Pregnant During An Apocalypse [BL]-Chapter 145 - Busy tone

The little monkey nudged its small, wet nose against Yunfeng’s dirty palm, letting out a soft whine as it moved closer. Yunfeng took a good look at it; one of its legs appeared mangled, dragging behind it—a likely reason the other monkeys had left it behind. The tiny creature clung to his arm tightly, its terrified eyes pleading for comfort.

"Yunfeng, you better let that go," Jai whispered urgently, his eyes darting around with evident terror. "We need to move before that tiger returns. Who knows what other animals are mutated here? I really don’t want to meet a mutated crocodile... I don’t..." His voice trailed off, laden with anxiety.

Yunfeng nodded, gently lowering his arm. "I’m sorry, buddy. I can’t take you with me." The reality of their situation was grim; they were fortunate to have escaped unscathed so far, and caring for an injured animal amidst the crisis seemed impossible. Leaving it behind appeared to be the most rational decision.

The little monkey cooed softly, clinging tighter to Yunfeng’s arm. It nuzzled its face against his sleeve, whining ever so gently.

"Yunfeng?" Jai urged, patting his back and gripping the machine gun tightly. "We have to go now."

Yunfeng gazed into the pair of shining eyes looking up at him and made an impulsive decision. "Okay... we’re going." He stood up, the monkey still in his hand.

"No, you wouldn’t..." Jai started, his voice a mix of disbelief and concern.

"Sorry, but it keeps blinking its cute eyes at me... I can’t. I’m weak with animals," Yunfeng admitted, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"Fine," Jai sighed, shaking his head. "But if that thing turns out to be a zombie monkey, I’m not saving you."

As they moved cautiously through the remnants of the zoo, the sun began to rise, casting an eerie glow over the desolate landscape. The little monkey clung to Yunfeng, its presence a small beacon of innocence amidst the chaos.

"You know," Jai whispered, trying to lighten the mood, "if we survive this, you’re going to owe me a big favor. Maybe naming rights for your monkey baby or even your real baby?" he awkwardly pointed to his belly.

Yunfeng chuckled softly, appreciating Jai’s attempt at humor despite the dire circumstances. "Deal," he replied, his grip tightening protectively around the tiny creature.

Yunfeng and Jai navigated cautiously through the remnants of the zoo, the injured monkey securely nestled in Yunfeng’s arms.

"You know," Jai whispered, his voice tinged with forced levity, "if we run into a zombie elephant next, I’m officially retiring from this apocalypse business."

Yunfeng managed a faint smile, appreciating Jai’s attempt to lighten the heavy atmosphere. "Let’s hope the elephants decided to stay put."

As they approached the zoo’s exit, a sudden, deep growl resonated through the air—a sound so profound and menacing that it seemed to vibrate within their very bones. This growl dwarfed the tiger’s earlier roar, carrying an unmistakable weight of danger.

Both men froze, their breaths hitching. The monkey in Yunfeng’s arms whimpered softly, pressing closer to his chest.

"What... what was that?" Jai’s voice trembled, eyes wide with fear.

Yunfeng’s gaze darted around, searching for the source of the ominous sound. "I don’t know," he replied, his tone steady but low. "But whatever it is, we don’t want to meet it."

"Agreed," Jai nodded vigorously. "Let’s get out of here before we become the main course."

They quickened their pace, moving stealthily yet urgently toward the exit. The oppressive weight of the unknown predator’s presence pressed upon them, urging them to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the unseen threat.

"Oh by the way, here," jai handed him his phone.

Yunfengs eyes widened. "How’s your phone still working,"

"Dumbo, you were pressing the volume button instead of the power button,"

Yunfeng’s fingers danced over his smartphone screen, the dim glow of Google Maps illuminating his furrowed brow.

His eyes scanned the digital map, searching for the warehouse. With a deep breath, he tapped Hana’s contact and lifted the phone to his ear, only to be met with the disheartening monotone of an automated message: "The number you are trying to reach is currently switched off." Frustration bubbled within him, and he muttered a curse under his breath.

Jai, ever observant, noticed Yunfeng’s clenched jaw. "Still no luck with Hana?" he inquired, his voice a mix of concern and fatigue.

"No," Yunfeng replied tersely, shoving the phone back into his pocket. "Her phone’s off. But there’s someone else we can try—Muchen. If he’s nearby, we can pick him up and get out of here."

Determined, Yunfeng approached a nearby car, its paint chipped and windows smeared with grime. He reached for the door handle, but Jai’s firm grip on his arm halted him.

"That’s useless," Jai cautioned, his eyes scanning the deserted streets. "The roads are blocked, and starting the engine will attract more of them."

Yunfeng sighed, acknowledging the truth in Jai’s words. He pulled out his phone once more, fingers trembling slightly as he dialed Muchen’s number. Each ring echoed in the silence, amplifying the tension that hung between them.

As the line continued to ring, Jai tugged at Yunfeng’s sleeve, urging him to move. They crouched behind a dilapidated sedan, its once-shiny exterior now dulled by neglect. Yunfeng’s heart pounded in his chest, each unanswered ring tightening the knot of dread in his stomach.

Finally, the ringing ceased, replaced by a busy tone. Muchen wasn’t picking up.

"Damn it," Yunfeng hissed, shoving the phone back into his pocket. "I can’t get a hold of Muchen either..."

Jai’s eyes widened. "Oh, now we’re saving two... Good, good..." He gulped, attempting to mask his growing anxiety with a shaky smile.

Yunfeng turned to Jai, concern etched on his face. "Jai, we can go back. The city gates are just an hour away. You can go home. I don’t want to drag you into an even deeper mess."

Jai’s expression softened, a mix of resignation and determination in his eyes. "Oh buddy, you’ve already dragged me into a deep mess... My family must be livid by now. Going home is a death sentence..." He whispered, a chiding smile playing on his lips. "Besides, Hana is my sister too. I would do anything for her."

Overwhelmed by emotion, Yunfeng gently pulled Jai into a hug. "I swear I’ll protect you with all my life."

Jai chuckled softly, patting Yunfeng’s back. "Yeah, use those magical flames... But please don’t burn me. I have tender skin. I get sunburned easily too."