Zombie Train

Thanks to the government's ban when the mutation first began, most trains that should have been on the move were already parked at their terminals, and didn't pose a threat to Shao Ming and his group as they made their way along the tracks.

Even so, Lambert kept the train moving at a speed of fifty kilometers per hour, allowing him to make an immediate stop if any issues arose. This pace also ensured the mutated creatures wouldn't be able to catch up to them.

Shao Ming had to admit, though Lambert had only ever driven trains in video games, he was clearly comfortable handling the real thing. As a railway engineer, even without much practical experience, Lambert maneuvered the train with ease.

While the train sped along the tracks, Shao Ming and Feng Yusheng took stock of their remaining supplies. They had only ten packs of shattered biscuits, some compressed crackers, and a few dozen packs of beef jerky. To Shao Ming's surprise, Feng Yusheng had managed to stash six different flavors of canned fruit and two bags of gummy candy in her small backpack.

Water was in even worse supply—just two bottles of mineral water and half of Feng Yusheng's water bottle. As for Lambert, he had no supplies to offer; if not for being out of food and water himself, he wouldn't have come looking for Shao Ming and Feng Yusheng's help. The ammunition was also dwindling, especially for the long rifle, which had only half a magazine left.

Shao Ming looked at the tablet and saw that the route from Manchester to Birmingham passed through a city called "Stoke-on-Trent." However, he knew that big cities would likely be overrun with mutated creatures, making it difficult to scavenge supplies.

"What do you think?" Shao Ming handed the tablet to Feng Yusheng and asked.

"I think we should go here," Feng Yusheng said, swiping through the map until she stopped at a small town. "It's called Goostrey. The station is a bit far from the town center, but even though the town is small, it should have enough food for the three of us."

Shao Ming glanced at the map and nodded. He relayed the plan to Lambert.

"Goostrey? I know that town," Lambert replied. "It's just ahead. I can park the train a couple of kilometers outside the station."

Shao Ming checked the time. They still had two to three hours before sunset, though it was unclear whether that would be enough time.

"How much longer until we get there?" Shao Ming asked.

Lambert didn't respond right away. He checked a roadside sign, then said, "About fifteen minutes."

Shao Ming nodded. "Alright, we'll search for supplies in this town and return to the train before sunset."

"I'll stay behind and watch the train," Lambert said, cutting in before Shao Ming could continue. "Someone has to keep an eye on it."

"No," Shao Ming replied without hesitation. "The three of us can carry more supplies, and it's safer if we have each other's backs."

Lambert looked reluctant, not because he was afraid of the mutated creatures but because he was concerned about the train he had just acquired. Perhaps realizing how unrealistic it was to think anyone could steal it in the current environment, he reluctantly agreed after a moment of thought.

Shao Ming and Feng Yusheng had no idea what was really on Lambert's mind. They simply thought he was worried about the creatures outside the train, so they didn't press the issue further.

The train gradually slowed down and finally came to a stop in the middle of a forested area.

"Wait a second." Shao Ming didn't rush to open the door; he waited a few minutes to ensure no mutated creatures were nearby before opening it.

He jumped down first, then turned around to help Feng Yusheng down.

"Thanks," Feng Yusheng said softly.

"Let me bring this," Lambert said, jumping off the train and retrieving his drone. "This little guy can still fly for about half an hour."

The three of them began walking along the tracks toward the town. Shao Ming led the way, holding a handgun and a baseball bat, with Feng Yusheng close behind, still gripping a kitchen knife. Lambert trailed behind, carrying a wrench and the drone bag.

"You really think we can return via the China-Europe Railway Express?" Shao Ming asked as they walked, once they felt the area was safe.

"I think it's at least more realistic than trying to find a ship or an airplane," Feng Yusheng replied. "Though I do feel like it's going to be really tough."

"Yeah…" Shao Ming muttered, a sense of helplessness creeping in. "It really feels hard to go back home now."

"If I had known, I wouldn't have left the country," Feng Yusheng said, her voice tinged with regret. "But I do believe we can make it back."

"You seemed like you didn't want to talk just now," Shao Ming remarked.

"Maybe because there's a stranger around. I'm not that familiar with him," Feng Yusheng answered.

"Huh?" Shao Ming said, surprised. "I thought you were the type to warm up to people quickly."

"Well, not really," Feng Yusheng replied. "I think our friend behind us is more of the type who gets comfortable quickly."

"Can you both speak English?" Lambert called out from behind.

It wasn't long before they spotted the train station in the distance, and some mutated creatures seemed to be lingering near the platform.

"From here, we need to turn right," Lambert pointed toward a nearby field of wheat. "We can get to the town by crossing this field."

The wheat field was eerily quiet, with only a combine harvester parked in the middle.

Once they reached the edge of the field, Lambert crouched down to launch his drone.

The drone quickly took off and flew toward the town, its camera providing a bird's-eye view of the streets below.

The town appeared deserted, with only a few cars abandoned haphazardly along the roads. There was no sign of the mutated creatures.

Lambert adjusted the drone's altitude and, sure enough, spotted several mutated creatures inside houses. It seemed the town's residents had been transformed without leaving their homes.

Flying over several streets, the drone came to a commercial area. Like the rest of the city, it was in ruins, with the shelves emptied long ago.

The drone's camera continued to scan the area, but it didn't reveal anything useful.

At the end of the commercial street stood the town's police station and a bakery. The police station's doors were locked, and because there was no power, the inside was impossible to see. However, they could make out a mutated creature in a police uniform standing guard by the entrance.