As the two started their onward journey, Zhan and Yibo agreed that Zhan would keep an eye on the road and its bumps, as well as holes in the ground, and Yibo would keep an eye on the surroundings. Just in case any black creatures did show up.

Because Zhan was so excited that they were now so close to their destination, he kept stepping on the gas and accelerating, causing Yibo to tell Zhan again and again to slow down and watch the road. "Please try not to kill us with your driving so close to the finish line. Take your foot off the gas." Scolded Yibo.

"Sorry Yibo, I'm just so excited. I feel like we're on the right track and the closer we get to the hotel, the more excited and nervous I get."

"I can understand that Zhan. But please, drive carefully!" Zhan nodded and slowed down. Even though it was hard for him, he knew Yibo was right and this road really had it in it. Smaller and larger stones were scattered everywhere. Holes that were sometimes only the size of a fist but also as big as a basketball are also here and there on the bumpy road.

"I suppose the road was the last step your great uncle wanted to tackle before the opening. I see here and there that this road was brought to this width by a machine." Said Yibo as he looked at the edges of the road.

"As far as I know, they had already started and then stopped when my great uncle died, even though he had already paid for the complete road reconstruction. I remember my father suing the road construction company at that time. But that didn't help because the company went bankrupt and was dissolved."

"I see. So it could have and should have been completed after your uncle died, but because they went bankrupt, nothing came of it."

"Mmm, and my dad never got the money back. And because my great uncle died, he didn't have another road construction company finish it either."

"Did your dad inherit the hotel?"

"No. He didn't. My great uncle left it to me. I was going to sell it eventually, but somehow I couldn't get it done. And the offers I got for it were unbelievable. Supposedly interested people wanted me to believe that there was still so much to be done to push the price down. So I left it at that and didn't sell."

"And it never occurred to you to open the hotel yourself?"

"No, not really. I had my job as a surgeon and didn't want to do anything else. And about running a hotel, I have absolutely no idea."

"Well, it's good that you didn't sell it, anyway. Now it serves as a shelter for us and other survivors."

"True. I think if my great uncle knew that, he would love this idea of using his hotel as a shelter. And the great thing about the hotel is that we can live self-sufficiently. We produce our own electricity through the biogas plant and if it doesn't produce enough electricity, there is still a huge field with solar panels and big batteries where the collected energy is stored. We can create different jobs, through the different sectors. Agriculture, livestock, slaughtering, sewing, laundry, tailoring, woodwork and there is even a blacksmith shop. Engineers and electricians are also needed. So you see, we can create our own utopia if we all work together."

"That sounds really good. I hope it will turn out that way. And I hope there aren't any assholes hiding among the survivors like that mayor and his men from the place where we met the old man."

"Well, police officers like you will have to be in charge of that. I think my dad will take over securing the area with his soldiers and leave cops like you to do the work of keeping an eye on the occupants of the hotel."

"Being able to work as a police officer again, that hadn't even crossed my mind until now. But yes, you're right, policemen are needed too. Because where there are a lot of different people, crimes can happen."

"Exactly. You know, you told me at the beginning of our trip that you were protecting me and only taking me along because doctors are irreplaceable in times like these. But I think police officers and soldiers are irreplaceable, too. You are just as important as I am."

"Thank you for saying that and seeing it that way. I was wrong then, you know. Oh God, it seems like years ago. Well, what I wanted to say is that I said at that time, that I only protect you and take you with me because doctors are needed more urgently than policemen. But to be honest, I was glad I wasn't alone. I was glad when you told me you'd take me with you."

"Mmm, I kind of figured that. Say, did you actually have to think about that creepy tunnel again? I dream almost every day about how we were in there, heard that melody, and then saw that lighted tunnel."

"I dream about it, too. I guess some gas that causes hallucinations is down there. However, I don't want to go back there to check it out either. Maybe there really is something in the air there that clouds your mind, and maybe that's why the others got lost in it back then. Maybe the tunnel is some kind of labyrinth."

"That's a lot of maybes. I have to say, whatever it was, for a moment it seemed like this was the entrance to another, magical world."

"Mhm. Honestly Zhan. If there are even black and gray creatures that look like they're the devil's henchmen, then maybe there's a Magic World out there somewhere."

"The thing is, I just can't get that melody out of my head. It's like I know that melody from somewhere, but I just can't grasp where exactly. And I've wondered more than once if I was right to just walk away and not look."

"Zhan, I know what you mean, and that melody seemed familiar to me too. But I didn't want to stay there and wait. Who knows, maybe we would still be wandering around down there, or would have died long ago."

"Did you really feel we were in danger?"

"Not really, no. Admittedly, in retrospect, it was just my fear that made me think we were in such danger. We were down there for several hours and got out of there in one piece. If something had tried to attack us, that's what would have happened."

Zhan nodded, and suddenly got excited, "Oh my God Yibo, do you see that? Can you see that?"

Yibo looked ahead and cheered quietly. There it was, the wall that bordered the area around the hotel. They really found it. It's right in front of them. They have almost reached their destination. A few more hundred meters and they would be standing right in front of the 5 meter high wall.

And not only could they see the wall, but also the two mountains that belonged together. And much to the delight of Zhan and Yibo, the road conditions were also getting better. They drove onto an asphalt road that led directly to the hotel.

Zhan was finally able to put the pedal to the metal and pick up the pace. They were almost speeding towards the wall and Zhan did not reduce the speed until they were only a few meters away from the wall. They then finally stopped in front of a large massive gate. Zhan saw the input field for the code to open the gate.

Of course, the batteries were long dead and Zhan had to change them first. Then he entered the code, which he could easily remember because it was his birthday, and with a crash, the gate opened. "There is still power here. I think this gate gets its power from the solar system." Said Zhan as he turned to Yibo grinning broadly.

They drove through the big gate, which closed again behind them and after another 200 meters, they reached the hotel. They got out of the car and Yibo stared at the stairs leading up to the entrance. His first thought was, old people might get in trouble if they have to go up the many steps. His second thought was, who cares? We are safe! We're finally here!

Yibo would have liked to let Zhan show him around the grounds first, but they would still have time for that. Now it was first time to pack up their things from the car and then enter the hotel.

After packing their essentials, they walked up the 77 steps to the front door. Zhan pointed to an elevator that Yibo hadn't seen before. Nicely camouflaged, the door had been at the bottom next to the stairs. But since this certainly didn't draw its power from the solar system as well, they had to walk upstairs.

Again, Zhan first had to change the batteries from the code entry device. Then he entered the code and the door opened.

Both men assumed it would smell like stale air, but that was not the case. They were greeted by a pleasant smell, like freshly washed laundry. Zhan flicked a light switch, but of course nothing stirred. "We need to go to the stairs and then all the way down. The fuse box is there." Said Zhan.

They turned on their flashlights, set their things down and made their way to the stairs and then went all the way down to the engine room where the large biogas plant and the full batteries of the solar plant are located.

Yibo read through the instructions on the biogas plant and followed it. He released the lever, pushed it up and down several times, returned it to its position, flipped a few switches, pressed Go, and with a creak and a snort, the biogas plant resumed operation. Around them, the lights turned on.

The neon lights made buzzing sounds, they could literally hear the energy running and being transported through this machine. Zhan then switched on that in case of emergency, the accumulated energy of the solar system would be used.

They then took the elevator and rode to the top. From there, only a staircase with 10 steps separated them to get to the roof. They both entered the roof and turned in circles several times. They were overlooking everything that was now theirs. They even saw several cattle standing in a pasture, a few goats, sheeps, and even pigs, which have multiplied freely over the past few years. And when they looked closer, they also saw chickens.

Overwhelmed by this sight and because they finally made it, Yibo took Zhan in his arms and they both cried with joy and relief. Now, finally, they no longer have to drive around every night looking for a safe place to sleep. Because now they have a new safe home.

This would now be the first day of their new life. A life after the sudden apocalypse. Even if they would never again have a normal life like before and will always be afraid of the black creatures and vampires, this is and will remain, their new shelter, their new home. And they will share it with many other people, support each other and start all over again. Together.