Chapter 2: Come back now

Ada's POV

The police officer slapped the table angrily and stopped Frank's unreasonable accusations. Clearly, he was also shocked by Frank's shamelessness: "Obstructing law enforcement—add six days to his detention!"

Frank did not stop screaming until they put handcuffs on him.

I watched two officers drag him into the holding cell before I turned, pushed open the glass door, and walked out.

The air in Seattle was as humid as usual. On the noisy street, no zombie growls could be heard.

I took a deep breath and walked toward my apartment while dialing a number I knew by heart on my phone.

"Ada, dear, what made you call me?"

Ray's voice came from the other end, sounding a little hoarse. "What happened?" he asked directly.

I closed my eyes for a moment.

After our mother died, Frank ignored us. Ray, the eldest brother, took on all the responsibility of caring for us.

When the zombie virus broke out, he was on a mission in Arizona. I did not even get to see him one last time.

The last time I heard his voice was on the ninth day after the outbreak. In his last moments, surrounded by zombies, he called me and, enduring the pain, told me to live on.

"I'm fine. Frank came to my home and caused trouble today. The police have detained him." I held back the urge to cry and said anxiously, "Ray, come home. Come back now!"

"How dare he make trouble for you again!" Ray became angry at once. "Wait a few days for me, Ada. I'll go back as soon as my mission is done."

"No, Ray. I need you back now. I have something very important to tell you in person.

I absolutely must not reveal a single word about the zombies now. If other people knew, all my future plans would run into obstacles.

Ray was silent for a moment.

"All right, I'll book a flight tonight."

Hearing his answer, I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After hanging up with Ray, I began making a survival plan for what came next.

Leo, my second brother stayed in Seattle for work in order to take care of me. His home was not far from mine, and I could meet up with him anytime.

What I needed first was a safe house. Then enough supplies. Enough for the three of us to last through the outbreak.

Thinking about my plans, I sent Ray another message. Soon he sent me the contact information of a real estate agent named Robert.

I discussed my housing needs with Robert roughly over the phone, and agreed to meet him near my apartment in an hour.

Robert arrived quickly, ten minutes earlier than scheduled.

"Miss Reyes, I have a general idea of your requirements." The man, in his early thirties and in a black suit, shook my hand warmly.

"You seem to be in a rush to find a house, I happen to have a vacant residence property. If you have time, we can check it out now."

I agreed to his suggestion, then Robert drove me and parked in front of the gate of a small estate with white exterior walls.

"The owner of this estate works in the import and export business, he doesn't live here most of the year." Robert opened the car door for me and introduced it. "Only good materials were used to build the estate. The owner had hired people to take care of it regularly. It is at the end of Evergreen Point Road; half a mile eastward lies the forest.

I looked around the estate. The paint on the pillars was intact, the lawn at the entrance was neatly trimmed, and there were even two potted plants on the windowsill that had not died. It really did not look like it had been vacant for long.

Security still needed to be improved, I thought to myself. After raising the wall, glass should be embedded at the top, and the doors and windows had to be replaced with bulletproof and anti-theft materials so they could keep out zombies and strangers.

"What is the asking price?" I turned and looked at him.

"Four hundred fifty thousand," Robert said, a little surprised by my decisiveness. "But he is eager to sell, so I estimate four hundred twenty thousand could close the deal."

"Three hundred fifty thousand," I looked at him. "Cash, with the transfer within a week. Also, book a warehouse for me. It can't be too far from here, and the bigger the better."

The virus would break out soon, and I still had a lot to prepare. I could not spend too much money on the house.

Robert was stunned for two seconds, then smiled. "You really drive a hard bargain... but cash is indeed attractive. I'll discuss it with the owner."

"It would be best to settle it today," I took out my phone and glanced at it. "I'm in a hurry."

He walked to the corner and dialed a number. When he came back, he seemed a little pleased. "It worked. The owner urgently needs cash and agreed to transfer it to you this week. I also booked the three largest self-storage units, just one street away. The monthly rent is eighty-nine, and the keys will be ready tomorrow."

I nodded with satisfaction. "Deal. You prepare the contract and get all the procedures done as soon as possible."

On the way back, Robert glanced at me in the rearview mirror. He hesitated for a long time, holding back his words, but finally could not help asking.

"If may I ask, why are you in such a hurry to relocate and reserve the storage units? "

I looked at the tree shadows passing outside the car and did not want to say much. "Just for a small business."

He wisely chose to remain silent.