Realm Between Worlds

Yang Tian took only a few steps before seeing three or four zombies crowding at the entrance of a convenience store. The collapsed wooden boards and shelves formed a gap that allowed a small boy to crawl inside, while the clumsy zombies were stuck outside. One particularly large zombie was struggling to push its head and hands through the opening.

The boy closed his eyes, trembling as he raised the handgun and pulled the trigger. A gunshot rang out, hitting the zombie's arm, but instead of backing off, it only enraged the creature further.

"Hmm..." Yang Tian shook his head. It seemed this thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy was starving, desperate enough to come out alone looking for food.

Yang Tian expertly lifted his Barrett rifle. In the sunlight, the gun's silver surface gleamed brightly.

"Bang!" A thunderous shot echoed, and one of the zombies fell heavily to the ground. Yang Tian quickly cycled the bolt, took aim again, and "Bang!" another zombie dropped.

The boy watched through the gap, eyes wide, his heart pounding as one zombie after another fell. When the last zombie, half-stuck in the gap, wobbled unsteadily, the boy summoned his courage and shot it point-blank in the head.

Seeing the zombie stop moving, the boy finally exhaled in relief, patting his chest in shock.

Not long after, footsteps approached, causing the boy to shiver even more. It sounded like a human, but in this world, humans were as dangerous as zombies. The boy had once witnessed his mother being taken away, losing his only protector. He had hidden in a wardrobe, tears streaming down his face, unable to make a sound.

Yang Tian reached the shelf and pulled out the zombie stuck in the gap. He hesitated, wondering how to approach the boy. Although he had consciousness, he was still a zombie, and the strong odor he gave off couldn't be hidden—he didn't want to terrify the boy.

The boy moved forward a bit, trying to peer at Yang Tian through the gap. Their eyes met, and Yang Tian instinctively closed his eyes, worried that his cold, gray gaze would frighten the boy. The craving for flesh began to rise within him—the boy's scent was a temptation he struggled to resist.

"D-don't come near me!" the boy stammered, his voice trembling, tinged with tears.

Yang Tian sighed, a complex mix of emotions swirling inside him.

"What do you want? Go away! Or else... or else I'll kill you!" The boy suddenly remembered the gun still in his hand. He raised it, aiming shakily at Yang Tian.

"I... just saved you," Yang Tian said in a low, raspy voice, tinged with resignation and sadness.

The boy was so startled that the gun slipped from his hand, falling to the ground.

"S-so what? Are you planning to keep me captive? You're going to eat me! Don't even think about it!" The boy stammered as he picked up the gun, pointing it back at Yang Tian.

Yang Tian looked at the boy's fearful expression and sighed. Yang Tian, oh Yang Tian, why won't you admit it? You're already a zombie. Their world... no longer has a place for you.

So be it... Yang Tian's lips curled into a bitter smile. He hoisted his Barrett and turned to leave.

Suddenly, a gunshot echoed. Yang Tian felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. He turned back, furious. "I saved you... I was leaving... why did you... still try to kill me?"

"Shut up, you damned zombie! All of you should just die!" the boy shouted, though his voice carried a note of fear. He had hoped his attack would succeed, but when he looked up and saw Yang Tian's bloodthirsty gaze, his courage faltered. He curled up behind the shelf, trembling as he tried to crawl away.

Yang Tian stared at the boy, seeing the fear and hatred in his eyes. He suddenly realized that between him and the human world, an unbridgeable chasm had already formed.

...

"Why... why!" Yang Tian walked silently through the streets, his heart heavy with frustration. Suddenly, he raised his head and roared. The hoarse sound echoed through the city, passing through the ruins, sweeping across deserted alleys.

Zombies from all directions responded, their howls growing louder, merging into a deafening roar.

At that moment, an offbeat howl sounded. Yang Tian could feel the hostility in it. He looked up and saw a decrepit church. On its roof stood a zombie, its entire body snow-white, eyes filled with a dangerous glint as it stared down at him.

Yang Tian took a deep breath, a determined light flashing in his eyes.