Chapter 1

“Apple, I'm about to die of thirst. If you have any water, please just give us a little.”

The familiar knock from my neighbor, Brian Lane, snapped me upright.

On the floor lay a stark, human-shaped puddle.

I realized at once that I had been reborn, back to the moment I first awakened my ability!

“Apple, why aren’t you saying anything? If you don’t open up, I’m breaking the door down!”

Brian started slamming against the door.

This time, I couldn’t let them discover my ability!

I quickly absorbed the water from my clothes, then dragged the fish tank with all my strength and shouted, “Don’t open the door!”

Before I could finish, the door burst open.

Crash.

The massive fish tank shattered over the puddle.

Brian’s mother, Jane Lane, who had barged in, saw the water on the floor and flew into a rage.

“So, Apple, you’d rather spill the water you’ve been hiding than give us a drop? I’ve never seen anyone as vicious as you!

“And here I was thinking of looking after you after your parents died. What an ungrateful wretch!”

“Mom, what are you saying?”

Brian tugged at her, disapproving.

“I’m sorry, Apple. I’ve got a fever, and the baby has no water to mix formula. My mom didn’t mean it. But…”

His tone shifted as his eyes quietly swept the room.

“There’s still so much water left. You must have some way of getting it, right?”

He forced a bitter smile.

“I can survive even if I have to drink my own urine. But look at my family—the kids, the old folks are all dying of thirst. Please… just tell me.”

If I hadn’t seen the cruelty with which he electrocuted me before, I might have fallen for his act.

In my past life, I was soft-hearted.

I charged the others in food for my help, but I never asked the Lane family next door for anything.

I gave to them for free.

I never expected them not only to be ungrateful, but to curse me for it.

“That’s it? You call that enough? What, you expect us to beg for it?”

“I think you’re just trying to let us die of thirst, you heartless thing!”

Francie Stone sneered at me, her tone dripping with mockery.

“Don’t think I don’t know. You’re trying to seduce my husband. How shameless.”

At first, Brian even put on an act and apologized.

But once he realized his lightning ability made him untouchable, he showed his true colors, knocking me unconscious and locking me up.

I tried to escape a few times.

The outcome never changed. Brian would snap my limbs and confine me to a fish tank, keeping me as his personal water source.

The memory ignited a surge of hatred in me.

He hadn’t awakened yet. This was the best chance to kill him!

But reason won out. I couldn’t take on so many people alone.

After a brief standoff, I lowered my head in feigned shame.

“I’m sorry, Brian. I found the water at the city park, but there’s not a drop left now. Really! I figured once you awakened your ability, you wouldn’t be lacking food or water anyway…”

Brian had been about to leave, but the latter half of my words made him stop short.

“Awaken an ability?”

“I heard it from others. If you run a fever, you’ll awaken an ability. You’re about to become someone important!”

I grabbed onto Brian, my expression pitiful.

“I didn’t mean to hide water. Please don’t be angry with me. Your wife has to feed the baby. It’s not easy for her. As long as you give me a sip of water…”

“Ah!”

Francie’s expression changed instantly. She slapped me hard across the face.

“Apple, have you no shame? Flirting with my husband right in front of me?”

Brian’s expression flickered. I threw my arms around him, looking up at him with pitiful eyes.

“Brian, I’m not trying to compete with your wife. I just want to serve you in her place.”

“Crazy bitch, get off!”

Francie flew into a rage, kicking me to the ground before dragging Brian away, cursing under her breath.

I immediately followed and knocked on their door.

“Please, Brian, just take me in!”

Under the blazing heat, my voice echoed through the entire apartment block.