Chapter Thirty-Two: Opportunity (Part Two)

“Sheriff, sheriff, someone’s coming from outside!” Jerry had just pulled up his pants when he saw a few panicked officers rushing over. His face soured as he snapped, “It’s not the first time someone’s come around—what’s the panic?”

“There are a lot of them, with armored vehicles—it looks like the army. It’s a big commotion. All the survivors from the outpost are heading over,” wheezed a slightly overweight, middle-aged officer in his summer uniform, out of breath.

“The army?” Jerry was stunned, a strange mix of emotions stirring inside him. Was the government really this efficient? Or was their little town the only place affected by all this? Maybe it wasn’t the doomsday scenario he’d imagined after all? Whatever the case, it should be good news, but unease prickled at him—especially since Mary’s husband, if he remembered right, was a soldier.

“Don’t panic. Let’s go see for ourselves.” He flicked a meaningful glance at the medical room’s door behind him, then led the way, striding quickly downstairs.

Inside the medical room, Mary had overheard their conversation. She slid helplessly down the wall, sitting in the corner. Her complexion still glowed with lingering traces of passion from just moments before, but instead of the afterglow of pleasure, her features were taut with tension. That unspoken suspicion in her heart filled her with vague dread.

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Downstairs, Guo Lang was watching the unfolding human comedy. David, his wife, and their seven-year-old daughter clung to each other, sobbing with relief. The soldiers behind them smiled in satisfaction, while those yet to find their loved ones had a renewed glimmer of hope in their eyes. So long as you don’t give up, there’s still hope...

“David... Mom and Dad didn’t make it. I managed to get Lily into the basement under Dad’s cover. I’m sorry. I couldn’t protect them!” his sister choked out.

“Don’t cry...” David, his face streaked with tears and snot, tried to comfort her. “Don’t cry. They protected you and Lily. I’m sure they’d be proud.”

Thomas had searched everywhere, but hadn’t found his wife or daughter. His dark, rugged face was tense with worry. He looked at the sobbing David and his wife, wanting to ask after his own family but hesitated, not wanting to break the emotional moment.

“Thomas, it really is you—my God!” A robust male voice boomed from upstairs. The speaker was a striking officer, the quintessential white heartthrob—deep indigo eyes, pronounced features, and a sharply contoured face. He was every bit the Western poster boy, a stark contrast to Thomas, who looked more like a burly ape.

Clearly, Thomas and the officer were acquainted. The man rushed over, embracing Thomas warmly.

After a moment’s surprise, Thomas grinned and returned the hug. He knew this small-town officer, Jerry—he saw him every time he came home on leave, since the town was tiny and his visits lasted a couple of months at a time. They were familiar, although certainly not as close as Jerry’s enthusiasm suggested. Still, as a member of the famously warm-blooded Norl ethnic group, Thomas couldn’t very well play it cold when greeted so cordially.

After a few pleasantries, Thomas cut straight to his main concern: “Is Mary here? And my daughter Anna?”

“Uh...” Jerry hesitated. How should he answer? That they were here, well cared for, and always glowing with health?

Guo Lang, standing behind, could sense the unusual tension in the air.

“You mean Doctor Mary, right? She’s here, probably in the medical room,” one of the older men interjected excitedly at the sight of the soldiers, answering Thomas before Jerry could respond. As soon as he spoke, a woman behind him pinched his arm.

Jerry’s face went rigid. He stammered, “Yes, they’re both here. Mary’s in the infirmary, Anna’s sleeping in an upstairs room.”

Guo Lang glanced around. The prison was small—this town had always had good order, so the jail hadn’t been expanded. Including the guards' quarters, there weren’t many rooms. There were seventy or eighty people here, most crammed into the cell block. The guards’ quarters were much better, so why was Anna, that little girl, sleeping upstairs alone? Because she was a child? Guo Lang had just seen a downstairs room packed with mothers and their children—surely those better rooms were reserved for people with guns.

He understood the pattern—survivor outposts were rarely harmonious, with privilege and private arrangements rampant. And this was still early in the apocalypse; later on, women would have been forced into even worse roles.

“Oh! Thomas!” A delighted cry rang out from upstairs. Guo Lang looked up—it was the woman from the photographs, even more alluring in person, dressed in her uniform. The classic siren in uniform...

Thomas jolted, pushing past Jerry and bounding up the stairs. He swept the stunning woman into his arms, the iron-hard soldier unable to hold back tears.

“Be gentle, you’re hurting me...” she whispered. Thomas, overwhelmed, loosened his grip at the sound of her voice, grinning sheepishly. She rolled her eyes at him, then tenderly wiped the tear from his cheek.

The scene was harmonious, everyone touched—except Guo Lang, whose cynical mind instantly sensed the sourness. First, Jerry, left awkwardly to the side, his face dark and fists clenched—not the jealousy of a jilted lover. And then, with his broad view, Guo Lang noticed Mary—her thighs glistening with moisture. Damn, was she really that aroused from just a hug? Was she that sensitive? And the special treatment of Anna—was it really all about looking after a comrade’s family?

Well, if my friend’s woman looked that good, I’d take good care of her too...

“Daddy...” Alice tugged at Guo Lang’s hand. “Why are you smiling so weirdly and staring at that lady’s legs? Is she prettier than Mom?”

“Well, each has her own charm... Oh, hush!” Guo Lang coughed, flicking Alice’s forehead, then crouched down to scan the crowd. Everyone was still absorbed in the touching reunion and seemed not to have noticed him. He relaxed and whispered, “And why are you, at your age, so dirty-minded? When did I ever stare at her legs?”

“Hmph!” Alice pouted, rubbing her head and shooting him a look of disdain before scampering off to Laura. Guo Lang’s face darkened. He was about to chase after her for a stern word when his eyes happened to linger on Laura’s legs. Wheat-colored, long and sexy—he could enjoy those for five years. The thought popped into his head, and just as he looked up, he met Laura’s look of contempt.

“Ahem...” He coughed awkwardly and beckoned Alice over. “Come here, darling, Daddy has something serious to tell you.”

“What is it...” Alice, still holding her forehead, shuffled over reluctantly. Laura chuckled—this kid was getting better and better at playing the father.

Guo Lang pulled Alice close, ruffled her hair, and whispered into her ear. The scene looked affectionate and warm; when people glanced over, they smiled kindly. Guo Lang and his group were a bit removed from the others, so only Laura could vaguely hear what he was saying. Her face clouded over at once.

Because what she heard was: “Alice, watch for my signal. If I do this—” Guo Lang drew his thumb across his neck in a slashing gesture, grinning, “—that means you go and kill that officer, Jerry.”