Chapter 131 - All can’t be saved
The balconies were close together, and climbing down was easy.
Shao and Muchen didn’t hesitate. They moved swiftly, gripping the edges of the railing and lowering themselves down without a second thought. Their muscles tensed as they carefully maneuvered, every movement controlled. Even with the weight of exhaustion pressing down on them, their survival instincts remained sharp.
Lu Zhi followed next, his movements just as sure but slower, more cautious. He exhaled through his nose, biting his lip as he tested his grip on the railing. It was sturdy, but his palms were slick with sweat, making the descent more difficult. When he finally landed on solid ground, he let out a quiet breath of relief.
But the other kids?
They stood frozen. Fear and hesitation were written all over their faces, their bodies stiff with indecision. Some clutched each other’s hands, fingers digging into sleeves and skin in silent desperation. Others were quietly crying, whispering to each other in shaky voices. Their gazes flickered between the balcony’s edge and the dark hallway behind them, as if waiting for some miracle to save them from having to choose.
The two girls who had already climbed down glanced at one another. They were young—maybe fifteen or sixteen—but at that moment, they carried themselves like they were years older. Their shoulders were rigid, and their lips pressed into thin lines of determination.
One of them stepped toward the balcony’s edge first. Her hands trembled as she reached for the railing, knuckles turning white as she clung to it. "I—I can’t," she whispered, barely audible over the distant sounds of shuffling feet and low, guttural groans from deeper inside the building.
The other girl didn’t hesitate. She grabbed her friend’s wrist, her grip firm but not cruel. "Come on! We have to go!" she urged, her voice a mixture of desperation and determination.
Tears glistened in the frightened girl’s eyes, but she nodded. With a deep, shaky breath, she swung her legs over the edge, her body tense as she started to climb down. Every movement was slow, deliberate—like she was forcing herself to fight against the paralyzing fear threatening to consume her.
Muchen and Shao were already waiting below. They stood ready, watching carefully, their bodies poised to react at the first sign of trouble. The moment the girls were within reach, they reached out to steady them.
The instant Muchen’s hands brushed against one of the girls’ waists, she froze, her face flushing a deep red. She barely managed to hold in a nervous giggle, her breath catching in her throat. The other girl wasn’t much better—her cheeks burned as she quickly covered her mouth with her hand, her gaze darting to the ground.