Nightmare

Faint cries and screams emanated from within the heavy smoke.

Ye Qingxuan resisted the hallucinations, and forced himself to ignore the voices that were becoming clearer. He searched through the the smoke, crawling along the abandoned sewage system. Sometimes, he would open a door and find it empty. Sometimes, he would see the twisted faces of those in pain. He opened door after door, but he still could not find Bai Xi.

He pulled himself up the last step, and used the last of his strength to push open the door. He saw her sleeping face. "You’re here," he murmured.

She was still in a deep sleep, unable to sense all that had happened.

"It would be so nice if you’re always this quiet." Ye Qingxuan pinched her cheeks. Only now did he see that she was actually a very cute girl. With delicate features, she was quiet, cute, and pretty, like a little doll.

He bent down to pick her up, but suddenly his expression changed, and he collapsed.