Chapter 111 - Undead Platinum
Karl stared at his phone screen, eyes wide open. That name—Mrs. Jane—was displayed clearly, making the air around him feel colder than the snowstorm outside. His fingers trembled as he finally swiped the screen to answer the call.
Mrs. Jane’s voice cracked on the other end, accompanied by panicked sobs and despair. Her tone was far from the sharp and snappy voice she usually used when dealing with Karl at the convenience store. Karl felt his heart pounding in his chest.
"Mrs. Jane? What happened? Where are you now?"
"I’m at the store... our workplace. They... they took everything... my family... they killed them, Karl. I’m the only one left..."
Karl shot up from his seat, his chair clattering to the floor behind him. Layla, still lying on the couch, looked at him anxiously.
"I’m coming right now, Mrs. Jane. Hold on. Lock the doors and don’t move from your spot!"
Karl ended the call and quickly threw on his thick jacket. He grabbed a small backpack already packed with emergency supplies and a folding knife hidden in the side pocket.
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When Karl pushed open the glass door of the convenience store, the small bell above it rang faintly. The atmosphere inside was dark, illuminated only by flickering emergency lights. Shelves were overturned, canned food scattered across the floor, and faded bloodstains marred the dirty white tiles.
From behind the cashier counter, Mrs. Jane emerged, trembling. Her face was streaked with tears, her hair disheveled, and bloodstains spotted her work shirt. Her brown eyes met Karl’s with a mixture of fear and relief.
"Karl... you really came..." her voice broke before she ran straight into his arms.