Last Days On Earth

Chapter 16: Smartphone (1)

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Humans beings are innately visual animals. It is hereditary; it is in their blood. The eyes provide the information which then links and signals what we see to our brains. Regarding dogs, their senses are many times more sensitive than that of a human. It is said that a male dog can smell a bitch in heat within a kilometer away. The difference therein is the degree of application to the senses.

In addition to visualism, an important prerequisite senses for human life to function on a day to day basis, hearing sensory plays just as much importance as their visual aspect. If someone were to call your name, though unable to verify their location, you’d turn your head subconsciously to the direction of the sound. Even more so, hearing plays a large part in recognizing people whom are strangers and familiar faces once the visual senses are gone.

As of current, Ye Ke’s not sure how much of the senses those things retained their senses after they’ve turned. He could place his hopes on his smartphone. He needed this, needed to know their weakness to navigate around or through them with ease. All he needed to do was turn the volume to its max and play a piece of music before throwing it as far as he can.

Those things reacting to sounds, this is the best scenario he can hope to happen.

He now had two smartphones. One’s a bar phone which to him holds primal importance. It connects him to the broadcasting radio. At least he’d be able to gather news and information regarding the current events of the outside world. The best option to throw away was his smartphone, but even then, he’s unwilling to. It contained photos of Shi Yinran… that beautiful flower…

Seeing those things nearing closer with each passing second, Ye Ke sighed deeply and made a decision, albeit unwillingly. He quickly fumbled through his pocket and pulled out his smartphone and unlocked it with a click of a button which led him straight to the home screen. Tapping on the music app, lists of songs were shown which were too few in between.

Alright, it’s time to show his skill.

Ye Ke played Sha Po Lang by Xian Yi before throwing the smartphone high in the air with a flick of his wrist. The phone sang, suddenly playing the lyrics of the song as it landed in between the legs of six infected about ten meters away from him on the other side of the street.

“Hey, yeah, yeah… ♪ the body that sleeps for a thousand years ♪ awakening from the dead forest and desolate sorrows ♪ it is the sigh of the night ♪ the unraveling of the spell…”

Ye Ke watched those things near him ever so closer only to swiftly change direction, heading towards the source of the sound.

It worked?! It actually worked!

His stiff body loosened all at once. He’s filled with an impending sense of excitement which wanted nothing but to shout words of success, but he held back. He clenched his teeth and tightened his fist.

When you’re all alone, yet you’ve encountered a dilemma you solved, you, of course, want to share it with others only to find yourself without a friend to speak to so you can only hold it in deep in the abyss of your heart. Such is the makeup of human nature. We are inclined to noises. When heading towards a place of peace, serene, and tranquility like a mountain or a lush forest, you’ll find the quiet and peace rather comfortable for the mind and body, yet one little noise you’d not notice on average suddenly become so loud, it’s volume seemingly magnified numerous of times.

Ye Ke’s smartphone worked like this somewhat systematically.

The few of the infected nearby attracted by the ringing voice instantly shifted their attention. He watched in nervousness as those pale-green skin and dry, coagulated, dull-eyed corpses slowly pass him by. Among them were several perfectly toned women dressed for a going out occasion. It should have been pleasurable to the eyes, but at this moment, it looked painfully sickening. Ye Ke never wished to see such sight and experience such nerve-wracking stimulation a second time.

The few of those corpses slowly walked away, now a couple feet away from him. He grew anxious reminiscing of what had just occurred. Had he not thrown the smartphone, it’d be impossible to pass through the ordeal. Maybe he’d end up like them… no… such thinking must not happen, Ye Ke thought. He shook his head and cleared his mind. In any case, the impending doom ceased for the time being. He needed to get out of the campus ground. It felt suffocating.

Ye Ke pulled the hem of his long-sleeved shirt and covered the lower parts of his face. He dared not breath heavily nor pant for he feared attracting their attention. If anything was to happen, he’d not have a chance to quickly respond from the danger. Forget about escaping, he’d only end up their food. Fortunately, his worries hadn’t occurred. Those things, at least a dozen of them or so twitched and swayed towards the sounds of the music.

His area was empty. There are no infecteds nearby.

At this time, the sun awoke from its nightly slumber. The misty, white fog slowly dissipated and Ye Ke’s field of vision gradually cleared. His heart which stopped beating suddenly began pumping. It felt as if he’d just escaped from a lion’s den. Any slight mistake, he’d surely startle the lions. Now, he just needed to get through the door. Fortunately, it isn’t blocked.

None of the things noticed a visible green-like bucket hat stopping and moving around every few seconds or so.

Cold sweat formed on Ye Ke’s forehead. Though he’d only move five to six meters forwards, it seemed as if it had taken him over a century’s time.

At last, he finally escaped from hell and entered the gates of heaven.

From the dormitory building, through the streets of hell, and finally escaping through heaven’s door, Ye Ke felt overwhelmed; his whole body sent messages to his brain for the need to rest. He was mentally exhausted. Moreover, the stench emanating from the trash can disgusted him. The need to vomit plagued his mind ever since putting the trash can overhead.

Surely the average man would not be able to withstand a trash can hanging over them let alone standing next to it.

Ye Ke felt stuffed he looked for a corner to rest. Thereafter, he pressed his nose on the hole and sucked in a few breaths of fresh air. Now feeling fresh, he felt a sense of relief and began examining his surroundings.

The streets weren’t filled with those things as he previously imagined. What he saw was more like a war-torn city full of empty streets and locked doors with maybe three or four of those things wandering around.

As for the previous scene he was in earlier with dozens, no… a hoard of those things, only certain places of them should exist like the gates of the campus grounds, the police station, or the hospital, and so forth.

Though the world changed so suddenly, Ye Ke believed there were many who managed to survive, but thinking of the infected tap water, he’s not sure how many of his schoolmates turned, slowly become the monster they once feared.