chapter 5

Chapter 5: The Snake at the Door

​The next morning, I began the most critical phase of my preparation: hoarding medical supplies and non-perishable food.

​Using three different shell companies I created through Mr. Vance, I placed massive bulk orders across multiple distributors. I ordered ten tons of vacuum-sealed rice, dried beans, canned meats, powdered milk, and multi-vitamins. I bought five hundred emergency surgical kits, thousands of doses of antibiotics, iodine tablets, painkillers, and heavy-duty antiseptics.

​Instead of shipping everything to one location, which would raise immediate suspicion with local authorities, I split the deliveries between the northern valley bunker and the newly leased warehouse right next to Derrick's auto shop.

​By late afternoon, the first delivery truck pulled into the narrow alleyway behind the warehouse on South 5th Street.

​I stood inside the dusty, high-ceilinged building in plain work clothes, watching the delivery crew unload crate after crate of water purification systems and commercial MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat).

​Through the small back window of the warehouse, I had a clear view of the side yard of Derrick's repair shop.

​Derrick was out there, working on the engine of a commercial delivery van. His shirt was soaked through with sweat, his broad shoulders straining as he lifted a heavy iron manifold. Every movement he made was effortless, trained by years of hard manual labor.

​My chest tightened. In the apocalypse, Derrick’s physical strength, mechanical skills, and fierce protective instincts made him a natural leader. He just needed the resources—resources I was secretly stacking right through the concrete wall next to him.

​Suddenly, the sound of a loud, expensive engine revving echoed down the alleyway.

​A sleek, silver sports car pulled up right outside Derrick's shop, kicking up a cloud of dust. The engine cut off, and the driver’s door opened.

​Julian stepped out.

​My blood ran ice-cold in an instant. My hands clenched into tight fists at my sides.

​Julian was wearing a crisp designer suit, looking entirely out of place amidst the oil-stained concrete and scrap metal. He didn't look flustered or angry like he had in the law firm conference room yesterday. He had that same smooth, arrogant smirk on his face—the smirk he wore right before he stabbed me in my past life.

​Through the window, I watched Derrick wipe his hands on an old red shop rag, stepping out from under the hood of the van. His jaw set into a hard, dangerous line as he recognized Julian.

​"What do you want?" Derrick asked, his voice rough and cold enough to carry through the glass window to where I stood.

​Julian adjusted his gold cuff links, taking a slow, casual step into Derrick's shop.

​"Relax, mechanic," Julian said smoothly, looking around the dirty shop with obvious disgust. "I'm not here to start a fight. I'm here to offer you a business proposition. Or rather, a warning."

​Derrick didn't move an inch. "I don't do business with snakes. Get off my property."

​Julian chuckled softly, reaching into his inner coat pocket and pulling out a folded white envelope. He didn't hand it to Derrick; instead, he tossed it carelessly onto Derrick's wooden workbench.

​"Evelyn was at my office yesterday," Julian lied smoothly, his eyes flashing with subtle malice. "She was crying, begging me to take her back. She told me she came by your little garage earlier this week just to laugh at how poor you still are. She feels guilty, Derrick. So, being the generous man I am, I decided to help you out."

​I gasped silently behind the window, my blood boiling. That lying bastard.

​Derrick stared at the envelope on the desk, his eyes dark and unreadable. "What is that?"

​"That's a check for fifty thousand dollars," Julian said, leaning against the doorframe of the shop. "And a voluntary lease termination contract. You sign the paper, take the cash, and pack up your shop by the end of the week. Evelyn and I just purchased this entire commercial block. We’re demolishing this dump to build a private parking structure for our new development."

​My heart stopped beating.

​He lied to Derrick. Julian didn't own this block—I did! But Julian was using my name to make Derrick think I was coming back to crush his livelihood for good!

​Derrick’s hands slowly rolled into tight, heavy fists. The veins on his forearms bulged. He looked at the envelope on the table, then raised his head to stare at Julian.

​For a terrible second, I saw a flicker of absolute, agonizing defeat cross Derrick’s face. He truly believed Julian. He believed I had bought his land just to throw him into the street.

​"Is that so?" Derrick said softly, his voice trembling with a dark, dangerous quiet.

​"It is," Julian smiled, stepping closer to Derrick, clearly enjoying the power play. "She doesn't want you here, Derrick. She thinks you're dirt under her shoes. Sign the paper, take the cash, and run along before we bring the bulldozers in."

​I couldn't stand there and watch this anymore. If Derrick signed that paper or gave up his shop, my entire plan to keep him safe next to my warehouse would fail—and he would hate me forever, past the point of no return.

​I turned around, sprinted toward the back door of the warehouse, and shoved it open into the alleyway.

​"Julian!" I screamed, my voice echoing off the brick walls as I marched straight into the open garage door.

​Both men turned around to look at me.

​Julian’s smirk broadened, thinking I was here to play along. Derrick’s eyes turned into two burning coals of pure, unadulterated hatred as he locked eyes with me.

​"Evelyn," Julian smiled, opening his arms. "Great timing, sweetie. I was just telling Derrick about our new property plans—"

​"Shut up, Julian!" I yelled, stepping directly between Julian and Derrick. I grabbed the white envelope off the workbench, ripped it in half, and shoved the shredded paper directly into Julian's chest. "I own this block, not you! And Derrick isn't going anywhere!"

​Julian’s smile completely vanished, his face twisting into rage. "What the hell are you doing, Evelyn?"

​"I told you yesterday we were finished!" I snapped, my heart hammering against my ribs. "Get out of here before I call the police for harassment!"

​Julian glared at me, then looked at Derrick, realizing his bluff had been completely exposed. He spat on the concrete floor, sneered at us both, and walked back to his sports car. The engine roared as he slammed the gas, speeding away down the alleyway.

​Silence fell over the shop.

​I stood there breathing heavily, my pulse racing. I turned around to face Derrick, desperation filling my chest.

​"Derrick, listen to me," I pleaded, stepping toward him. "He lied to you. I didn't buy this block to destroy your shop. I bought it to—"

​CLANG!

​Derrick kicked an iron toolbox across the floor. It slammed into the brick wall, scattering ratchets and wrenches everywhere with a deafening crash.

​He took three long strides toward me, towering over me, his face inches from mine. His breath was hot, his eyes dark with a wild, terrifying fury I had never seen in him before.

​"Do you think I'm an idiot, Evelyn?" Derrick growled, his voice shaking with absolute rage. "You buy my land, you show up here with your rich ex, you play hero, and expect me to thank you?"

​"Derrick, no! That's not what this is—"

​"I don't care why you bought this building!" Derrick barked, grabbing a thick metal chain off the wall and wrapping it tightly around his hands. He glared down at me with cold, ruthless eyes. "Because as of today, I'm breaking my lease. I’m packing my tools, taking Maya, and leaving the state tonight."

​My blood ran cold.

​If he left the city tonight, he would be completely out of my reach when the outbreak hit in eighty-eight days. He would die in the open roads with Maya.

​"Derrick, please, you can't leave!" I cried out, grabbing his arm in panic. "If you leave the city, you will die!"

​Derrick stared down at my hand on his arm, a dark, bitter smile touching his lips.

​"Then let me die," he whispered dangerously. "Because dying out there is still better than spending another day near you."