Day 11.
The earth rumbled beneath the city, a low, ominous growl that resonated through the streets and buildings. People everywhere paused, their daily routines interrupted by the sudden, inexplicable vibration. In China, the magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck with a force that sent shockwaves rippling across the country, toppling small structures and sending people fleeing from their homes in panic.
The blood rain had receeded and just the next day the Earthquake occured.
Around the world, similar tremors were felt—in Japan, South Korea, India, and even as far as the United States. It was as if the entire planet was heaving in protest.
Shen Zhiling stood at the window of his flat, his gaze fixed on the faint blue sky. The red clouds had receded, but they had left behind an eerie silence, a calm that was more unsettling than the storm itself.
"This is only the beginning," he murmured to himself, his thoughts heavy. The timeline was accelerating—events that had taken weeks in his previous life were now happening in rapid succession. It was as if the world itself was unraveling, pulling apart at the seams faster than he could have anticipated.
His phone buzzed with news alerts, reports of earthquakes spreading across the globe. The numbers on the screen blurred as his mind raced, trying to make sense of what was happening. The apocalypse had truly begun, and there was no turning back now.
Day 12:
The next day brought with it another earthquake, this one more severe than the last. A 5.9 magnitude quake shook the city, rattling windows and sending people scrambling for cover. Lu Ningfei and Si Qin felt the tremors beneath their feet as they stood in the living room, the walls creaking ominously around them.
Si Qin, who had been so easily frightened just days before, stood his ground this time. His expression was tense, but not fearful. Instead, there was a deep worry etched into his features, a worry that mirrored the thoughts racing through Ningfei's mind.
"This is getting worse," Si Qin said, his voice low as he stared at the floor, feeling the vibrations pass through him. "The earthquakes… the weather… Do you think the world is really ending?"
Lu Ningfei glanced at him, a faint, enigmatic smile playing at the corners of his lips. "The world as we know it is definitely changing," he replied, his tone measured. "But whether it's ending… that depends on how you look at it."
Si Qin frowned, not entirely sure what Ningfei meant. "You're being mysterious again, Brother. Do you know something about all of this?"
Ningfei's smile didn't waver. "I know enough to keep us alive. But there are some things even I can't predict. Just stay close, and we'll get through this."
Si Qin nodded, though the worry in his eyes didn't fade.
Day 13:
By the third day, the earthquakes had grown even stronger. The 6.1 magnitude quake that hit the city was the most violent yet, shaking buildings to their foundations and sending debris crashing to the streets below. It was a chaotic scene—cars overturned, people screaming as they ran for safety, and structures that had stood for decades crumbling under the force of the earth's fury.
In flat 1406, the group of boys who had taken refuge there was caught in the middle of the chaos. Xie Sheng instinctively moved to shield Jun Yan as the room shook violently. But just as he pulled Jun Yan close, a large vase teetered on the edge of a shelf, threatening to fall.
Gu Yu'an, standing nearby, saw the danger and moved without thinking. He lunged forward, pushing Xie Sheng out of the way just as the vase crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces. In the process, Gu Yu'an took the brunt of the impact, the heavy ceramic hitting him on the shoulder with a painful thud.
"Gu Yu'an, are you okay?" Xie Sheng asked, his voice tight with concern as he helped him up.
But before Gu Yu'an could respond, Jun Yan's voice cut through the air, sharp and accusatory. "What the hell were you doing? Trying to catch his attention by getting yourself hurt? Stop playing the martyr, it's pathetic."
Gu Yu'an's eyes flashed with anger, but he forced a smile, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Oh, don't worry, Jun Yan. I was just doing what any good friend would do. After all, someone has to protect Xie Sheng when you're too busy preening."
Jun Yan's expression darkened, but he didn't respond, instead turning away with a huff. Xie Sheng, caught between the two, could only sigh, the tension between his friends weighing heavily on him.
Day 14:
The next day brought yet another earthquake, a 5.8 magnitude tremor that cracked roads, toppled buildings, and sent the city spiraling further into chaos. The once bustling streets were now filled with debris and frightened people, unsure of where to turn or what to do.
In their flat, Lin Yuxi and Zhang Wei clung to each other as the world around them shook. The tremors had become a daily occurrence, each one more terrifying than the last. Lin Yuxi's hands trembled as she held onto Zhang Wei, her heart racing with fear.
"Zhang Wei," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rumbling, "what's happening to the world? How much worse can this get?"
Zhang Wei tightened his arms around her, his voice steady despite the chaos. "I don't know, Yuxi. But no matter what happens, I'll be with you. We'll get through this together, no matter how bad it gets."
Lin Yuxi looked up at him, her eyes filled with fear. "Zhang Wei. What if… what if we can't make it through this?"
Zhang Wei gently cupped her face in his hands, his expression soft and reassuring. "We will. I promise you, we will. I'll protect you, Yuxi. As long as we have each other, we'll be okay."
The sincerity in his voice calmed her, and Lin Yuxi nodded, her fear easing slightly. She leaned into his embrace.
Day 15:
On the fifth day, the earthquake was slightly weaker, registering at 4.5 on the Richter scale. But by this point, even a mild tremor was enough to set people on edge. The constant shaking had taken its toll on everyone, both physically and mentally, and there was a growing sense of exhaustion in the air.
In flat 1501, Shen Zhiwei and Shen Zhilan were sitting across from each other, a chessboard between them. The pieces were scattered, the game abandoned as they discussed the state of the world.
"The earthquakes are getting weaker," Shen Zhilan observed, moving a knight absentmindedly. "But they're still happening. It's like the world is trying to tear itself apart."
Shen Zhiwei leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "It's not just the earthquakes. Everything's falling apart—governments, economies, societies. People are scared, and when people are scared, they do stupid things."
Shen Zhilan nodded, his brow furrowed with worry. "I've been reading reports. It's not just here—this is happening everywhere. America, Japan, Europe… everyone's in chaos. If things don't stabilize soon, I don't know how much more the world can take."
"Stabilize?" Shen Zhiwei repeated, a bitter smile on his lips. "I'm not sure there's anything left to stabilize."
Shen Zhilan sighed, moving a pawn across the board. "You're right, of course. But it's hard to let go of what was. Everything's changed so quickly, and I keep wondering… what's next? What happens when the earthquakes stop? Will it be something worse?"
Shen Zhiwei didn't respond immediately, his gaze distant as he considered the question. Finally, he moved his own piece, taking one of Zhilan's pawns with a decisive snap. "Whatever comes next, Face it. That's all we can do."
The two brothers continued their game in silence.