More and more mutated creatures gathered around the train, blindly searching near the vehicle and the train station. A few of them even managed to climb into the train, but none of them found the two hiding in the control cabin.
The train's height made it difficult for the creatures to spot anyone inside unless they were on the platform side, but the control panel conveniently blocked their view.
Frustrated by the lack of prey, the mutated creatures became even more agitated. They had just seen human tracks, but now the "meal" they had been chasing had disappeared, leaving them to run around in vain.
The creatures began frantically pounding on the sides of the train. Inside the cabin, Shao Ming and Feng Yusheng crouched down behind the control panel, holding their breath, not daring to make a sound.
Feng Yusheng couldn't hold it in anymore; tears started flowing freely from her eyes.
It might have been bearable if there were only a dozen or so creatures. At most, she would have felt disgusted by the sight of the corpses. But now, with potentially tens of thousands of mutated creatures gathered near them, all that stood between them and certain death was the thin metal walls of the train and a layer of glass.
The threat of death was so close; anyone would be terrified.
Shao Ming carefully shifted his position and pulled Feng Yusheng into an embrace.
Though they had only known each other for a short time, Shao Ming realized that Feng Yusheng was an incredibly strong woman. However, it wasn't just to comfort her that he hugged her—he, too, felt afraid.
If they were discovered now, the horde might tear the train apart in seconds.
Feng Yusheng didn't resist his embrace, burying her head in his chest and quietly sobbing. She didn't blame him for taking her along, because in this world, nothing could be predicted.
They didn't know how much time had passed, but eventually, they both fell asleep in their stiff, awkward positions, huddled under the control panel.
Shao Ming was suddenly jolted awake. He glanced at his watch—it was already 3 AM. It had been just a little past midnight when they'd fallen asleep. Whether it was the exhaustion from running all day or the discomfort of sleeping bent over the control panel, Shao Ming's whole body ached.
Outside, it had started raining again. It seemed the mutated creatures disliked the rain, as many of those near the train's front had dispersed.
Shao Ming slowly withdrew his arm from behind Feng Yusheng, feeling an odd numbness. He cautiously straightened up and peered outside. The dim light of the moon still allowed him to spot a few mutated creatures standing on the platform, looking eerily similar to people waiting for a train at night.
He quickly withdrew, then gently took the handgun from Feng Yusheng's hand. She had actually slept with the loaded gun in her grasp—Shao Ming couldn't help but feel uneasy about it.
He replaced the magazine with a fresh one, flipped off the safety, and placed the gun in his backpack.
The rest of the night was restless for him. He would drift off to sleep for a few minutes, only to wake up startled, his heart racing.
By morning, Feng Yusheng woke up and noticed Shao Ming sitting on the floor, dark circles under his eyes.
"Didn't sleep well?" she asked quietly.
Shao Ming shook his head. "I slept for a while. The number of zombies outside has decreased a lot."
Feng Yusheng remembered the events of the previous night and, feeling slightly embarrassed, apologized, "Sorry about last night... I kind of lost it."
"No, no," Shao Ming quickly responded. "You were amazing. I was scared too."
The two fell silent for a moment, and then Shao Ming pulled a packet of cookies out of his backpack and handed them to her.
Actually, what was left was just cookie crumbs, but it was better than nothing. Neither of them remembered when the cookies had turned to dust.
Feng Yusheng took the crumbs from him, saying softly, "Thank you."
"No need to thank me," Shao Ming replied with a smile. "Just buy me a big bowl of spicy hotpot when we get back."
Feng Yusheng laughed. She wasn't exactly a modern, trendy internet celebrity with a heart-shaped face and big eyes, but she had the charm of a Hong Kong star from the '80s and '90s. Her smile was infectious, and it made her even more beautiful.
She reached into her backpack, took out a can, and placed it between them. "I'll treat you to something better when we get back, but for now, I've got this."
Shao Ming opened the can, and a strong pineapple scent wafted through the control cabin, though it was more acidic than sweet.
Shao Ming wasn't fond of fruits, but right now, the sweet-sour taste of pineapple was a paradise compared to the blandness of the crushed cookies. It was an unexpected delight.
The rain outside grew heavier, washing away the bloodstains from the streets, but it couldn't cleanse the city's evil.
With the sound of rain masking their voices, the two of them finally dared to speak a little louder.
"How old are you?" Feng Yusheng asked.
"Me? I'm 21," Shao Ming replied. "What about you?"
Feng Yusheng laughed. "You know, a woman's age is a secret."
"24?" Shao Ming guessed, teasing.
Feng Yusheng looked surprised for a moment, but quickly replied, "I'm not telling you."
"Alright, then, big sister," Shao Ming teased, adding, "Big sister, big sister."
Feng Yusheng chuckled, playfully responding, "Hey, hey, hey~"
Shao Ming smiled, but then asked, "What brought you to the UK?"
"I was sent here by my company for an exchange program," Feng Yusheng answered. "But not long after I arrived, I tripped and injured my meniscus."
"Ah, I'm sorry to hear that," Shao Ming said, genuinely sympathetic. "You really are impressive, though."
"You're not bad either," Feng Yusheng said. "A top student from the University of Manchester."
The two fell into an exchange of compliments, each offering praise for the other.
They chatted about everything—hometown, life in the UK, hobbies, and their lives before the apocalypse. The more they talked, the more they found in common, as though they had known each other for years.
By the afternoon, the rain finally stopped, and the sky cleared up. Sunshine once again bathed the land.
Suddenly, a high-pitched buzzing sound, like mosquitoes, came from outside the train. Shao Ming quickly motioned for Feng Yusheng to be quiet.
He peered out the window and saw… a drone.
Shao Ming quickly checked the surroundings. No mutated creatures were in sight.
The drone seemed to be aware that there were humans hiding inside the train. It circled the train's front and then hovered right in front of the engine.
Feng Yusheng also peeked over the control panel and saw the drone hovering outside.
"Could it be... are there still survivors?" she whispered, her voice filled with a mixture of disbelief and hope.