Last Days On Earth

Chapter 8: Light In Despair (2)

Wang Hao looked deeply into Ye Ke’s firm eyes. His mouth opened but he didn’t know what to say. Looking back through all the things he experienced in a matter of seconds, Wang Hao’s body shook and he placed his hands over his face.

“Live…” He cried. He hardly remembered the last he cried. Wasn’t he a child the last he cried his soul out? He’s not sure but… it felt gratifying.

Night soon fell and the two filled the water tank and buckets full. They weren’t sure when the power would stop and every resource available were of utmost importance.

Thereafter, Ye Ke boiled the water on a pan and cooked a packet of instant noodles. They ate in silence. And when there was no more, the two placed everything used as an obstacle on the door so they’d have a sense of security and peace.

Without any lights on, the two laid in bed. It felt like forever since they’ve stuffed themselves full.

A while later, Ye Ke thought hours had passed by and it was already well over midnight. He rolled to the side and turned on the phone. The light blared against the darkness and he saw that it was only 09:42 in the evening.

All around, everything was dark. They didn’t dare turn on the lights for they feared what was roaming outside the dorm.

“Ye Ke, you haven’t slept yet?”

“I can’t sleep.”

“Me too.”

Silence filled the air.

“When you came back, I saw Han Song in the piles of crowd outside the dormitory… I tried to save him but it didn’t work.” Ye Ke shut his eyes tight and a tear fell. He’ll never forget the look Han Song gave him before turning back and fiercely running outside. Ye Ke thought he was running towards death.

“They’re all probably hiding. It’s okay. I’m sure they’re alive. Remember, Zhou Kai hasn’t found a girlfriend yet. And doesn’t Chen Zihan want to be a game host?”

“Yeah.” Ye Ke chuckled lowly. “I want to do something. Do you dare to help?” Thereafter, Ye Ke jumped off the top bunk bed and landed straight to the ground.

“All those alive, listen up! If you’re really alive turn on the lights! I’ll count from three and at one, turn on the lights!” Ye Ke howled under the night sky, his roaring spread throughout the campus which in turn provoked a deep growl from the monsters.

“Three!”

Wang Hao quickly got out of the bunk bed and ran straight to the door.

“Two!”

“One!”

None responded to Ye Ke’s roar but at this moment, all the nearby dormitory building lights instantly lit up. Although most of the rooms were faded in the darkness, the white light from the rooms lighting the dark night gave a sense of hope renewed.

It was at this moments that deep growls could be heard. There were bangings, knockings, and scratchings against the walls below. Many saw monsters gathered downstairs through the foliage of light. Dense masses of monsters crowded together and more and more shadows could be seen coming towards them.

“Turn off the lights!”

Just as quickly the lights turned on, it was also extinguished in a matter of seconds.

Perhaps Ye Ke’s courageous feat gave others a sense of brevity. They’ve learned the monsters were unable to break in and so they began talking.

“Brother Niu!”

“Hahaha, it’s okay now, brother. Let’s talk and laugh while these monsters disappear.”

“Hahahaha…” Suddenly, there was a burst of hearty laughter ringing all around.

Wang Hao walked over to the balcony and saw Ye Ke smoking a blunt of cigarette.

He saw Ye Ke’s face full of sadness. There were no smiles written on his face and saw no laughters when others laughed at their heart’s content.

Ye Ke turned his head and passed Wang Hao a cigarette.

The two men smoked in silence.

After a while, the cigarette burned out.

“This is the first night.” Ye Ke looked up the starry night and muttered lowly.

Wang Hao nodded, fully understanding the meaning of his words.

On the first day, food was plentiful, water was abundant, the power was still on, and there were many still alive. This gave hope to many others that it’d get better. But if the power were cut off and their resources grew scarce, many would grow hopeless and desperate.

Thinking of this, Wang Hao’s heartfelt bitter.