Pregnant During An Apocalypse [BL]

Chapter 117: Chapter 117 - Arming yourself

Muchen frowned, his gaze locked onto Shao, who was dialing a number.

His best friend looked tense, his fingers moving quickly over the screen, but the number he was calling wasn’t for the pilot.

Then it hit him.

Fuck. Shao’s brother. He was still in school.

A sinking feeling settled in Muchen’s gut.

His mind raced as he quickly pulled out his own phone, dialing the pilot.

The line rang.

And rang.

No one picked up.

His stomach twisted with unease. His fingers clenched the phone tightly as he began pacing, his feet tapping against the cold hospital floor.

His worried gaze flickered outside the window.

More people were running—no, bolting—down the street. Some stumbled, others fell, and the ones chasing them... they didn’t look right. Their movements were erratic, twitchy.

Muchen cut the call abruptly.

”Hana, I need Yunfeng’s number. Now.”

Hana bit her lip, her shoulders trembling. She silently shook her head, tears welling in her eyes.

”He’s not picking up,” she choked out.

Muchen cursed under his breath. His heartbeat pounded in his ears as he turned toward the door. Through the small window he looked out. He spotted a few manic doctors running around frantically stumbling along the way.

His fingers brushed the handle.

A firm hand yanked him back.

”Muchen! stay away from the door,” Shao snapped, gripping his wrist tightly. ”Don’t forget that you’re carrying a child. Those... those things are dangerous.”

Muchen inhaled sharply. His hand instinctively went to his stomach.

Right. The baby.

He swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. He wasn’t just himself anymore—he had another life to protect. Rushing out there, throwing himself into danger... it wasn’t an option.

Hana hesitantly stepped toward them, her phone trembling in her grip.

”I-I can’t get through to him,” she whispered, her voice barely holding together. ”Should I... should I call my mom?”

Shao gave a sharp nod. ”Tell them to stay safe. It’s better to stay in.”

”We live in a rural village surrounded by soldiers, she will be safe right....” Hana murmured, sniffling as she turned toward the corner to make the call.

Muchen exhaled heavily, dragging a hand through his hair. He turned to Shao.

”Did you get through to your brother’s school?”

Shao’s usual calm demeanor cracked—just for a moment. His frown deepened, and for once, he looked genuinely worried.

”No.” He let out a tight breath. ”We have to pick him up.”

Muchen’s stomach twisted again.

”I called the pilot, but he’s not answering,” Shao continued, voice clipped with urgency. ”My brother’s school ends in an hour. I can’t afford to wait.”

Muchen’s eyes widened as Shao moved toward the door.

”Wait—what the hell are you doing?” Muchen grabbed his arm.

Shao ripped himself free, eyes flashing.

”I can’t wait here!!” he snapped.

Muchen’s breath hitched. For a moment, the tension in the air was suffocating. But then Shao exhaled, his voice dropping to a strained whisper.

”Sorry,” he murmured, looking away. ”I might need a day off today. Please...”

Muchen clenched his jaw.

Shao stiffened.

”You... You can’t go alone,” Muchen continued, his grip tightening as if to anchor Shao in place. ”No, I won’t let you go alone.”

The hand in his palm trembled.

All these years it had been shao cleaning up his messes, not once had the man reached out and asked for help. But now... He needed it the most.

He would not let him go out there alone.

Shao’s mask of control wavered for a split second before he clenched his jaw.

He was about to argue when Hana rushed up to them, panting.

”My mom is safe,” she blurted out, wiping sweat from her forehead. ”But I think my brother already left.”

Muchen and Shao both snapped their heads toward her.

Hana swallowed hard. ”She still thinks he’s at Jai’s place, and that I’m at a convenience store getting ice cream.”

There was silence.

Muchen stared at her, utterly dumbfounded. ”Wow. You’re a great liar.”

Hana let out a breathless, strained smile. ”Thanks, I guess?”

Shao ran a hand down his face. ”So what now?”

Muchen’s eyes scanned the room. The hospital was quiet—for now. But outside, the world was crumbling. He exhaled sharply.

”Let’s find weapons,” he decided. His voice carried a new edge—the sharp weight of determination. ”We pick up Shao’s brother at school and head for the chopper... if the pilot picks up.”

Muchen was on edge, but he tried to make it a bit lighter. ”Alright, everyone, grab anything we can use to protect ourselves.”

He went straight for the IV stand, pulling it free from the bed and checking its sturdiness. He gave it a few practice jabs, pretending to stab the air.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Hana holding up a bedpan.

He couldn’t help but laugh softly. ”Nice. That’ll do, I guess.”

Shao wasn’t messing around. He yanked the bed sheets off the bed, tearing them into long strips with quick, sharp movements. ”Wrap this around your neck, wrists, feet—basically anywhere you’re exposed,” he said, already in a zone.

Hana hesitated for a moment, but Shao cut through the uncertainty. ”Hana, put on some pants. I’ll grab Muchen’s spare for me.”

Muchen gave a quick nod. He didn’t need anything extra, but it was obvious who needed the most protection.

Shao turned to Muchen, locking eyes with him. ”You need the most protection.”

Muchen just raised an eyebrow, but Shao didn’t back down. ”I’m tearing this bed apart. We’re going out fully shielded. Don’t get bitten, don’t get scratched.”

Shao’s voice got serious. ”If it’s anything like those zombie movies, a single scratch could be the end of us.”

The weight of that hit everyone. They looked at each other, silently agreeing: this wasn’t a drill.

Hana swallowed hard, gripping her bedpan tighter. Muchen gave Shao a quick look. ”We get out, find Yunfeng, and make sure we don’t end up as dinner.”

Shao gave them both a sharp nod. ”We’re not dying today.”