Chapter 18: Shut Out?

At the main entrance of the Center for Disease Control, a broad plaza stretched out before them. The military had once established a defensive line here, constructed from barbed wire and sandbags. Several abandoned tanks and trucks stood at odd angles on the empty ground, like relics left behind after a fierce battle. Elsewhere, the open space was littered with pitch-black corpses.

Each body lay sprawled on the earth, skin charred and blackened, as if they had been reduced to charcoal by a raging inferno. Their skin was cracked like parched soil, deep fissures etched across their flesh. It seemed clear the military had resorted to incendiary grenades to contain the infection.

As the group stepped out of the vehicle, they instinctively pinched their noses. The stench in the air was nauseating—a bitter blend of death, blood, terror, and despair.

Seeing the tightly sealed gates of the CDC, doubt crept into everyone’s hearts.

“That’s the CDC headquarters?”

“Why are there only corpses everywhere?!”

“The gate is locked tight—how are we getting in?”

“Boss...”

For a moment, all eyes turned to Li Changsheng.

He understood their fears all too well. The CDC, as a vital institution for disease control and public health, had even outfitted its windows with bulletproof glass. Breaking in by force was a fantasy.

Li Changsheng didn’t bother explaining much. He uttered a single word: “Move.”

With that, he strode straight toward the CDC’s blast doors. Andrea and the others exchanged uncertain glances. Swallowing their doubts, they followed his lead.

The CDC was surrounded by thick concrete foundations and high barbed-wire fences. There was only one entrance, made up of a series of low doors—six blast doors in all, three designated for entry, three for exit. At present, every blast door was firmly shut. The only way to open them was from within, by activating the electronic switch.

The group approached one of the entrances. Li Changsheng pulled out a laptop, fiddled with it for a moment, and only put it away when the screen flashed a message: intrusion successful.

He pointed to the camera above and said to Mohr, “Mohr, call out at the camera and ask to be let in.”

Mohr hesitated. “Boss, what sort of tone should I use?”

Li Changsheng replied indifferently, “Polite first, tough later.”

Mohr grinned. “I get it!”

Amy, a little worried, asked, “Boss, is it really okay to have Mohr do the talking?” Her meaning was obvious—Mohr’s fearsome appearance did not inspire trust. Who would open the door for someone like him?

Daryl looked puzzled. “Boss, honestly, any one of us could do a better job than Mohr.”

Andrea agreed quietly.

Tara and Columbus, the newcomers, didn’t know Mohr well and opted to remain silent observers.

Mohr shouted, “You lot! Don’t look down on me!” Everyone stared at him. “I’m kidding,” he added awkwardly. He was well aware of his own reputation—he knew he wasn’t seen as a good person. Now he worried he might be the reason the group was denied entry. Turning to Li Changsheng with a troubled expression, he said, “Boss...”

Li Changsheng snapped, “Where’s all that swagger you used to have? What are you afraid of? Just call out! I told you—do it!”

Li Changsheng had his reasons. From the earlier gunfight, he was certain Dr. Jenner inside must have noticed them. If they had been welcome, someone should have initiated contact by now. But there had been no response at all. There was only one explanation: they were pretending to be dead in there. In such a situation, it didn’t matter who called at the door. In fact, it was better if they refused to open up—then he’d have every reason to take the place by force.

Left with no choice, Mohr cleared his throat and called at the camera, “Help! Help! Is anyone inside? We’re survivors—tired and thirsty, and we need your help. For God’s sake, please open the door! We’re all good people…” He even squeezed out a tear—a crocodile’s tear.

The others could only shake their heads, unable to watch. Mohr felt the pressure mounting. He swore never to do this sort of thing again.

Inside the CDC’s surveillance room, Dr. Jenner had been jolted awake by the blaring alarm. He’d been watching the security monitors for some time now. The images of Li Changsheng and his group were clearly visible. Jenner’s hand hovered over the button to open the door, but he hesitated, rotating the camera for a closer look.

After a moment’s indecision, Jenner pulled his hand away from the switch, resolute. “They’re armed. That Asian is too dangerous—a huge threat. The secret of this place must not fall into Asian hands. I absolutely cannot let them in…”

Perhaps the earlier gunfire had drawn more walkers, for now, on the monitors, a horde of the undead seemed to catch the scent of living flesh and surged toward Li Changsheng and the others. Jenner pretended not to see. “Go away, just go away. This isn’t the place for you.”

Trying to reassure himself, he muttered, “The power here is running out anyway. In the end, we’re all dead—there’s really no difference…”

Mohr’s voice was hoarse from shouting. The doors remained closed. Turning around, he saw in the distance a swarm of walkers rushing toward them. Daryl quickly warned, “Boss, there are walkers—lots of them. If we run now, we might just make it!”

Though everyone was tense, seeing the calm confidence on Li Changsheng’s face somehow steadied their nerves.

Mohr was still trying his luck at the door when Li Changsheng stopped him. “That’s enough, Mohr. No need to shout anymore…”

He pointed to the camera, which had rotated in their direction, and sneered. “The camera moved—there’s someone inside. But it seems we’re not welcome…”

Andrea asked nervously, “So what do we do now?”

Li Changsheng’s tone was grave. “The show’s over. Everyone step back—I’ll open the door.”

Daryl couldn’t help but interject, “Boss, are you kidding? That’s a blast door—even explosives might not get through!”

The others were skeptical as well.

Li Changsheng snorted. “I said I’ll open it, and open it I shall!” He turned to the microphone embedded in the door and shouted, “Vee, open the door!”

Vee? Who was Vee? Everyone was baffled.

Li Changsheng offered no explanation, his gaze fixed ahead.

Suddenly, with a series of metallic clicks, the heavy steel blast door began to rise, as if welcoming their arrival. The sound of the door lifting echoed in the air.

“Go! Inside!” Li Changsheng ordered, his voice steady.

The group followed, glancing at each other in astonishment.

Daryl looked at Li Changsheng as if seeing him for the first time. “Boss, are you some kind of hacker?” After all, he’d seen Li Changsheng take out a device that looked like a phone earlier.

Li Changsheng didn’t answer.

Wichita stood with her hands in her pockets, leaning forward slightly, eyes narrowed at Li Changsheng, a trace of bewilderment and confusion on her face. Damn it, she thought, I’m going to uncover all of this guy’s secrets.

Mohr, meanwhile, stood to the side, hands clasped and raised above his head, shouting loudly, “Thank you, damn God—no, thank you, Boss! He’s even more powerful than God!”