Chapter 5: Shelter
A few of us followed the staff and walked towards another building into a lobby, where the staff distributed protective clothing to us.
After changing into protective gear, we were assigned to dormitories. These so-called dormitories were actually just a few simple rooms, with the boys on the left and the girls on the right. The layout was like a large bunk bed, with beds filling the entire row.
An Xiaowei and I were naturally assigned to the same room - after all, there were at least 15 people in this room.
Everyone was packing their things, and there were complaints. I was busy stuffing my backpack into the cabinet next to the bed. After thinking for a moment, I took out a waist bag and tied it up, leaving a small folding dagger with me.
An Xiaowei also came over and asked in a low voice: "Are we all going to live here in the future?"
"Probably, at least for now we don't seem to have anywhere better to go." I looked up and looked around. To be honest, there are more survivors than I thought, and there was some confusion on my face.
"Ji Ling, what are you thinking about?" An Xiaowei asked when she saw that I looked strange.
I told her my thoughts honestly, and An Xiaowei nodded:
"What you said is true, but it's a good thing that there are many survivors. I believe that the relevant departments can deal with this disaster quickly. I don't want it to really become the end of the world." After saying this, she put her hands together and prayed to God.
"That's true." I nodded.
At this time, several staff members in protective suits came in and greeted everyone to leave. They arrived at a hall where people gathered and talked.
A few more people in hazmat suits arrived shortly after. The leader, holding a megaphone, addressed the crowd, "Everyone, our city has been experiencing a number of sudden outbreaks of infection with unknown pathogens. These incidents occurred suddenly, and the source of infection remains unknown. You may have witnessed this before arriving. What we do know is that some people caught in the rain will be infected. The CDC is investigating other possible vectors, and vaccines are being urgently developed. For the time being, we have to ask all of you who are not infected to remain in quarantine here for a while. We will distribute supplies to you at a fixed time. Please do not leave the shelter."
"Then how long will we be locked up?" an impatient female voice complained in the crowd.
The leading staff member was a little embarrassed. After a brief pause, he explained, "We're not locking you up. This is a temporary quarantine. Once the crisis outside is over, you can go home. During this time, please don't leave. We have an information desk where you can ask questions. Otherwise, please stay in your rooms and don't move around."
Fortunately, no one had too many objections. In the face of the crisis, everyone was very cooperative. Some of the more immature ones even excitedly whispered: "Zombies are sieging! Doomsday crisis! It's exciting!"
"It's a pity that I can't go out, otherwise I can beat five, no, ten will be no problem! I have been learning Taekwondo since elementary school." A boy in school uniform said proudly, and made a few boxing gestures with his fists.
"Come on, didn't you just learn a little bit in elementary school? Last time at the school art festival, you performed Taekwondo and even fell on the stage." Another boy mocked.
I looked up and found Jiang Wang standing not far away, frowning and thinking about something. As if sensing my gaze, he raised his head and looked in my direction. The next second, his expression returned to normal, he smiled at me and walked towards me, as if the person who had been frowning just now was another person.
I almost wanted to turn around and run away immediately, feeling guilty for being caught peeking at a handsome guy.
In fact, I did so, but as soon as I turned around, he stopped me.
"Why did you run away when you saw me? You don't still suspect that I'm infected, do you? Besides, everyone who can come in here has been checked." Jiang Wang complained dissatisfiedly, with some accusation in his eyes.
"No." I shook my head.
At this time, An Xiaowei also came over and patted me: "Hey! What are you talking about here?"
"I'm proving to her that I'm a normal person." Jiang Wang raised his eyebrows and looked at me.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes, but after thinking about it, I felt that out of courtesy I should still make a symbolic apology.
"sorry."
Jiang Wang was stunned, obviously not expecting me to say that. Then he rubbed his nose with a strange look on his face and muttered softly: "I didn't ask you to apologize to me."
Not far away, a staff member loudly urged: "Dear survivors, for everyone's safety, please return to your rooms and do not walk around at will!"
Jiang Wang shrugged, said a few words to us briefly and went back to the room on the left. An Xiaowei and I nodded and went back to the room together.
The 15 girls in the room looked at each other, some with vigilance, some with disdain. Fortunately, an aunt took the initiative to liven up the atmosphere and started chatting with everyone. An Xiaowei was also cheerful and quickly joined in the conversation, and the atmosphere in the room was eased a little.
In the afternoon, a staff member came in to inform everyone and took them to a temporary hall that looked like a canteen, where they distributed food and water to everyone.
"Is this the only thing we can eat?" A middle-aged woman's voice rang out sharply in the crowd.
"That's right, just a few pieces of broken biscuits, a few broken vegetable leaves, and an egg? Not even any meat!" another man in the crowd echoed.
With two people taking the lead, the others also started to complain in low voices.
"What are you arguing about! In this special period, it's good enough to have these supplies." The staff member replied impatiently.
"Is this how you provide service?" the middle-aged woman shouted relentlessly.
I stuffed the egg into my mouth silently, laughing my ass off. At a time like this, it was good to have something to eat. Fortunately, I brought some food with me when I came. I can keep it and use it as emergency food in the future. Thinking of this, I put the compressed biscuits that were distributed into my pocket. Anyway, I'm not too hungry now, so they will come in handy at some point.
After everyone finished eating, they returned to the room one after another. The windows were nailed shut. Because there were so many people, the room was a bit stuffy. Some people took off their protective suits. I thought about it and took off the hood of my protective suit too. It was getting late and some people were already making their beds to rest.
To be honest, I couldn't sleep in this situation. I moved closer to the window. Although the window was nailed shut, I could still see outside through the gap. The night outside was as dark as ink. I couldn't see anything, as if it was covered with a layer of black cloth.
I don't know when the sound of rain outside stopped, it must have stopped.
Just then, I smelled that strange fragrance again.
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