Trapped

It seemed that the young couple who once lived here had been sitting at the dining table, enjoying a bowl of soup noodles delivered as takeout. Suddenly, in the midst of their meal, something happened that threw them into extreme panic, prompting them to flee in haste, spilling one of the bowls of soup on the table.

In their frantic rush, they knocked over the nearby trash can, paying no heed to changing into their usual leather shoes and high heels, opting instead to flee in slippers.

Simon looked around the living room, his mind conjuring a scene of the terrified couple rushing out in disarray.

However, what could have frightened them so much that they dashed out, spilling soup on the table and knocking over the trash can?

"Could it be... that there was indeed a sudden flood last night? Did this couple discover it and flee in panic, spilling soup and leaving without even changing their shoes or closing the door?"

Simon tightly clasped his hands, feeling sweat slowly seeping from his palms. "And because I was too drunk and slept like the dead, I knew nothing. Could it be that I am the only one left in this entire building? Have all the others escaped?"

This notion sent shivers down his spine, the chill in his heart growing deeper.

"No, what kind of sudden flood could submerge an entire city in just half a day? This defies all logic."

Though Simon had experienced a blackout from drinking last night, he still had some recollection. He had stayed up until around 1 AM, and even then, there had been no rain. Even if he counted from 1 AM, it had only been seven hours until now. What kind of flood could inundate a modern city in less than seven hours?

Looking at the living room, Simon hesitated to rush in immediately. Instead, he felt an inexplicable sense of unease, as if the room concealed a terrifying monster ready to pounce and tear him apart the moment he entered.

When his eyes fell upon the phone on the coffee table, Simon suddenly realized with a jolt. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath. In his panic, he had rushed out into the corridor to seek help, forgetting he could also make a call.

Simon hadn't brought his phone with him, so he hurried back inside and found his phone on the bedside table. He dialed his girlfriend Wang Lan's number.

Wang Lan, two years younger than him and a native of the city, worked at the same company. Although they had known each other for nearly half a year, their romantic relationship had only started less than two months ago. Wang Lan hadn't informed her parents yet, so she still went home every night and didn't live with Simon.

Attempting to call Wang Lan, Simon discovered his phone had no signal and could not connect.

It was then he realized that the flood had reached the thirtieth floor, potentially submerging any cell towers or power plants, leaving them without any signal. Despite this realization, Simon persistently tried several numbers, including his parents' and his best friend Li Yongsheng's, all of which went unanswered.

"Is there truly no signal at all?" Simon muttered, clinging to a faint hope. He then dialed the emergency services, but received no response. Cold sweat began to bead on his forehead. The situation was growing increasingly dire.

Not only was his phone devoid of signal, but the Wi-Fi connection was also lost. Apps like WeChat and QQ on his phone showed disconnected statuses. Testing the light switches confirmed a power outage.

Then Simon remembered seeing a landline telephone in the living room of the young couple's residence he had just visited. If his mobile had no signal, what about that landline?

Since he didn't have a landline of his own, the only option to use it was to go back to the couple's apartment.

Once again, Simon stood before the door of the young couple's home. The security door remained open. His gaze fixed on the landline telephone on the coffee table in the living room. He understood it might be as useless as his mobile, but he stepped inside nonetheless.

Although he harbored little hope, Simon could not overlook any potential means of contacting the outside world.

It was akin to a drowning man grasping at every possible straw that might save his life.

Upon entering, Simon detected a peculiar odor and his eyes landed on the nearby trash can.

From the spilled garbage can, he caught a whiff of a putrid stench.

Approaching the trash can, he noticed leftover food that had gone moldy, emitting a foul smell. Glancing at the dining table, he observed the noodles splattered on it were covered in mold spots.

Simon reached out and felt a layer of dust on the dining table.

"If they indeed sensed something amiss last night and fled, how could there be such a thick layer of dust in just half a day? These food items wouldn't have turned moldy and rotten. Could it be they have been away from home for many days?"

"Something feels deeply wrong... this house..." Simon felt an inexplicable sense of fear creeping into his heart, fearing the silence of this house. Yet, he did not leave. As he gazed at the landline phone resting on the coffee table, Simon suppressed his unease and picked up the equally dusty receiver, only to find it silent inside.

Simon's heart sank further, yet he persistently dialed the emergency number.

As expected, there was no response at all.

The landline was also unreachable.

With his last thread of hope shattered, the eerie feeling in the house grew stronger. Simon could bear it no longer. He threw down the phone receiver and dashed out.

Out in the corridor, Simon finally caught his breath, the fear in his heart somewhat alleviated, but a growing sense of dread and helplessness overwhelmed him.

"What should I do now? Could it be true that everyone has evacuated, leaving me abandoned here? Even if the city's residents have left, why is there no signal at all? What is the reason behind all this? How is Wang Lan doing now? Has she safely left?"

Simon's mind was in turmoil. It took him a while to force himself to calm down. He lifted his head and saw the elevator at the end of the corridor.

The flood had completely submerged everything below the 30th floor of the building. Even if the elevator could still operate, it would be impossible to descend using it. Nevertheless, Simon walked over and tried pressing the elevator button, but there was no response. Clearly, the elevator had lost power and stopped functioning.

Simon then pushed open two wooden doors on the side of the corridor, revealing a staircase inside.

As he entered, he saw that the staircase leading to the 29th floor was flooded, with the water surface just a few centimeters from the ground of the 30th floor.

The water appeared murky, and Simon noticed various debris floating inside, including plastic basins, towels, trash bags, and even a dead mouse drifting among them.

Squatting down, Simon hesitated briefly before lightly touching the water in front of him with his hand. He quickly pulled back, watching the water droplets drip down his fingers onto the surface, creating small ripples. Then, he took a deep breath.