfortable."

Feng Lun's father was the boss of a trading company. He had a big business and often went out to socialize.His mother is the general manager of the branch and doesn't spend much time at home.Feng Lun has long been used to this kind of life, so he is much more independent than the average 17-year-old boy.His parents didn't know whether it was because they wanted to make up for their son materially, or because they really didn't take money seriously—they got him several bank cards and credit cards, the amount of which was beyond the imagination of ordinary high school students.To be honest, I am somewhat envious.But my dad has repeatedly expressed his disapproval of this way of educating children.

"Do you want to play?" Feng Lun handed me the wireless controller.

"I don't know how to play, let's watch you play—is there any water, I'm thirsty."

"There's Coke and beer in the fridge. Take what you want."

I went to get a can of iced pineapple beer, took a sip, and the icy taste was refreshing.In fact, I usually don't drink alcohol at all, but I don't know why, but at Feng Lun's house, I always feel that I should let myself indulge.

I sat next to Feng Lun, drinking beer, and watching the TV screen - batches of zombies attacking the protagonist were headshot with guns, which can be described as clean and neat.Technical proficiency shows that the manipulator has already mastered the game.

After watching it for a while, I couldn't help asking: "Is it interesting?"

Feng Lun pressed the pause button on the handle and turned to look at me. "It's boring, it's really boring. I don't know how many times I have cleared this game."

"Then you still play?"

Feng Lun sighed. "No way, there are no new zombie games now—movies too, it seems that it is difficult to make a breakthrough in this kind of subject matter."

"I guess it's because people don't want to see this kind of thing in the fictional world after zombies appear in reality."

"Maybe." He paused for a moment. "If only I could live in the world in the game."

I stared into his eyes and reminded, "This is the world you live in."

Feng Lun shook his head, indicating that I did not understand what he meant. "I thought so at first, but now I understand that zombies in reality are not the same as those in games and movies. They will neither attack humans nor appear in the streets to scare people. Really boring."

I frowned. "Don't you want it to be like this?"

Feng Lun made a movement of swinging a bat to hit the zombie's head. "Don't you think that would be exciting?"

"I'd feel sick."

Feng Lun pouted. "You are such a nerd." He clenched his fists and flexed the muscles in his arms. "You should, like me, long for a fight."

"Really?" I sneered, "I hope that if one day you turn into a zombie, you will still maintain this idea."

He rested his chin and seemed to be thinking about what I said.After a while, he said, "To be honest, it would be pretty cool if you really turned into a zombie."

My expression turned serious. "You don't mean it, do you?"

Feng Lun stared at me for a few seconds, and laughed loudly: "Of course not, I was joking! Look at you, how can you take it so easily?"

I have a feeling of being tricked by him, but I have nothing to do with him.

"Okay, let's go out and play. How about my treat?" Feng Lun patted me on the shoulder, stood up from the ground, and turned off the TV and game consoles.

"Where can we go to play on such a hot day?" It's June, and the city of Beijing is like a big oven.

"Look for a cool place to play." Feng Lun put on his T-shirt. "Let's go."

After going out, I really can't think of where I can go to play-it's impossible for us two big boys to visit the Summer Palace.At first I thought that Feng Lun had some good suggestions, but I should have realized that he is not a creative person.As a result, we just moved from one gaming location to another bigger gaming location — we spent over an hour in one of the big arcade arcades.

Watching me come out of the video game city dejectedly, Feng Lun realized that he seems to have arranged a dull afternoon.In order to make up, he suggested: "Let's go to Haagen-Dazs, and I'll treat you to ice cream."

Haagen-Dazs?Going to that kind of place makes us look like lovers.But who cares, if this kind of extravagant food is not a treat for the rich and the young, I would not be willing to spend my own money to eat it.Since he wants to treat guests, why should I not go?
We took a taxi and came to the ice shop full of petty bourgeoisie.After sitting down at a table, Feng Lun said to the waitress, "An ice cream hot pot set meal."

"Can the two of us finish eating?" I asked.

"You can eat as much as you can eat." Fu Shao said.

After a while, the delicious and tempting ice cream hot pot was brought to us.When these cute little snowballs dipped in chocolate sauce slide into my mouth, I have to admit that it is indeed a wonderful treat.

Feng Lun swallowed several ice cream balls in the blink of an eye, and he seemed to enjoy eating.I joked: "If you become a zombie, you won't be able to taste these delicacies."

"True." To this, he agreed, and then added, "But that's not what I care about the most."

"Then what do you care about?" I forked a piece of two-color cream ice cream like a small cake and put it into my mouth.

Feng Lun pointed to my oblique rear with the small fork in his hand. "Where."

I turned my head and looked over, and saw on a small table by the window, a young girl in a short skirt, showing a pair of slender and slender legs was sitting there alone, licking a mini cup gracefully with her orchid fingers raised.

"Oh." I laughed dumbfounded, "You are simply a beast."

"Don't say you're not interested in such a beauty."

In front of a guy like Feng Lun, I always try my best to maintain an image of a gentleman, otherwise the two of us will be regarded as representatives of dudes by others. "The essential difference between me and you is that I use my brain to think about problems, while you use other parts."

"Okay, don't be so serious." He was completely attracted by the beauty, and he didn't hear the irony in my words, and whispered, "I'm not that kind of nympho, but this girl is really the best. I dare Said that her legs are unmatched by girls in our school."

I noticed that his gaze was still on the beautiful woman's jade legs, and I reminded: "Can you be more reserved? If you keep staring at someone like this, it would be very rude if she notices it."

"What does that matter? Maybe she will be attracted to me after she notices me? A beautiful woman sitting alone in a place like Haagen-Dazs may be waiting for a romantic encounter."

My goodness, I guess he's already fantasizing about dating this girl.To show that I am not his kind, I focus my gaze in the exact opposite direction.Only then did I see someone I knew sitting over there.

After a while, the beauty really noticed Feng Lun's "persistent" attention to her—different from what she had imagined—she stood up and walked out of the ice cream shop.Feng Lun sighed in disappointment. At this moment, he noticed that I was staring obliquely ahead and had stopped eating ice cream.

"Hey, you won't find a certain beauty again, will you?" He said, turning his head and following my line of sight.I found that what I had been watching was a middle-aged man in his 40s.

"Who is he?" Feng Lun asked.

"The owner of a bookstore I frequent."

"What are you staring at him for?"

"I think... something is wrong with him." I said hesitantly.

"What's wrong?" Feng Lun glanced at the man again, and saw that his head was bowed, his face was pale and his expression was dull.

"Just now the waiter went over to ask him what he wanted, but he didn't say a word, didn't even look at the waiter, just sat there blankly for a long time."

"Did he get hit by something? Do you want to go over and say hello?" Feng Lun asked.

That's what I wanted to do, but... at this moment I had to share my horrific discovery: "He looks very different from usual. And... if I hadn't been dazzled..."

I stopped, looking dazed.Feng Lun seemed to sense something, and his expression became solemn.He stared at me: "What did you observe?"

I swallowed. "Looks like...he hasn't blinked in a few minutes."

two

I could feel Feng Lun's body tightening, and his eyes suddenly widened.The two of us looked at each other for half a minute without speaking.

"Hey, Luo Chen..." Feng Lun finally spoke. "Don't you think..."

"I don't know." I said anxiously, "Shouldn't there be such a coincidence?"

"That's right, we won't meet a real one so easily..." He turned his head and looked over again, his body trembling slightly.

But I have to think in that direction. "You know, I used to patronize his bookstore almost every day. But about a month ago, his bookstore hadn't opened again, and the storefront hadn't been transferred. I thought it was a bit strange. Now seeing him like this Looks like..."

"My God." Feng Lun whispered, "Hearing what you said, I think that's totally possible!"

My back slowly broke out in cold sweat, I have never encountered such a situation, I don't know what to do - the owner of this bookstore and I are not just a seller-customer relationship, but a very nice person.Since I frequented it, he offered me a discount, and invited me to read books and drink tea for free in the leisure area of ​​the bookstore.We are all book lovers, and we often talk about the wonderful chapters in a certain book together, just like friends who have forgotten the years.But now, I suspect that he has encountered a terrible situation, but he dare not even go to say hello-not only because of fear, but also because he is worried that his fearful conjecture will be confirmed.I can only hope now that it was all just a terrible misunderstanding.

Just as I was thinking about this, the glass door of Haagen-Dazs was pushed open.A few men walked in, and it didn't look like they were here to taste ice cream.They looked serious, and their eyes quickly searched the store. When their eyes locked on the bookstore owner, they walked over together, trying to invite him out.

My use of the word "please" is a total sarcasm of their intimidating way of arresting people.In fact, two of them grabbed the bookstore owner's arm while pretending to smile, as if they were helping their grandfather across the street.But this trick can fool other people in the store, but it can't fool me.I know what they are doing.

Feng Lun also noticed it. He lowered his voice in panic and said to me: "Hey, Luo Chen, look! They're going to take him away!"

I bit my lip, feeling overwhelmed as I watched the men take my friend away.

Feng Lun suddenly stood up and said to me, "Let's follow up and have a look!"

"What's the point?" I asked blankly.

"Listen to me." He spoke quickly, as if he was afraid that he would let those people go away because of talking too much. "I have long heard that on the fringes of Beijing, there is a secret place where the living dead are concentrated and studied, but this is a government secret, and no one knows the exact location—I think they are going to take him now. Go there!"

"What do you want to do?" In fact, I have already guessed.

"Don't you want to know where this mysterious place is? Don't you want to see with your own eyes where the living dead gather?" He trembled with excitement.

I saw those people leading the bookstore owner to the door, and my heart was beating wildly, but I still remained rational. "Even if we followed, it's impossible to see anything. It's not a zoo that sells tickets to the outside world."

"Don't worry about it, anyway, I won't let go of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" Feng Lun looked at those people anxiously. "are you going?"

It sounded like he was going anyway, even if alone.I hesitated briefly, stood up and said to him, "Let's go."

I'm not out to satisfy curiosity, I'm just concerned with what those people are going to do to my friend.

The two of us walked outside quickly. Feng Lun took out 300 yuan and handed it to the waitress, saying "don't look for it anymore".

When we came to the door, we saw the men taking the bookstore owner into a black car. This scene reminded me of the style of the CIA in the movie.We were very lucky, almost before the door of the car was closed, Feng Lun had already hired a taxi.

"Follow the car in front." Feng Lun said to the driver.

Our car has been following the black sedan.After driving for a long time, the car exited the Sixth Ring Road and headed straight for the suburbs.

When driving to the suburban road, the number of vehicles and pedestrians on the road gradually decreased. Feng Lun seemed to realize something at this moment, and said to the driver: "Keep a distance from it, and don't let this car find that we are following it."

I saw the driver glance at both of us through the rearview mirror.I suspect he thinks he's caught up in some kind of espionage plot.

About five or 10 minutes later, the car turned a corner at a fork in the suburbs and drove into a small road with a row of abandoned factories in front of it.Feng Lun shouted when our car reached a fork in the road: "Okay! Stop here."

The taxi stopped by the side of the road, and Feng Lun paid the taxi fare and gave the driver an extra 50 yuan. "Let's not get out of the car for the time being, and wait and see in the car for a while."

I don't know if he was talking to me or to the driver, but I do admire his calm and measured handling.

Sitting in the taxi, we watched through the glass window as the black car drove towards a secret institution surrounded by a high-walled compound, with no signage at the entrance of the institution.An old man came out of the guard room inside and opened the iron door—in the middle of a large abandoned factory building, this place seemed extremely hidden.Feng Lun whispered in my ear: "It seems that this is a 'zombie concentration camp'."

I glanced at him without commenting on the name he had improvised.

The two of us got out of the taxi after the black car was fully driven in.This area, apparently formerly industrial, has since been deserted and deserted - no doubt the perfect place to set up a "zombie concentration camp" (I can't think of a more appropriate name for a moment).

We stood more than ten meters away from the gate, and Feng Lun touched me with his elbow: "Did you see that, there is a small open door next to that iron gate—the security here is not strict."

"This is not a prison," I said.

"That's right. So it's not difficult for us to sneak in." Feng Lun said, "I'm very experienced in this kind of thing. Every time I'm late, in order to avoid the school's name-recording guard, I will..."

"Wait a minute." I looked at Feng Lun. "Why do we sneak in like thieves?"

Feng Lun looked at me with a stunned look: "Then what are you going to do? You don't want to go in in a fair manner, do you?"

"Of course." The proud blood inherited from my family made me stern. "I'm going to ask to see the person in charge. Ask them why they brought my friend here."

"Is that possible? Will they agree to let us in?"

To be honest I wasn't sure, but I knew it was the only way. "Whether I can get in or not, I want them to give me an explanation-it's definitely not allowed to get in. If this is really the 'zombie concentration camp' you mentioned, there must be no surveillance system inside. If someone finds us sneaking in, Then we are passive instead.”

"That makes sense." Feng Lun nodded, and said impatiently, "Then let's go and try."

As we approached the gate, the old man in the guard room saw us.He came out of the hut, blocked the door, and yelled at us, "Hey, you two, you're not allowed in here."

I walked up to him calmly and asked, "Really? What is this place?"

"It's not your school anyway." He waved at us like a stray dog. "move."

Faced with his rude attitude, I'm quite calm - I've never had any expectations of the quality of this kind of person. "I'm here for a reason. I just saw a couple of guys stuff a friend of mine into a car and drive up here. I want to know what's going on."

The quickness of the old man's response suggested that he had obviously been trained - or that this was a common occurrence for him. "I'm not in charge of answering these kinds of questions. I'm just the gatekeeper."

"Then who can answer me?"

"Ask your friend's family and they'll tell you what's going on."

Having said that, in fact, both parties have already tacitly agreed.Feng Lun and I looked at each other, not knowing what to do with the old man's impeccable response.I saw Feng Lun's eyes saying to me, "Look, I just said that this will not work."

After thinking about it, I think we have come all the way here, only to be dismissed by this old man with a few words, which really makes people feel unwilling. "Can I meet someone in charge here?" After saying that, I felt like a complete stalker.

"No, they don't have time to see anyone," said the old man impatiently. "Stop wasting time here, let's go, let's go!"

I was debating whether to use the last resort I had thought up earlier - name my father - usually, I rarely do this - I don't want people to think that I live under the aura of a famous father people.But, when necessary... But I suspect the old gatekeeper has no idea who my father is.

Just as I was hesitating, the phone in the guard room rang.The old man waved at us again, "Let's go!" Then he went into the house to answer the phone.

Feng Lun looked at me with some annoyance: "What should we do now?"

I was about to tell Feng Lun my thoughts and discuss the feasibility of this method with him, but unexpectedly found that the call the old man answered seemed to be related to us.

"Ah, yes... Did you see it above?" The old doorman spoke in a humble and respectful tone at this moment, "Excuse me, I'll tell them to go now." There was a pause for a while. "They said they saw people they knew being brought in..."

The person on the phone didn't know what they said to the old man, and he said in shame, "Well...Okay, I see...I'll tell them right away."

Putting down the phone, he came out and said to Feng Lun and me: "Don't you want to go in? Our vice president told you to wait, and he will send someone to pick you up to his office right away."

I felt very strange: "Why does the vice president want to see us?"

"You will know when you go." The old man said with a straight face.

Feng Lun and I looked at each other, puzzled by this sudden turn of events.

About 2 minutes later, a man in his 30s came out of a building directly in front of him. He came to the door and said to Feng Lun and me, "Come with me, both of you."

three

People are so strange, they seem to be rebellious towards everything.Just now we were entangled and insisted on coming in to meet their person in charge, but now that we were formally invited in, we hesitated instead, instinctively afraid of encountering some trap.But I forgive them for not daring to do anything to the two of us in broad daylight, so after a brief hesitation, they followed the man and walked inside.

On the way, I noticed that the buildings on both sides of the middle building were marked with the words "A District", "B District" and "C District" respectively. Every window facing us in these buildings was closed without exception. The curtains were drawn—the mystery of which was intriguing.

Feng Lun whispered in my ear, "I bet the living dead are in these houses."

I raised my eyebrows in agreement.

After entering the building in the middle, we took the elevator up to the sixth floor.The man who said nothing on the way led us to the door of an office, and made a gesture to invite us in: "The vice president is inside."

I pushed open the door, and walked in with Feng Lun, and saw a middle-aged man in his 40s sitting in front of a desk in the room, who was obviously the vice president here.When he saw us, he put down the stack of papers he was looking at, and pointed to the leather sofa next to the desk: "Please sit down."

After Feng Lun and I sat down, the vice president looked directly at us. "Do you know where this place is?"

Feng Lun and I looked at each other, and then said frankly, "I guess this is where the living dead are kept, right?"

The vice president shook his head. "The direction is right, but the description is not accurate. We just provide a residential area suitable for them to live in."

Feng Lun seemed a little excited: "This is where the living dead in the city live together!"

"Now almost every city in every country has such an institution. It's not surprising." The vice president said flatly and paused. "However, I hope you don't advertise this place to the outside world, because this is not a tourist area or a tourist place. Except for our staff, the living dead who are sent here are not allowed to enter here. .”

I wondered: "Then why would you allow us in?"

The Deputy Dean left his desk and walked around to us, staring at us with his hands folded, making us feel a little uncomfortable.After a while, he asked, "Is that man you sent over just now an acquaintance of yours?"

"Yes," I replied, "he is my friend."

"He looks more than 20 years older than you."

"That's right, he's the owner of a bookstore, and I'm his regular customer. We're on good terms, so I think... we should be friends."

The vice president nodded slightly, expressing his understanding. "What kind of contact have you had?"

"What do you mean?" I didn't understand what he said.

"Have you ever eaten together, or shared a water glass or something?"

I slowly opened my mouth, and for a moment, I seemed to understand everything.

"So, did Uncle Luo (the owner of the bookstore) really become a living dead?" After a long while, I asked this question.

"Not yet, but it will soon become a living dead - our doctor checked it, and it is estimated that it will be these two days." The vice president reminded, "You haven't answered my question yet."

I suddenly panicked, and Feng Lun was also staring at me with wide eyes.I thought about it carefully—the contact with the bookstore owner seemed to be limited to talking and drinking tea, other than that, there should be nothing special...Suddenly, I thought of an incident not long ago, and I was shocked.

"Well... I don't know, if this counts as eating with him." I said hesitantly.

"Let's hear it, be specific." The vice president said.

"More than a month ago, I went to his bookstore to read books. I found a very good book that day, and I didn't want to leave it until dinner. At that time, Uncle Luo was cooking mutton upstairs (his home is On the second floor of the bookstore), he warmly invited me to eat together. I was a little embarrassed at first, but I couldn’t resist his repeated invitations and the temptation of the fragrance of the mutton, so I went upstairs to eat with him..."

"Did you cook in the same pot?"

The vice president's expression became serious, which made me feel bad.I replied, "... yes."

"The dipping dish is also the same one?"

"seems like it."

"I want to answer in the affirmative."

I think about it carefully, and I don't even want to hear the result I got. "It's the same."

The vice president took a deep breath and frowned: "In this case, it's a bit bad."

I looked at him uneasily.

The vice president retreated to the desk and leaned against it. "It's much better if you eat western food together—I mean the meal-sharing system. But if you eat it hot in the same pot..."

"Will it be infected with the zombie virus?" I asked anxiously.

"It can only be said that there is such a possibility. Did you know that solanum virus can be transmitted through saliva."

"But I didn't eat a few chopsticks that day..." My voice became weak.

"It has nothing to do with how much you eat. It's a matter of probability - if you're lucky, you may be able to eat a whole pot without any problem; but if you're unlucky, you can get infected by just eating a chopstick - all See if you've been exposed to any viruses that might be in that pot or dipping dish."

There was a buzzing in my head - I was young, I still had a lot of things I hadn't tried and experienced, and I didn't want to be the new addition to this place.My stomach constricted in fear and worry.

Feng Lun, who was sitting next to me, was also frightened. He asked for me, "Then what should we do now?"

"By the way, have you had dinner with your friends?" the vice president pointed at me and asked Feng Lun.

I was amazed - a few minutes ago he was worried that I was infected with the zombie virus, and now he suspected that I was a spreader - my identity was getting worse and worse in his suspicion.

Feng Lun swallowed. "We had ice cream together just now."

"Aren't you using the same spoon?"

Feng Lun blushed. "Of course not, we use our own forks."

"That's not a big deal. Have you ever eaten anything else together?"

I thought about it with Feng Lun—the two of us have eaten countless things together, but when I think about it, most of them eat their own snacks or Western food separately—it seems that there are not many opportunities for me to eat Chinese food with him.

After a few minutes, Feng Lun said: "I don't know if the things we eat together will cause mutual infection...there are too many, and it is really hard for me to judge."

"Forget it, it doesn't matter, we will help you draw conclusions." The vice president said, "Now, I can tell you that the name of our institution is 'Living Dead Prevention and Research Center'. People with the virus are offering free testing - within a week, you'll know your fate."

I always thought that I heard this sentence on the eve of my college entrance examination results, but I didn't expect it to be under such a strange situation.Feng Lun seemed more surprised than I: "You mean, both of us will be tested?"

"Yes, anyone who may be exposed to the solanum virus must be strictly tested to rule out the possibility of becoming a living dead. This is responsible for you and the people around you."

"What if... I mean if it turns out that we are infected with the zombie virus, what will happen?" Feng Lun asked tremblingly.

The vice president stared at us for a while. "I think you are all grown-ups, and you should be able to accept telling the truth-if you are not infected, of course you can go home; but if you are really infected with the zombie virus, it is a pity-the rest of your life The time may only be spent in this place.”

His words stunned Feng Lun and me, with cold sweat dripping down our backs.

Seeing that we were both stunned, the vice president comforted me: "I don't think you need to worry too much—I believe you understand the current situation—many people still wish to become living dead."

"But I don't want to," I said despondently. "I just want to be a human being and feel the joy or the sting of things—that's real life."

After saying this, I glanced at Feng Lun, and saw that he lowered his head in thought, and didn't agree with my words.

I don't know if the vice president is still trying to comfort me.He said: "I hope you can reserve your opinion for the time being, maybe after you really understand the living conditions of the living dead, you will have a change."

His words were so meaningful that I couldn't understand them for a while.The deputy director saw that I didn't speak, and thought that I had calmed down and was ready to accept all possible facts.He breathed out: "Call your family in a while, and the school will ask for at least five days off. Don't worry about other issues. I will ask someone to arrange your board and lodging here. It is not too much different from staying in a hotel." big difference..."

"Wait...wait a minute." I opened my mouth wide in surprise. "What did you say? Do you want us to stay here from now on and not go home?"

The vice president tilted his head to look at me. "It seems that I have said for so long that you haven't figured out the current situation-you are now suspected of being infected with the solanum virus. If you let you go back before a thorough investigation, wouldn't it be possible to cause more people to be infected? Infection? So you should fully understand—just like the family of the bookstore owner, they asked to come here for testing without us asking."

Although what he said was well-founded, I still couldn't accept it: "No! My parents can't accept this fact. I don't want them to follow me in fear!"

"I'm afraid this is not something you can choose." The vice president said regretfully.

I glanced at Feng Lun, he seemed indifferent - but I can't, I care about my family - thinking of my family, I suddenly realized a problem.

"Vice President, as far as I know, China, and even the whole world, has not issued any set of laws on the living dead. You force us to stay here, but there is a law to follow?"

The deputy dean was taken aback for a moment, as if he didn't expect a high school student to say such words that would defeat him. He said with some embarrassment: "You seem to understand these things quite well."

"Yes, I understand it very well." I finally threw out the trump card, "I often hear my father talk about the introduction of the "Living Dead Act" at home."

"Oh? Who is your father?"

"It's the famous sociologist Luo Chuanming." Feng Lun answered before me, as if he thought it would be more appropriate for him to introduce.

It can be seen that the deputy dean was shocked and in awe when he heard my father's name. He opened his mouth slightly, and after a while, he said, "Since this is the case, I can call for your father's opinion."

"No, my dad definitely wants me to go back. And he, like me, doesn't want to worry my family, especially my mother."

The deputy dean said: "But even so, we must conduct a thorough test on you, which is responsible to you." He emphasized again.

"I totally agree with that. I'm willing to cooperate with getting tested. I also want to find out whether I have been infected. So, do you see this-I promise to come here every day to get tested, and then I will go home. Come back the next day - until all the testing is done."

The vice president carefully considered my proposal. "Okay—but you have to promise me that until the test results come out, you will strictly avoid all behaviors that may cause infection."

"I'll do it without you telling me," I said.Feng Lun also agreed.

"When are you coming tomorrow?"

I thought about it. "It can only be at night, we will not go to study at night when we ask for leave."

"Okay, then it's settled. Tomorrow at seven o'clock in the evening, you all come directly to this office to find me, and I will say hello to the doorman." The vice president stared at us, "I believe you will come on time Yes, for yourselves and your families."

"Of course." I said politely, "Thank you, Vice President."

He made a gesture that we could leave.

Feng Lun and I forgot to take the elevator and almost ran downstairs.

After leaving the Living Dead Center, the two of us walked on the road and didn't speak for several minutes. I don't know if Feng Lun thought the same as I did—it was an inexplicable afternoon—I originally came here out of concern for my friends. When I came to this ghost place, I didn't expect to get myself into it in the end-I really don't know if it's a curse or a blessing.

"Luo Chen..." Feng Lun finally spoke, but it seemed very heavy.

"What do you want to say?" I also looked at him solemnly.

"I don't know what to say..." He looked at me, "I can only promise you that if you turn into a zombie, I won't smash your head with a bat."

I rolled my eyes, and while speaking, I was surprised that I was able to cooperate with the black humor to the end. "Thanks, and I can assure you too, if we both turn into zombies, I'll try not to use your head as a bat."

four

On Monday afternoon, Feng Lun and I asked our homeroom teacher for leave for evening self-study.After school, we ate something casually at a Western fast food restaurant, then took a taxi to the Center of the Living Dead.

The old man at the door had obviously been notified by the vice president. After seeing the two of us, he opened the small door on the left and said, "Go straight to the vice president's office and don't wander around."

He seemed to have guessed what we were thinking, because Feng Lun suggested that after entering here, he should go to the living quarters of the living dead to satisfy his curiosity—but we saw the old man start making calls, probably to the deputy The dean informed us that we had come, so we had to give up.

When we arrived at the vice president's office, it was 15 minutes to seven o'clock.

"Well, you are very punctual." The vice president sat on the leather chair behind the desk and said with satisfaction.He pointed to the sofa. "Sit down for a while, the doctor who will test you will arrive at seven o'clock."

Feng Lun and I sat on the sofa yesterday, the back was soft and comfortable, but I couldn't relax.

The deputy director seemed to see my uneasiness, and said with a smile: "Don't be nervous, the detection of solanum virus is not much different from a general physical examination-I can briefly introduce it to you."

I suddenly felt that the deputy dean was a nice person—kind, understanding, and unassuming—and I grew a little bit of goodwill and trust in him.

"Oh, by the way, my surname is Wu, and I forgot to introduce myself before." He said, "The detection of solanum virus is mainly to detect virus antibodies and related immune indicators for human blood, body fluids, cell tissues and organs. The detection time is four The results will be available on the fifth day."

He paused. "In addition, according to the new regulations of our institute, during these four days, all suspected infected persons will be given 'practical experience'."

Neither Feng Lun nor I understood, so we asked together, "What do you mean?"

The vice president frowned. "You know, people think very differently about becoming the living dead these days. Some people try to become the living dead; and the other kind of people have an excessive fear of contracting the solanum virus, and they find themselves infected with the solanum virus. Finally, he committed suicide before the onset of the disease—this attitude is too extreme. Therefore, we provide the opportunity to observe the living conditions of the living dead, in this way to inform people—in fact, becoming a living dead is not so terrible, It's just life transformed into another form."

Feng Lun asked excitedly: "That is to say, will you take us to see the real living dead?"

The deputy dean couldn't help laughing: "You make it sound like I want to take you to see lions or crocodiles in the zoo—no, it's not as simple as just 'seeing'. Our institution hopes that through this form, you can really understand The living conditions and various characteristics of the living dead can eliminate the fear in the heart."

I want to tell the vice president that what he should get rid of from Feng Lun is not fear, but excitement and abnormal joy - these things are clearly displayed on this guy's face now.

The man in his mid-thirties who brought us here yesterday came in through the door. "Dean Wu, the doctor in charge of testing is here."

"I'll take them there right away." The vice president said, looking at us, "how about it, let's go."

The two of us took the elevator down to the second floor with the deputy dean. As soon as the elevator door opened, I saw a sign on the wall of the lobby on this floor, which said "solanum virus testing point".

The deputy director helped us get two forms at an open window, asked us to fill in some relevant personal information, and then took us to a blood laboratory and told us that what we had to do today was a blood test.

Indeed, as he said before, the process of drawing blood is no different from ordinary physical examination, and Feng Lun and I quickly completed it in cooperation with the doctor.

Next is the important point, the vice president is going to take us to the living area of ​​the living dead.

Not to mention Feng Lun, even I was a little excited - after all, after so long, I was finally going to see the real living dead for the first time.

Leaving this building, we walked towards the "B District" next to it.I asked, "Vice President, is there any difference between these 'Area' and 'B'...is there any difference between the living dead?"

"There is no essential difference. Basically, they are divided according to the time they moved in. Area A is the first batch of living dead who came here, about five years ago; Area B came here four years ago... And so on—now we have five living quarters, with an average of 600 living dead in each living quarter."

"That means there are more than 3000 living dead in this place?" I was shocked, "So many!"

"Beijing is a big city." The vice president said, "There are not so many smaller cities."

When we were talking, we had already arrived downstairs in Area B.The vice president explained his purpose to the staff at the door, and one of them came out of the room and seemed to be walking with us.The vice-principal raised his head inward, motioning for us to go inward.

"Are we... just going in like this?" I hesitated.

The vice president smiled and said, "What else? Do you want to wear riot gear? Don't worry, they won't attack people."

"But, I still feel..." I didn't want to say the word fear, but it was already written on my face.

"The living dead are all in their own rooms now, don't worry." The vice president encouraged me.

"Okay, Luo Chen, don't be ashamed." Feng Lun seemed impatient. "There's nothing to be afraid of."

I didn't want to be laughed at by them, so I bravely walked in.

Entering the interior of Area B, I found that it looked like the inpatient department of a certain hospital. The semicircular building surrounded the activity space in the middle of the ground floor.The building has a total of six floors, and each floor is a number of small rooms.It's only 07:30, but it feels like it's early midnight - every room is pitch black with no lights on.And there was no sound in the whole area, it was like an empty building.

Feng Lun asked in surprise, "Is there... are there really living dead people living here?"

"Of course, it's in every room," said the vice president. "If you don't believe me, go to the door and have a look."

Feng Lun walked to the door of the room closest to him, and looked in tentatively—the door was the same as the door of the ward, with a piece of glass on the top, so he could see the scene inside, but Feng Lun's expression showed that he didn't know anything. Did not see.

I stood with the vice president and the staff member, watching Feng Lun's reaction cautiously, not daring to lean over to look at it for the time being.At this time, I saw the deputy dean whisper something to the staff member, and the staff member took out something like a remote control from his pocket and handed it to him.

Feng Lun stared wide-eyed at the room, but it was too dark inside to see anything clearly.Just when he was trying to see what happened, the lights in the room suddenly turned on, and a face of a living dead appeared at the door. If it wasn't for the glass, it would have been close to Feng Lun's face. Together.

"Ah!" Feng Lun screamed in fright, and staggered back. "Oh...damn it!" He was terrified.Even I, who was two or three meters away, was taken aback.

The vice president couldn't help laughing, he came over and patted Feng Lun on the shoulder and said, "I'm sorry, every time I'm with young people who visit here for the first time, I can't help but want to open a Little joke. Hope you don't mind."

Feng Lun not only didn't mind, but felt that the vice president's temper was very to his liking.He rubbed his chest and laughed: "To be honest, I was really terrified, but it was so exciting!"

"Don't these living dead need lights?" I asked from a distance.

"No, no. Lights mean nothing to them."

"You mean they don't have the ability to sense vision anymore?"

"No, quite the opposite," said the vice-principal. "The living dead have night vision, like felines."

I opened my mouth wide in surprise. "real?"

"Yes. No definite research results have been drawn on why this strange phenomenon occurs." The deputy director pointed to the living dead man in the room, and said to Feng Lun, "Now you know why he appeared in the glass window. Did you look at you before? When you approached the door and looked in, although you couldn't see him, he had already noticed you. "

Feng Lun made an expression of disbelief.

"This room is Room 1 in Area B. There are two undead people living in it, both men." The vice president introduced, "The one standing at the door and staring at us now may be due to his 'reception' of outsiders. The number of times is the most, which makes him especially like to stand at the door and look out - we have a nickname for him."

"What's it called?" I asked.

"The Vengeful Slayer," said the Deputy Headmaster.

I swallowed hard.The vice president burst out laughing. "Sorry, I can't help myself. It's actually 'The Catcher in the Rye.'"

I hide my uneasiness. "really interesting."

"Are you going to watch from a distance like this? Don't you plan to look closer? For many people, this is a rare opportunity. I believe you have only seen the living dead on TV before."

He was right, this is indeed a rare opportunity.I approached that door together with Feng Lun. It was the first time I saw the real living dead standing at such a close distance. This feeling is indescribable.

They were dressed in uniform, with pale skin and hollow eyes.Those eyes lost their pupils and brilliance, and the overall appearance was gray and white.The two living dead in the room are now standing in the doorway—we are watching them, and they are watching us—the only difference is that we need to blink from time to time, and they don't at all.

I can't look at the living dead for too long, I always feel a little creepy.I turned to the vice president and asked, "Why don't they blink?"

"The neural sensory system of the living dead is dead, and of course the nerves that control the blinking of the eyes no longer exist."

"It's pathetic," I sigh.

"It depends on how you understand it." The deputy dean said, "For normal people, this is of course a lack. But for people suffering from illness, it is no different from a good medicine against pain - the nervous system The loss of that means not feeling any pain anymore - which is why so many people are now voluntarily becoming the living dead."

I thought about it. "Besides not feeling pain, I'm afraid I don't have any other sense of touch, right?"

"That's right." The vice president admitted.

I pictured in my mind what it would be like to hold a book in my hand without feeling any weight or tactility at all.But then it occurred to me right away—if I were really the living dead, it would be impossible to read—indeed, it would be impossible to do anything.Because I noticed that the room of the living dead was almost empty, not even a bed, only two chairs and a TV.

"Do the living dead watch TV?" I asked the vice president.

"How should I put it, this question can only be answered by the living dead themselves-if they can talk. I can only say that they react to the TV that is playing, and they will stare at the screen for a long time. Look inside and you won’t know.”

I thought of a question related to this. "Do the living dead have intelligence?"

"Yes." The vice president replied affirmatively. "But very low. Our experimental studies show that their intelligence level is close to that of some rodents."

"Like a mouse or a rabbit?" I frowned.

"Almost. But you know, this is already a big improvement—when the undead first appeared, researchers generally believed that their intelligence was lower than that of insects."

I found that I came across the topics that interested me the most so far. "You said 'progress'? Could it be that the undead have been changing since their birth?"

"Yes, there are some subtle changes. We and foreign researchers have noticed this problem a long time ago." He suddenly looked at us with great interest. "Have you heard of the experiment the Americans did when the living dead first appeared?"

Feng Lun and I shook our heads together.

"That's right." He began to narrate like a story. "The researcher led dozens of living dead people to a broken bridge. When they reached the edge, the man used the rope in the air to slide to the other side of the broken bridge, but the living dead fell off the edge one by one. Not a single one of them realized what was going on, or tried to change course."

"It means that the living dead hardly have any thinking ability at the initial stage," I said.

"That's right. But four years later, that is, last year, the same experiment was carried out again. The results this time were quite different from the last time—the living dead did not fall off the broken bridge foolishly, but all stayed on the broken bridge. The edge of the bridge—so much has their intellect been developed in just a few years!"

I took a deep breath. "Can I understand this as a kind of 'evolution'? If the living dead are slowly evolving without knowing it, what a terrible thing it will be!"

The deputy dean pinched his chin and stroked his stubble with his thumb, as if he was carefully considering what I said.After a while, he said: "Your point of view is very interesting. But I don't think it's possible—if it really evolved, then the speed of evolution can only be described as terrifying. You know, humans evolved from ancient apes to Homo sapiens, it took millions of years - and if the living dead did it in a few years - it would be against the theory of evolution."

"And how do you explain their intellectual progress?" I asked.

"I can only say that this phenomenon is still a mystery at present - the appearance of the living dead itself is a mystery, so everything around them is an unsolved mystery." The deputy dean said, "However, no matter what , it’s always good to have this kind of progress.”

"Really? You think it's a good thing?"

"Isn't it? At least for the living dead, it is much better to have development and progress in the future than to remain unchanged forever."

I didn't speak, and I couldn't find anything to refute for the time being.But I remembered what Dad had said—he thought the presence of the living dead was the prelude to some kind of catastrophe.And the philosophy he taught and influenced me made me uneasy about it—everything has two sides.A thing will develop in a good direction, which means that it may bring some kind of bad results...

At the same time, I thought of my mother's philosophy of life - there is no absolute definition of "good" and "bad".For example, losing money is a bad thing for the person who lost the money; but it is a good thing for the person who picked up the money.

The emergence of the living dead and their "evolution" - is it "good" or "bad" for human beings?

It took me a long time to finally understand the answer to this question.

五

After leaving Room 1, the vice president took us to the door of Room 72 on the second floor of Area B.The staff who followed us turned on the lights in the room with the remote control.

Feng Lun and I saw through the glass at the door that the two living dead living in this room were a man and a woman—different from the "catcher in the rye", they did not "greet" us because of our arrival, Instead, he sat on two chairs leaning against each other, looking as if he was in a daze - but the expression of the living dead may be like this at any time.

"This is a couple. Unfortunately, after one of them was infected with the solanum virus, it was transmitted to the other, so both of them became living dead." The vice president said, "According to the information before they became living dead wishes, we put them in the same room."

"Is there any real point in doing this?" I asked.

"At first we thought there wasn't, that it was just a formality. But now, after four years, we see that it makes sense."

I looked at the vice president. "Have they changed too?"

"Yes. I think of when they first moved here four years ago, the two 'people' had no contact or communication at all—because after they became living dead, their past memories and feelings were completely lost. They looked the same as others There is no difference between the living dead in the room. But half a year ago, we observed that they would stroke each other’s cheek or hair from time to time, as if to convey some kind of emotion – which surprised us.”

I was also surprised. "They don't recognize each other, do they?"

"Theoretically, it's impossible. There isn't any research to show that the lost memories of the living dead can be revived, but maybe it's just that the research isn't thorough enough—borrowing the concept you just raised, maybe this is really a kind of" Evolve'."

I thought of an interesting question. "Could it be that this change after they have been together for a few years has nothing to do with them being a husband and wife? I mean, if two living dead of the opposite sex who were completely strangers live together, maybe they will also be together in a few years. Slowly develop feelings after a year?"

The vice-principal looked at me somewhat appreciatively. "I think you have the potential to be a scientific researcher." He suddenly remembered something. "Ah, by the way, your parents are both famous scholars, so they must have had some subtle influence on you."

"So you think so too?"

"It's not just that—we've already done it. In Block E, we put some undead people of the opposite sex who were about the same age in the same room, trying to test the possibility you just raised. But this study is from half a year. It started a few years ago, and if we want to see the results, I am afraid it will be a few years later."

At this time, Feng Lun pointed to the living dead couple in the room and said, "Look, they are next to each other."

We leaned in front of the glass window to observe, and saw the two of them leaning their heads towards each other, cuddling together, like a happy couple.

"It's really amazing." The deputy dean sighed, "Although it's not the first time I've seen them show this kind of intimacy, every time I see them, I'm still deeply moved—they look just like ordinary couples. Just as loving, except..."

He stopped talking, arousing our curiosity, Feng Lun asked, "Except for what?"

"Besides the inability to have sex—the living dead are incapable of sex."

Feng Lun and I blushed slightly.

"If this point is ignored, I think their state is probably the real 'together with each other'." The vice president looked at the living dead couple thoughtfully.

"Can the living dead really live forever? From a medical point of view, they are already dead. Why don't their bodies decompose?" I asked curiously.

"This issue is very technical, so I can only briefly explain it." The vice president said, "As you probably know, the main factor that causes corpses to rot is the attack of microorganisms. When a person is alive, the immune system is between microorganisms and them. It creates a barrier between its targets. After the person dies, the barrier disappears. The microbes multiply exponentially as they feed, thereby disintegrating the corpse at the cellular level."

Seeing that I didn't raise any questions, the deputy director knew that I understood the statement, and he continued: "However, when a person becomes a living dead, almost all microorganisms related to the decomposition of ordinary human corpses will instinctively effectively embalming zombies by avoiding virus-infected cells — which is why the bodies of the living dead don’t rot.”

I nodded in understanding, and asked a new question: "Will this situation continue?"

"Unless some microorganisms can ignore the repulsion effect caused by the solanum virus, otherwise, the living dead can achieve eternal existence." He paused. "At least for now, every undead we have accepted here from the beginning to now is still 'alive' well."

I fell into deep thinking—if the undead can live forever, and they are evolving at an astonishing speed—then what will the ultimate form of the undead look like?And what will the future world look like?

Feng Lun's voice interrupted my thoughts. "It's already [-]:[-], and it's almost time for evening self-study to end."

"Are you going back?" the vice president asked.

"Well, we're here without telling our parents and school," I said.

"I see, so let's end the practical experience tonight." The vice president said, "I will still be waiting for you in the office at the same time tomorrow night."

We bid farewell to the vice-principal and left the Center of the Living Dead in the dark.

六

When I got home, the time was just around the same as the previous evening self-study.I walked to the living room as usual, threw my schoolbag on the sofa, and said hello to my parents who were watching TV.

"I'm back, Luo Chen." My mother said to me, "Let's eat some fruit." She moved the fruit basket containing lychees and grapes on the tea table to me.

"Where's brother?" I asked as I peeled the lychee shell.

"He is writing a research report upstairs, which will be handed over to the unit tomorrow. The School of Biological Sciences thinks highly of him."

"He is a top student." I stuffed the lychee into my mouth.

My brother Lawson is the most perfect person I've ever known - and I'm not saying that because he's my brother.Even if he was someone I hated, I would still say that about him.But I believe that there are very few people in this world who don't like a young man like him - he is handsome, well-proportioned, intelligent, and sincere... God, I can say two more adjectives to sum up his virtues Ten to come, and if I go on, I'm afraid even my younger brother can't help being jealous.Sometimes I really doubt that God is eccentric, how can he concentrate so many advantages on one person?Fortunately, my parents are not gods, they never favored their two sons, they always give the same amount of love.

My brother's graduate school is graduating this semester.Now, he is an intern at a prestigious biological sciences academy and lives at home at night.

My mom is watching a show on the rule of law right now, which is her nightly routine.At the end of the show, legal experts are invited to comment. Half of the time, my mother is invited-she is basically paying attention to her performance on TV.

At ten o'clock, the rule of law program ended, and my dad said, "Let's watch the evening news." He switched the channel with the remote control.

The news ahead was pretty generic, and I read casually while eating grapes—until an international piece of news caught our attention.

"The demonstration about the establishment of the Living Dead Act broke out again yesterday, this time in The Hague, the seat of the Dutch government. Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in front of the Knights Hall in the center of the Parliament Building, demanding that the government introduce the 'Recognition of voluntary becoming the living dead' as soon as possible. The legality of 'policies or bills... The Dutch government spokesman said that the people who participated in this parade were most likely instigated by the 'reindeer' organization..."

"What is the 'Caribou' organization?" I asked.

"It seems that you haven't paid attention to the latest news." Dad said, "This is an organization established abroad. It started out as a small organization. After several years, it has grown into an international group. Now there are many countries in the world All are cadres or members of reindeer organizations."

"What is this organization for?"

"A radical group that strongly advocates and supports individual autonomy to become a living dead. It is said that more than half of the global demonstrations (about the establishment of the Living Dead Act) are planned by this organization."

"Why haven't I heard of it before?" I wondered.

"Because this organization used to carry out various activities in secret, but now with the momentum growing, it has gradually surfaced and become the focus of public attention."

"Such organizations must be the enemy of the government."

"Undoubtedly yes, but since there are no obvious illegal actions, the government has nothing to do with them."

"Are there any members of the reindeer organization in China?" I asked.

"I don't know. There is no definite official report to indicate whether there is or not, but many people speculate that the reindeer organization has infiltrated into China long ago, but there is no obvious action yet."

"Why is the organization named 'Reindeer'? It sounds like it has something to do with Santa Claus." Mom joined in the conversation.

"That's what it means. They claim that the purpose of the organization is to send gifts to mankind." Dad snorted and snorted, "It's ridiculous! In my opinion, they are just a group of guys who are afraid of chaos."

I don't know why, but I feel that the topic has started to develop in a direction that is not good for me-even I am surprised-I have not yet been determined whether I will become a living dead, and I have unconsciously stood on the side of the living dead side.

I didn't want to hear my father rave about the undead as inferior beings or symbols of disaster—it would only add to my already disturbed mind.I picked up my schoolbag and said to my parents, "I went upstairs."

Go up the second floor from the spiral staircase - the two bedrooms here belong to me and my brother.I didn't go to my room, but I planned to go to my brother's side first to say hello.

Pushing open the door of my brother's room, I saw him holding dumbbells in both hands and doing muscle-building exercises.He was wearing a pair of boxer briefs, his upper body was bare, and fine beads of sweat were distributed on his fit and well-proportioned body, which made me envious—compared with my brother, I looked a little thin.This is because I lack the perseverance to keep exercising, but my brother can persevere.

After my brother saw me, he put down the dumbbell and exhaled. "You're back, Luo Chen."

"I've been back a long time ago." I said, "Didn't Mom say you were writing some research report?"

"It's finished." He said with interest, "Luo Chen, you don't know how interesting biological research is."

"I can imagine that."

"No, you can't imagine it. It's the kind of thing that's only fun to experience. Take the research I did last week, where I observed Emden geese [4] . . . cough, cough . . . He stopped, covered his mouth and coughed.

"What's the matter, you have a cold? It's such a hot day."

"I don't know, I've been coughing a bit during this time, maybe it's a little bronchitis, whatever. Then I said, I observed a very funny scene when the Emden geese were mating..."

He vividly described to me anecdotes about the animals.I admit that even when I was in such a low mood, his witty and humorous way of telling kept me interested-my brother is such a charming person.

The interesting conversation continued until nearly eleven o'clock.My brother said, "Okay, it's time to take a shower. Do you want to take a shower with me?"

"Well, I'll wash it later."

"Okay, I'll go wash first." My brother took a pair of shorts and walked out of the room.

I didn't leave his room immediately, but covered my face, sighed deeply, and felt a sharp burning pain in my stomach.

I meditated and begged—God, please let me continue to be an ordinary person.I really don't want to leave my close family and live in a living dead center with a strange female zombie about my age.

Seven

The next night was a urine test.

Feng Lun and I naturally asked about the results of the blood test done yesterday, but the deputy director refused to disclose. He said that an accurate judgment can only be made after combining the results of several tests.

"Tonight's practical experience, I'm going to take you to Area A to meet a special living dead." The vice president said.

"Where in particular?" I asked.

"Let's go and talk."

We came to Area A——according to the vice president's previous introduction, the people living here are the earliest batch of veteran-level undead.

"I'll take them to see 'Pangu'." The vice president said to the staff on night shift at the gate of Area A. "Is he all right now?"

The staff member in his 40s obviously had no sense of humor. He walked out of the guard room and replied solemnly: "Dean Wu, the living dead will not change anything."

"That's really great." The vice president raised his eyebrows, turned to me and Feng Lun and said, "Let's go in."

The four of us entered the interior of Area A. The overall structure here is exactly the same as Area B.The vice president said: "The 'Pangu' we want to meet is on the third floor. If you don't mind, let's go up the stairs."

"No problem," I said, "do you have a nickname for every living dead here?"

He laughed. "No. We only take representative living dead. It will make people more impressive."

I nodded, but I felt that maybe they were too boring working in this place, so they didn't miss any chance to have fun.

When we arrived at the door of Room 3 on the third floor, the fellow staff used the remote control to turn on the lights in the room.Feng Lun and I stood directly opposite the door, looked through the glass, but didn't see any living dead inside.

"Is there no 'person' in this room?" Feng Lun asked in surprise.

"Maybe they're playing hide and seek." The vice president blinked. "Let's find them."

He walked to the right side of the door and looked in sideways. "Well, I found them."

Feng Lun and I also walked in that direction—it turned out that the two male undead men in this room were in the left corner of the room. They were facing the wall, looking up slightly, as if they were staring at something above.

After watching for a while, Feng Lun said, "I don't see anything special about these two undead."

"That's right, when I say special, I don't mean him himself, but special in a certain sense."

I turned to look at the vice president, waiting for his explanation.

"Actually, it's only one of them that is special." The vice president pointed to one of the shorter living dead men and said, "The one in the corner, did you see that? He is what I called 'Pangu'—he is the first one here. , I am afraid that he is also the first person in the whole country to become a living dead on his own initiative."

"Ah," I whispered, "I remembered, I saw reports about him in news reports a few years ago."

"Then do you still have an impression of the content of this news?"

"Can't remember."

"What about you?" Vice President asked Feng Lun, who also shook his head.

"The process of him becoming a living dead is quite dramatic." The vice president began to introduce. "Five years ago, this man was about 25 or [-] years old. He came to Beijing from other places to find a job. Unexpectedly, he soon fell into the lowest point of his life. At that time, almost all the unfortunate things came to him at the same time - continuous unemployment, Being deceived, destitute, emotionally frustrated... and finally almost to the miserable situation of starving and living on the streets..."

"So he thought of turning himself into a living dead to seek relief, right?" Feng Lun said.

"It's not like that, it's not that simple." The vice president shook his head and said, "At that time, there was no precedent in the whole country to become a living dead. I'm afraid he didn't think of it. What happened later is like this, this man got With the help of a friend whom he met not long ago, that friend let him live with him, provided him with board and lodging, and helped him find a job—the fortune of this man has turned around.”

"He met a kind man," I said.

"Well, to be honest, I can't guarantee whether the motive of the person who helped him is pure."

"why?"

The vice president paused for a moment. "The man who helped him was a gay man."

I opened my mouth slightly.

"That's not the point, though. Whatever his friend's motives were, they were in fact a great help to this man."

I'm a little confused. "Since this is the case, he has already got rid of the predicament, why did he take the initiative to become a living dead?"

"Because his gay friend happened to be a solanum infected person."

"Oh my gosh..." I gave a dazed look, implying that I guessed what was going on.

"No, no..." the deputy dean waved his hands lightly and said, "I knew you would think in that direction, and everyone reacted this way when they heard this." He seemed a little helpless. "Don't think gay people are so horrible - in fact, that friend did not do anything aggressive or deviant to him, they just lived together like ordinary friends. Also, note what I emphasized earlier - if he If you contracted the virus because of having an improper relationship with that friend, then you are not 'actively' turning into a living dead."

"What's going on?" Feng Lun asked curiously.

"They lived together for a few months and started out normal, but gradually the man noticed that his friend's physical condition was deteriorating - beginning with sudden high fever, collapse, abdominal pain and headaches. Later these The symptoms further developed into vomiting, diarrhea, organ damage, and internal and external bleeding. The man didn't think about the zombie virus at first, thinking that his friend was just suffering from some common disease, and he was strongly advised to go to the hospital for examination and treatment. However, he That friend seemed to be aware of his own problem. In order not to be isolated, he refused to go to the hospital to 'hit himself in the trap'."

"The result is that once the zombie virus develops, it will be delayed much faster than imagined. In less than three days - the man returned from buying food outside at noon and found his friend dead on the bed. He Grieving and was about to notify the hospital when he saw his friend's body sitting up - that's when he understood what was going on."

Having said that, the vice president stopped.Feng Lun was clearly attracted by what happened to this man, and asked eagerly, "What happened next? How did he become a living dead?"

"What happened later is worth pondering." He said meaningfully, "I don't know what the reason for this man is. When he found out that his friend had turned into a living dead, he neither called the police, nor informed the hospital or us. related agencies - but made a bold, unthinkable decision - he chose to continue to live with this living dead."

Feng Lun opened his mouth wide in surprise.

"And it's hard to imagine that he lived with that living dead man for nearly three months. During these three months, this man found that his friend had become After living the dead, he lived a peaceful, peaceful, and leisurely life—the life seemed to be much more comfortable than him who was busy all day, running around for his livelihood. He began to envy him. Finally one day, he couldn't help it, and took the initiative to become Became the living dead—all this, from his diary—that’s the whole process as I know it.”

Feng Lun let out a long breath, feeling sorry for the ending of this story.He unconsciously looked towards the protagonist of the story in the room.After a while, he asked, "How did he 'actively' become a living dead?"

The vice president shook his head. "I don't know either. But come to think of it, he's living with a living dead every day, and there's an infinite number of ways he could have done it—you can pretty much guess how he got turned into one .”

Feng Lun lowered his head in thought, as if he really thought about this question.At this time, the vice president noticed that I hadn't spoken since just now and kept my head down."What's the matter with you?" he asked.

I looked up at the vice president, and asked after a while, "Just now, did you say that before a person becomes a living dead, there will be some signs of physical deterioration?"

"That's right." The deputy dean stared at me. "Why do you care about this? Could it be..."

"Last night, I felt some abdominal pain..." My voice was trembling.

The deputy dean asked with a serious expression: "Are there any other symptoms? Such as headache, fever or something."

"Maybe not."

"Do you ever feel like throwing up for no apparent reason?"

"I... can't be sure." I actually feel like throwing up right now, but I'm willing to believe it's fear.

The deputy dean stared at me for a while, then said, "Don't worry, I think you are just affected by psychological factors."

"Really? How do you know this is not a sign before becoming a living dead?" I asked worriedly.

"If you are really infected with the solanum virus and have already developed the disease, the symptoms will not be as mild as abdominal pain. As I said just now-after the symptoms appear, it can kill people within three days, and complete the life cycle. Transformation of the dead."

I relaxed a little, and then asked, "How many days is the incubation period for the zombie virus?"

"Generally speaking, it ranges from three days to two months."

"Will there be any performance during the incubation period?"

"Maybe there will be some mild symptoms - a manifestation of weakened immunity. But many people don't have them, and you only know when they get sick."

My face probably turned pale again. Seeing my nervous appearance, Feng Lun said, "Luo Chen, don't scare yourself. If you really get sick, I'm afraid you won't be able to stand here and talk to us properly. gone."

"He's right." The vice president said with a smile. "The symptoms of solanum virus are much more serious."

I forced a smile, but my heart was still hanging.

Perhaps to divert the topic, the vice president pointed to another living dead person in the room and said, "I don't know if you guessed it, but this living dead person who lives in the same room as 'Pangu' is his friend——I Guess neither of them thought they'd be roommates forever."

Feng Lun and I obviously didn't expect this, and our eyes widened.

"It's really hard to imagine what it would be like for this man to live with a living dead for three months." Feng Lun looked at "Pangu" in the room, thinking.

The vice president stared at the two living dead for a while, then suddenly turned to us and asked, "Do you want to try this feeling?"

Feng Lun and I were taken aback at the same time.I'm not sure what I understand is what he said. "try what?"

The vice president pointed his thumb towards the door. "Go inside and have a close encounter with the living dead."

I was speechless in shock, but Feng Lun looked very excited: "Really? I want to try!"

The vice president looked at me: "What about you?"

I shook my head and said, "Forget it."

"Why, are you worried that they will pose any threat to you?" The vice president smiled, "Believe me, no, I won't let you in if there is danger."

I don't want to admit that I'm timid. "I just feel like they've been indoors and if they open the door now, they don't know what's going to happen."

The deputy dean laughed loudly: "Every time you come here at night, so what you see are the living dead staying in the room, do you think they are always like this?"

He pointed to the silent staff around him and said: "You can ask him how the living dead here live. Every morning and afternoon, the staff will let the living dead on each floor live in different rooms. Come out for activities during the time slot."

The honest staff member nodded cooperatively.The deputy dean pointed to the garden downstairs and said: "The open space below is where the living dead live. Our staff have to come into contact with hundreds of living dead every day—they are probably more docile than sheep." , otherwise, who would dare to do this job? How about it, are you still worried about being attacked by the living dead?"

What he said made me feel a little embarrassed. In order not to be laughed at by Feng Lun, I nodded and said: "Okay, then there is no problem."

Feng Lun patted me on the back: "Luo Chen, great job!"

The vice president said to the staff: "Open the door of this room." He nodded, took out a magnetic card from his trouser pocket, swiped at a groove at the door of Room 149, and the door opened.

Even though I had been told about safety before, my heart tightened.

"Don't be afraid, I'll go in with you." The vice president led us into the room of the living dead.

I noticed that after such a long time, the two living dead still maintained their previous posture - leaning against the wall and looking up - this is somewhat puzzling, but it relieved my tension.I don't want to be the target of their attention as soon as I walk in.

But the deputy dean had the opposite idea. He said as if greeting an old friend: "Hey, what are you two doing? There are guests coming."

One of the living dead turned slowly.I saw his face--in addition to having all the undead in common, I could tell that this man had been a gentle handsome guy before.His hairdo remains normal (the living dead don't grow hair), with a few strands of bangs hanging over his narrow forehead, and he looks just like any fashionable young man—except for his gray eyes. And the pale face like a vampire reminds us that he is no longer a living person.

"This is the friend of 'Pangu'." The vice president whispered to us. When he introduced, the living dead man moved slowly and walked towards us.

The three of us stood in the middle of the room, and I stood behind the vice president and Feng Lun, hoping that the living dead would just walk in front of the vice president, and it would be best not to approach me.But things didn't go as planned, he bypassed the two of them and approached me.

I subconsciously moved to the side, but the living dead actually followed.I don't understand why he's interested in me, and I even want to tell him that it's my friends, not me, who really like creatures like him, but I doubt I'll be able to communicate with him.

Finally, he cornered me and I felt like there was no way out.At this time, I saw the staff member coming over, maybe to prevent this gay living dead from paying too much attention to me.I begged him to come and save me quickly, but I saw the vice president motioning him not to come, and at the same time said to me: "It's okay, Luo Chen, just stand still. He won't hurt you, trust me."

I wish he was so sure--but, oh my god, that living dead man is approaching my face with his mouth open!I could only turn my face to one side, and let out a horrified moan: "Ah..."

"Luo Chen, don't move." The vice president said.I glanced sideways and found that his expression became a little nervous.God, it's not going to be out of control, is it?My heart was about to burst through my chest.Seeing that the nose of the living dead was about to stick to my face, I closed my eyes in fear.

A few seconds, more than ten seconds passed, and the living dead didn't bite me or violate me.I opened my eyes and saw him walking around my body with his nose stretched out, as if he was smelling the scent of my body.I endured it, motionless and holding my breath.After more than one minute, he finally left, walked to Feng Lun and the vice president, and gave them the same "greetings".Then, he returned to the corner where he was just now, and continued to look up.

I saw that Feng Lun breathed a sigh of relief like me, and he asked the vice president, "Why does this guy smell all of us?"

"An animal instinct," said the vice-principal, "when someone (or the undead) appears in his 'territory,' he uses his sense of smell to identify individuals."

"Do the living dead have a sense of smell?" Feng Lun asked.

"Of course there is, and compared with hearing and vision, the sense of smell of the undead is the most acute. Therefore, when several undead meet in the activity area, it is better to smell directly than to observe each other's faces. If you come during the day , and you'll see a whole bunch of undead sniffing each other in the garden downstairs."

"So you already knew that this situation would happen after we walked in?" I walked over and asked.

"Yes." The Vice President said with a smile.

"But I noticed that you showed a nervous look just now." I pointed out sharply.

He laughed as if he had successfully teased us: "Haha... Excuse me, I just can't help but want to see how you are petrified."

"It's not fun at all." I said angrily, I was really scared just now.

"Okay, I apologize again. I just wanted to add a little excitement to this hands-on experience." He said, patting me on the shoulder.

It can be seen that Feng Lun and I have completely opposite attitudes. He really found it very exciting and fun, and pointed to "Pangu" with interest and said, "Then why doesn't he come to sniff us?"

"Yeah, I also think it's a bit strange." The vice president stared at "Pangu" and said. "What have they been staring at up there?"

As he spoke, he walked over and followed the gazes of the two living dead. After a while, he found out: "So that's how it is."

Feng Lun and I also moved closer, and after a closer look, we found a gecko in the corner, and the two living dead were staring at it.

"What's so good about a gecko?" Feng Lun asked puzzled.

"For the living dead, this is their fun." The vice president shrugged his shoulders.

At this time, the gecko crawled down the corner of the wall.Suddenly, an astonishing scene appeared, "Pangu" stretched out his hand quickly, and grabbed the gecko!

None of us expected such a move from the living dead, and we were all taken aback—and what surprised us even more was what happened next—after “Pangu” held the gecko in his hand and looked at it for a while, he unexpectedly Put him in your mouth and swallow it!
The four of us, including the vice president and the staff member, were all stunned, obviously they had never seen such a scene before.I watched "Pangu" chew the live gecko with gusto, and felt nauseated, and the feeling of wanting to vomit came again.

"Oh, he..." Feng Lun frowned. "It's disgusting."

The vice president asked the staff: "Have you seen anything like this before?"

"No, this is the first time," said the honest man.

I asked, "Vice President, the living dead don't need to eat, do they?"

"Yes, they never eat."

I pointed to "Pangu". "Then what's going on?"

"Maybe, it can only be understood as a new attempt?" he replied, not so sure.

I frowned and said anxiously, "Could it be... this is also a kind of evolution or mutation of the living dead?"

"To be honest, I really don't know." The vice president said with some embarrassment, "Maybe I should record this matter as the next topic of the research center."

Afterwards, he looked at his watch and said, "Okay, lads, that's all for today's practical experience."

Feng Lun and I left the Living Dead Research Center.

Thinking about it now, I regret it very much.

This little "gecko incident" at that time, if I could have paid enough attention or thought, I might have thought of it-this is a very bad omen.

Eight

"Are you ready for the speech tomorrow afternoon?" Dad asked Mom at the table during lunch on Wednesday.

"Of course, I can't improvise for such an important meeting." Mom scooped up the soup with a spoon, "I've revised it several times."

"What's your position?"

"Not in favor. But not as opposed to it as you are."

Dad shook his head and said, "The legislators don't need a neutral attitude. They want clear opinions from experts like us."

"My point is clear—I don't support the law in favor of anyone actively turning into a living dead—what, you don't think the wording is strong enough?"

"It's not enough, I think you should replace 'not support' with 'against'."

"Honey." Mom looked at Dad, "I think you should allow me to maintain an independent opinion on such an important matter, instead of forcing me to agree with you."

Dad smiled slightly. "yes."

At noon this day, our family of four happened to be having lunch at home, and their conversation aroused the curiosity of my brother and me.I asked, "You're talking about creating the Living Dead Act?"

"That's right. Your dad and I are going to the first panel discussion on this bill tomorrow," Mom said.

"Is it about the specific content and terms of making this bill?" I asked.

"It is not yet time to formulate specific provisions - the first resolution to be passed is whether there is a need for a Living Dead Act at all - legislation is a cumbersome and complicated process that requires many discussions and deliberations to determine, no It can be done simply." My mother explained to me.

"I've never been able to figure it out, cough...why are so many people willing to take the initiative to become the living dead?" My brother shrugged his shoulders and said.

"That's not the case. Those who participated in the parade and expressed their support for becoming the living dead don't necessarily mean that they want to become the living dead themselves." Dad stopped eating and said seriously. "It's like the fierce debate on the abolition of the death penalty - in fact, most people will never have anything to do with the death penalty, but they are still keen to participate in expressing their opinions as a manifestation of emphasizing human rights."

The elder brother nodded to show that he understood, then looked at his parents and asked, "Generally speaking, both of you are opposed to the establishment of the Living Dead Act?"

"It's not against the bill, it's against the act of actively becoming a living dead—I support the Living Dead Act if it's used to limit it," Dad said.

"That is to say, do you think the law should stipulate that it is illegal to actively become a living dead?"

"exactly."

"What if...you didn't become a living dead on your own initiative, but got infected by accident?" I asked tentatively.

"That of course doesn't involve any legal issues, people who are accidentally infected are sad patients."

"Will the bill mention what will happen to these accidentally infected people?" I held the dishes with my chopsticks and tried to pretend that I had nothing to do with them, just asking casually.

Dad thought about it. "Although it is not yet time to formulate specific regulations, as far as I know-the issue you mentioned, experts have shown two different attitudes when talking in private."

"Oh, what is it?"

"One is to maintain the current situation. Each city collects the living dead in one place to isolate and close them—however, some experts pointed out that if the living dead are really immortal, there will inevitably be a problem—with As time goes by, the number of living dead will continue to increase, occupying more and more living space, and finally make the earth overwhelmed. Therefore, they proposed the second plan-humane destruction of all people who have become living dead. "

I found that I couldn't continue to pretend to be casual, my whole body became stiff, and my tongue was a little knotted: "What is...humane destruction?"

The whole family was attracted by what my father said, and didn't notice my panicked expression-"It means disposing of the living dead." Dad said.

"Is there now...cough cough...is there a way to 'die' the living dead? Aren't they immortal? Cough..." My brother's cough is still not healed.

"If left alone, they may never die. But of course they can be destroyed if certain methods are used. For example, throw them into a high-temperature furnace or crematorium-the living dead don't feel pain anyway, So there's no need to be cruel..."

"Hmm..." I finally couldn't help it anymore, the nausea that had been surging since just now broke out, I covered my mouth and rushed to the bathroom.

When I returned to the dining room after throwing up and rinsing my mouth with water, my mother was scolding my father: "Why are you talking about such disgusting topics while eating?" Seeing me, she asked, "Are you okay? Luo Chen?"

"Nothing." I said.

Dad looked a little sorry. "I really didn't expect to make you so uncomfortable. It's all because I forgot the occasion as soon as I started talking."

"Well, it's okay." I ate with my head down, hiding my unnaturalness, but my brother still noticed it, and he asked, "Luo Chen, cough... cough, why are you so sensitive about this issue?"

I was a little scared. "No, it's just that the picture I think of makes me feel a little sick." Damn, I feel a little sick again after saying this.

"I think your concerns...cough cough, cough...seem to be different from us, cough..."

Just when I didn't know how to answer, my mother changed the topic: "Lawson, your cough is getting worse and worse. What's going on? Have you gone to the hospital for an examination?"

"No, it's just a cough, it's nothing serious." My brother said disapprovingly.

"But I noticed that you have been coughing for nearly a month." Mom frowned. "Have you taken any medicine?"

"Take it, cough syrup and... cough, antibiotics."

"Antibiotics can't be taken casually." Dad said.

"That's right." Mom said with a sigh, "It's all because I'm too busy at work, which makes you delay for so long. It seems that I have to accompany you to the hospital this afternoon."

"Okay, Mom. I'm not a kid, I know it myself," said the elder brother.

While they were talking, I hurriedly finished my lunch and left the dining room.

For the next two nights, Feng Lun and I went to the center of the living dead for testing on time.The practical experience in the next two days is not much different from the previous one—we visited Mr. “Bach” and Mr. “Schwarzenegger” in Area C, and the “Little Hedgehog” who lived in Area E this year.

Mr. "Bach" is an avid classical music lover. It is said that his collection of old records and CDs can open a video store.After becoming a living dead, at the request of his wife, the staff of the living dead center agreed to play classical music in the room where he lived frequently-so much so that when we first approached the room where he lived, we thought it was inside. open the party.It is worth mentioning that Mr. "Bach" still maintained his love for these musics during his lifetime. He often sat quietly in a chair and listened to them for hours, enjoying them quite a lot.

Mr. "Schwarzenegger" was a bodybuilder before. Although his strong and strong muscles cannot be compared with the real former governor of California, they are scary enough.To our surprise, his well-developed muscles did not shrink after becoming the living dead-in this regard, he is luckier than the real Schwarzenegger.I'm glad that it wasn't him who the vice president proposed to have close contact with the living dead that day.

What shocked me the most was the boy named "Little Hedgehog", who had short, lush hair that stood upright—hence the nickname.According to the vice president, he was just eight years old when he became a living dead.And the strange thing is that none of his family members, classmates, or friends were infected with the zombie virus, but he was the only one who was infected.The deputy dean said that the reason why the boy became a living dead is still a mystery until now - people in the research center speculate that the virus may have grown naturally in his body.But this is just speculation after all, without any evidence to support it.

"Little Hedgehog" is the most unforgettable among the living dead I have seen.He is so small, immature face and thin body are still looking forward to growth and development, but he has been ruthlessly stereotyped, eternally stuck in this eight-year-old time, unable to see what he looks like when he grows up.Moreover, the state he presented after becoming a living dead is poignant—he still maintains a trace of a child's nature, and is more active and active than the average adult living dead.It almost breaks my heart to see him pick up the toys and books his parents brought him in his room (without being able to actually play with them).I can't imagine how cruel it would be if such a cute little living dead person had to be thrown into the cremator one day.

Perhaps, now is not the time for me to worry about others, and all the tragic and terrible things I imagine may be my own future destiny.

nine

Here comes Friday, and it's my judgment day.

I've been praying to God all day - I've never done anything really bad in my life.At most, I broke a vase when I was a child, but lied that it was done by the cat at home; or used a fake mouse to tease the girl at the same table-I don’t think this is so sinful enough that I need to accept the punishment of becoming a zombie .If I can continue to be an ordinary person, I am willing to be a person who serves all mankind in the future-I promise God.

When I walked into the deputy dean's office, I felt like throwing up nervously—oh my God, why am I always feeling like throwing up lately?This is not a sign before the onset of disease, is it?Is it unnecessary for me to listen to him tell me the test results?

The vice president is already sitting in front of the desk waiting for us.He held two pieces of paper in his hand. I don't know if they are the test reports of me and Feng Lun.

I dare not ask.Feng Lun spoke for us: "Vice President, is the result out?"

"Yes, it's out." The middle-aged man looked serious.Then I didn't say anything more for a long time.

"How is it?" Feng Lun asked, his mouth seemed to become very dry.

The vice president paused for a long time. "Unfortunately."

My heartbeat stopped at that moment.

The vice president stood up and walked towards us. "Unfortunately, you two are not eligible to apply for a house with us."

When I understood what he meant, I came alive and trembled with excitement. "You mean, we..."

The deputy dean stared at my face, and suddenly burst into laughter: "Yes, you are not infected with the zombie virus!"

Oh God, thank you!Really... thank you so much!I have never been so excited and grateful in my life.I stood there giggling, grinning like a fool.But whatever, at this moment, I'm willing to be a happy fool.

"Okay, you don't need to meet the living dead tonight, go home and tell your parents the good news!" I could see that the vice president was also happy for us.

"Did you forget, vice president, we came here to be tested without telling our parents." I said cheerfully.

"You can really hide it. Now, are you going to keep this secret forever, or tell your family all about it?"

"Let's keep it a secret. Telling it will only make them worry unnecessarily." I know my family too well.

"Alright, just treat it as a secret for the few of us." The vice president winked at the two of us. I think he is really a childlike person.Suddenly, I felt a lot of emotions and said to him: "Vice President, these days, you have personally accompanied us to have practical experiences every night, explaining knowledge and relieving pressure for us. I really don't know how to thank you. "

"You're welcome, this is what I should do." The deputy dean patted both of us on the shoulder and said, "Okay, now you can go home happily." He never forgot to joke. "Should I say welcome back?"

"If it is allowed here, we will come to chat with you." I said with a smile, and waved goodbye to the vice president together with Feng Lun.

Walking on the way home, I felt relaxed, and felt that the starry night and moonlight looked so beautiful tonight.I looked at my watch, and it was only 07:30 - logically, I should still be in school for evening self-study.But tonight, I decided to indulge once more, and I said to Feng Lun: "Hey, it's still early, how about we find a place to have a drink or two to celebrate?"

Feng Lun smiled lightly. "It's really rare that you have the pleasure to drink, but unfortunately I can't drink anymore."

His reaction was beyond my expectations, I thought he would give it a thumbs up.Only then did I notice that Feng Lun had been very calm since hearing the vice president say that we were not infected with the virus, not as happy as I was at all.I couldn't help asking: "What's wrong with you? Are you unhappy that we didn't get the zombie virus?"

Feng Lun exhaled slowly. "To be honest, when I found out that I was not as happy as I expected, I felt a little weird—as if I didn't really care about becoming a living dead."

I half-jokingly said, "You don't feel lost, do you? Did you want to become the living dead?"

Unexpectedly, his answer was serious. "It's not a loss, but I really don't feel particularly happy. Probably because I don't think it's a bad thing to become a living dead."

I put away the joke in my tone. "Are you serious?"

Feng Lun nodded seriously: "After being in contact with the living dead these days, I found that their living conditions are sometimes better than ordinary people like us. They don't have to rush and be busy, and they don't have pressure and troubles. Living peacefully and at ease—isn’t this an ideal state of life?”

I am puzzled. "If a poor man or an unlucky ghost expresses such emotion, I may understand, but how can a son like you who has no worries about food and clothing and a smooth life have such thoughts?"

Feng Lun looked up at the sky. "Whether it's an emperor or a beggar, everyone has his own troubles—how can I be an exception?"

When he said such words, I almost didn't know him—is this my bohemian friend?When did you become so mature and sentimental?I didn't know what to say for a while.

Feng Lun saw my confusion and smiled at me. "Okay, I'm just talking casually, I'm pretty happy on the whole—let's go, I agree to have a drink!"

The two of us took a taxi to a bar in Houhai, ordered a cocktail each, and toasted.Maybe it felt that this kind of occasion was not suitable for high school students after all, and we left after not staying too long.Afterwards, we went shopping in the nearby pedestrian street, and calculated that it was time for evening self-study and get out of class, so we went home by car.

Walking into the living room, I saw my parents sitting on the sofa as usual.But the strange thing was that the TV was off, and they didn't chat or read a book. They just sat there blankly, looking serious and worried.I could clearly feel a cloud hanging over them.

My intuition told me that something must have happened.

I went to my parents, sat down and asked, "Dad, Mom, what's the matter?"

Mom turned to look at me, and that's when I noticed that her eyes were red, obviously from crying.But now, she is trying to control her emotions. "Luo Chen, we are waiting for your return."

My heart skipped a beat—why, do they know about my going to the center of the living dead?They think I've got a zombie virus? "What are you waiting for when I come back?" I asked confusedly.

Dad stood up. "Let's talk in the study."

The three of us went to the study, Dad closed the door, and motioned for Mom and me to sit on the sofa, while he sat in the leather swivel chair in front of the desk—we looked like we were about to have a three-way meeting.This oppressive atmosphere made me feel suffocated.I could only find something to break the silence: "Where's brother? Is he at home?"

"He's in his room," Mom said. "We're going to talk about your brother."

"What's wrong?" I asked cautiously, with a bad premonition in my heart.

"I accompanied your brother to the hospital for an examination yesterday afternoon. Today, I went to the hospital to get the result..."

I looked into my mother's eyes, trying to read something from them. "and then?"

Mom's eye circles were red again, and she took a breath: "The test results show that your brother has lung cancer."

My heartbeat accelerated suddenly, and I froze with my mouth open.After a while, I asked, "How did this happen?"

"The doctor said that the cause of the cancer has not yet been determined."

"So... what should we do now?"

"More tests. The current diagnosis is based on the tissue in your brother's sputum, and the doctor said that a biopsy and other tests will be done next to determine...to determine the extent of cancer spread."

"Does brother know?"

"Still hiding it from him now," Mom said sadly, "but he'll find out sooner or later. Further testing and later treatment—there's no way he won't realize what's going on."

"There's no need to hide it from Lawson." Dad said in a low voice. "He's a grown man, and he has a right to know what's wrong with his body—and it's not incurable, after all."

"Really? Did the doctor say so?" I asked hopefully.

But Mom didn't speak.I understand, that is my dad's unilateral understanding.

"I have already made an appointment with Director Han of the hospital's oncology department. On Sunday morning, we will accompany Luo Sen for a review." Dad said to his mother, "Tomorrow, let's tell Luo Sen the truth."

Then, my father said to me: "Luo Chen, we told you before your brother knew, in the hope that you would not appear too surprised or sad - take it easy. We all want your brother to believe that his Sickness can be cured."

"I understand." There seemed to be something blocked in my chest. "I'll go with you on Sunday, too."

Ten

On Sunday morning, our whole family went to the best hospital in Beijing to meet Dr. Han Buqiang, a cancer specialist in the oncology department.

For us, it was a horrible experience.

First, I saw Dr. Han perform a bronchoscopy on my brother.He inserted a tube with a camera on the end through his mouth and into the bronchi in an attempt to watch the tumor sample as it progressed.But the bronchoscope couldn't see the tumor in my brother's lung.So he later had an acupuncture test: using a sharp needle, guided by X-rays, to penetrate my brother's chest and directly into the tumor.Last time, it was confirmed that my brother had cancer according to the cell examination in the sputum. This sampling is to ensure that no mistakes are made.

If the tumor has not spread and doctors know exactly where it is, it can be removed surgically.But there was another test that needed to be done before it was worth opening my brother's chest: a thoracoscopy.Dr. Han made a small opening above the breastbone of my brother, and the opening went all the way to the trachea wall.He then inserted a camera tube into the opening and moved it along the outer wall of the trachea to examine the lymph nodes in both lungs.This inspection took more samples.

I can't believe that more than half of these scary inspections were carried out in front of our whole family - only through a piece of glass.Even though I told myself a hundred times in my heart that this was a necessary inspection, I was still afraid to watch some of these processes.Mom is the same as me.

Finally, Dr. Han finally told us what he found.

We were overwhelmed by the news - the cancer had spread to my brother's lymph nodes and surgery was no longer warranted.

The moment my mother heard this sentence, she covered her face and cried. My father and I couldn't bear the blow. I saw my father's body shaking a little. Even though he was sitting, I was still worried that he would suddenly fell down.On the contrary, my brother seemed stronger and calmer than the three of us.

"I never smoked, why did I get lung cancer?" he asked.

"It's hard to say. Smoking is not the only way to cause lung cancer. Many factors are the cause of lung cancer."

"If surgery is not possible, what should I do now?"

"We could try to give you radiation or chemotherapy."

The older brother put his hands on his head and stroked his hair. "is that useful?"

Doctor Han seemed to be comforting him. "In some cases, it works well."

My brother asked again: "Is organ transplantation useful?"

"There are not so many lungs available every year. There are too few donors." Dr. Han showed a regretful expression. "Also, it may not be beneficial at all because the cancer has already spread."

My mother shed tears and said, "Director Han, my son has just been diagnosed...how could he be in the late stage?"

"Lung cancer," the oncologist said in a calm tone, as if discussing some of the features of the latest mobile phone, "is the deadliest form of cancer because it is usually not detected early. When it is detected, it usually It has spread to the lymph nodes in the neck and abdomen, the diaphragm between the lungs and the chest, the liver, the adrenal glands and the bone marrow."

"Also, I don't think your son's symptoms are recent." He looked at my brother. "I guess your cough has been going on for at least half a year?"

"...Yes." The elder brother admitted helplessly.

"And sometimes hemoptysis?"

"...Maybe." The elder brother glanced at his mother.

Sure enough, Mom yelled uncontrollably, "My God, Lawson! Why didn't you tell us these things?"

"I thought it wasn't so serious..." My brother said shamefully, "Mom, you know, the last term at school is very important to me."

"That's not as important as your life!" The always steady father roared at this moment. "Why are you so ignorant of caring for your body!"

"Actually, I went to see the school doctor once last semester, but maybe neither the doctor nor I paid attention to it at the time..."

Seeing that my father was going to get angry again, Dr. Han said: "Please stay calm. No matter what, things can't be changed. Now, I hope you can support patients to actively cooperate with chemotherapy."

"How effective is the chemotherapy?" my brother asked.

"There are two reasons why patients choose chemotherapy." Dr. Han said, "The first is that chemotherapy can cure cancer." He first looked at my brother, then at his parents, and finally at on my brother. "But I have to tell you the truth: the odds of your cancer being cured are very slim. Young people, lung cancer is rarely cured."

Mom let out a desperate whimper.

"Then, I won't do chemotherapy," said my brother. "I don't want to suffer like this for the rest of my life."

Doctor Han pursed his lips. "Of course it's your personal decision," he said, then looked back at us. "Your family's. But many people have misconceptions about chemotherapy. It can also reduce symptoms, which is the second reason why you should consider it. reason."

My brother's mouth made a shape for the sound "lighten".Doctor Han nodded. "You'll experience extreme pain for the next few months - chemotherapy can shrink the tumor and ease your pain."

Brother thought about it. "So, what are the side effects of chemotherapy?"

"You'll get sick to your stomach. And you might lose your hair, maybe all of it."

The brother was silent.My parents trembled like leaves in a gust of wind.I am also heartbroken.

"Chemotherapy will work. It may not prolong your life, but it can make the rest of your life more quality," Dr. Han said. "Don't rush into a decision. Think it over carefully."

I don't know how we got home.The souls of our family seemed to be lost in the hospital.My brother hid in his room and didn't come out all afternoon; my mother refused all invitations to TV shows, and even turned off her mobile phone-she didn't want others to hear her sobbing; In the living room, it seemed that I had aged ten years in an instant——I just watched our whole family collapse in front of the cruel terminal illness, and my heart was so painful that I couldn’t breathe.

At night, my parents forced themselves to adjust their emotions—they had no choice but to face the reality firmly.In the living room, they had a long talk with their brother, mainly to tell him not to give up hope - and finally, with their persuasion, his brother made the decision of chemotherapy.

In this way, my brother gave up his favorite biological research and was admitted to the cancer ward of the hospital.The house was full of ghosts, and maybe a year, maybe even a few months, my brother would be one of them.

At the time, it didn't occur to any of us that there was a way for my brother to stay - until four months later.

eleven
It is the beginning of October now, and I am already a third-year student in high school. The burden of my studies has not increased my psychological burden. What worries me the most is my brother's illness.Although my parents told me not to go to the hospital every day considering that I had to take the college entrance examination, I still spent as much spare time as possible in the cancer ward, hoping to spend more time with my brother in his only life.

At this moment, I am sitting in front of my brother's hospital bed, and it is the weekend.My mother was peeling an apple, and my brother and I were chatting about some interesting things about our school. As Dr. Han Buqiang predicted, my brother has lost almost half of his hair now, and his handsome face has changed due to the side effects of chemotherapy. He became thinner and duller, lost the brilliance of the past, and his body weakened a lot.But compared to this, the optimism and strength he displayed broke our hearts even more.

"Believe it or not, I'm really better." My brother took the apple handed to him by his mother, took a bite, and winked at us. "It turns out that chemotherapy really works."

"Of course." I agreed, but my heart throbbed—we asked Dr. Han about my brother's condition every week, but we got desperate answers time and time again—the cancer cells were gradually spreading , which means that my brother's body is deteriorating-in fact, he himself knows this, but he is still trying to comfort us.He gave us more hope than Dr. Han Buqiang gave him.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, my brother fell asleep.In this gap, Dr. Han Buqiang found my mother.

"Professor Li, I want to talk to you." He said.

"Okay." Mom said, pointing at me, "You don't mind my little son being there."

"Of course, he should also know about his brother's condition."

We were invited to Dr. Han's office, and he politely asked us to sit down, then moved the chair in front of us, and looked at us sternly.

Mom probably guessed something from the doctor's expression, and she asked anxiously: "Director Han, is Luo Sen's condition serious again?"

"Yes." After several months of getting along, Dr. Han and our family members have somewhat developed feelings, and his tone is not as rigid as before. "As a doctor, I must tell you the truth—according to our examination yesterday, Lawson's current condition is not optimistic. The cancer has spread at an alarming rate, and it has reached his chest, liver and bones. If it is not for chemotherapy. I am afraid that he will be in agony every day now - alleviating his pain as much as possible is the only thing we can do for him - I feel very sorry for this."

My mother covered her mouth and was silent for a long time before finally asking a question, an extremely important question that she was afraid to hear the answer to. "How much time?" She looked into the doctor's eyes.

After all, Dr. Han Buqiang is a person rather than a machine. He dare not meet my mother's eyes at this moment. "According to our past experience, at this point, only one in eight lung cancer patients can live beyond a year, and most of them will pass away soon." - this is the word he used, gone, as if I My brother just slipped out to buy a loaf of bread at the corner shop.

Although my mother tried hard to hold back, she couldn't keep the tears in her eyes.Doctor Han's words were like a bomb, shattering her last hope.Now, my brother's life is like the countdown to the college entrance examination in the back of my classroom - there is not much left.

Weeping silently for a long time, my mother wiped away her tears. "I cannot lose my son. I cannot watch him die."

"I completely understand." Dr. Han said sympathetically, "Lawson is a very good young man. In the past few months, I have often been moved by his kindness, optimism and consideration for others. Such a lovely man The young man that people like dies young, even outsiders will feel extremely sad..."

"Don't say it, doctor, don't say it." Mom covered her face with her hands in pain, feeling like a knife was twisting her heart. "I just want to know, is there really no way to keep my son?"

The answer to this question should have been yes.But Dr. Han did not speak for a long time, with a look of doubt on his face.My mother and I looked at him together.

After a while, he said, "Professor Li, if...you just want your eldest son to stay in this world, no matter what state he becomes..."

My mother and I were stunned.After a few seconds, we both opened our mouths at the same time, obviously recognizing what he meant.

Dr. Han Buqiang seemed a little embarrassed at the moment. "Of course, I just mentioned that casually. Maybe you think it is ridiculous...I completely understand. But please believe me, I have never made this suggestion to any patient or family. The reason I am telling you is because I really like this kid Rosen, and I, like you, don't want to see him pass away like this."

"No, Director Han, I don't think there is anything ridiculous." Mom stared into the doctor's eyes. "I'd like to hear your specific suggestions."

Dr. Han seemed taken aback by these words, he waved his hands repeatedly. "I don't have any specific plans. As I said, I have no experience in this kind of thing. I just blurted it out."

"Yes, Director Han, I know. Then, can you tell us some thoughts about the proposal just now?"

Dr. Han seemed a little embarrassed, and after a long hesitation, he said: "Because of work, I have the opportunity to come into contact with some... living dead. I think, if you can accept it and have the willingness, maybe I can help you." You are busy."

Hearing that he finally said the words "living dead", my heart was clenched tightly by an invisible hand.

"You mean to turn my eldest son into a living dead..." Mom's voice trembled. "The hospital can provide this kind of..." She couldn't find the right words to express for a while, her hands circled in the air.

"No, no, no..." Dr. Han quickly denied it. "This has nothing to do with the hospital. How can the hospital provide such a service? My suggestion is purely personal."

Mom and I looked at each other, frowning and hesitating for a while. "If we agree with this proposal... what exactly do you think should be done?"

Dr. Han glanced uneasily at the office door—it was closed, but he looked as if he was afraid of someone eavesdropping at the door or someone would suddenly come in. "First of all, I think that this matter needs to be approved by Lawson himself-if he agrees, then my idea is-let Lawson be discharged from the hospital and go home. Then I asked someone to get the serum containing the solanum virus, Next...you don't need to say any more?"

Mom's face was pale, and she looked a little frightened. "But how should we tell the outside world?"

"Of course it's a secret." Dr. Han glanced at my mother and then at me. "Nobody's going to make a big deal about this kind of thing, are they?"

Mom was silent for a long time. "I need to discuss this matter with my son and husband."

"Of course." Dr. Han said, "but I want to remind you—be quick. There is not so much time for you to think and hesitate. The first is that Lawson's time may be numbered; the second— —”

He paused for a moment, staring at us, to emphasize the importance of the following: "You know, the Living Dead Act may be coming soon. If before you make a decision, the law strictly prohibits any voluntary If the actions of the living dead, then this plan cannot be implemented. Professor Li, you are a legal expert, I believe you will not openly violate the law."

"Well... of course."

Doctor Han nodded slightly. "It's good that you can attract attention. To put it bluntly, these few months may be the last time to take advantage of the loopholes."

twelve
Dad's eyes stared like a pair of brass bells. "What? As a doctor, he actually made such a suggestion?"

"It's not from a doctor's standpoint, it's purely from a personal perspective." Mom explained, "Director Han really thinks about us."

"Really thinking about it? Huh, turning our son into a living dead is the way he, a cancer expert, treats him? It's so ridiculous!"

"Chuan Ming, I hope you can calm down and look at this matter. Cancer is a problem that the whole world cannot solve. Dr. Han has done his best, and we have no reason to blame him."

Dad paused for a while. "I don't blame him...I just don't want to see our son become a... living dead. I can't imagine that."

"So, do you think I will?" Mom's tears flowed down again. "As long as there is a little way or a glimmer of hope, I will not consider such a proposal. However, the eldest son I have raised for 25 years is going to die. This is an unchangeable fact! Compared to this, I would rather he become A living dead person, I don't want him to become a pile of ashes. At least I can touch his face, hold his hand, and talk to him-this is enough..." Mom couldn't control herself anymore emotion, covered his face and burst into tears.

Dad was silent, and for a long time the only sound in the living room was the sound of mom sobbing.

I sat at one end of the sofa and listened to their conversation from beginning to end without interrupting a word.I know it's an incredibly difficult decision for them, or anyone else who's been through this - especially my dad, who was so against everything about the living dead, and now he's dealing with his own son The question of whether or not he should be turned into a living dead—was a great irony to him.

Although I didn't express my opinion, in my heart, I tend to lean on my mother's side for the same reason-I hope I can always look at my brother's real face, instead of reminiscing and remembering through the portrait.

About 10 minutes later, Dad said to Mom slowly: "I can understand your consideration. But, have you ever imagined such a situation-if Lawson really becomes a living dead, maybe you will be killed after seeing him?" , will it be more uncomfortable than seeing him die?"

"How is it possible?" Mom wiped her tears with a tissue.

"I mean, when you see your once cheerful, active and intelligent son turned into a walking corpse without thoughts, feelings or even breathing, it's probably more heartbreaking than seeing him sleeping peacefully under a tombstone. "

"No, I won't." Mom didn't even think about it for a second. "Nothing would make me sadder than the complete disappearance of Lawson from this world. I have considered the situation you mentioned before, and I think... I can accept it. As long as he can stay in this world, nothing else matters. "

"Even if he becomes a soulless shell, a...monster worse than lower animals?" Dad's voice trembled.

No, that's not the case.Hearing this, I finally couldn't help it. "Dad, the living dead are not what you imagine. They have basic thinking ability and intelligence, as well as simple emotions, and they even have hobbies - such as listening to music. The living conditions of the living dead may sometimes be better than ordinary people... See words from a certain angle."

Dad looked at me. "Luo Chen, do you also want your brother to become a living dead?"

I opened my mouth for a long while before I made a sound: "Yes, if you have to choose between watching him die."

"I understand. But in this matter, our family must be very cautious. We can't make wrong decisions based on idealized guesses-did you just say what you learned from the Internet, or do you think so ?”

"Neither." I realized that at this crucial moment, I had to tell the truth. "I'm speaking from my own experience."

My parents focused their eyes on me: "What did you say?"

The secret was finally out of the way—I felt a lot easier on the contrary.In the next half an hour, I described in detail what I experienced with Feng Lun a few months ago, focusing on the "practical experience" of those nights. Parents learned about the real life status of the living dead.

After the lecture, my parents were very surprised.Mom cried, "My God, you've kept these things from us for so long!"

"I'm sorry, Mom, I really didn't want you to worry."

"Are you sure that test result is accurate?" She was still worried. "You don't have the solanum virus, do you?"

"Of course not." I said firmly. "It's been more than four months now. If I got infected, I would have become a living dead."

Dad pressed his forehead and kept shaking his head. "Why do my two sons have to have something to do with the living dead?"

Yeah, this question confuses me too.A few months ago I worried that I would become the living dead, and now my brother will face the same problem - is this a fate that our family cannot escape?

"Luo Chen, is it true what you told us just now about the living conditions of the living dead?" Mom asked.

"Of course, this is related to my brother's future, how can I talk nonsense."

"Can they really recognize their loved ones and still retain some affection and memory?"

"To be honest, Mom, I'm not very sure. I can only say that there is such a possibility. According to the deputy director of the Living Dead Center, this is the subject they are going to study now. But from the few things I have observed and come into contact with From the perspective of the living dead, it is absolutely true that they all lived in peace and peace."

"That's fine..." Mom murmured, "That's enough."

Immediately, she looked at her father: "Chuan Ming, do you have any doubts?"

Dad frowned. "It seems that I did have some prejudices and misunderstandings about the undead before. But it's no wonder that the government doesn't want more people to become the undead, and of course it won't publicize how good the living conditions of the undead are... If it wasn't for Luo Chen happened to experience this incident, I am afraid that none of us will be able to understand the real situation of the living dead. But—”

He looked up and stared at me. "Luo Chen, I am very concerned about a question you said - you said that the living dead may be evolving?"

"This is my guess based on the few living dead people I observed, and it was affirmed by the vice president. And he said that it is always good to have this kind of progress and development—for the living dead."

"Really..." Dad fell into deep thought.

After a while, my mother asked: "Have you thought about it? Can this matter be decided?"

"What's the use of our decision, we have to agree with Lawson himself." Dad obviously compromised. "Find a chance to have a good talk with Lawson."

Now, there are no extra people in the ward, only our family of four.

My father, mother and I sat around my brother's hospital bed, looking at him solemnly.

"It looks like this is a family meeting, cough..." the elder brother said weakly, with a hint of a smile on his lips. "About what? The celebratory party after I get out of the hospital?"

The more he forced himself to smile like this, and pretended to be joking casually, the more it made our hearts ache.Dad decided to get straight to the point. "Lawson, your condition...is starting to deteriorate." He said with difficulty, "Doctor Han told us that the situation is very pessimistic..."

"How long?" Brother asked calmly, as if he had been prepared.

Dad's lips moved a few times, his voice seemed to abandon him.

"Forget it, don't talk about it." The elder brother raised his head upwards, exhaled a long breath, and let it out slowly.

The ward was so dull it was almost breathless.Mom broke the silence: "Lawson, Dr. Han has a suggestion, and we want to ask for your opinion. If you can accept it..."

My brother looked at his mother, but my mother couldn't continue. Maybe what she was about to say was too cruel for a mother.After a few seconds, my brother said, "Mom, I know what your suggestion is."

Mom looked at him in astonishment. "How...how would you know?"

"Dr. Han chatted with me that day and asked me what I think about the living dead. Ahem... I guessed it a little bit at the time." My brother said.

"So, how did you answer him?" Dad asked.

"I said it didn't matter. But my family, especially my dad, seemed to have a bad opinion of the living dead."

Dad lowered his gaze. "That was before, and now I... have changed."

Brother understood. "Dad, Mom, do you want me to become a living dead?"

"Sen'er, we just don't want to lose you." Mom said with tears.

"Can you accept this, Lawson?" Dad asked.

My brother smiled wryly. "For me, there is not much difference between being a living dead or a real dead person. Dad, Mom, what I care about is your feelings. If you want so, I have no problem."

My brother looked at me again: "Luo Chen, what about you? What do you think?"

I choked up and said, "No matter what you become, you are still my brother."

My brother nodded at me, his eyes were red.The mother hugged her brother's head and wept bitterly.

This matter was decided in this way.A week later, my parents went through the discharge procedures with my brother and took him home.

Dr. Han Buqiang found the serum containing solanum virus a few days after my brother came home.But he suggested that it was best not to do it at home, because it would be too cruel to watch one's own family members die and become the living dead.His suggestion was to send my brother to a special ward at the Center for the Living Dead, and we would meet him again after a period of time—that is, after my brother had actually become a living dead.After discussing with my parents, I agreed to the proposal.

November 11th - just four days away from my brother's birthday.This day became the day when our family and Lawson who lived as a human being will say goodbye forever.

My brother hugged my father and me next to each other, and every hug lasted for a long time.We stared at each other, using eyes instead of words of farewell.

At the end, brother and mother hug - almost 5 minutes long.Although we made an appointment not to cry before, when it really came to this moment, my mother was still crying.The elder brother gently wiped away mother's tears with his fingers, and said softly: "Mom, this is just a short farewell, and you will see me again soon."

Mom bit her lip tightly, desperately restraining herself. "Yes, my good son. Mom will come to see you every day from now on."

"No, once a week is enough. I still want some personal space." The elder brother was still the same, using witty words to drive away the sad atmosphere.He winked at me. "Luo Chen, if possible, bring me some fun new gadgets."

"I'll bring you the best, brother." I nodded to him affirmatively.Can't cry.I told myself.

"That's really great." My brother smiled and said to us, "I love you, dad, mom, and brother."

"We love you too," Dad said on our behalf, something stuck in his throat.

The elder brother nodded, turned around and said to Dr. Han Buqiang. "Let's go, Doctor Han."

Dr. Han patted my brother on the shoulder and walked with him to the car parked by the side of the road.

At the moment when my brother turned around, I seemed to see a string of tears rolling down from his eyes.But I can't confirm that because he just got into the car without looking back at us.

"Lawson..." Mother's hand stretched forward, her heart was about to burst.

"Don't do this." Dad held Mom's arm tightly, but couldn't stop his body from shaking.

As the car drove away, I felt very clearly that a certain part of our body was pulled out of the body, and an important part of our soul was missing.

thirteen
June 201, 6X (the second year after my brother became a living dead), this is an important date with epoch-making significance - the "Law of the Living Dead" was promulgated and implemented from that day on.

China is the fourth country in the world to enact the Living Dead Act. (The first three countries are the United States, India, and New Zealand.) The whole set of laws has six chapters from the general provisions to the supplementary provisions. Control, the conditions for allowing special groups of people to become the living dead, and so on.

I cannot enumerate all the provisions of the law.One of the most concerning is nothing more than the "conditions for allowing special groups of people to become the living dead".

The eight articles of Chapter 4No.20 of the "Living Dead Act" expressly stipulate that all healthy citizens are prohibited from actively becoming living dead.Those who are allowed to actively become the living dead must be citizens suffering from incurable terminal illnesses (such as cancer, rabies, AIDS, motor neuron disease, sepsis, etc.).If I apply completely voluntarily, I can become a living dead by legal means (it cannot be done privately, it must be implemented by the local living dead center).

In addition, the nine provisions of Chapter 5No. 40-prohibit any act of selling, transporting, possessing or obtaining the virus of the living dead without permission.If it constitutes a crime, it shall be investigated for criminal responsibility according to law; if it does not constitute a crime, it shall be given public security management punishment according to law. (Specific sentencing standards are attached at the end of the article)

Look, the government treats the virus of the living dead to the same extent as drug control.

This law is enough for our family to rest assured that my brother became a living dead because he had cancer—it was legal both before and after the Living Dead Act.

Of course, as you might have guessed, this is no coincidence.

As embarrassing as it may be, I must mention a statement my dad made on a major television show a little over two months before the Living Dead Act was introduced.

At that time, the elegant, beautiful and dignified hostess asked: "Professor Luo, what do you think about the social phenomenon of the emergence of the living dead and people actively becoming the living dead?"

My dad answered this way:
"I think, first of all, we need to face two issues. First, are the living dead legally dead? I mean, should people's definition of death be readjusted after the appearance of the living dead? For example, Decades ago, people used to regard the permanent cessation of breathing and heart function as a sign of death. But with the advancement of medical technology and the popularization of cardiac resuscitation, some new problems have arisen, which impact people's understanding of death. So , the medical community has changed 'brain death' to a sign of death—this has raised questions about the renewal of the concept of 'death'. So, does the emergence of the living dead now mean that this concept will change again?"

"Your point of view is very interesting." The hostess asked with interest, "May I understand that, you think that the undead are still a form of 'alive' for human beings."

"No doubt yes, the living dead are still a part of 'humanity', there is no doubt about it. So, I hope that when the show is subtitled in post, all the personal pronouns I say about the living dead will be written to indicate The 'they' for humans, not the 'they' for animals or other non-living things," Dad laughs.

The hostess laughed too. "I think the program director has heard it. So, Professor Luo, what's your second question?"

"The second question is, is it everyone's 'right' to take the initiative to become a living dead? We often emphasize human rights, so how should human rights be reflected in this matter? I think that if the living dead are recognized as human beings A new situation, then everyone does have the right to choose whether to become a living dead."

The hostess squirmed unnaturally in the chair, as if what my father said disturbed her. "You mean that the law should allow anyone who wishes to become the living dead to do so?"

"No, of course not." Dad smiled. "I only said half of what I said just now. 'Right' is one thing, and 'responsibility' is another. I think everyone, as long as he (she) is not too selfish, if he (she) still considers his (her) future generations, he will Thinking about this question - if the number of living dead continues to increase without restraint, then the balance of life, old age, sickness and death in human society will be broken, and the earth will become overwhelmed in the next few decades or hundreds of years. We cannot leave such a situation for our children and grandchildren. Mess - just like we emphasize environmental protection now, it's everyone's responsibility."

The hostess nodded: "Then how do you think we should balance 'rights' and 'responsibility'?"

"I hope that those healthy people who want to become the living dead will give this opportunity or 'place' to those who really need it-I mean, those who suffer from some kind of painful disease. If they or their If the family members of the family are willing to use this method to end the pain and at the same time continue to stay in this world in another form of existence-it may not be a good thing. Of course, relying solely on personal responsibility or self-consciousness, I am afraid If it is not enough, it needs to be supervised and restrained by law.”

"I understand. You think this is the main significance of establishing the Living Dead Act."

"Yes."

The hostess turned her head to one side and propped her cheeks with a few slender fingers. "Professor Luo," she said with a puzzled smile. "As far as I know, you used to be against any form of turning into a living dead. How have you changed your view now?"

The father on TV was slightly taken aback, as if he hadn't expected this question.But then, he reacted quickly. "That's right." Dad spread his hands helplessly. "I must admit that as a scholar, I made some subjective mistakes. Obviously, I didn't know enough about the living dead before, which led to some unjust and objective evaluations of them. Fortunately, I realized this problem , go to the living dead center to really contact and get to know different living dead, and only then can you really enter their world..."

There is no doubt that my dad's performance on TV is excellent and intelligent-it represents the attitude and position of the majority, and it also convinces those who are trying to blindly become the living dead.

Even so, as my mother and I sat in front of the TV watching the show, we didn't talk—dad never mentioned that his own older son was now a living dead.While it wasn't exactly a lie, it still made me and my mother feel ashamed and embarrassed by his deliberate concealment.We have no way of knowing to what extent Dad's speech is due to personal factors-are the great principles in his mouth for the so-called 'all mankind', or my brother alone?
But in any case, the effect of his speech, as well as the impact on the "Living Dead Act" that was established later, are very huge.After the show was broadcast, the public opinion in the media and the overwhelming comments on the Internet all said that Dad won the support and support of the vast majority of people.Although he was not the maker of the law, his speech made the person who made the law have to consider it from the direction of "public opinion".

So, two months later, the "Law of the Living Dead" was released, and its content and general provisions are almost the same as what my father expressed.While not everyone is happy with this set of rules (there are still some people who are not terminally ill who insist on becoming the living dead), most people can accept it after all.On the issue of the living dead, there is finally a law to follow.

The enactment of the Living Dead Act has not changed anything substantively for me and my family.Because before that, we have already adapted to the way of life with the living dead.Mom has fewer jobs now—she goes to the Center of the Living Dead three or four times a week.My dad and I also go there at least once a week.The elder brother received special care at the center of the living dead. He lived alone in a room full of his favorite things, and even had two pet squirrels to keep him company.Every time my mother went to that room, she stayed for more than two hours.No matter whether her brother can understand or not, she will "chat" with him as always.If it wasn't for the law that stipulates that the living dead must live in the center of the living dead, she would have wanted to take her brother home a long time ago.

The story has been told so far, it is still very flat, it seems that everything will continue in this way.

But unfortunately, human beings are still unable to predict and control their own destiny - human beings don't even know themselves well enough.And how is it possible to understand the living dead?

This was the cause of those terrible tragedies that followed.

fourteen
In mid-June, the college entrance examination ended.In July, I found out through an online search that I had been admitted to a key university in Beijing, and that the composition I wrote during the college entrance examination was selected in the book "The Best Composition for the College Entrance Examination in 201X" that year.My parents were very happy. Needless to say, they entertained relatives and friends, and even rewarded me with 1 yuan in pocket money.The first thing I thought about with the money was, I'm going to buy a present for my brother.Although he can't help me celebrate, I want him to share my happiness.

It’s summer vacation now, I made an appointment with Feng Lun, went to Digital City under the scorching sun, and bought a new Apple tablet computer for thousands of yuan, filled it with movies, pictures and music.Originally, I planned to go to the center of the living dead alone, but Feng Lun said that he was fine anyway, so he went with me to see my brother.

Sitting in the car heading to the Center of the Living Dead, Feng Lun said, "Luo Chen, with all due respect—you buy this thing for your brother, can he play with it?"

I shrugged. "Playing should not be possible, but when we are with him, it is always okay to let him look at pictures and listen to music."

Feng Lun stopped talking - by the way, he didn't get into college, but for him, this wasn't a problem at all.His parents paid him to study in a noble school in other provinces, and it is said that he will go abroad in the future.

We came to the Center of the Living Dead—I was already a regular visitor here, but Feng Lun said that he had never been here since the last test with me.

My brother's room is in Room 502, District E. We explained our purpose to the staff at the door.A young staff member took the electronic controller, led us to the door, and opened the door for us.

Brother sitting on his bed—though the living dead don't need to sleep, Mom bought him a cot, which she said made it look like a place to live.Feng Lun and I walked in, and I waved and shouted, "Hi, brother, I'm here."

The brother who had turned into a living dead did not respond to our arrival, but stared at the two squirrels in the cage.

I opened the tablet and played the slideshow of the pictures I had previously loaded—almost all of my brother’s favorite animals—and then walked over to my brother and set the tablet up on a stand in front of him on the table . "Look, do you like it?"

My brother’s gaze slowly shifted from the squirrel to the computer screen—the lion on the African prairie, the penguin in the ice and snow, the monkey and dwarf bird in the Amazon, the brown bear in Alaska, the blue whale in the sea... Animals of all kinds passed by him.I observed that although my brother's expression was dull, his dull gray eyes were wide open, obviously interested.

"If you like, I can copy more pictures of animals and landscapes next time." I said to my brother, "This is a gift from me."

Feng Lun came over and put his arm on my shoulder. "It's really yours, Luo Chen. The money is not in vain. I can see that your brother really likes it."

"Yes." I nodded contentedly.

At this time, a person walked in.I looked back and saw that it was the vice-principal——because I often come here, I have become very familiar with him, almost a friend.When I saw him, I said happily, "Hi, Dean Wu, how do you know I'm here?"

"I said hello to the staff downstairs - as long as you come, let me know - hey, Feng Lun, you are here too, long time no see."

"Vice President, hello." Feng Lun said.

I was a little surprised: "Dean Wu, you still remember his name?"

"Well, yes, the impression you two left on me was very deep."

"It looks like you have something to ask me?" I asked.

"Yeah, there are some things I want to talk to you about."

"About what? My brother?"

"No, it's something else. Would you mind coming into my office and chatting for a while?"

I glanced at my brother, he maintained the previous posture.I guess these hundreds of pictures are enough for him to look at for a while. "Okay." I agreed.

"So, what about me?" Feng Lun pointed to himself.

"It's okay, let's come together." The vice president said to Feng Lun, "I remember you are a zombie fan, right? Then you must be very interested in the topic I want to talk about."

"Great!" Feng Lun said happily.

Without affecting my brother's enjoyment of the pictures, I quietly closed and locked the door of his room.The deputy dean took me and Feng Lun to the familiar office in the middle building.

The vice-principal poured a glass of pure water for each of us. He dragged the leather chair over and sat in front of us, looking at me. "Luo Chen, do you remember an interesting theory you put forward when I took you on a 'practical experience' a year ago?"

"You mean..." I'm not sure.

"You guess, the living dead may be evolving." The vice president stared into my eyes. "I was intrigued by the idea and complimented you on your scientific mind, remember?"

"Well, yes." I remembered - the pressure of the college entrance examination and heavy studies almost made me forget about it. "Why, this question has been confirmed by you?"

"I'm afraid it is." The vice president said, "A year ago, our center took this as a key research topic. Now, we have some amazing discoveries."

"Oh, what is it?" I asked with concern.It concerns my brother.

"We selected two living dead from Area A to Area E, a total of ten, for observation and comparison. As a result, we found that there is a clear difference between the living dead who have survived for more than five years and the undead who have just been born. .But—let me put it in a more convenient way—the difference between five years of the undead and three years of the undead is less pronounced."

I thought about it for a while. "So, what is your conclusion? The evolution of the living dead stopped after three years?"

"No, the living dead who have been living for more than five years are probably still evolving." The vice president's tone seemed a little excited. "Our conclusion is that batch after batch of newly produced undead are evolving at an accelerated rate!"

Feng Lun and I looked at each other in astonishment.

"It took five years for the first batch of undead to reach the level, but it only took three years for the later ones. And the latest undead, their evolution rate may be faster!" The vice president said in a way Said in an unbelievable tone.

"Where does this evolution manifest itself?" I asked.

The vice president thought about it. "Let me tell you this, the evolution of the living dead is somewhat similar to the evolution history of vertebrates from a certain perspective."

Neither Feng Lun nor I interrupted, we waited for the vice president to continue.

"In terms of intelligence, the evolution of the undead generally follows this process—the intelligence of the undead just produced is very low, perhaps only at the level of fish; in about one or two years, they can compete with certain reptiles or rodents. cats; and in a year or two, it's close to small cats."

The vice-principal's voice shifted with excitement. "Anyone with a little knowledge of biology knows that the evolution of animals takes hundreds of millions of years to complete, but the living dead can do it in just a few years, which is incredible! Moreover, the speed of this evolution It's still accelerating!"

Both Feng Lun and I were dumbfounded.After a while, I asked, "So, if the undead are still evolving, what kind of animal will they reach in the next stage?"

"Primates," said the vice-principal, looking a little uneasy. "Maybe."

"My God, what will they end up with if they continue to evolve like this?" I was terrified.

"Maybe in the end it will reach the level of human beings, or even surpass human beings—become a perfect creature." Feng Lun guessed, with a look of expectation in his eyes.

I asked the vice president. "Do you think that is a possibility?"

"I don't know, no one in the world has experienced something like this. But if you look at the current trends, it is not completely impossible."

I thought for a long time, and murmured: "If there is such a day, human beings may be replaced by the living dead..."

"At least it's still under our control." The vice president's words sounded like a comfort.

I suddenly thought of a question. "The study of the living dead is certainly not the only one in our country? Scientific research institutions all over the world should not let this subject go. Why didn't we get this information from any media at all?"

The vice president shook his head and said: "All countries in the world treat the research on the living dead as a state secret, and they will never release the research results for other countries' reference. Just like we now have the information about the evolution of the living dead, It will not be released to the public, and the research results will only be reported to the high-level government agencies."

"But, you told us..."

"That's because I regard you as friends." The vice president stared at me and Feng Lun. "I'm sure you guys won't spread the word. But then again, even if you did, who would believe the words of two high school students?"

"College student." I corrected. "Don't worry, we won't leak state secrets." I said in a slightly joking tone.

"Then I'm relieved." The vice president said, "You know, Luo Chen, another reason why I tell you this is that you inspired us to do this research."

I nodded, suddenly aware of a problem that is closely related to me and my family. "Dean Wu, has this change happened to my brother?"

"What do you think? You should have more contact time with him than me."

I thought about it. "I think it's been a year now, and he seems to be the same as before."

"Really? Maybe the time is too short."

"But you said that the evolution of the new batch of undead is accelerating..."

The vice-principal shrugged. "I don't understand either."

I thought about it for a while. "Is this evolution of the living dead universal? I mean, is every living dead evolving?"

"Ah, Luo Chen!" The vice president suddenly yelled, which startled Feng Lun and me.He said excitedly, "I found that you... are really a genius! A standard scientist! Every time I talk to you, I will gain new inspiration!"

I asked blankly, "What's wrong?"

"You know, after you said that, I realized that this question is very important. We only selected ten living dead people as the research object, maybe they can't represent all the living dead—in fact, that There are ten living dead people, and the test levels are also uneven." The vice president is gearing up. "I decided to expand the scope of research. The question you raised will be the next key research topic of our center."

"Just don't use my brother as a research subject," I said.

"Of course. But even if it is used as a research object, there is nothing wrong with it. We are just doing some simple observations and tests."

"I know, but my mother may not accept it psychologically."

"Ok, I see."

Next, we chatted for a while.Before leaving, I went to my brother's room in District E to say goodbye to him.He was really mesmerized by the animal pictures and ignored me.But it made me happy instead.Under the care of the deputy dean, the staff promised to charge my brother's tablet every day.

Feng Lun and I took a taxi home.

It is now the middle of July.

More than four months later, something happened.

This incident is closely related to the content of our conversation.

fifteen
Less than three months after I stepped into the university gate, an event that shocked the whole world happened.

On November 11, in Mérida, Venezuela, a living dead man bit his wife to death and turned the woman into a living dead a few hours later.

When this news was broadcast on TV for the first time, I happened to be in an evening class and didn't see it.But obviously, this kind of news will explode like a bomb, and the reports of various media and people's retelling can make everyone in the world know about it within a few hours.When I was in evening class, I heard my classmates talking about this (some classmates were surfing the Internet with their mobile phones at the time). After returning to the dormitory, I immediately turned on the computer and learned about the whole story on the Internet.

The Venezuelan undead was named Andrés Cabillo, one of the earliest undead in the world.He didn't become a living dead voluntarily, but was infected by the people around him.After four years in the camp of the living dead, his wife applied to the hospital to take him home.This application was approved (the local government only stipulated that the living dead must stay in their own homes and cannot go out).At the time, the world believed that the living dead were not threatening.But no one expected that tragedy would happen within two years after Andres returned home.

On the day of the accident, Andres' wife prepared breakfast as usual, brought it to the glass coffee table on the balcony, and sat with her husband who was a living dead.Unlike usual, she noticed that her husband's gaze was focused on her.At first, she thought that the husband of the living dead suddenly had an appetite and wanted to taste the fried ham and salad on her plate, so she passed the plate over.It turned out that her guess was correct, the only difference was that in the eyes of her living dead husband, the food was not what was on the plate, but herself.

The living dead pinned her to the ground.The poor woman didn't realize what was happening, the carotid artery was bitten like a beast.Blood gushed out, and after struggling for a few minutes, she lay down and did not move.

All this happened on the balcony, so the neighbors on the opposite side witnessed the whole process.The man was terrified and called the police.

Several armed policemen broke open the door and came to the balcony, where they saw a horrible and disgusting scene—the living dead was still eating his breakfast—nibbling his wife's arm with relish.

The police had never encountered such a thing, and they didn't know what to do for a while—and they didn't dare to rush over to make an arrest.Until the living dead stood up and walked towards them.The police dared not take any chances, and no one wanted to serve dessert to the living dead.A policeman raised his gun and fired, triggering several other policemen to shoot. The first few shots hit the living dead man's body, but failed to stop his footsteps. It was not until a bullet exploded in the head of the living dead man that he finally Fell down and became a real dead man.

This matter is not over yet.The police informed the hospital to take away the corpse of the living dead wife. After more than three hours, the corpse placed in the morgue "lived" and became the first person in human history to be transformed by a zombie attack. the living dead.It also lets people all over the world know what the consequences of being bitten to death by the living dead (if they haven't been eaten yet) are.

It is conceivable how strong the impact and shock this news brought to people all over the world is no less than the first appearance of the living dead a few years ago.This incident subverts people's understanding of the living dead, and it also raises questions—why does this living dead suddenly attack humans (and is still his wife who lives with him day and night)?Wasn't he fine in the past few years?
These issues have only just been raised, and before any authority or individual has had time to respond, a similar tragedy happened again in Krakow, Poland.

Then, in every place in the world where there are living dead, there have been such incidents of undead attacking human beings-the target of the attack is indiscriminate, whether it is a relative of the undead or an ordinary worker, as long as it is a zombie attacker Almost everyone who was closest to us at the time was doomed.Only then did people realize with horror that the previous incident in Venezuela was not a special situation, but a signal of the collective mutation of the living dead.

According to incomplete statistics, a total of more than 2 incidents of the living dead attacking human beings occurred in one day all over the world—this means that more than 2 people were forced to join the camp of the living dead.Fortunately, things didn't get out of control - most of the living dead were managed centrally.Now, in order to prevent the tragedy from happening again, all the living dead are locked indoors and cut off contact with people.

Naturally, when I was following these news, I was much more nervous than others.I am not a bystander, my brother is the living dead!I spoke to my parents on the phone, and I could hear them getting more anxious.They were keenly aware that what was happening now would change my brother's future.

For a period of time later, I could hardly concentrate on my studies, and spent a lot of time online every day following reports about this series of events.Researchers of the living dead in various countries have drawn various conclusions.

American researchers were the first to discover that all the undead attacks had one thing in common—the undead who attacked humans were all the first batch of undead, that is, undead who had survived for more than six years.

The second important issue was discovered by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences—not all the undead who survived for more than six years will attack people, and some of them have maintained their previous docile state until now.This has aroused the great attention of scholars, who are trying to find the reason for the mutation of those "attackers".

Researchers all over the world are working on the same problem, and the progress is amazing.Almost in less than 24 hours after the Swedish Academy of Sciences raised this question, German scholars found the answer—among the “veteran undead” who survived for more than six years, those who did not attack all had one thing in common—— Before they became the living dead, they suffered from some kind of terminal illness.

That is to say, those who have aggressive behavior are those living dead who are infected with the zombie virus in a healthy state (whether passive or active).

After this conclusion was announced, the world was in an uproar.Different people interpret this phenomenon from different standpoints. Religious believers and atheists have different opinions, so I don't want to repeat them here.What I would like to believe is the scientific conclusion put forward by American scholars—that part of the living dead who did not mutate was due to a delicate balance between the (terminally ill) virus and the zombie virus in the body, which delayed or stopped the mutation.

This assertion, I think, explains the question that the vice-president and I discussed earlier—why not every living dead evolves.

Yes, I always think that the living dead are not so much a sudden mutation as a continuous evolution.Perhaps, the current phenomenon of the living dead attacking humans is just a manifestation of this evolution.The thinking and intelligence of the living dead are constantly improving. So, is their purpose of attacking human beings to wipe out the aliens (human beings), or to make more people become their own kind?

If this is the case, then the devastating catastrophe that my father predicted before has really become a reality.

However, it is impossible for human beings to sit still. People in many countries—including those in power—have a sense of crisis.Therefore, the new "Living Dead Act" or the "Living Dead Act" amendments were introduced in various countries soon.The specific regulations are different, but one is the same - all the living dead who want to attack humans (or have the conditions to attack humans) will be destroyed humanely.

However, this involves a problem-how to deal with the living dead who are not currently attacking humans?No one can guarantee that the balance of the virus in their body will be maintained forever, maybe they will mutate one day.

Undoubtedly, how to deal with these living dead is the most concerned issue of our family.

In this matter, my parents took great pains. They did everything they could to keep my brother.They couldn't watch him being cremated.

One month later, China's "Law of the Living Dead" Amendment (4) was promulgated, canceling the eight provisions of Chapter 20No. ".Of course, the rule of "humanely destroying all the living dead who want to attack humans" was added.

As for the part of the undead who are not currently attacking humans, the amendment stipulates that this part of the undead who has been transformed due to terminal illness is temporarily reserved.But there is an addition later - if these living dead have a tendency to attack humans, they will immediately execute humane destruction.

It was the best my parents could do.

But this incident was far from over, and terrible things followed one after another.

sixteen
On Sunday, my mother and I went to see my brother at the Center of the Living Dead.

After these incidents, the atmosphere here is obviously different from before, and it is a bit more chilling.As soon as we got to the door, the security guard (it was no longer the old man, replaced by two middle-aged men) unexpectedly stopped us from entering.I had no choice but to ask the vice president for help, and took out my cell phone to call him.He said that now is an extraordinary period, and relatives are basically not allowed to visit.However, for us, an exception can still be made, but only if he is accompanied by him throughout the journey.

After a while, the vice president personally came to pick us up at the door.My mother and I thank him.The deputy dean led us to walk to Area E. On the way, we saw an amazing scene in front of Area A on the left:
A few heavily armed men wearing steel helmets and glass masks, holding light machine guns (I don't know if they are riot police or army people), covered a bunch of them with a transparent plastic sheet (the plastic sheet looks very thick and strong) The headless living dead were brought to a military truck like cattle, and they were forced into the back compartment.

Seeing that we were stunned, the vice president looked a little embarrassed. "Now you know why relatives are not allowed to visit during this time? The government's mission is being carried out here."

"Is it dealing with the living dead?" I asked tremblingly. "So these are the living dead who want to attack people?"

"Some are, some can be expected to attack people later. According to the regulations, they all have to be dealt with."

"How many 'raiders' are there?" I asked.

"We are alert here very quickly. After the incident in Venezuela, we immediately took measures to strictly control everyone's contact with any living dead. So it's not bad, no one was attacked by a living dead in our center. .But we still found some 'assailants' just around the corner, all in Area A, there may be dozens, or even hundreds of them."

Mom nodded slightly. "Your actions are timely and effective."

I watched the living dead being loaded into the trunk. "Where will these living dead be sent?"

The vice president paused for a moment. "crematorium."

"How will they be humanely destroyed?"

"I don't think you want to know." The vice president pouted.

I gasped. "My God, shouldn't we just throw them into the incinerator like this? Even if the living dead don't feel pain, it's too cruel!"

"No, no, it's not as terrible as you think." The vice president could only say, "They will be shot in the head first, and then sent to the incinerator."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "It's a little bit better that way."

"The government will also take into account the feelings of the families of the living dead," said the vice president.

"Will their families come to see them one last time?" Mom asked.

"I've seen it before. On the day of the actual execution, it won't be necessary. It will be cruel."

Mom sighed. "Yeah, it was brutal." Then, she asked, "Do they have to be put in cars like cattle? Is there a way to be more respectful to them?"

"I'm sorry, no. I really can't think of it." The vice president said helplessly, "We have discussed various methods with the executive before, but this is the safest way. You know, no one dares to take it lightly. It's no joke that they took a bite."

Mom nodded slightly in understanding.

"Let's go, let's go see your son." The vice president said, "It's just that the way will be changed."

"What changed?"

"You know, this is a special period. I'm afraid you can't go into the room to meet your son. You can only see him at the door."

"My son doesn't attack people. He became a living dead because of lung cancer." Mom blushed.

"I know, Professor Li, don't be angry. But this regulation was issued from above, and we can only implement it. Please understand."

"You mean, I can only visit my son in this way in the future?"

"Of course not, this is temporary. After we take protective measures, you can enter the room again."

"Protection measures? What do you mean?"

"This is also the rule from above - all the remaining living dead must install iron fences and monitors in the rooms where they live." The vice president paused. "That is to say, when you enter the room in the future, you can only meet Lawson through the iron fence."

My mother exclaimed: "Isn't this equivalent to going to jail? And it's life imprisonment!"

"No way, this is to ensure the safety of visitors." The vice president seemed very regretful. "Actually, I also think that such a regulation is a bit excessive, but there is nothing you can do. Professor Li, you are a legal expert. Perhaps only through your appeal can the future situation be changed."

Mom bit her lower lip and frowned.

We walk into the E area.As the vice president said, we are the exception.There is no one else in the corridor of the entire E area except us.We came to Room 502 where my brother lived. Through the glass at the door, my mother and I saw my brother sitting on a chair dully.The tablet I bought for him has long since disappeared because no staff dared to enter it to help him charge it.The elder brother looked very disappointed.

Seeing my brother's current situation, my mother couldn't help being sad, and tears filled her eyes again.She put her hand on the glass and called out softly, "Lawson..."

My brother's eyes were not looking towards the door.Mom tapped the glass lightly and called out again.My brother heard the noise, raised his head slowly, and saw us at the door.After coming over for a while, he actually stood up and walked towards the door.

Mom looked a little excited—brother responded to her calls.But I was very surprised.Seeing my brother walking to the door and looking at my mother through a piece of glass, I was even more horrified.

I quietly pulled the vice president aside and asked, "Dean Wu, did you come to any conclusions about the subject you said you wanted to study last time—whether the evolution of the living dead is universal?"

"I was just looking for an opportunity to talk to you." The deputy dean said, "The conclusion has come out, which is similar to the views put forward by American scholars-the living dead who suffered from terminal illness before hardly evolve. Maybe it is really them The virus in the body and the zombie virus have reached a certain balance, which hinders or delays evolution—it's really a wonderful phenomenon."

I thought for a moment, then whispered: "So my brother won't evolve or mutate. But I think it's a little strange. Logically speaking, his intelligence should remain at the same low level as before. But just now my mother called him at the door, and he He actually came over, as if he understood, how is this possible?"

The vice president looked a little confused. "Yeah, I don't understand either...Maybe, he didn't recognize you, but just a natural reaction when he saw someone appear."

"Really? Look." I pointed to the door of Room 502.

The deputy dean turned around and saw my mother put her hand on the glass and my brother put his hand in the same position, their hands pressed together through the glass.It feels like a silent communication.

The deputy dean also looked surprised. He shook his head and said, "I really don't know how to explain it."

"Would it be possible that the terminally ill living dead have also begun to evolve?" I asked tremblingly.

"If this is the case, it would be too bad for you. However, I can't draw such a conclusion yet. I have to observe other living dead." The vice president scratched his head in confusion. "But among the research subjects we selected before, this did not happen."

"Is my brother the only exception?" I asked in disbelief.

"Not necessarily. It may be that we have not discovered this situation before. In short, we will pay attention to this problem."

I have some conflicts in my heart.I don't want them to pay attention to this problem-if it's what I guess, it means that my brother can't escape the fate of being destroyed by humanity.However, if this issue is not clarified, wouldn't the remaining living dead become a great hidden danger?

At this time, my mother turned her head and said to her: "Dean Wu, can you make an exception for us again? Can you open the door?"

"No, Professor Li, this is a unified rule of the hospital, I dare not make a claim."

"I can assure you that my son will not harm anyone."

The vice president seemed very embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Professor Li, please forgive me - you can't guarantee anything. No one in the world dares to guarantee the actions of the living dead."

I persuaded: "Mom, don't embarrass Dean Wu. He has broken a big rule by taking us to see my brother in person - logically we cannot come in during this period of time."

"Professor Li, please be patient for a while. Believe me, it won't be too long." The vice president said.

Mom had no choice but to give up.She talked with her brother through the glass for a while, and then reluctantly left with us.

Walking to the gate of Area E, a staff member poked his head out from the guard room and said, "Vice President, please ask the visitors to register."

"Oh, I almost forgot." The vice-principal explained to us, "A new regulation in an extraordinary period—in principle, relatives are not allowed to visit. For special visitors, registration is required."

"What a hassle," I said.

"Yes." The vice president shrugged. "no way."

We went into the guard's room.The staff pulls out a register.Mom took the pen and asked, "How to register?"

"Just look at what the person in front wrote." The staff member said.

We took a quick look at the register - it appears that there are very few special visitors.A total of [-] or [-] visitors were registered in this book.It is recorded in detail: the name of the visitor; which room was visited; when he came and when he left; the reason for the visit, etc.It can be seen that the Living Dead Center is very cautious about this.

Mom briefly looked at it for a few seconds, picked up a pen and began to fill in.Suddenly, a record on the register came into my eyes——

Date of visit: January 1;
Visitor's name: Han Buqiang;
Access Room: Room 502 (Lawson)

Visit time: 2:30-3:15 pm
Reason for visiting: Visiting friends

I couldn't help shouting: "Dr. Han Buqiang visited brother two days ago?"

"What?" Mom looked up suspiciously.I pointed to the visit record to her.After reading it, my mother said in surprise, "Really, Director Han came here two days ago."

The vice president asked: "Who is it? Are you acquaintances?"

"It was the director of the oncology department who treated my brother." I said, "Why did he come to see my brother?"

"I don't know." The vice president shrugged.

I looked at my mother and said, "The reason written on it is to visit friends. Is the friendship between Dr. Han Buqiang and his brother so deep?"

"I don't know either. But I think if he wants to see Lawson, he should contact us first." Mom said.

After a moment of silence, I suddenly thought of a question: "Since relatives are not allowed to visit, how can Dr. Han come in?"

"Oh, I remembered." The staff member said, "You are talking about a man in his 40s who wears glasses and is not too tall."

This description fits Dr. Han's appearance.My mother and I nodded, "Yes, that's Dr. Han Buqiang."

"Why did you allow him to visit? I don't even know about this." The vice president said.

The staff member said: "At that time, he had a letter of introduction from the hospital and a visit list approved by Director Xu (director of the Center for the Living Dead), and we agreed for him to enter."

"He just said he came to visit friends, didn't say much?" Mom asked.

"No."

My mother and I looked at each other, and we were both puzzled by Dr. Han Buqiang's behavior.

After a while, I guessed: "Since Dr. Han has the letter of introduction from the hospital, is it possible that he came to learn about the living conditions of cancer patients after they become living dead?"

"Maybe," Mom whispered.

"Why don't you call and ask this doctor?" the vice president said.

"Forget it, it's not necessary." Mom said, "Dean Wu, we're leaving. I'm really sorry to trouble you today."

"You're welcome."

The vice president sent us to the gate, we thanked again and left.

And just like that, we ignored the incident.Thinking about it now, I really regret it.

For my mother, her saying "it's not necessary" was a fatal mistake.

Seventeen
More than two months later, the "protective measures" of the living dead center were completed.Iron fences and monitors were all installed in the remaining rooms of the living dead.The name Center of the Living Dead should probably be changed to Prison of the Living Dead.During this period of time, nearly half of the living dead here were destroyed humanely, and the extraordinary period came to an end.

Mom resumed going to the center of the living dead—three or four times a week.She couldn't sit with my brother and touch his hands and face like she used to.Now, she can only talk to my brother through the iron fence.These iron fences make people in two worlds farther apart.

However, my mother has been trying to narrow this distance.The love and expectation of being a mother made her relax her guard, thus ignoring the regulations of the Living Dead Center.

In the end, tragedy struck.

I am now in the second semester of my sophomore year. One afternoon, I received a call from my father.His voice was almost exhausted, and what he told me was like a bolt from the blue.

"Luo Chen, your mother...was bitten by your brother...while visiting your brother at the center of the living dead."

There was a buzz in my head and my whole world started spinning.In a trance, I heard my father say, "I'm in the center of the living dead, so hurry up and come here."

I rushed like crazy to the center of the living dead.In the special ward, my father and the vice president stood by my mother's bed. When they saw me coming, they stood aside silently and let me walk to my mother.

Mom is now unconscious and I see her right hand is bandaged.Trembling, I asked, "Is this hand bitten by my brother?"

"Yes." The vice president said sadly.

"How could it be? Isn't there an iron fence in the room? How could my mother be bitten?" I yelled.

"The surveillance video in the room recorded everything. Luo Chen, I can take you to see it." The vice president said.

I followed him to the surveillance room in Zone E, and the deputy director asked the staff to call out the surveillance video from two hours ago.My eyes are glued to the screen.

Mom and brother sat facing each other, with an iron fence between them.At first, my mother just told my brother about some things that happened at home recently, but my brother didn't respond.But after a while, he made some moves.

The older brother stood up and stretched his arms out over the iron bars towards his mother, as if expecting to make contact with her.Mom was stunned for a few seconds, and then she was overjoyed. She shouted happily: "Lawson!"

The mother stretched out her right hand and held her brother's cold hand. The two hands were tightly held together, and then the fingers were clasped tightly.The mother thought that the elder brother showed his intention to contact her for the first time, and she was moved to tears.But ten seconds later, something unexpected happened.

The elder brother grabbed his mother's hand and dragged it violently, pulling that hand together with his mother in front of him.Mom seemed to realize something, and there was a look of fear in her eyes, but it was too late, my brother opened his mouth and bit down hard.

"Ah!" Mom screamed in horror. "No, Lawson! No!"

A few seconds later, the door of the room was slammed open, and two staff members broke in, hugged the mother's body together, and dragged her back.Finally, her hand came out from under her brother's mouth, but a large piece of skin on the back of the hand was torn off, dripping with blood.

I couldn't stand it anymore, and said to the vice president, "Enough, turn it off."

"Luo Chen, I'm sorry." The vice president said apologetically. "If we had arranged for a staff member to stay by your mother's side, this wouldn't have happened. But she's been here so many times, I thought she'd already known our rules here—that you must never have anything to do with the living dead." Physical contact. I didn't expect that when she got excited, she would..."

My mind is in a mess, I don't want to go back to what happened, I only care about the most practical question in front of me: "Deputy Dean, my mother... can she still be saved?"

"You mean, can she avoid becoming the living dead?"

"Yes..." I was terrified, I was afraid to hear the answer, but I heard it anyway.It plunged me into the abyss of despair.

"I'm sorry, Luo Chen." The vice president apologized again, even though he was not wrong at all. "Everyone who has been attacked by the living dead, without exception, will...become a living dead within a few hours."

"A few hours..." I seemed to be out of my body.I heard me repeat mechanically, "In a few hours, my mother will be the living dead..."

The vice president didn't speak.I looked at him, and after a few seconds, I twitched and cried, covering my face.

The Vice President put his hand on my shoulder and sighed sadly.I think he was as aware, as I was, of the tragic effects of this incident—it was clear that my brother would certainly be destroyed humanely.What is even more tragic is that the mother who is about to become a living dead is in good health—not to mention terminally ill, she has never had appendicitis—which means that she will eventually meet the same fate as my brother.God, my dearest ones, looking to lose two!The stabbing pain in my chest was getting worse, and the sky was falling like I'd never felt before.

"Why..." I looked at the vice president with tears streaming down my face. "My brother had cancer back then, why did he mutate, or evolve? Why did he attack my mother?"

Facing my series of questions, the vice president seemed hesitant to speak.He hesitated for a while, and said to me: "Luo Chen, there are some things that I planned to tell you after I figured it out. But now that something like this has happened, I think it's necessary to tell you...and your father. "

We go back to the special ward.Dad was still by Mom's bedside, his forehead resting on his hands, and I could feel him enduring the pain.And what the vice president said next almost killed us.

"Professor Luo, and Luo Chen." The vice president said solemnly, "I have to tell you something."

Dad slowly raised his head and looked at the vice president with a haggard face.

"A few months ago, because I talked to Luo Chen about a problem—whether the terminally ill living dead can also evolve. In fact, the cause of this problem was some abnormal behaviors displayed by Luo Chen. After that, I organized I sent a doctor to check Lawson's body, mainly to find out whether the cancer cells and tumors have been reduced or changed under the influence of the solanum virus."

"The doctor brought a small three-dimensional X-ray machine and carefully scanned Lawson's body—especially his lungs. As a result... there were surprising discoveries."

The deputy dean stopped, biting his lip, looking a little embarrassed.Dad stared at him: "What discovery?"

After a while, the vice president said word by word: "We didn't see any tumor in Lawson's lungs in the X-rays taken."

Time seemed to freeze in the ward.It seems that it is very difficult for my father and me to understand the meaning of this sentence.Half a minute later, Dad asked, "What do you mean? Something went wrong with the instrument?"

"No, the [-]D X-ray machine is normal. We have tested it many times later."

"What's going on?" My mind turned numbly. "Can the solanum virus really make tumors shrink or... disappear?"

"We also had this doubt at the beginning. However, after scanning several living dead people with cancer, we found that the tumors in their bodies still existed. Therefore, we can only think..."

He couldn't go on.

My dad stood up from his seat, his eyes nearly popping open. "What is your conclusion?"

The deputy dean finally said with difficulty: "We think that Luo Sen's original diagnosis may have been wrong? Did he really suffer from lung cancer?"

"Of course it's true!" Dad yelled out of control, I've never seen him like that. "I have carefully read his diagnosis report, as well as the X-rays taken at that time, which clearly showed that there was indeed a tumor in the lungs! How could this be wrong?"

"Professor Luo, don't get excited. I think you can ask the doctor who diagnosed and treated Luo Sen." The vice president seemed to hint. "As far as I know, he came to see Lawson once more than two months ago."

Dad was stunned, his wide-eyed eyes rolled a few times in their sockets, as if thinking of something terrible, his whole body trembled.Without saying a word, he rushed out of the ward.

"Where are you going, Dad?" I felt like an idiot for asking that.Where else would he go?He must go to the hospital to find Dr. Han Buqiang!I got anxious and shouted at Dad's back, "Dad! Mom... won't you stay with her?"

"No, Luo Chen." The vice president came over and said quickly, "Even if your father doesn't go to that doctor, I won't agree with you staying here and watching your mother turn into a living dead. Die in extreme pain, and then... In short, it is very cruel, and no one can face a loved one to go through such a process with his own eyes. So, you should hurry up and catch up with your father, and don't let him do anything drastic!"

My mind was in turmoil—and he seemed to be sure what was going on when he said that.Gosh, if that's the case...that's downright scary!I didn't dare to think about it, and tried my best to catch up with my father.

Eighteen
The car driven by Dad slammed to the hospital gate. Along the way, he almost ignored all the regulations and galloped like crazy.I was beside him, neither speaking nor dissuading.He and I have the same fearful conjecture in mind, which must be confirmed at once.

"Bang!" Dad pushed open the door of the oncology department and shouted, "Where's Han Buqiang?"

Several doctors came out of the office, and one of them recognized Dad. "Are you...Professor Luo Chuanming? Are you looking for Director Han?"

"Yes, where is he?" Dad asked angrily.

"Director Han asked for leave these two days and didn't come to work."

"Why do you want to ask for leave?"

"His wife died." The doctor said regretfully, "The oncologist couldn't save his wife's life."

Dad heard something. "How did his wife die?"

"Lung cancer."

These two words exploded in our minds like a bomb.For a moment, my father and I seemed to realize what was going on.

"What's the landline number at Han Buqiang's house?" Dad asked through gritted teeth - we just called his cell phone and it was turned off.

The doctor really wanted to sense that our intentions were not good, so he asked vigilantly: "Professor Luo, what do you want to do with Director Han?"

Dad leaned close to the doctor's face, nose to nose, and repeated word by word: "Tell-tell-me-Han-bu-qiang's-seat-machine-number- -code."

He was frightened and said a series of numbers.

Dad immediately called on his mobile phone.

After a while, the call was picked up by the other party.Dad said angrily, "Han Buqiang, I'm Luo Chuanming. You know what I want from you."

I leaned closer to the phone and heard a moment of silence on the other side, as if realizing what was going on.He didn't say much, and told us directly: "My home is in Zizhu Bridge...you come here."

Dad cut off the phone and left the oncology department with a livid face.

After more than 30 minutes, we drove downstairs to Han Buqiang's house.And soon came to his door.The door was open—he was ready for our arrival.

We went straight into the living room and saw Han Buqiang sitting on the sofa.He was leaning on the back of the sofa, disheveled, and stared at us blankly.On the glass coffee table in front of him, several bottles of high-quality foreign wine were placed in disorder - now only the empty wine bottles are left.I noticed in particular that there was an empty vial and a syringe on the coffee table.

After actually facing Han Buqiang, my father was not as impulsive as I imagined.He slowly moved in front of the decadent man, stared at him and asked, "You don't have anything to say anymore, do you?"

"That's right." Han Buqiang spread his hands and replied briskly, "I've expected this day to come, and I know that I won't be able to hide it from you in the end."

A stream of blood rushed to my forehead, causing a red curtain to appear in front of my eyes.I can't believe he admitted it so openly, as if all he'd done was smash a porcelain vase.I clenched my fists and wanted to rush up and smash the empty wine bottle on the coffee table on his head.But Dad grabbed my hand, and I felt his hand tremble violently, and I knew he was trying to control himself.he asked:

"It's a total conspiracy, isn't it? Turning my son into a dead man would turn me into a pro-dead side, making the Dead Man Act the way you want it to be—who are you for?" work?"

"That's the thing." Han Buqiang said, "But I don't care about the Living Dead Act or anything else. I don't do things for them, I just like the conditions they promised me."

"'who are they?"

"Haven't you figured it out yet?" he said. "The Reindeer Organization."

My dad and I were tongue-tied.We didn't expect that this reindeer organization, which we had only seen in the news before, had already infiltrated China, even our home.My family has become the object of their conspiracy to achieve their goals!

"How much did they promise to give you, a doctor, to sell your soul?" Dad said contemptuously.

"No, I'm not doing it for money. I'm doing it to save my wife. For her, I'm willing to do anything." Han Buqiang drooped his head, his eyes were empty. "She had lung cancer, and I knew that there was nothing I could do to save her life—except risking a lung transplant. But suitable and matching lungs are hard to find all over the world. The Caribou organization promised me that as long as I help them achieve their goals, they will To be able to find a suitable lung for my wife to have an organ transplant, send her abroad for surgery, and then let us fly away..."

Speaking of this, Han Buqiang gave a bitter dry smile: "Unfortunately, I was too naive. I should have known that lung transplantation is still immature in the world. As a result, my wife The operation failed and she died on the operating table."

"So, all the inspection reports and medical records you showed us about Lawson, including X-rays, belonged to your wife after you cheated?"

Han Buqiang lowered his head and acquiesced.

"So, those symptoms that my son had at that time...what's going on?"

"Lawson has tuberculosis, not lung cancer. The early symptoms of the two are somewhat similar, so..."

"So it will give you a chance!" He blushed and growled in pain. "My son is just tuberculosis, which is completely curable, but you son of a bitch said it was lung cancer! Let him undergo chemotherapy, torture him! And finally turned him into a living dead!"

Dad couldn't control it anymore, he rushed forward and grabbed Han Buqiang's collar, and punched him in the face with fists full of anger. "Now, my wife is bitten by my son who turned into a living dead, and she will also become a living dead! You scum! Our family was ruined by you!"

If it wasn't for my last bit of reason, I'm afraid I would rush up and beat Han Buqiang to death on the spot with my father.But I held back and dragged Dad away so that he wouldn't have to pay for it.

Han Buqiang was beaten up by my father until his nose was bruised, his skin was torn apart, and he lay on the sofa like a dead dog, panting heavily. "Fight it," he said like a rascal. "Let me feel pain for the last time. Soon, I'll be painless forever."

"Whether you believe it or not, I have always felt guilty for the things I did. The reason I can face you today is because I think I have punished myself, so let's take it as an apology to you." He said weakly Pointing to the vial and syringe on the coffee table. "This is the serum containing the solanum virus that I found with Lawson at the beginning. I kept some of it, probably because I had a premonition that this day would come. Before you came, I had already injected it into my body."

Dad looked at him indifferently, and said to me: "Luo Chen, let's go."

I looked at the empty syringe. "Is what he said true?"

"That doesn't matter anymore," said Dad. "Look at him, he's a dead man now."

Dad didn't look at the dead dog-like man any more, and walked straight outside.

We went back to the living dead center and learned from the deputy director that my mother had become a living dead.The vice-principal said she didn't suffer much, died in a coma, and then became the living dead.I think he is trying to comfort us, but I am willing to believe what he said, even if it is a lie.

My mother lives in Block E, upstairs from my brother's.A few days later, Han Buqiang also moved in.The deputy dean took our feelings into consideration and arranged him to the D area.He knew we didn't want to see the living dead.

My dad and I went to see mom and brother almost every day, knowing that their days in this world were numbered.We treasure every minute we spend with them.

Nineteen
The tragic incident that happened in our home was exposed by the media and became a hot news that shocked the whole country.My dad and I didn't tell anyone about it, but a very resourceful reporter managed to get the whole story out of the way.

There are three things that shocked people about this incident:
First, the famous legal scholar Li Yuanqin was attacked by the son of the living dead and became a living dead himself;

Second, in order to heal his wife, the director of the oncology department colluded with the reindeer organization to deceive the patient and his family to achieve his goal;
Thirdly, as the instigator of this incident, the reindeer organization's insidious and despicable methods are outrageous.This organization is obviously illegal.

A week later, the government formally classified the reindeer organization as an illegal organization, requiring investigation and arrest of the leader and related members of the reindeer organization in China.

Soon, the behavior of the reindeer organization was exposed again, and its illegal behavior was intensified and escalated. The director of a certain living dead center was bribed by the reindeer organization to secretly transport [-] living dead who were going to be destroyed humanely out of the country.Soon, the incident was revealed and the dean was arrested, but the [-] living dead and members of the reindeer organization that were transported away disappeared without a trace.

The arrested dean said during interrogation that he did not know the purpose of the reindeer organization to take these living dead away.This answer is disturbing, and people have derived all kinds of speculation about it.Some people say that the Reindeer Organization is an anti-social element composed of some lunatics. They want to extract the solanum virus from the living dead to create chaos; others say that the Reindeer Organization is a secret intelligence agency of the foreign military. Their purpose is to They want to use zombie viruses to create biological and chemical weapons; some people even say that the reindeer organization is a new international terrorist organization, and these taken away living dead will be transformed into extremely aggressive and destructive terrorist attackers, waiting for opportunities to attack certain countries Attack or sneak attack.

For a while, all the topics about the reindeer organization made people anxious and worried.

My dad and I were going through some of the toughest times of our lives when people were talking about the reindeer organization and what was happening in our family.We have to endure the loss of a loved one while finding ways to avoid being asked about it by those around us, including journalists.For others, the reindeer organization is a social hotspot; for us, it is a disaster and a permanent fatal wound.My father and I have become taciturn, sensitive and gloomy.As he said, our happy family was completely destroyed.For a long time, there was no laughter or anger in our house.I didn't even dare to contact my friends and classmates. I always stayed alone in the library or in my room, silently licking my wounds.

I thought, I would always go on like this.But then something happened that made me suffer another thunderous blow, and the wound in my heart that had healed a little was torn open again.

It was a news broadcast on TV:

"According to the arrested members of the reindeer organization and the previously obtained materials, the Ministry of Public Security has now officially confirmed the list of some leaders of the reindeer organization in mainland China, as well as relevant information, and immediately issued a Class A arrest warrant for the following leaders of the reindeer organization ..."

When I read this news, I was alone at home.When introduced to one of the leaders of the reindeer group, I froze.

"Among the leaders of the reindeer organization in mainland China, the most hidden one is a boy who is only 19 years old. His name is Feng Lun (the picture of Feng Lun appeared on TV). This person joined the reindeer organization when he was 13 years old. Years later, he became a senior cadre of the reindeer organization hidden in the country. He has fled abroad and his whereabouts are unknown..."

I didn't hear what was said on the TV behind me.There was just a buzzing in my head.

I'm sure that for five full minutes, I sat motionless, almost like a stone sculpture without breathing or heartbeat.

Nothing shut down, only my brain.A series of past events appeared before my eyes like movie clips—Feng Lun asked me to go to Haagen-Dazs to eat ice cream; the owner of the bookstore was taken away by people from the Living Dead Center in front of us; We had a "hands-on experience"; I told my parents that the living dead were fine, and helped them make the decision to make my brother a living dead...

Oh, God.

I couldn't help covering my mouth, feeling dizzy.

Only then did I fully understand what was going on.

This bureau is set up so big.

I suddenly remembered many things: Feng Lun is an out-and-out zombie fan. He told me that he hopes to live in the world of zombies; and he told me long ago that he will go abroad in the future—— It seems that he has already planned for this day.

God, I'm an idiot - I suddenly remembered - I haven't been in touch with Feng Lun for a long time, and I didn't realize there was anything wrong with it!There's no way he didn't know about our family and he didn't call me!How did I not realize this was so abnormal?
The man who took advantage of me, the man who engineered to turn my brother and my mother into the living dead, the man who destroyed our entire family -- turned out to be the man I considered my best friend.

The blood that flowed from my heart congealed in my chest.The feeling of being betrayed and used made me suffer from a heart-piercing pain.At this time, another question came to my mind—is the deputy director of the Living Dead Center also a part of this serial bureau?

I have to ask him clearly and confront him face to face. If he and Han Buqiang are in collusion, I will fight him desperately.

I ran out, took a taxi and drove to the center of the living dead.

The doorman asked me to show my visit card, and I rushed over in a hurry without bringing this thing, so I had to do the same trick again—call the vice president, who was what I was looking for anyway.But the beep on the phone told me that this number has been shut down.

I stood there dumbfounded.The guard stared at me for a while and asked, "Is your name Luo Chen?"

I'm not surprised he can call me by my first name, I've been here many times. "yes."

"Dean Wu left a letter for you." The guard took out an envelope from the room and handed it to me.

I asked in a daze, "Leave it to me? Where did he go?"

"Dean Wu resigned more than a week ago. Before he left, he gave me this letter and asked me to pass it on to you. He knew that you would definitely come to him—here, my task is completed."

I tore open the envelope and took out the letter.

The content of the letter is as follows:

"Luo Chen, I knew you would come to me sooner or later, so I left this letter. I want to explain everything clearly and hope for your forgiveness.

I believe that by now you have a rough idea of ​​what you're going through.That's right, Feng Lun and I are both members of the Reindeer Organization.But you may not have imagined that Feng Lun is my superior, and I must obey his arrangements.The plan to lure you to the center of the living dead was planned by him, and I just cooperated with it.But please believe me, I don't know his whole plan, I thought he just wanted to let you understand the current situation of the living dead in this way, and then go back and influence your parents.I didn't expect that this was just a part, and there was such a terrible conspiracy behind it.

In addition, there are many things that I could not have anticipated at the beginning.I didn't expect you to have such intelligence and keen scientific senses that I would be able to talk to you so well.I feel very happy when discussing with you.I truly consider you a friend and a communication partner.

Later, when you mentioned that your brother was mutating, I began to guess what was going on with Feng Lun's whole plan, so I organized a doctor to confirm it-it turned out that my guess was correct.This terrible plot disturbs me and I live with self-blame and guilt.Then something even more unexpected happened - your mother was attacked by your brother.I finally couldn't help suggesting that you go to Han Buqiang.I hope you can use this to understand the truth.But what I did was tantamount to betraying the reindeer organization, and the people in the organization would not let me go.So I have to leave here and hide in a secret place.

That's how the whole thing went.As a friend (even if I think so on my own), I would like to remind you that - as far as I know, the Reindeer Organization wants to create a world of the living dead, and their motivation for doing so is unknown to me.But what I'm sure of is that the leaders and members of the Reindeer Organization are by no means as simple as a bunch of lunatics or simple sociopaths.Behind their passion and control over the living dead, there must be a terrifying and astonishing secret hidden.

I, myself, am not an evil person.I joined the Reindeer Organization because I was interested in the living dead. I didn't expect to be forced to do such a thing later.And Feng Lun—maybe you hate him so much now.But I really don't know whether he did this to you at his own will or whether he was also under pressure from his superiors.According to my feeling, he has not completely annihilated humanity.He told me many times to take special care of your brother (he didn't expect your mother to suffer this disaster), and he emphasized many times to ensure your safety because you are his friend.

Luo Chen, I have no face to say goodbye to you, or say goodbye.I just hope that your future is in your own hands. "

I tore the letter to pieces and threw it into the wind with my tears.

end
Two years later, I graduated from college.I gave up my chances to go on to graduate school and study abroad to join an international organization fighting reindeer.I have fulfilled the wish I made at the beginning - if I don't become a living dead, I am willing to serve all mankind.At the same time, I swear that even if I spend my whole life, I will find Feng Lun.

Now, I don't have any worries - my father has retired and lives a quiet life without being disturbed in a mountain villa like a paradise.And I don't have any relatives who are living dead, and my mother and brother are not in this world anymore.

Now there are not a large number of people in the world who actively want to become the living dead, and people have abandoned the unrealistic idea of ​​expecting to transform into another form of existence so as to achieve "permanent existence".

Nothing is forever and our redemption is still a long way off.

Human beings made a big mistake and returned to the original point, and finally returned to the nature of "human".

But it didn't stop there.

The reindeer organization is still carrying out their unknown terrorist plan.

Those living dead who are hidden in secret are still evolving, constantly evolving.

What will happen in the future, no one knows.

My story with the living dead does not end, it continues into the next century.

(End of "The Living Dead Act")

After Ryoma's story was finished, no one in the hall spoke for the time being, as if everyone was deep in thought.As Ryoma said before, he hopes that everyone will pay attention to the connotation and deep meaning of the story.Obviously he did it. This story brought everyone not only aftertaste, but also thinking.

A few minutes later, Xia Houshen applauded lightly, shaking his head while admiring: "I must admit, I am deeply impressed by this story. It is indeed not easy to be a rising star now. It is time for us old guys to learn from you. To be honest, My 'Riddled Dream' is simply not comparable to your story."

Xiahoushen's high praise made Longma feel embarrassed, his face flushed slightly, and he said, "Mr. Xiahou, you are serious."

"You don't have to be modest, I also think this is a very good story. Among the suspense and thriller stories, such a work with rich connotations and deep thoughts is definitely a masterpiece." Araki Shuk did not hesitate to praise.

The two seniors made such high evaluations, and the young boy like Beidou was even more excited, he kept rubbing his hands and said: "I have benefited a lot from being able to learn from you masters of suspense! "

Nan Tian also felt an unprecedented sense of oppression—the story of Ryoma was aggressive, and it threatened everyone present——this story is undoubtedly the best so far, whether the stories told by the people behind can surpass It has become a common problem.

At this time, Nan Tian suddenly remembered what the "organizer" said - if the person who wins in the end happens to be me, then none of you left can get out alive.

If Ryoma is not the organizer, then his wonderful story obviously puts pressure on that organizer as well.But if it happens to be him...

A cold air rose from Nan Tian's back.But soon, the blood in his body boiled again, heating up his cold body——I am the last storyteller, and I am the "guard".In any case, as long as my story surpasses all the previous ones, the organizer who got involved in it will never win!
"Can we start scoring?" Chris looked at his watch, "It's almost eleven o'clock."

Beidou went to the cabinet and took out pens and paper to distribute to everyone.Before scoring, Moby Whale hesitated for a moment, and then said frankly to Ryoma: "Whether you are the organizer or not, I will give you a high score. If our subsequent stories can't exceed this score, I will also admit it. "Obviously, he and Nan Tian thought of the same problem.

Hearing what Beluga said, Ryoma looked a little embarrassed and uncomfortable.This sentence is both a compliment to him and a suspicion of him.He didn't know what answer to make, so he just kept silent.

The average score was calculated by Nantian and Beidou - it really is the highest score so far - 9.2 points!
"Thank you for your affirmation." Ryoma stood up and sincerely thanked everyone.At this time, he noticed that the dark fire sitting opposite him had a livid face and trembling all over, as if he had thought of something terrible.He asked, "What's the matter with you, Darkfire?"

Dark Fire shuddered violently, as if being called by his name would startle him.Now, everyone in the hall looked at him.He raised his head and stared at everyone with a horrified expression. After a long while, he uttered a sentence: "The story of Longma really gave me a 'revelation'."

Ryoma frowned slightly, as if he had a premonition of something bad.He tentatively asked, "What revelation?"

"I..." Dark Fire didn't know where to start.He paused for a moment. "Last night, I heard that strange footstep."

"What?" Gott asked in surprise, "Then why didn't you say it when I mentioned it this morning? I thought I was the only one who heard it."

Dark Fire ignored Gott, and continued: "Not only did I hear it, but I also opened the door to see..."

Everyone's eyes widened.Qian Qiu asked nervously: "Did you see who that is?"

Darkfire's thoughts returned to the horrible moment last night, and he tried to suppress his fear. "No, the light is too dim, I can't see who it is. Besides, I only see his back, and the clothes he's wearing..."

He stopped again.Qian Qiu anxiously asked: "And then?"

"The back and the clothes gave me a familiar feeling. Today, I was trying to find out who that person was. But no one looked like that. Until I heard the story told by Ryoma, I was suddenly inspired..."

Having said that, he took a deep breath, grabbed his left hand tightly into his arm, and his heart tightened at the same time. "I remembered who the back and the clothes belonged to..."

The others held their breath and stared at him intently.

"That person is... the dead Yu Chicheng!" He shouted out of control.

The temperature in the house seemed to drop by ten degrees all of a sudden. Regardless of whether what Dark Fire said was true or not, the terrifying effect of this sentence made everyone feel chills.

A few seconds later, Huang Muzhou shouted: "Ridiculous! Yu Chicheng has been dead for several days, how could he come out and walk around? Could it be that you want to say that this place is really haunted?"

"No, that's not a ghost!" cried Darkfire. "I'm sure it's an entity!"

He does not say it is a "person", but an "entity".It makes people feel that there is something in his words, but for a while they don't understand what he means.

Longma heard it, and he stared sharply at the dark fire, and said: "You just said that you got inspiration from my story. Then you said that you saw the dead Yu Chicheng walking around last night—— Dark fire, what exactly do you mean? You don’t mean to say that Yu Chicheng has become a living dead, so my story overlaps with reality, which is a foul, right?”

"That's not what I meant." Dark Fire met his gaze, "I'm just telling the truth of what I saw. Before, I didn't think about the dead at all. But after hearing your 'Law of the Living Dead' , I suddenly remembered, that back and that shirt belonged to Yu Chicheng!"

"You said you didn't mean that, but you made it more obvious." Ryoma narrowed his eyes. "Actually, I really hope you don't mean that. Otherwise, I can only understand that you are deliberately framing me, and using such a clumsy method!"

"If you don't believe what I said, you can go to Yu Chicheng's room now and see if he is wearing..." Dark Fire stopped, realizing something.

"You also find it untenable?" Ryoma sneered, "You are the only one who saw the so-called 'back view', you can say whoever you want. However, it is ridiculous to put it on a dead person. pole."

Seeing that Dark Fire did not speak, Ryoma further said: "Now, I have to doubt your intentions in doing this—or to be clear, I doubt your true identity."

Before Ryoma could finish speaking, Dark Fire stood up abruptly.Ryoma subconsciously took a step back.But Darkfire didn't move toward him, but walked quickly up the stairs.After a few seconds, Nan Tian came to his senses and said to himself, "He wants to go to Yu Chicheng's room!"

These words reminded everyone.Sajia covered her mouth in horror, and Goth also covered her nose, showing a horrified expression: "Yu Chicheng has been dead for so many days, and his body has long been..."

Nan Tian hesitated for a moment, then quickly chased after An Huo.Araki Zhou, Xia Houshen, Beidou, and Chris followed closely behind.

As expected, Dark Fire walked to Yu Chicheng's room, took a deep breath, and opened the door abruptly.

He stood still like a statue.

Nan Tian and the others at the back felt that something was different, and rushed over in a hurry. When they saw the scene in Yuchicheng's room, they were all stunned.

The body of Yu Chicheng in the room is gone!

At this time, Ryoma, Lake, Beluga, Saka and others also came upstairs.When they saw the empty room, they all stared wide-eyed, looking extremely horrified.

"What's going on here?" Xia Houshen opened his mouth wide and asked in disbelief, "Where did Yu Chicheng's body go?"

Dark Fire turned his head and looked at the crowd in amazement. "Now, do you believe me?"

"No! It's impossible!" Ryoma shouted angrily. He had never acted so out of control since entering here. "Don't expect me to believe such absurd things! My 'Law of the Living Dead' is just a fiction. In real life, how can there be such a thing as the resurrection of the dead!"

Nan Tian suddenly thought of a question: "Dark Huo, you said that the back that you saw late last night was Yu Chicheng's. Then, did you see where he went?"

Darkfire's thoughts returned to the terrifying moment last night. He shivered and said, "This is exactly the scary place... I saw him walking to a dark corner, and then...disappeared."

Everyone looked at each other, feeling incredible.At this time, Chris walked into Yu Chicheng's room, his eyes lit up, and he found something on the sofa where Yu Chicheng was killed.He whispered: "Come and see, here is a note."

Everyone rushed in.Chris carefully picked up the piece of paper they used to score every day, but the writing was not a signature pen or a ballpoint pen, but dried blood——

"I finally know that only the dead can leave here!"

This piece of blood paper looked like an invitation from hell. Everyone was stunned in shock and chilled all over.

Another mystery arises.Nan Tian gasped.

It has been six days.

There are eight days left.

Can we solve all these mysteries?

(End of the second season of "Must Foul Game")
(End of this chapter)