48 Hours a Day

Zhang Heng waited until late that night before heading to the funeral home again to set up the pinhole camera.

Later, he contacted the modified car club to borrow a van from them. Worried that the aliens might have replaced some of its members, Zhang Heng changed the van’s appearance by adding a tailgate and sealing the rear compartment. He then headed to the hotel to pick Bai Qing up.

Zhang Heng still had to verify Bai Qing’s identity by using the previous method. The latter looked a little tired, albeit not as sad as before. It was probably because she had caught a glimpse of the CT scan that Zhang Heng had shown her. Filled with hope once again, her fighting spirit was rekindled.

“What shall we do next?”

“Wait.”

“Hmm?”

“We now know the whereabouts of one of the creatures. I’ll need it to lead me to their nest. I have been investigating the college student’s identity for quite some time, and those creatures now have their eye on me. I’m not worried about them at night. Once I run out of my house, I am confident enough that I can get rid of them. School starts tomorrow, though, and if I’m not in school, they will definitely pay extra attention to me. They may not head to the funeral home quickly enough to retrieve their ally. So, I’ll need your help.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“I need you to stay near the funeral home. I have installed cameras in the morgue, parking lot, and front entrance. The camera in the morgue faces the freezer where the corpse is stored,” said Zhang Heng as he took a tracker out of his bag. “You’ll need to pay attention and see if anyone moves your mother’s body. Once you find the target, you can stick this underneath their car.”

Considering that the college student’s family had changed their car halfway through their journey, Zhang Heng hesitated and took out another miniature tracker, this time, the size of a coin. “If possible, place this on one of them, and be careful not to trigger their suspicion.”

“Okay.” Bai Qing agreed and reached out to take the tracker.

“Aren’t you going to ask me how to use it?” Zhang Heng raised his eyebrows, “Or, have you figured out a way?”

“I have no idea how to use it, but I will think of a way. Didn’t you say that they won’t be acting so quickly?”

“Yes, that’s my theory, at least. It’s unnecessary for them to take risks. When everyone’s attention is no longer on the corpse, it will be their time to act.”

“Then, I will find a way,” said Bai Qing. “Trust me. I am not some goody-two-shoes who knows nothing about this world.”

“Hmm,” Zhang Heng nodded.

“Anything else?”

“I have prepared seven power banks, food, and some water for you. You might have to live in this car for some time. You can check in with your grandpa and relatives from time to time so that they won’t be worried. You can’t, however, tell them where you are, or what you’re doing, and that includes your friends… From now on, you can trust no one except for me. And we need to agree on a secret sign. It is too much trouble to have me cut your finger every time.”

“Those aliens that you have been talking about… won’t they read our memories when they latch on us?” Bai Qing asked.

“To that, I have no answer yet. But based on previous experience, they don’t seem to know what the recent happenings of their hosts.” Zhang Heng pondered for a moment. “I will ask you a question when I want to verify your identity—Do you like me?”

Bai Qing blushed upon hearing the question, “And how should I answer?”

“Sorry, I’m from another world,” Zhang Heng replied. “When you ask me that question, this will be my answer. I’m no longer me if you give you another answer.”

Bai Qing took a deep breath. “Okay.”

“Finally, I need to put some makeup on you. Although they wouldn’t recognize you, you will be safer if you change your appearance.”

An hour later, Zhang Heng had put a wig on Bai Qing and given her some simple makeup with the bag of cosmetics he had just bought. As he put the makeup on, he taught her a few touching up techniques. “You only need to keep an eye out for them during the day. At night, you can rest. I’ll be taking over the shift then. Remember, once you find something out, call my cell immediately, and I will meet you as quickly as I can.”

“Hmm.”

“You can find a hotel nearby to rest first. Come and change shifts with me in the morning,” Zhang Heng added.

…

Nothing happened all night. At six in the morning, Bai Qing knocked on the door of the van. Zhang Heng opened the door and saw Bai Qing holding two plastic bags in her hand. “I couldn’t find anywhere to buy breakfast. I had to walk about a kilometer before I found a small stall selling buns and soy milk. Here, I bought you some…”

“Thanks.” Zhang Heng took one of the bags and asked after a pause. “Do you like me?”

“Sorry, I come from another world,” Bai Qing replied, “Am I right?”

“That’s right.” Zhang Heng reached out and pulled Bai Qing closer to the van.

“Sounds like a line from some science fiction movie.”

After that, the two of them did not speak anymore. After eating breakfast in silence, Zhang Heng headed to school with his schoolbag on his back, leaving Bai Qing alone in the vehicle. She was looking at her cellphone.

This week, Zhang Heng was reprimanded by his teacher, mostly in no thanks to no longer being able to copy Bai Qing’s homework. In the morning, Bai Qing’s grandfather came to school and helped her to take a week off.

So some students who had a good relationship with Bai Qing began to think of the news that was reported not long ago. Chi Jia also ran to ask Zhang Heng if he knew what happened to Bai Qing. Zhang Heng told her that he had been sending messages to Bai Qing but received no reply.

A look of worry flashed across Chi Jia’s face, “How could this happen?! Find her as soon as possible. Otherwise, I’m scared she might lose it. The authorities have sealed-off her house. Do you know if she has other relatives?”

“I don’t know.” Zhang Heng shook his head.

“Then let’s go to the class teacher after school,” Chi Jia suggested. “Our teacher would definitely be able to contact her relatives. We’ll be able to locate her then.”

“Sorry, I have other things to do after school,” Zhang Heng said.

Chi Jia became a little annoyed when she heard Zhang Heng’s reply, “How could you be like this? You were chasing her before the tragedy, and now that something awful has happened to her, I can’t believe you’re staying away!”

Furious, she yelled at Zhang Heng. It quickly attracted the attention of the other students who were around. Someone laughed and said, “What’s wrong with Chi Jia? Did you just confess to Zhang Heng and he rejected you?”

“It’s impossible that I’ll like this type of person! This is ridiculous.” Chi Jia shoved the boy who teased her.

Seeing that Chi Jia was getting really angry, the latter scratched his head, “What’s wrong with her??? She was fine just now.”

“All the boys should go to hell! You guys disgust me!!” Chi Jia showed Zhang Heng and the other boys her middle finger.