Chapter 13: Revelations and Shadows

As Li Mei lay in bed, unable to sleep, her mind was consumed with thoughts about Chen Wei's powers and the mysterious object he had retrieved from the batch 18 zombie. The atmosphere within the group seemed to improve significantly after he found it, raising even more questions in her mind.

Unable to resist the restlessness any longer, Li Mei decided to step outside for some fresh air. But before she could open the door, it swung open to reveal Chen Wei standing there. She looked at him with surprise, wondering why he had come to her room.

"Can I come in?" he asked, his voice calm and composed. Li Mei hesitated for a moment before opening the door wider, silently granting him permission to enter. Chen Wei took a seat on the edge of the bed, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

He gazed at her intently, his eyes seemingly capable of peering into her very soul. "Didn't I tell you to wait and not get out of the car earlier?" he questioned, his tone betraying a hint of disappointment.

Li Mei felt a pang of guilt and tried to avoid his gaze, her voice betraying her as she responded, "I did wait in the car." She knew she have to lie, but facing Chen Wei made her feel exposed, as if her true intentions were laid bare before him. She never expected him to have noticed, given his he is fighting against the zombie.

Chen Wei continued to look at her with a quiet intensity, fulfilling her curiosity by sharing more information about the batch 18 zombies. "Batch 18 zombies were once humans who became subjects— a guinea pigs it's what the scientists called them." he revealed.

Li Mei listened intently to Chen Wei's words, her mind spinning with the revelations he shared. The concept of batch 18 being former humans turned experimental subjects sent a shiver down her spine. She couldn't fathom the idea of individuals being subjected to such cruel scientific experiments, only to transform into these formidable and dangerous creatures.

Her voice trembled as she asked the question that haunted her thoughts, "Does that mean there are more powerful zombies like batch 18?" The fear in her voice was palpable, and she awaited Chen Wei's response with bated breath.

Chen Wei's gaze drifted toward the ceiling, the dust particles dancing in the dim light. "There are indeed more powerful zombies," he said solemnly, "but not all of them become zombies. Only the failures are condemned to such a fate."

Li Mei's world seemed to crumble around her as his words sunk in. The implications of what he was saying were staggering. "What do you mean by 'failures'?" she asked, her voice shaking with anxiety. She hoped against hope that Chen Wei had some explanation that would alleviate her fears.

His eyes met hers but avoid her question, and a sorrowful smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "It has been more than five years since the outbreak," he began changing the topic, his voice filled with a weight of knowledge. "Humanity has found refuge in a small safe haven, but it can't accommodate everyone. Resources are scarce, and our crops have withered, and now not only zombies, but humans have become dangerous. The weak are enslaved and sacrificed."

Li Mei struggled to process the magnitude of what he was revealing. Her mind was flooded with questions about how he new what happened to the zombies, but before she could voice them, Chen Wei redirected the conversation. He skirted around her inquiry about how he knew these things, leaving her full of questions.

Li Mei struggled to process the grim reality before her. Chen Wei had evaded her questions about his knowledge, leaving her bewildered. "But you're not out here searching for a place and resources, are you?" she asked, her eyes fixed on his.

He chuckled softly and shook his head. "No, we're not," he replied, not answering why they're out here. His eyes bore into hers not, their intensity leaving her momentarily breathless. "With limited space, more humans, and scarce resources, what do you think will happen?" he queried, genuinely curious about her thoughts.

Li Mei hesitated for a moment, contemplating the grim reality of human nature. "A fight between humans," she responded, her voice carrying a mix of resignation and doubt.

Chen Wei nodded, acknowledging her answer. "Exactly," he confirmed. "The strong seize everything they can, leaving little for the weak. Why would they venture into danger when they can have what others possess?" His words resonated with her, echoing the brutal truth of survival instincts.

She couldn't help but pose another question, her curiosity overpowering her fear. "But why didn't they try to venture out and find resources?" she asked, hoping for some glimmer of hope of humanity amidst the despair.

The atmosphere grew tense as Chen Wei sighed heavily. "Some groups did try to explore and secure resources," he explained. "But none of them have been seen since. It appears that it's not just humans who have evolved and gained powers. The zombies, or rather, the batch's of guinea pig of the scientists, have been watching and biding their time. Once humans disappear, so do they. Humans are their sole source of sustenance, the only food that can satiate their hunger" he concluded, a sigh escaping his lips.

Li Mei's mind whirled with the implications of Chen Wei's words. If the zombies were such a grave threat, why were they venturing outside? And what was the significance of the object he had taken from the batch 18 zombie's head?

Before Li Mei could process the gravity of his words or delve deeper into their conversation, the sound of numerous gunshots erupted outside. The distinct sound of gunfire meant that their adversaries were not zombies, as firing a gun would only attract more undead so they have been using powers. Chen Wei swiftly announced that he would investigate, urging her to rest in the meantime.

Li Mei watched as he left the room, her mind swirling with a mixture of fear, curiosity, and the weight of the revelations she had just encountered. Torn between fear and curiosity, Li Mei reluctantly settled back into the bed, her mind ablaze with thoughts and uncertainties. Sleep continued to evade her as she awaited Chen Wei's return, desperate for answers in the midst of a world shrouded in darkness and danger.