Chapter 5

Two miles was nothing. The Hummer reached the entrance to the complex in just a few minutes.

Nicole handed the man 400 dollars, thanking him for saving her and for ignoring traffic rules.

His voice stayed cool. "No need. I was heading this way, anyway."

Seeing he wouldn't take it, she didn't push.

As she got out, she added, "The typhoon might cut water and power. While you still can, stock up on rice, flour, and oil, the basics."

She pushed the door open and ran into the complex, clutching the package as wind slammed into her. Fat raindrops crashed down like pellets. She wiped her face and stumbled out of the elevator, then looked up and froze.

Edward and Mary were standing in front of her apartment.

They had clearly been waiting a while. Edward looked irritated. Mary, on the other hand, wore a sweet smile. She was clad in a white sundress, looking innocent and spotless.

"What took you so long?" Edward snapped. "We've been waiting forever!"

Seeing them dragged up memories Nicole had buried. She remembered how she was bullied during the apocalypse, and how they stood by while she was torn apart. Her mood dropped instantly, sharp and ugly.

She had been stupid last time. That was on her.

This life, if they still wanted to leech off her and steal what kept her alive, they could dream on.

What she'd suffered, they would suffer twice over.

Nicole's face went cold. "What do you want?"

She used to treat Edward like the center of her world. Now, she didn't even bother hiding her indifference.

Edward stalled, then shot back, "It's my birthday. Why didn't you come to my party?"

"We're not close. Why would I?" she snapped.

"What…" Edward faltered.

She had been pursuing him. She had even said she would get him the gift he wanted most.

Of course, he wasn't here for a present. Mary had taken an interest in Nicole and wanted to meet her.

Mary studied Nicole with a smile and said sweetly, "Hey, Nicole."

"We don't know each other," Nicole cut in flatly. "Don't call me with that affectionate tone."

Mary looked awkward but kept her tone soft. "It's Edward's birthday. We're all from the same college. Come hang out with us."

Edward's birthday party had already ended at noon. Dragging her to the eighth floor now was just about stealing her pendant.

"Are you deaf?" Nicole sneered. "I said we're not close. Why the hell does his birthday have anything to do with me?"

Edward hadn't expected that. His face stiffened. "Nicole, what's your problem?"

"You two are wearing matching couple rings, but you keep inviting me to your place. Are you trying to make me part of a throuple?"

"Don't flatter yourself!" Edward snapped, furious and embarrassed. "I've never had that kind of interest in you. Mary, let's go."

However, Mary didn't move. She forced a smile. "I'll be honest with you. We came out for his birthday, but with the typhoon, we couldn't get home. Could I stay here for the night?"

"Are you out of your mind? I already said we're not close," Nicole spat.

Edward's face darkened. "Nicole, watch how you talk!"

"This is how I talk," she retorted. "If you don't like it, don't come bothering me."

Edward grabbed Mary to leave, but she resisted. Gritting her teeth, she kept smiling. "Nicole, that pendant you're wearing is really pretty. Where did you buy it?"

Nicole took the pendant off. "Do you want it?"

Mary's eyes lit up. "Would you sell it? I really like it."

Nicole let go.

The pendant hit the floor. She lifted her foot and stomped it hard, again and again, until it shattered into pieces.

Once the storage space bound to her, the pendant had lost its shine. It was useless now.

People were dangerous. If Nicole didn't destroy it in front of them, who knew what Mary might try next?

"Because you like it," Nicole said, "I find it disgusting now."

Mary stared at the broken pieces, stunned, before letting out a frightened gasp. Seeing his girlfriend upset, Edward exploded and started hurling insults at Nicole.

Nicole's eyes went sharp. "Get lost! And don't ever come back and get in my way!"

Edward's face went gray. He dragged Mary off, furious and humiliated.

Only then did Nicole unlock the stainless steel door and rush inside, tearing open the package.

The polar cold-weather suit was thick but soft, instantly warm when she put it on. The mummy sleeping bag was stitched in layers of down, heavy and solid. These would keep her alive during the deep freeze.

Outside, the wind screamed. The sky had sunk into a deep, heavy black.

Nicole shut all doors and windows tight, pulled out large white plastic barrels, and filled them with water. Several went straight into the storage space bathroom.

Once the typhoon rains fully set in, the complex would lose water and power fast.

No matter how wild it sounded outside, Nicole stayed busy in the kitchen, washing rice, chopping vegetables, cooking nonstop.

Braised beef, roasted chicken with mushrooms, baked fish, and beef and root vegetable stew. Each pot was huge. She packed everything into stainless steel containers, steaming hot, and stored them away.

While the storm had just begun and everyone still had food, it was best to cook strong-smelling dishes now. Later, lighting a fire would only invite trouble.

She steamed dinner rolls, baked bread, and made pastries. The gas stove and induction cooktop ran full blast until well past midnight.

She changed out of her greasy clothes, took a hot shower, and collapsed into bed.

Her sleep was shallow. A drilling noise dragged her awake.

Nicole pulled the curtain aside. Outside was a gray blur, wind and rain howling together. She thought it was still early, but her phone showed it was already after nine in the morning.

WhatsApp was exploding. The neighborhood group and class group both showed over 99 unread messages.

People were cheering the arrival of Typhoon Cleaver. Office workers were celebrating a break from endless overtime. Students were thrilled about the unexpected days off.

Photos and videos flooded the chats: trees ripped out by the roots, luxury cars crushed, a metal factory sliced open by a tornado.

Some people were starting to panic, complaining they hadn't stocked up on food. They said supermarkets were wiped clean by the time they got off work, with only a few sad packs of instant noodles left.

The drilling continued, coming from next door.

Nicole frowned. The building had three units per floor, and the other two were supposed to be empty.

In her last life, floodwater reached the second floor. People who fled their homes never got rescued and started targeting vacant apartments.

At first, everyone kept the peace. As food ran low, eyes grew darker, greed sharper. More than once, they tried to pry open Nicole's door in the middle of the night.

This time, she had a fire axe. If they tried, she wouldn't hesitate.

Then, she heard it. Not just drilling. A child's voice.

Nicole opened her door.

The door to unit 1801 was wide open. A brand-new stainless steel door leaned to the side. A young man in light-colored casual clothes was drilling into the wall.

Hearing her door open, he turned.

Nicole froze.

"It's you?"