Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Room Inspection on the Ground Floor (Part 3)
"Wait! Qiang!"
Instinctively turning his head, Wang Qiang’s body jolted suddenly, yet his right hand resting on the doorknob subconsciously pressed down.
And then...
"Click!" The barely audible sound of the lock turning echoed like a haunting funeral bell in the dim small room, raising Tang Xiaoquan’s heart to his throat.
The door slowly opened, with sunlight gradually enveloping Wang Qiang’s figure, ultimately swallowing him entirely.
Hoping his concerns wouldn’t come true, Tang Xiaoquan silently prayed in his heart.
Because just moments ago, as Wang Qiang’s right hand reached the doorknob, his eyes inadvertently caught sight of something.
That object was only an arm’s length from the doorknob. Although its surface color had faded, under the contrast of the brown corrugated box, its original features inevitably emerged:
A bloodstained handprint!
The security door continued to open slowly, with the ear-piercing scraping noise from the metal constantly tingling the heartstrings of the three survivors.
Wang Qiang quickly snapped out of his shock, knowing Tang Xiaoquan’s shout just now had, indeed, scared him greatly.
He wished he could rush over and give the latter a kick on the backside, but eventually, his right leg, originally ready to step forward, remained stiffly stuck in place.
Why? Because, with the incoming sunlight, Wang Qiang could clearly see in his brother’s fear-filled eyes a grotesque, shriveled zombie head slowly enlarging, accompanied by a thrilling low hum behind it!
"Qiang! Dodge quickly!"
Recovering from initial shock, Tang Xiaoquan’s first response was to swiftly shout out, warning his brother.
Regrettably, he was still a step too late, for the approaching zombie already lunged forward aggressively.
Instinctively dodging to the side, Wang Qiang felt his shoulder sink downward, followed by two ulcerous gray zombie arms being placed from behind, then his back was firmly struck by the tilted zombie head.
If it weren’t for his body’s instinctive dodge, it’s likely Wang Qiang’s neck would have lost a chunk of flesh, nailed to the chopping block.
Missing its hit, the zombie was terribly enraged, roaring as it once again raised its horrifying head, ready to deliver a lethal bite to the prey in front.
Time seemed to freeze at this moment, Wang Qiang could even hear his heartbeat, with the icy breath from his neck flooding down, making him feel like he was falling into an ice cellar.
Run! This was the only thought Wang Qiang had right now, but his stiff legs were immovable, as if anesthetized.
Undoubtedly, the fear of death had completely disrupted his emotions, describing him as a lamb waiting to be slaughtered was entirely fitting.
"Whoosh~" A soft sound pierced the air swiftly, yet even so, Wang Qiang distinctly felt a blade of wind rushing past his ear.
"Thud~" Another solid collision, the just departed zombie head fell back down, and this time it landed precisely on Wang Qiang’s neck.
The bone-chilling cold instantly spread throughout his body, causing Wang Qiang, who was still frozen in place, to shiver, then scream as he leaped out.
"Emma! Dead people!"
The unsupported zombie collapsed powerlessly, its massive head penetrated by a shiny carbon arrow.
There’s no time to rejoice over his brother’s narrow escape from death because the shout just now had drawn the attention of other zombies inside the store.
"Close the door! Quick, close the door!"
Listening to the urgent calls behind him, Wang Qiang’s muddled brain instantly cleared up.
Yes! The danger was far from over; the real trouble was just beginning.
Tang Xiaoquan, anxious and distressed, his pale face contorted, quickly waving his arms, urgently urging his brother closest to the door to close it quickly.
But zombies are peculiar creatures, although they often seem to move leisurely, as if nothing matters. Yet, when prey appears, their swift reactions are often surprising.
Fumbling to grab the doorknob, terrified by the relentless roaring calls from the zombies, Wang Qiang dared not hesitate for a moment; he quickly tightened both hands, pulling back fiercely.
Powerful Qi roared from the door, sending up a wave of heat, causing Wang Qiang’s hair at his forehead to flutter in the breeze.
Unquestionably, as long as this security door shut, all threats would be eliminated because no matter how formidable the zombie claws are, they are unable to break through this sturdy iron security door.
However... many times, reality always contradicts expectations...
The security door abruptly halted about 30 cm from the lock, Wang Qiang shockingly looked, only to see a shriveled zombie leg blocking the gap, and its owner was the "unlucky fellow" who attacked him and was shot dead by Hu Xiaodong earlier.
What to do? Wang Qiang panicked, the unexpected disruption right in front is completely beyond his expectations.
Once again, he froze, his tense face revealing bewilderment and helplessness.
Hu Xiaodong released his bowstring without hesitation, the speeding arrow swayed a dazzling straight line under the sunlight.
No time to verify if the arrow hit its target smoothly, Hu Xiaodong grabbed and pulled Wang Qiang, who stood foolishly at the doorway, back in.
Undeniably, for survivors to clear the zombie’s corpse and close the door now is obviously not feasible.
Because the approaching zombies were merely inches away from the security door.
No other option left; retreating from the room is the only choice for us!
Thinking this, Tang Xiaoquan hesitated not a moment, immediately loudly calling the two ahead to retreat, while lifting and pushing the piled thick boxes beside him, forming a natural barrier on the ground.
"Boom!" At the same time Tang Xiaoquan put down the box, the half-blocked door, unable to close, finally was kicked open under the zombies’ fevered assault.
And that "unlucky fellow" lying sprawled between, was trampled into pulp by its relentless companions.
Tang Xiaoquan had no time to lament those beasts’ ruthlessness; escaping this dark zombie cage quickly was his sole concern.
Uncertain of how many steps he had taken, when the light representing "life" reappeared in his vision, Tang Xiaoquan felt as if he had run a whole lifetime.
Stomping heavily out of the room, he exhaled a long breath of relief.
Now, there’s only one thing left to do!