The night was as thick as ink that could not be dissolved, and it was sticky on every window. The city is no longer what it is in memory. The halo of neon lights is shrouded in a gray, fishy mist, revealing a sickly dark red. The streets were empty. Occasionally, a dark shadow flew past the corner of the wall, bringing with it a gust of cold wind, which picked up leaflets with emergency evacuation instructions scattered on the ground.
Li Mo huddled on the single sofa in the rental house. The old TV screen flashed with snowflakes and broadcast official announcements intermittently: "... Citizens are asked to stay calm and do not go out unless necessary... Avoid traveling alone at night especially... If you encounter an incomprehensible phenomenon, immediately find the nearest shelter..."
"Shelter?" Li Mo twitched the corner of his mouth and showed a wry smile. The place was packed like a sardine can, the air was turbid, and people were panicked. It was even more suffocating than staying in this shabby rental house. At least this place is still his "territory" for the time being.
