Monster Earth

“The number you have dialed is currently unavailable…”

No one knew how many days it had been. He didn’t dare step outside, couldn’t get through to anyone by phone, the television was dead, and the computer wouldn’t connect to the internet. They were completely cut off from the outside world.

“It seems the entire communications network in Jiangzhou City is down. It’s been days—who knows what’s happening out there?”

Zhang Xingmin returned to the living room from the kitchen, his face clouded with worry. He saw Lin Xiaofeng still eating away without a care in the world. Zhang could only smile wryly.

“You’re a pretty good cook, Min!” Lin Xiaofeng praised him between mouthfuls.

“Praising me won’t help. You’d do better to think of how to get out of here! We’ve been trapped at home for days, not knowing what’s happening outside. The fridge is empty—if we can’t get out soon, we’re going to starve to death!” Zhang’s words were edged with despair.

“What else could be happening? It’s got to be an alien invasion. Look at the ones in the hallway—one is nothing but legs, no head or torso; another looks like a cross between a gecko and an octopus, probably eats people too. I’d rather starve than go out there and feed them.” Lin Xiaofeng shrugged, unconcerned.

“We can’t just sit here waiting to die.”

“Do you have a way out?”

“No.”

Zhang Xingmin truly hadn’t come up with any solutions. These past few days, he’d spent his idle moments standing on the balcony, the only place from which he could glimpse the outside world. All he fo